Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal

White-winged Redstart Phoenicurus erythrogastrus ©Early Birders
Birding Nepal

Nepal with its exceptional topography and climate provides ideal habitats for an extremely wide variety of rich bird life; 886 species have been recorded to date. A country that occupies just 0.1% of the world’s landmass and yet has almost 9% of the worlds recorded bird species.

This is perhaps not surprising when you consider Nepal begins at around sea level on its southern border with India and ends on the top of Mt Everest 8,848 meters, touching Tibet, all within a distance of less than 200 Kilometers.

From the lowland tropical and sub tropical jungle of the Terrai, Nepal marches upwards to the dense lower-temperate and temperate forests of rhododendron and oak predominantly found in the middle hills. It continues to the beautiful fresh alpine meadows to finally reach the rugged windswept plateaus of the high Himalayas. This extremely unusual terrain with its many ecosystems and numerous bird habitats create exceptionally rich and varied experiences for Birding.

The country also serves as a major migration highway, allowing for some intensive migratory study and research between late October to March. Rare species include Himalayan Griffon, Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan who inhabit the inner valleys below the mountain peaks. The rarest bird in the world, Bengal Florican along with Sarus Crane are both found on the southern plains of the Terai. The two Indigenous bird species, Slaty Woodpecker (common in Bardia National Park) and Spiny Babbler (in mid hills only) are birds often sighted in Nepal. Within the total of birds recorded in Nepal, 42 species are deemed to be globally threatened with 35 globally near threatened. A further 167 species are thought to be nationally threatened.

The Kathmandu Valley:

With only one international airport in Nepal, the vast majority of Birders will arrive in Kathmandu. If you are limited to a three or four days, the advice is to base yourself in the valley.

Over 530 species of birds have been recorded. The lush hills that surround the valley offer a varied ecology ranging from primary and secondary forests of Rhododendron, Oak, Pine and Bamboo. The wetlands and open fields inside the valley make up a diverse habitat providing a stopover for migratory birds during the winter.

If your time is limited to a few days, The Kathmandu Valley is probably your best focus. It provides a very good opportunity to see a wide range of species, some of which are rare or endangered.

Pulchowki Hill:

The most popular bird watching spot for the majority of Birders is Phulchowki Hill. At an altitude of 2791m it is the highest peak on the valley rim. Over 265 species of birds have been recorded. Pulchowki is situated 20km southeast of Kathmandu. It’s a fascinating venue, covered with rhododendron-oak-pine and fir trees making it an excellent habitat for both native and migratory species. Most people choose to hire a 4×4 for the journey to the top of the hill which has approximately 27 birding corners. Birds spotted here include babblers, warblers, tits, thrushes, minivets, woodpeckers, eagles. Godavari at the base the hill is laid out as a Botanical Garden where over 100 species of birds have been checked, including Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Tibetan Siskin and Spotted Forktail.

Shivapuri and Nagarjun National Park:

Another important area is Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park watershed, declared as a national park in 2003. It is situated to the north of The Kathmandu Valley 7 km from Kathmandu ring road and 12 km from central Kathmandu.  Mainly comprised of Rhododendron Oak and Pine, Shivapuri is pristine nature at its best with 318 species recorded. The Wren Babbler, and Spiny Babbler, two endangered species endemic to Nepal are found here. Other notables include Hoary-throated Barwing and the White-throated Tit. 

Nagarjun Forest on Jamacho Hill lies around 5kms from central Kathmandu on the way to Kakani from Balaju. It is popular for a wide variety of birds: Blue Magpies, Kalij Pheasants, Bonelli’s Eagles, Great Himalayan Barbets and other exotic birds.

Wetlands in the Valley:

The banks of the Manohara River on the way to Bhaktapur along with the Bagmati River that flows into the valley from Shivapuri Hill to the North of the valley and out through Chobhar Gorge are great places for watching waders and waterfowl.

