Birding Factoids

869 species in
69 families

2 endemic species
27 endangered species 
92 speciality species
2-3 week trip expectation -
about 350 species

    Nepal
    Hotspots
Checklist of Nepal BirdsTours and GuidesEco-LodgesSpeciality BirdsPrint and Other ResourcesMap and General Information
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See Christian Artuso's images of South-East Asian Birds
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Nepal Specialities
Impeyan Pheasant (Himalayan Monal), Nepal's national bird - Photo copyright Dan Cowell
Photo copyright Dan Cowell
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Coppersmith Barbet - Photo copyright Christian Artuso
Photo copyright Christian Artuso
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White-rumped Shama - Photo copyright Peter LaTourrette
Photo copyright Peter LaTourrette
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Brown Hawk-Owl - Photo copyright Christian Artuso
Photo copyright Christian Artuso
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Collared Scops-Owl - Photo copyright Dave Behrens
Photo copyright Dave Behrens
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Brahminy Kite - Photo copyright Laurence Poh
Photo copyright Laurence Poh
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Brahminy Starling - Photo copyright Tony Coatsworth
Photo copyright Tony Coatsworth
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Rufous-breasted Bush-Robin - Photo copyright Christian Artuso
Photo copyright Christian Artuso

Cheer Pheasant - Photo copyrjght Tragopan Pheasantry, Belgium

Photo copyright Tragopan Pheasantry, Belgium
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White-gorgeted Flycatcher - Photo copyright Sujan Chatterjee
Photo copyright Sujan Chatterjee

Jungle Owlet - Photo copyright Clement Francis and Vijaykumar Thondaman

Photo copyright Clement Francis and Vijaykumar Thondaman
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Slaty-backed Forktail - Photo copyright Christian Artuso
Photo copyright Christian Artuso
     
