India contains several different types of forests. Apart from the coastal mangroves, inland we have wet evergreen dry deciduous and desert thorn forests. Hill and mountain forests contain mixed broadleaf, moist oak, rhododendron and dry coniferous forests of pine, cedar and fir. Most forests are now declining. Forest birds are difficult to see, especially when they are concealed in dense canopy. They are best seen in clearings, flying from tree to tree or on the edge of forests. Frequently, assorted species form hunting groups or parties and move together through the forest searching for food. Finding and watching such groups is one of the best ways of seeing forest birds
Deciduous Forest
Deciduous Forest are made of trees that shed leaves during summer and get fresh leaves during spring. A very ideal place to watch forest birds because of open canopy, birds give confiding views. Fruit eating birds like Hornbills, Green Pigeons, Chloropsis, Bulbuls are easily seen in these forests(To be developed by VMR). A significant portion of Uttara Kannada district like Haliyal, Dandeli, Sirsi, Yellapur, Khanapur, Belgaum, Kalghatgi in Dharwad district are the places where these type of forests are encountered.
Evergreen Forest
A very fine habitat although very difficult to sight birds, this habitat is a treasure house of the Western Ghat endemics like the White bellied Treepie, Ruby throated Bulbul, Grey headed bulbul are some of the endemics encountered here. This habitat mainly occurs on the ridgeline of the Western Ghats in Uttara Kannada and Belgaum districts.
Scrub Forest
This environment occurs where the soil is not conducive for growth of rich and luxuriant vegetation. Degraded forest often turns into scrub forest. Other places where scrub forest occur are boulder strewn hills with poor rain fall and the fringes of wetland where the soil condition is saline or waterlogged. Birds like Great Indian Bustard and Jerdon’s courser inhabit this kind of Forest. The Black Buck Sanctuary in Ranebenur and Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary near Hospet are prime examples of this habitat.