Photographing the Malabar Trogon at Thommankuthu Waterfalls: A Bird Photography Experience in Kerala

Searching for the Malabar Trogon Beyond Thattekad

One of my most memorable bird photography experiences in Kerala happened at Thommankuthu Waterfalls, where I finally managed to photograph the beautiful Malabar trogon after unsuccessful attempts at Thattekad Bird Sanctuary.

During one of my guided birding trips in Thattekad, I had failed to spot the Malabar trogon. That was when the guide accompanying me suggested that I try visiting Thommankuthu instead, as sightings there were sometimes more reliable.

For me, that recommendation became the beginning of a completely unexpected and rewarding experience.

Reaching Thommankuthu Early for Bird Photography

Unlike Thattekad, Thommankuthu is primarily known as a tourist destination and waterfall spot rather than a dedicated birding location.

That meant there were no proper guided birding trails available. Since the place becomes crowded later in the day, I knew I had to reach as early as possible if I wanted any realistic chance of spotting birds.

So I reached the location around 6 or 6:30 in the morning, hoping to enter before tourists arrived.

Unfortunately, the main gates remained closed until around 8 a.m., when the first staff members finally arrived.

This is something many wildlife photographers and birders face in Kerala — unless you have a private guide or official forest access, many locations only open after sunrise, by which time peak bird activity has already reduced.

Trekking Through the Forest With Limited Success

Once the gates opened, I immediately entered the trail area.

Since I was among the first visitors inside, I hoped I would still be able to spot some good birds despite the delay. But by then, the sunlight had already become quite harsh, and overall bird activity was lower than expected.

I still managed to see a few interesting species during the trek:

• Orange-headed thrushes

• Flycatchers

• Malabar Whistling Thrush

• A grey hornbill

• A few other smaller forest birds

Unfortunately, most sightings were brief and difficult to photograph properly.

After trekking for almost two to two and a half hours through the forest and waterfall trails, I slowly started losing hope. I genuinely thought the trip might end without seeing the Malabar trogon once again.

The Unexpected Malabar Trogon Sighting

While walking back down the trail, I decided to stop and rest for a while.

That was when I noticed a small group of people looking up toward the canopy of a nearby tree.

Curious, I walked closer — and that was the moment I finally saw it.

A female Malabar trogon was sitting quietly on a branch.

Unlike the brightly colored male, the female is more brownish in appearance and comparatively subtle. Still, for me, even seeing the female after so many failed attempts felt incredibly rewarding.

But what happened next made the experience unforgettable.

Within a few minutes, the male Malabar trogon arrived.

Seeing the Male Malabar Trogon for the First Time

The male Malabar trogon was absolutely stunning.

Its vibrant red underparts, contrasting black head, and elegant posture made it one of the most beautiful birds I had ever seen in the wild.

What caught my attention even more was that the bird was carrying a grasshopper in its beak.

Initially, I assumed it had brought the insect for its partner. But after observing carefully, I realized there was actually a nest nearby.

At that moment, the entire experience transformed from simple birdwatching into something far more emotional and fulfilling.

Photographing the Trogon Pair Responsibly

After hours of disappointment, suddenly witnessing not just a Malabar trogon pair but also their nesting behavior felt surreal.

I carefully maintained my distance and avoided being intrusive around the nesting site. I wanted to document the moment without disturbing the birds.

Even then, I managed to capture some really meaningful photographs of the pair, especially the male carrying food.

Moments like these are what make wildlife photography special for me — not just getting the photograph itself, but witnessing natural behavior unfold unexpectedly in front of you.

From Disappointment to One of My Most Rewarding Birding Experiences

Ironically, the waterfall itself was not very impressive during that trip because the water flow had reduced significantly.

But none of that mattered anymore.

The entire trip became memorable because of the Malabar trogon encounter.

After multiple failed attempts in different forests, finally seeing both the male and female together — and that too near a nesting site — made me feel that all the waiting, trekking, and patience had finally paid off.

Even today, this remains one of my most fulfilling bird photography experiences in Kerala.