Taduha Lake:

Taduha Lake is a worthwhile long half day or full day excursion, especially in winter for migratory birds. Around 50 species of birds have been recorded. Of these 17 are residents, 2 are summer migrants and the rest are winter migrants. Black Kite, Black Drongo, Cattle Egret, Oriental Magpie Robin, Common Myna, Jungle Crow, Rose-ringed Parakeet, White-throated Kingfisher and Red-vented Bulbul are some of the resident birds. Barn Swallow and Indian Cuckoo are summer visitors. Winter migrants include the Great Cormorant, Ruddy Shelduck, Northern Shoveler, Mallard, Gadwall, Eurasian Coot, Northern Pintail and Common Teal.

Getting around the valley:

Motorable roads lead to all the places listed. Accommodation is easy to find in the valley with a wide range of hotels. Good Bird guides are limited so wherever possible do some checks beforehand.

Popular Birding outside the Kathmandu Valley are set out alphabetically below:

Please Note: Covid 19 has not surprisingly decimated birding for international tourism to Nepal. Whilst it is never quite clear what the guidelines are here, the possibility of visiting Nepal this year is extremely slim. In the meantime stay safe and happy Birding wherever you may be.

Top Sites
  • Annapurna Region

    Satellite View
    To set the scene a little, the Annapurna region is a conservation area (A.C.A.P); covering around 2600sq km in the north-central region of Nepal. The Kali Gandaki River (the world’s deepest gorge) runs north to south through the region some 6,000m below the peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs. Seven of these peaks are over 7,000m, the highest (Annapurna I) at 8,091m. A few facts and figures above, but as you can imagine the Annapurna region supports a remarkable but delicate biodiversity with over 480 species of birds recorded; including one of only two endemic species of Nepal, Spiny Babbler.

    Bird habitats range from the sub-tropical forest lowlands towards Pokhara in the south to dry sub-alpine conditions above the tree-line in the north. The Kali Gandaki Valley acts as a major migration pathway in the autumn, the most notable being the impressive migration of Demoiselle Cranes from late September to around the middle of October where Often over 15.000 birds are recorded.

    Migrating west about this time further south around Khare and Dhampus, 20 identified species of eagle and other birds of prey have been recorded. The most commonly observed are: Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture); known as the Giddha in Nepal, it frequently occurs at around 4,000m. Golden Eagle, known as Baaj in Nepal. Six Himalayan pheasants are habitants: Himalayan Satyr Tragopan, Crimson Horned Pheasant, Blood Pheasant, Koklass Pheasant, Cheer Pheasant , Kalij Pheasant.

    Getting there:
    Road: 1 hour from Pokhara.
    Accommodation: Mountain lodges Tea Houses.

  • Bardia National Park

    InformationSatellite View
    Bardia National Park is a little piece of Birding heaven tucked away in Nepal’s far west, it the largest park in the lowland Terai. The park was established to protect representative eco-systems and conserve tiger and its prey species. Bardia is beautifully situated and spreads over 968 sq. km. It remains undisturbed wilderness and it is predominantly made up of Sal forest sprinkled with tall grasslands, bounded to the north by The Churia Hills and skirted on the West by the Geruwa River.

    More than 400 species of birds have been recorded, including the endangered Bengal Florican, Sarus Crane and many species of geese, duck and parakeets. Apart from the birding experience your chances of spotting a tiger in Nepal are very good in this area. Other mammals include rhinoceros, swamp deer, leopard, jungle cats, blue bulls, sloth bear, barking deer, and languor. .

    What makes a visit to Bardia National Park particularly special is not only its isolated location, but also the presence of one of the last known herds of wild elephants in South Asia. The Geruwa River that rushes into the park through a break in the hill range is used as a spawning route by the mighty Masher game fish, Marsh Mugger crocodiles along with freshwater Gangetic Dolphins also inhabit the river.

