Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Discover Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Ranganathittu covers an area of less than 1 km², but the bird population density is very high. The most common birds in the sanctuary are painted storks, spoon bills, white ibises, egrets, herons and partridges. Most of the birds stay on tiny islands within the river, which you can approach by boat. However, the river is also home to a few crocodiles, so don't jump in for a swim! Ranganathittu attained the status of a bird sanctuary in 1940, courtesy of the visions of India's noted ornithologist. Dr. Salim Ali. who, during his survey of the birds of Mysore, advocated for the establishment of such a sanctuary.
What to Experience in Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Taste of Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary...
There is a small cafe at Ranganthittu, and Mysore is always close by. A canteen at the sanctuary sells tea, coffee and snacks like Masala Dosai. The canteen is set up in a beautiful way. There is no lodging at the park itself, but you can stay in Srirangapatna, a few kilometres away, or better yet, Mysore. The sanctuary is suffering from a plastic problem. Please avoid leaving any plastic bags. They not only make the place look untidy, but can be deadly to the wildlife.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary into what it is today.
Ranganathittu attained the status of a bird sanctuary in 1940, courtesy of the visions of India's noted ornithologist. Dr. Salim Ali. who, during his survey of the birds of Mysore, advocated for the establishment of such a sanctuary. Ranganthittu is on the river Cauvery, about 13 km away from Mysore. The part that visitors are allowed to see is a slow section of the river, with many little islands which form nesting sites for sorts of migratory birds. Low hanging branches, small rocks with crocodiles sunning themselves are easily found, so don't be surprised if you look around to see a crocodile within arm's reach. This sanctuary is well maintained with tiled footpaths and photogenic niches in the small space. Some of the birds seen at Ranganthittu are the white Ibis, cormorants, egrets, herons, river terns and darters. In addition, the place is also home to a large number of crocodiles. The climate is pleasant throughout the year, except being a little hot in April and May. The drive from Bangalore is approximately 130 km, and takes a couple of hours at the most, thanks to the four lane highway. Driving from Mysore is much nearer, about 13 km. If you are driving from Bangalore, look out for a small right turn after Srirangapatna. The park opens at 9AM and closes at 4PM. The park charges a small entry fee, and the boat ride is also a charged service. For a half hour leisurely tour of the river you get charged ₹2200 for a whole boat....
Climate
The climate is pleasant throughout the year, except being a little hot in April and May. The drive from Bangalore is approximately 130 km, and takes a couple of hours at the most, thanks to the four lane highway. Driving from Mysore is much nearer, about 13 km. If you are driving from Bangalore, look out for a small right turn after Srirangapatna. The park opens at 9AM and closes at 4PM. The park charges a small entry fee, and the boat ride is also a charged service. For a half hour leisurely tour of the river you get charged ₹2200 for a whole boat. Mass rides are also available at much cheaper rates, though these are charged per person. The fees below were valid in July 2011 but may be subject to change: Entry fee: Indians – ₹50, foreigners – ₹300 (plus ₹300 to admit your car, outside parking is not possible as the road to the sanctuary is narrow) Boat-ride tickets: Indians – ₹50, foreigners – ₹300 Ranganathittu is on the river Cauvery, about 13 km away from Mysore.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe drive from Bangalore is approximately 130 km, and takes a couple of hours at the most, thanks to the four lane highway. Driving from Mysore is much nearer, about 13 km. If you are driving from Bangalore, look out for a small right turn after Srirangapatna. The park opens at 9AM and closes at 4PM. The park charges a small entry fee, and the boat ride is also a charged service. For a half hour leisurely tour of the river you get charged ₹2200 for a whole boat. Mass rides are also available at much cheaper rates, though these are charged per person. The fees below were valid in July 2011 but may be subject to change: Entry fee: Indians – ₹50, foreigners – ₹300 (plus ₹300 to admit your car, outside parking is not possible as the road to the sanctuary is narrow) Boat-ride tickets: Indians – ₹50, foreigners – ₹300 Ranganathittu is on the river Cauvery, about 13 km away from Mysore. The part that visitors are allowed to see is a slow section of the river....
