Hornbills of Dandeli

Hornbills are spectacular birds and hard to miss. With their large, yellow-colored beaks, hornbills are easy to spot and are a bird photographer’s delight. Dandeli in Karnataka is the most popular place to spot hornbills.

India is home to about 9 species of hornbills. While at Dandeli, you are likely to see all 4 species of south Indian Hornbills viz Malabar Pied Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Great Hornbill, and Indian Grey Hornbill.

Where to spot Hornbills in Dandeli:

Spotting Hornbills requires lots of patience, a bit of luck, and a bit of local knowledge. Old Magazine House at Ganeshgudi and Kali Adventure Camp at Dandeli, both operated by Jungle Lodges & Resorts Ltd conducts treks/bird watching walks during which the probability of spotting a hornbill is high. Staying in a homestay and exploring around with help from your host will also give you a chance of spotting hornbills.

Haliyal is a town in Uttara Kannada popular for Mallikarjuna Temple and fort, Sri Rama, Dattatreya, Maruti, Pete Basaveshwara, and Venkataramana Temples, six mosques, three Durgahs, a Roman Catholic Church, and the tomb of Haider Shah. Haliyal is 50 km from Hubballi and 150 km from Karwar.

Hornbill Festival:

The most awaited hornbill festival is held in February. The festival includes birding walks and many more exciting activities, especially for bird watchers and enthusiasts. Visit the events list of MyEcoTrip.com, which gives you a list of all festivals and the dates along with activities and accommodation options.