Know about THIS colourful yet elusive bird known as the 'Jewel Of Konkan' and WHERE to find it

The bird in the picture is an extremely clever hunter and one of the most-sought after bird species in India for birders. The Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher aka the 'Jewel Of Konkan', is as visually attractive as it is elusive. But if you're an enthusiastic bird-watcher, you wouldn't want to miss out on spotting this gorgeous avian species, would you?

So, if you're in Mumbai, read on to find out all about the nearby locations where you're most likely to spot this elusive bird!

As we said, this beautiful bird species is elusive and quite hard to spot. However, there are three prime locations where you're most likely to find this bird perched on a tree.

The first of these locations is Chiplun city in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, which is at a 5-hour drive from Mumbai. Apart from being visited by this unique bird, Chiplun is also known for its splendid sand beaches, cashew groves, and housing the Vashishti river.

The second place where you're most likely to spot the Jewel Of Konkan is the Karnala Bird Sanctuary near Panvel, which is just 63 kms from Mumbai. In fact, this is the place which many photographers visit to get shots of this elusive bird, as it is also called the breeding ground for the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher.

Lastly, the gorgeous ODKF bird can be spotted in the Tamhini Reserve Forest, which is at a distance of 157 km from Mumbai. Here, Monsoon is the perfect time to go looking for the ODKF. Also, these forests are the most picturesque during the rainy days!

Although you can find this oriental bird species at these locations for most of the year but the best time to go looking for the ODKF is between June and September.

So, birding enthusiasts and photographers in Mumbai, now you know where to go to get a glimpse of this rare species of the Kingfisher. So pack your camera bags and take any one of these three tours for an unparalleled bird-watching experience.