    ....Important Bird Watching Destinations in Nepal - This commercial site 
      provides additional information about:
      • Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
      • Royal Chitwan National Park
      • Annapurna Conservation Area
      • Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area
      • Langtang National Park
      • Phulchowski and Godavari
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    ....Royal Chitwan National Park - the oldest national park in Nepal, is
      situated in the subtropical inner Terai lowlands of South-Central Nepal. The park was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1984. There are more than 43 species of mammals, over 450 species of birds, and more than 45 species of amphibians and reptiles in the park.
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    ....Parks and Reserves of Nepal - this site provides brief information  ....
    ....Sagarmatha National Park - the site of Mount Everest,
      the park also holds 152 species of birds, 36 of which are breeding species for which Nepal may hold internationally significant populations. The park is important for a number of species breeding at high altitudes, such as blood pheasant, robin accentor, white-throated redstart, grandala and several rosefinches. The park's small lakes, especially those at Gokyo, are used as staging points for migrants and at least 19 water bird species have been recorded
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    ....Lake Rara - Rara Lake is perched on a high shelf at 
      2,980 meters and is protected by Rara National Park, which was established in 1976. The Park, covering an area of 106 sq. kilometers, isthe most popular trekking area in the far west. Rara Lake, five kilometers along and two kilometers wide, is Nepal's largest lake. Its shimmering blue waters, reflecting Gurchi Lekh's snowy peaks, are ringed by meadows and pine forests.  The park is a birdwatcher's delight, especially during November andApril when ducks, cormorants and other birds visit during their seasonal migration. 
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    ....Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve - This RAMSAR site 
      is an important wintering and staging ground for trans-Himalayan migratory birds including endangered species of swamp partridge and most threatened species of Bengal floricon in the world and other two species at risk; changeable hawk eagle, and dusky eagle owl. About 325 bird species are recorded in the area. This is about 39 percent of the total bird species recorded in Nepal. More information on Koshi Tappu. And yet another site.
    ....
    ....Shey-Phoksundo National Park - Established in 1984 with an 
      area of 3,555 sq. km., Shey-Phoksundo National Park is situated in the mountainous region of Western Nepal, covering parts of Dolpo and Mugu Districts. It is the largest national park in the country. The main objectives of the park are to preserve the unique trans-Himalayan ecosystem with its typical Tibetan type of flora and fauna.
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    ....Annapurna Conservation Area - The Annapurna Himal region 
      of Nepal encompasses 2,600 sq. km. of mountainous terrain, containing some of the world's highest peaks and deepest river valleys. The area has been widely recognized as a naturalist's paradise. The upper sub-alpine steppe environment harbors one of the rare snow leopards and blue sheep. Other areas of the region protect bird species such as the multi-colored Impeyan pheasant (or danphe, Nepal's national bird), koklas, blood pheasants among a multitude of other birds, butterflies and insects. 
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    ....Himalayan Flora and Fauna - brief information of the birds found in the 
      Himalayas and Nepal.
    ....
    ....Note on a visit to the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal
      by Ashish Kothari. The Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA)  is one of Asia's largest protected areas, about 7600 sq. km. It ranges in altitude from about 1500 metres to Annapurna I peak, at 8091 metres. The spectacular Annapurna range is completely situated within the ACA, flanked by the foothills of the Greater Himalayan range on the south and trans-Himalayan arid areas to the north.This habitat diversity harbours 1,226 species of plants, 478 birds, and 101 mammals. The area is inhabited by over 100,000 people, augmented by over 50,000 tourists annually. ACA is one of Nepal's most popular trekking destinations. 
    ....
    ....Trip Report: Nepal 8-17th January 1999 - by Robert Wincup.Here is
      an annotated series of photographs, taken by Robert Wincup, during a Naturetrek birding tour of Nepal. During the tour 262 bird species and 11 species of mammal were recorded.
    ....
    ....Trip Report - Thailand and Nepal - 24 December 2000 - 29 January,
      2001. By Greg Roberts, with Glenn Scherf, except for last week. Total count - 420 species of birds and 24 species of mammals. 
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    ....Trip Report: Kathmandu Valley and Royal Chitwan National Park, 
      Nepal. 18 September – 2 October 2000, by Richard Fuller. I managed to wangle a trip to Nepal to attend a conference on Galliformes, and flew out a week early to take in some birding around the capital. Travelling madly around the country amassing a huge list was one option (seriously considered!), but as I hadn’t been anywhere near the Indian Subcontinent before, I decided to concentrate on the Kathmandu Valley area and spend more time birding than travelling.
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    ....Nepal Birding Diary - Bill & Doreen Stair, October 10 - November 14,
      2000. Whereas, in normal life, we would plan our weekend or weeklong vacations as tightly and as twitchily as possible, cramming as many target species as  conceivably possible into the allotted time frame, this trip is different. For one year we will be traveling on a limited budget, which necessitates an entirely  different approach. 
    ....
    ....Trip Report: Southern Nepal, March 1-23, 1999 by Laura Gooch. 
      I spent three weeks photographing birds in the lowlands of southern Nepal between March 1 and March 23. Areas birded included Pulchowki/Godawari (near Kathmandu), Koshi Tappu Wildlife Preserve (southeast Nepal), Royal Chitwan National Park (south central Nepal), and Royal Bardia National Park (southwestern Nepal). It was a great trip, with an incredible number of life birds for me, since I've never birded outside of North and Central America before.
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    ....Trip Report: Nepal, March 6-22, 1999 - by Allen & Nancy Chartier- 
      A total of 286 species was recorded, with 189 life birds for Allen and 180 life birds for Nancy. We both got our 3000th life bird: Allen's was Blue-throated Barbet at Fishtail Lodge on March 12, and Nancy's was the Spotted Owlet in Pokhara on March 14. 
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    ....Trip Report: Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge (Royal Chitwan N.P., Nepal),
      January 31 - February 1, 1998. By Tom and Margot Southerland. Tiger Tops is famous for its wildlife, its up-market food and lodging, and its elephants that take its guests on wildlife-seeking excursions.  We only stayed at Tiger Tops for two nights, so only got to bird one complete day and the morning of the next. Because you can walk around the extensive wooded areas of Tiger Tops (there are tigers but not in the immediate area -- so they say), we saw far more birds in a given time than at Ranthambhor or Corbett National Parks in India. It was also much warmer than in India during this time. See also Tom and Margo's March 1999 trip to Tiger Tops and March 2000 trip.
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    ....Trip Report: Nepal, April 25 - May 27, 2000 - by Phil and Charlotte
      Benstead. This report outlines an independent five week bird-watching trip to Nepal in April/May 2000. 
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    ....Trip Report: Kathmandu, Chitwan & Annapurna Sanctuary Trek, Nepal,
      April 2003. Observers - Ramesh Karki, Dave Allan and John B.  O'Connell-Davidson. A total of 349 species of birds were observed during our time in Nepal with a further 9 species were heard calling but were not seen.
    ....
    ....Birding Nepal (January 1993) - Trip Report by Tom Tarrant
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    ....Nepal Trip Reports - you can find Nepal trip reports on John
      Girdley's BirdTours website by following the Asia/Nepal link from the main page.


