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The primary vegetation of Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary are Scrub forests. Scrub forests are characterized by having mild winters with abundant rainfall, followed by dry summers. It acts as a breeding ground for few, but very rare species of birds. The plant growth remains dormant during the dry summer months. The landscape consist of short, drought resistant pine or scrub oak trees that grow 1 to 3 meters tall hence selected birds perch on them. Both deciduous and evergreen trees are found in scrub forests.
The particular birds of this sanctuary are: -
Whistling Thrust
Emerald Dove
Green Pigeon
Tickell's Flower Pecker
Rufus Wood Pecker
Rose Ringed Parakeet
Black Eagle
Emerald Doves are secretive and shy. Thus, although they are quite common in Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary, they are rarely seen.
Emerald Doves feed on fallen fruit and seeds like grass seeds, figs and bamboo. They also eat termites. Emerald Doves destroy the seeds that they eat and dont play a major role in plant dispersal.
Emerald Doves usually forage on the ground, under tree cover. Sometimes, they move onto open grassland to forage, but rush back into the undergrowth at the hint of danger.
Emerald Doves forage alone, or in pairs. When they are drawn to a food-rich area, they maintain a small feeding territory.
Indian Ringneck Parakeet, is also called the Rose-ringed Parakeet has the distinctive feature of a colored collar going around the head in the males, or a marked stripe running through the chin.
In the wild, Indian Ringneck Parakeets eat an assortment of seeds, berries, fruits, nuts, blossoms, and nectar.
Choosing a Bird Guide:
The guide includes information about habitats and maps showing range of different birds found in Tamil Nadu and where and when they migrate and what their song or call sounds like. The better guides show seasonal color changes, similar appearing species, and provide information on how to tell them apart. The guides also give information about the various birding sites in Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary.
Range Maps shows areas in Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary or Tamil Nadu, inhabited by a particular bird. This is helpful in eliminating similar appearing species. Range maps also tell when the species are in the area. Some birds are year round residents in this sanctuary, some are found only in the summer or winter, some pass though during migration to other parts of Tamil Nadu or India or maybe even overseas. Through the use of different symbols and colors, range maps can tell a the visitor about these things
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