Bird watching, also known as birding, is a popular hobby for many nature enthusiasts. It’s a great way to connect with nature and observe the beauty and diversity of bird species. Nepal is a small country based in the area. It covers only 0.003 per cent of the whole World. But the country is well rich in its natural beauty and its natural diversity. That is the reason, the country is supposed as a paradise for Natural beauty lovers. The birds are parts of natural beauty. The number of bird species amazes the whole world because the small country has 10 per cent of the birds, which are available in the whole world. If you want to count the total number of bird species, there are more than 850 species of birds have been recorded so far.
Now, the question arises why the small country of Nepal is rich in natural diversity. Of course, the country has three different types of geographical regions and also has diverse nature of climates too. This brings diversity not only to the birds but also brings diversity to all living organisms. That is the reason the country is a paradise for tourists.
Birds in Terai
Tourists can enjoy the spectacular scenery of birds from every corner of the country. But in the Terai region of Nepal, Bardia Nation Park in western Terai, Chitwan National Park in Central Terai, and Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in eastern Terai are the major bird-watching sites. The birds found in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve are watercock, Indian nightjar, dusky eagle owl, black-headed cuckoo shrike, white-tailed stonechat, striated grassbird, about 26 kinds of Duck alone, waterfowl, gilled tern, ibises, storks, swamp partridge, herons, egrets, Bengal Floricans, Black Ibis, Honey kites, Ospreys, black-headed orioles, the peregrine falcon. About 450 species of recorded birds are the main attraction of the Wildlife Reserve.
Similarly, the country’s first established, Chitwan National Park is another best-known birds watching site in Nepal. Tourists in Chitwan can enjoy the natural birds, sitting on the back of an Elephant or from the jeep or adventurous trekking. There are about 540 species of birds are found alone here in Chitwan National Park, which is half the total number of species of birds found in Nepal. The National Park includes great hornbill, pallid harrier, lager falcon, darter, painted and black-necked storks, black-chinned yuhina, white-throated kingfisher, Gould’s sunbird, blossom-headed parakeet, slaty-breasted rail, Bengal florican, lesser adjutant, grey-crowned prinia, swamp francolin, several species of grass warblers, slender-billed babblers, oriental darter, egrets, bitterns, storks, kingfishers, spotted eagle, peafowl, jungle fowl, greater spotted eagle, eastern imperial eagle, Pallas’s fish-eagle, brahmin ducks, goosanders, bar-headed geese, cuckoos, Bengal pittas, sunbird, flycatcher, paradise flycatcher.
Bardia National Park is another fabulous destination for bird lovers. The park includes more than 407 bird species, among them the Bengal florican, white-rumped vulture, peafowl, and bar-headed geese, Lesser florican and sarus crane, grey-crowned prinia, jungle prinia, pale-footed bush warbler, aberrant bush warbler, striated grassbird, golden-headed cisticola and chestnut-capped babbler occur in the park’s grasslands.
Birds in Hills and Himalayas
Trekkers in the Himalayas can feel the natural beauty of birds flying in the sky. It has been seen that the birds, such as the bar-headed goose, are flying at the altitude of a mountain like Everest. While, other birds like chough, have been spotted as high as the south col of altitude 7920 meters. The hill around the Kathmandu Valley is also a popular place for bird watchers, especially Godawari, Phulchowki, Nagarjun and the Taudaha Lake on the way to Dakshinkali is the perfect place for bird watching.
Nepal is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 848 species of birds recorded in the country. From the lush tropical forests in the south to the high altitude wetlands in the north, Nepal offers a wide range of habitats for a diverse array of bird species. Here are some of the top destinations for birding in Nepal:
- Chitwan National Park: Chitwan National Park is located in the Terai region of Nepal and is home to over 450 species of birds. This UNESCO World Heritage site is known for its diverse ecosystems, including tropical forests, grasslands, and wetlands, which provide habitats for a variety of bird species. Some of the most sought-after birds in Chitwan include the Bengal Florican, Greater Adjutant, and the Sarus Crane.
- Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve: Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is located in the eastern Terai region of Nepal and is known for its vast wetlands and grasslands. This reserve is home to over 300 species of birds, including the rare and endangered Bengal Florican, the Swamp Francolin, and the Black-necked Stork.
- Langtang National Park: Langtang National Park is located in the central Himalayas and is home to over 250 species of birds. This park is known for its diverse habitats, including rhododendron and oak forests, alpine meadows, and high-altitude wetlands. Some of the most sought-after birds in Langtang include the Blood Pheasant, the Satyr Tragopan, and the Beautiful Nuthatch.
- Sagarmatha National Park: Sagarmatha National Park is located in the eastern Himalayas and is home to over 118 species of birds. This UNESCO World Heritage site is known for its alpine and sub-alpine habitats and is home to the Himalayan Monal, the Snow Cock, and the Himalayan Snow Finch.
- Pokhara: Pokhara is a popular tourist destination located in the western part of Nepal and is known for its beautiful lakes and mountains. The city also offers great birding opportunities with over 250 species of birds recorded in the area. Some of the most sought-after birds in Pokhara include the White-capped Water Redstart, the Brown Dipper, and the Spotted & Striated Laughingthrushes.
- Kathmandu Valley: The Kathmandu Valley is the capital of Nepal and is home to over 400 species of birds. The valley offers a wide range of habitats for birds, including cultivated land, wetlands, forests, and urban areas. Some of the most sought-after birds in the Kathmandu Valley include the Spotted Eagle, the Black-throated Parrotbill, and the Rufous-bellied Woodpecker.
When planning a birding trip to Nepal, it’s important to research the best time of year to visit. The best time for bird watching in Nepal is from September to May when the weather is favourable and migratory birds are present. It’s also important to hire a local guide, as they will have the knowledge and experience to take you to the best birding spots.
It’s also important to note that many of the birding spots in Nepal are located in protected areas, and visitors are required to obtain permits to enter. These permits can be obtained through local tour operators or through the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.