    Factoids taken from Where to watch birds in Asia  - by Nigel Wheatley

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Tours and Guides

See DISCLAIMER
>>>
birdingpal.com...>> A Birding Pal is not a paid guide, but someone who likes to help out of town visitors. You can become a Birding Pal today! Help someone to enjoy your local birding spots and find a pal to help you when you travel. Click here for Nepal Birding Pals, or join to be a Birding Pal!
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Black-headed Jay - Photo copyright Ronald Saldino
Photo copyright Ronald Saldino
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Savannah Nightjar - Photo copyright Christian Artuso
Photo copyright Christian Artuso
     
    **..Explore Alpine Adventures - Satyr Tragopan, Ibisbill or Bengal 
      Florican - you name the species, we make the perfect birding program for you. Explore Alpine Adventure is experienced in running birding trips in all over Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and India. From the lowlands to the high valleys of the Himalayas, you will be joined by a very experienced local birding guides who know where and how to find the specialities.
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    ....Nepal Wildlife Safari Tours - A Natural Getaway!
      This commercial site provides limited information on Royal Chitwan National Park in the central Terai lowlands and Bardia National Park in the western Terai which provide some of the best wildlife and nature viewing places in Asia. For the more serious bird watcher the Kosi Tapu Wildlife Park, in south-east Nepal, provide a unique venue for watching migratory waterfowl, waders and shore birds that congregate along the Kosi River from December to February every year.

 

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Eco-Lodges

See DISCLAIMER


Large Niltava - Photo copyright Laurence Poh
Photo copyright Laurence Poh
    **..The Himalayan Environmental Study and Trekking Centre provides
      a new concept in travel. The Centre has been established as a Non-Government Organization specifically aimed at providing financial support to the more remote villages of the region, where the environment is under threat and basic health and education facilities are desperately needed. The Centre is not bound to any type of group, but is likely to appeal to those interested in environmental and related subjects, for example: bird watching and nature study. 
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    ....Aqua Birds Unlimited Camp - The Aqua Bird Unlimited Camp is 
      situated at Kusaha, 2.6 km from Mahendra East-West Highway adjacent to Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR) Head Quarters, Sunsari District, Eastern Teral, Nepal.

 
 

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Endemics and Specialities

in Nepal

Information on endemics and specialities is derived from Sibley & Monroe checklists and bird distribution lists in Thayer's Birder's Diary - Version 2.05, supplemented by material found in Where to watch birds in Asia  - by Nigel Wheatley. Asian speciality birds, while not endemic, are those that can only be found in three or less countries of Asia. Information on endangered birds is derived from the IUCN Red List, Birdlife International, and supporting data bases developed by Ian Patton, of Merlin Species Watcher.  The endemic, endangered and speciality birds may be uncommon, extremely rare vagrants, may be extirpated in the country now or may only be present in migration. However, documented sightings of each species noted below have been made in Nepal. 

