India - a Birder's Paradise

Our Incredible India programmes are curated to connect you with the breathtaking natural beauty of this extraordinary subcontinent. In this blog we take to the skies and bring you news of some of the birding treasures that await in the soaring mountains of the north and the tropical waterways of the south. 

Singalila National Park, Northeast India

A wilderness located on the Singalila Ridge 7,000 – 12,000 feet above sea level, this is one of the most exotic Himalayan forests in India. A temperate forest of fir, deciduous hardwood and Rhododendron with a thick bamboo understory, it is one of the best birding destinations in the world. More than 300 species of birds have been recorded here, including exotic birds such as Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Kalij Pheasant, Brown and Fulvous Parrotbills. Habres Nest where our tour is based for five nights, boasts one of the Eastern Himalayas’ most renowned in-house bird hides. The conservationists have recorded over 50 species of birds including Myzornis, Parrotbills, Laughing Thrush, Wren Babblers, Tesia, Magpie and Short-Wing.

Jaldapara National Park, Eastern Himalayas

Covering 216 sq km, the Jaldapara National Park is a mosaic of woods, grasslands, perennial streams, sandy riverbanks and extensive belts of tall grass. This varied terrain is home to an exceptional avian population comprising more than 240 species.
Woodland birds include Green Pigeons, Hornbills, Barbets, Parakeets, Woodpeckers, Cuckoos, Orioles, Drongos, Babblers and Thrushes.
The most common water birds are the large and little Cormorant, Indian Shag, Darter, Egrets, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Pied Wagtail, Spur Winged Lapwing, Moorhen and White Breasted Waterhen.
The hunters in Jaldapara are the Owls and Nightjars, while Crested Serpent Eagle is a common raptor. The other main birds of prey are Pallas’s Fishing Eagle, Pied Harrier, Common Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrow Hawk.
Grassland and open country birds, which can be seen from the many watchtowers, include Doves, Bee-Eaters, Rollers, Hoopoe, Shrikes, Larks, Hill Mynas, Bulbuls, Finches. The call of the Red Jungle Fowl is as common as the musical sound of crickets.
Endangered species include Bengal Florican, Black partridge, Shaheen Falcon, Great Pied Hornbills, Forest Eagle Owl, Large Green billed Malkoha and White Rumped Vulture, Lesser Adjutant Stork.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Kerala

Set amidst lush greenery and crisscrossed by a network of water channels that are part of the larger Vembanad Lake backwater system, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is known for its rich avian diversity and serene natural beauty. The picturesque landscape includes mangrove forests, paddy fields, coconut groves and marshy areas, creating an ideal environment for a diverse range of bird species.
The sanctuary is the favourite haunt of around 180 bird species, including more than 90 migratory species. The winter months, November to February, are prime time for spotting migratory birds which come from far off regions such as the Himalayas and Siberia. Visitors include Siberian Cranes, various species of Herons, Darters, Bitterns, Brahminy Kites, Marsh Harriers, Teals, Larks and Flycatchers. The Steppe Eagle, Booted Eagle, Black-Tailed Godwit and the Rufous-backed Shrike are also found in the area.