Getting Around & Staying
Where to Stay
There is no lodging at the park itself, but you can stay in Srirangapatna, a few kilometres away, or better yet, Mysore. The sanctuary is suffering from a plastic problem. Please avoid leaving any plastic bags. They not only make the place look untidy, but can be deadly to the wildlife.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
The sanctuary is suffering from a plastic problem. Please avoid leaving any plastic bags. They not only make the place look untidy, but can be deadly to the wildlife.
Glimpses of Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
The spot-billed pelican or grey pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) is a member of the pelican family. It breeds in southern Asia from southern Pakistan across India east to Indonesia. It is a bird of large inland and coastal waters, especially large lakes. At a distance they are difficult to differentiate from other pelicans in the region although it is smaller but at close range the spots on the upper mandible, the lack of bright colours and the greyer plumage are distinctive.
The spot-billed pelican or grey pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) is a member of the pelican family. It breeds in southern Asia from southern Pakistan across India east to Indonesia. It is a bird of large inland and coastal waters, especially large lakes. At a distance they are difficult to differentiate from other pelicans in the region although it is smaller but at close range the spots on the upper mandible, the lack of bright colours and the greyer plumage are distinctive.
The painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala) is a large wader in the stork family. It is found in the wetlands of the plains of tropical Asia south of the Himalayas in the Indian Subcontinent and extending into Southeast Asia. Their distinctive pink tertial feathers of the adults give them their name. They forage in flocks in shallow waters along rivers or lakes.
The painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala) is a large wader in the stork family. It is found in the wetlands of the plains of tropical Asia south of the Himalayas in the Indian Subcontinent and extending into Southeast Asia. Their distinctive pink tertial feathers of the adults give them their name. They forage in flocks in shallow waters along rivers or lakes.
The painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala) is a large wader in the stork family. It is found in the wetlands of the plains of tropical Asia south of the Himalayas in the Indian Subcontinent and extending into Southeast Asia. Their distinctive pink tertial feathers of the adults give them their name. They forage in flocks in shallow waters along rivers or lakes.
The mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), also called marsh crocodile, broad-snouted crocodile and mugger is a crocodilian native to freshwater habitats from southern Iran and Pakistan to the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka.
A stork stands near a crocodile on a rock.
The spot-billed pelican or grey pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) is a member of the pelican family. It breeds in southern Asia from southern Pakistan across India east to Indonesia. It is a bird of large inland and coastal waters, especially large lakes. At a distance they are difficult to differentiate from other pelicans in the region although it is smaller but at close range the spots on the upper mandible, the lack of bright colours and the greyer plumage are distinctive.
The spot-billed pelican or grey pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) is a member of the pelican family. It breeds in southern Asia from southern Pakistan across India east to Indonesia. It is a bird of large inland and coastal waters, especially large lakes. At a distance they are difficult to differentiate from other pelicans in the region although it is smaller but at close range the spots on the upper mandible, the lack of bright colours and the greyer plumage are distinctive.
The painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala) is a large wader in the stork family. It is found in the wetlands of the plains of tropical Asia south of the Himalayas in the Indian Subcontinent and extending into Southeast Asia. Their distinctive pink tertial feathers of the adults give them their name. They forage in flocks in shallow waters along rivers or lakes.
The painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala) is a large wader in the stork family. It is found in the wetlands of the plains of tropical Asia south of the Himalayas in the Indian Subcontinent and extending into Southeast Asia. Their distinctive pink tertial feathers of the adults give them their name. They forage in flocks in shallow waters along rivers or lakes.
The painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala) is a large wader in the stork family. It is found in the wetlands of the plains of tropical Asia south of the Himalayas in the Indian Subcontinent and extending into Southeast Asia. Their distinctive pink tertial feathers of the adults give them their name. They forage in flocks in shallow waters along rivers or lakes.
The mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), also called marsh crocodile, broad-snouted crocodile and mugger is a crocodilian native to freshwater habitats from southern Iran and Pakistan to the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka.