The first breeding site of the Blue-Cheeked Bee-eater (merops persicus) in penin -sular India has been discovered in Aandivilai near the Manakudy Mangroves in Kanniyakumari district.
Its breeding was primarily recorded in regions such as Nile Delta, Pakistan, and Iran while its wintering grounds include parts of Africa.
Some breeding burrows of the bird were eventually found along the saltpans of Pazhayar river basin.