    Getting there: 385 kms from Kathmandu:
    Road: 13 hours.
    Flight: to Nepalgunj 1 hour > road 2 hours. Total 3 hours.
    From Chitwan 305 kms: Road 13 hours.
    Flight to Bharatpur >Kathmandu > Nepalgunj >road. Total 5 hours.

  • Chitwan National Park

    WebsiteSatellite View
    The park is widely acknowledged as one of the best national parks in Asia, it is a significant for Birding and nature conservation. Covering an area of 935 square kilometers the park is located 90 kilometers by air southwest of Kathmandu (25 min flight) and five hours by road.

    Chitwan was the first forest area of Nepal to be designated a National Park in 1973, subsequently declared a World Heritage Nature Site by UNESCO in 1984. The park contains thriving and diverse wildlife, it’s relatively easy access from Kathmandu makes it popular add on to Birding in the Kathmandu Valley. If you are considering a stay of around ten days it is possible to fit Kathmandu and Chitwan into a relatively comfortable itinerary.

    Around five hundred and eighty bird species have been recorded, including many lodging birds, parakeets of many types are dominant; other birds include Blue-throated (thrush), Large-tailed Nightjar, Indian Peafowl, Great Barbet, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Grey-crowned Pinea, Blue Flycatcher Hornbill and Trogon.

    Of the 43 species of mammals recorded in the park there are an estimated 600 Great One- Horned Rhinoceros, a recent tally on tigers shows them to number 106. Other mammals include; Leopard, Gaur (Indian Bison), Wild Elephant, Sloth Bear, Freshwater Dolphin, Rhesus Monkey, Langur, Wild Boar, Striped Hyena, Jackal, Dhole (wild dog), Ratel, Palm Civet, Mongoose, various antelopes, Sambar, Spotted, Hog & Barking Deer. Reptiles include : Ghariyal, a crocodile native to Chitwan, Python, Monitor Lizard, Pangolin, Tortoise, King Cobra and 19 other snake species.

    Getting there: 98 kms from kathmndu.
    Flight: From Kathmandu to Bharatpur 30 mins then 10 kms by road.
    Road: Five hours from Kathmandu.
    Accommodation: A large variety of Lodges and Hotels

  • Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

    InformationSatellite View
    Nepal’s smallest (175 sq kms) wildlife reserve is renowned for being one of the best locations for birding in Nepal, especially for water birds.

    Designated as a Ramsar site in 1987 it is situated within Nepal’s sub-tropical Terai belt. The reserve is comprised mainly of mudflats, freshwater marshes and deciduous riverine forest. Koshi’s extensive reed bed covering provides an ideal habitat to a huge variety of birds with over 485 recorded to date. The reserve is situated just to the northeast of the convergence of the Sapt Koshi and Trijuga Khola rivers. Due to its location on the Sapt Koshi floodplain, the environment varies dramatically according to the seasons.

    During the Monsoon (June to September) the flow becomes torrential and covers most of the floodplain, whilst during the dry seasons many flat sandy islands are exposed. Over 20 species of duck have been recorded along with ibises, storks, swamp partridges, herons, egrets, the endangered Bengal Florican and many other exotic and migratory waterfowl.

    Getting there: 330 kms from Kathmandu.
    Flight: Kathmandu to Biratnagar 35 mins / approx two and a half hours by road to Koshi Thappu.
    Road: Chitwan to Koshi: 365 kms / 7 hours.

  • Langtang Valley

    Langtang National Park forms part of Nepal’s Central Highland, it was the first designated Himalayan National Park in Nepal. If you enjoy trekking/hiking along with your Birding a journey to Langtang is well worth considering. Once one of Nepal’s hidden valleys, Langtang borders Tibet with a dramatic landscape comprising of mountain peaks, glaciers and glacial lakes, rivers, cliffs and pastures.

    The park represents eighteen ecosystems ranging from the hill Sal and Pine forests on its Southern belt to an alpine belt of glaciers snow and rocks. Over 345 species of birds have been recorded.

