Telineelapuram and Telukunchi Bird Sanctuaries are located in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Telineelapuram is a village located 65 kilometers from Srikakulam in Tekkali mandal, while Telukunchi is at a distance of 115 kilometers from Srikakulam in Ichchapuram mandal. Every year, over 3,000 pelicans and painted storks visit from Siberia to these villages during September and stay on till March.[1]
Researchers at Andhra University found that the migratory movement of birds was first noticed over 15 years ago, when the number of birds exceeded 10,000. At present, the figure has been reduced to about 3,000.[2]
The Tekkali creek and the villages in its vicinity like Telineelapuram, Ijjuvaram, Naupada in the district have become a seasonal resort for the winged tourists coming from as far as Siberia in Russia, Malaysia, Hungary, Singapore and Germany apart from 113 different species of inland birds, a majority of which are migrants from other states.[3]