White-throated Kingfisher ( Kerala , India )

                                                                   Location: Valillapuzha , Areekode , Malappuram , Kerala

The White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) also known as the White-breasted Kingfisher or Smyrna Kingfisher, is a tree kingfisher. This is a large kingfisher, 28 cm in length. The adult has a bright blue back, wings and tail. Its head, shoulders, flanks and lower belly are chestnut, and the throat and breast are white. The large bill and legs are bright red. The flight of the White-throated Kingfisher is rapid and direct, the short rounded wings whirring. This species mainly hunts large crustaceans, insects, earthworms, rodents, snakes, fish and frogs. The White-throated Kingfisher begins breeding at the onset of the Monsoons. 

A view of chaliyar river from Pavanna

A view of chaliyar river from Pavanna ( Areekode , Malappuram , Kerala , India )

Chaliyar River:  

Chaliyar is the fourth longest river in Kerala (169 km).  Nilambur,Edavanna, Areekode, Kizhuparamba, Cheruvadi, Mavoor, Peruvayal, Feroke and Beypore are some of the towns / Panchayaths  situated along the banks of Chaliyar. The river has two names -  Chaliyar and Beypore River. The river meets the Arabian Sea at the southern part of which is known as Chaliyam and northern part as Beypore. Thus the river gets the names Chaliyar and Beypore River.  The Chaliyar originates in the Western Ghats range at Elambalari Hills located near Cherambadi town in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu and flows through Malappuram District for most of its length and then for around 17 km it forms the boundary between Malappuram District and Kozhikode District before entering the city of Kozhikode for its final 10 km journey and finally empties into the Arabian Sea. Some of the Chaliyar's tributaries originate from Wayanad District .Near the origin of river are the Meenmutty Falls at coordinates. Chaliyar is one of the rivers which doesn't get dried up in the drought season.Many other rivers in Kerala get dried up during march and April.  

Areekode:   

Areekode is a small town ( Panchayath) located on the banks of Chaliyar River in Eranad Taluk of Malappuram district,Kerala .  it is encircled by hills and hillocks capped in green.  Near places are Mukkam, Nilambur, Manjeri, Kondotty and Near Panchayaths are Keezhupramba, Urangattiry, Kavanoor.  Areekode boasts to have a vibrant history, refined culture and a highly educated population. It is a village of football players and football lovers.

Freshwater fishes of kerala

Freshwater fishes of kerala ( This fishes from Chaliyar River )

Freshwater fish are fish that spend some or all of their lives in fresh water, such as rivers and lakes, with a salinity of less than 0.05%. Around 175 primary freshwater fishes are found in Kerala. The indiscriminate collection of ornamental fish from water bodies and the steady decline of paddy fields and wetlands that provide breeding grounds for several species have raised the diversity of threats faced by freshwater fishes in Kerala.

Ten major rivers of Kerala

• Chandragiri

  • Kabini

    • Chaliyar

      • Bharatapuzha

        • Chalakudy

          • Periyar

            • Pambar

              • Pampa

                • Achenkovil

                  • Neyyar

Link-

Freshwater fishes under siege

Several fresh water fish species under threat