 
Endemics in Nepal
___ Nepal Wren-Babbler ___ Spiny Babbler
Endangered Birds in Nepal

Breeding Birds

Non-Breeding Birds

___ Bengal Florican
___ Black-breasted Parrotbill
___ Blyth's Kingfisher
___ Bristled Grassbird
___ Cheer Pheasant
___ Dark-rumped Swift
___ Greater Adjutant
___ Indian Skimmer
___ Jerdon's Babbler
___ Lesser Adjutant
___ Pallas's Fish-Eagle
___ Pink-headed Duck
___ Rufous-necked Hornbill
___ Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler
___ Swamp Francolin
___ White-bellied Heron
___ Wood Snipe
___ Baer's Pochard
___ Baikal Teal
___ Black-necked Crane
___ Ferruginous Pochard
___ Greater Spotted Eagle
___ Imperial Eagle
___ Kashmir Flycatcher
___ Lesser Kestrel
___ Spot-billed Pelican
___ White-throated Bushchat 

Other Near-endemic and Speciality Birds in Nepal
(adapted from Where to watch birds in Asia  - by Nigel Wheatley.)

___ Beautiful Rosefinch
___ Bengal Florican
___ Black-breasted Parrotbill
___ Black-chinned Babbler
___ Black-crested Tit
___ Black-headed Jay
___ Black-lored Tit
___ Black-winged Snowfinch
___ Blanford's Rosefinch
___ Blood Pheasant
___ Bristled Grassbird
___ Brown Parrotbill
___ Brown-fronted Woodpecker
___ Crested Kingfisher
___ Crimson-browed Finch
___ Cutia
___ Dark-rumped Rosefinch
___ Fire-tailed Myzornis
___ Fire-tailed Sunbird
___ Fulvous Parrotbill
___ Gold-naped Finch
___ Gould's Sunbird
___ Grandala
___ Great Black-headed Gull
___ Great Parrotbill
___ Grey-crowned Prinia
___ Grey-sided Laughingthrush
___ Himalayan Woodpecker
___ Hoary-throated Barwing
___ Ibisbill
___ Indian Courser
___ Indian Grey Thrush
___ Indian Pitta
___ Jungle Prinia
___ Kashmir Nuthatch
___ Koklass Pheasant
___ Large Grey Babbler
___ Lesser Florican
___ Long-billed Plover
___ Long-tailed Broadbill
___ Maroon-backed Accentor
___ Nepal Fulvetta
___ Pale-chinned Blue-Flycatcher
___ Pied Thrush
___ Pink-browed Rosefinch
___ Red-fronted Rosefinch
___ Red-headed Bullfinch
___ Red-tailed Minla
___ Robin Accentor
___ Rufous-backed Redstart
___ Rufous-breasted Accentor
___ Rufous-breasted Bush-Robin
___ Rufous-necked Laughingthrush
___ Rufous-necked Snowfinch
___ Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler
___ Rufous-vented Yuhina
___ Rusty-fronted Barwing
___ Rusty-tailed Flycatcher
___ Satyr Tragopan
___ Scarlet Finch
___ Siberian Rubythroat
___ Slender-billed Babbler
___ Smoky Warbler
___ Snow Partridge
___ Solitary Snipe
___ Spectacled Finch
___ Streaked Rosefinch
___ Striated Laughingthrush
___ Sultan Tit
___ Swamp Francolin
___ Tawny-bellied Babbler
___ Tibetan Ground-Jay
___ Tibetan Lark
___ Tibetan Partridge
___ Tibetan Serin 
___ Tibetan Snowcock
___ Tytler's Leaf-Warbler
___ Varigated Laughingthrush
___ Vinaceous Rosefinch
___ Western Crowned-Warbler
___ White-bellied Drongo
___ White-browed Tit-Warbler
___ White-cheeked Nuthatch
___ White-naped Woodpecker
___ White-naped Yuhina
___ White-tailed Rubythroat
___ White-throated Bushchat
___ White-throated Redstart
___ White-throated Tit
___ Wood Snipe
___ Yellow-rumped Honeyguide

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Print and Other Resources on Birds

and Birding in Nepal

(logos and links take you to on-line locations where you can order/purchase these resources)
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