Bird Watching in Nepal has continued to lure bird lovers from all over the world. It has become one of the worlds most sought after destinations for birders. Of its total land the country has set aside 18% of its land mass as bird sanctuaries, reserves and national parks. The southern plains of Nepal has six protected areas including Ramsar Sites (wetland of international significance), Bardia, Chitwan and Banke National parks; Koshi Tappu, Parsa, and Suklaphanta wildlife reserves. Protected lakes and rivers in the parks and reserves are habitat for both resident and migratory waterfowls. Similarly, national parks and wildlife reserve in the alpine zone from Khaptad national Parks in the West, Annapurna, Langtang, Sagarmatha in the middle to the Kanchenjungha Conservation Area in the east hosts birds living in sub-alpine, alpine and arctic zones.

More than 803 bird species are known in Nepal, or nearly 10% of the world’s species. Resident bird numbers are increased by migratory species, as well as winter and summer visitors. Eight species of storks have been identified in the wetlands of southern plains. Similar in appearances are the cranes, though not well represented, save for the demoiselle cranes that fly down the Kali Gandaki and Dudh Koshi for the winter, before returning in spring to their Tibetan nesting grounds. Herons and Egrets are quite common in the tropics and the subtropics. Among the raptors the identified in Nepal has been recorded from huge Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus), Himalayan griffon, golden eagle to small Eurasian kestrel. There are six species of pheasant in Nepal, including impeyan pheasant, the national bird of Nepal. And Nepal hosts 17 species of cuckoo, which are characterized by their distinctive calls. The other species such as, Kingfishers, bee-eaters, drongos, minivets, parakeets, sunbirds, magpies, mynahs, Deeper, forked tails, Asian roller, 30 species of flycatcher 60 species of thrushes , warblers and rare resident Spiny Babblers have been recorded.

Nepal Birding Sites

Tropical West: Bardia National Parks, Ghodaghodi Lake, Karnali River bank,
Babai River bank, Banke National Park

Tropical Middle: Chitwan National Parks and lakes, Lumbini Sarus Crane
Sanctuary, Rapti river banks and wetlands

Tropical East: Koshi Tappu wildlife reserve, Koshi River Barrage and wetlands.

Alpine West: Annapurna region & subtropical Pokhara Lakes

Alpine Middle: Manaslu Region and Subtropical Budhi Gandaki valley

Alpine East: Langtang, Everest, and Kanchenjungha National Parks

Kathmandu Valley: Phulchowki Hill, Godavari Garden, Nagarjun-Shivapuri Parks

Things to bring along

The main thing is not to forget a pair of binoculars! You might bring a day-pack, water bottle, hiking boots, sun cream, sun hat and glasses, medical supplies (specific to you), books, flashlight and batteries, camera and extra batteries, pocket knife, insect repellent and natural coloured clothes.

Please feel free to drop us a mail for tailoring your trip!