    Notable Birds:

    Bearded Vulture, Ibisbill , Himalayan Vulture, Golden Eagle, Crested Kingfisher, Snow Partridge,, Yellow-rumped Honey guide, Tibetan Snowcock, Himalayan Snowcock, Satyr Tragopan, Himalayan Monal, Tibetan Siskin, Eurasion Woodcock, Fire- tailed Myzornis, Scarlet Finch, Red Crossbill & Grandala.

    Langtang’s expansive high meadows provides summer habitat to a variety of mammals to include Snow Leapord, Red Panda, Clouded Leapord, Musk Deer and Himalayan Tahr.

    Getting there: Road 8 hours from Kathmandu.
    Accommodation: Mountain lodges Tea Houses.

  • Pokhara

    InformationSatellite View
    Pokhara is a very popular destination for many people with a variety of interests due to its setting. Situated around a large lake it has a wonderful mountain backdrop, it also acts as a base for trekking into the Annapurna Region. The area is good for bird watching; Black Kite, Himalayan Vulture, Rose-ringed Parakeet and White-throated Kingfisher being just some of the birds that can be seen around the lake, amongst the trees and along the riverbanks.

    Getting there: 200 kms from Kathmandu.
    Road: 6 hours.
    Flight: Kathmandu Pokhara 25 mins.
    Accommodation: Wide range of Hotels.

  • Shuklaphanta National Park

    InformationSatellite View
    Shuklaphanta is located in the South West corner of Nepal, it represents the largest grassland in lowland Terai. The park also contains forests of Chir Pine, Fir and Hill Sal along with riverbeds and wetlands.

    Shuklaphanta has recorded over 350 bird species to date among the more noteworthy are Great Slaty Woodpecker, Bengal Florican, Bristled Grassbird, Hodgson Bushchat, Black-capped Kingfisher and Finns weaver.

    The reserve is also home to forty-six species of mammal of which the most famous is Royal Bengal Tiger. In fact the chances of spotting a tiger in the reserve are greater here than anywhere else in Nepal. There are between eighteen and twenty two breeding adults in what is a relatively small area. Regular monitoring of tiger is maintained using camera traps.

    The park is very well maintained with the local community an integral part of conservation issues nowadays which includes regenerative forestry, biogas production and school eco clubs.

    Getting there: 700 kms from Kathmandu.
    Road: 14 hours.
    Flight: Kathmandu Surkhet > Road: total 6 hours.
    Accommodation: Lodges Homestay.

Contributors
Number of Species
  • Number of bird species: 886

    (As at January 2019)

    National Bird: Himalayan Monal Ophophorus impejanus

Endemics
  • Number of endemics: 2

    Spiny Babbler Turdoides nipalensis & Immaculate Wren-babbler Pnoepyga immaculata
Checklist
  • iGoTerra Checklist

    iGoTerra Checklist
    Fatbirder Associate iGoTerra offers the most comprehensive and up to date birds lists on the web
Useful Reading

  • A Birdwatcher's Guide to the Kathmandu Valley

    } By Dev Ghimire | Bird Conservation Nepal | 2008 | Paperback | 53 Pages, Maps, Photos | ISBN: 9789993379225 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • A Photographic Field Guide to Birds of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh

    By Bikram Grewal & Sumit Sen | Princeton University Press | 2017 | Paperback | 792 pages, 4000+ colour photos, 1300+ colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9780691176499 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • A Pocket Photo Guide to the Birds of Nepal

    By Prajwal Pradhan | Falcon Publication | 2017 | Paperback | 268 pages, colour photos, 1 colour map | ISBN: 9789937018722 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Birds of Nepal

    By Richard Grimmett, Carol Inskipp, Tim Inskipp & Hem Sagar Baral | Christopher Helm | 2016 | Edition 2 | Paperback | 142 plates with colour illustrations; colour photos, colour distribution maps, 1 colour map | ISBN: 9781472905710 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Birds of the Indian Subcontinent

    By Richard Grimmett, Carol Inskipp & Tim Inskipp | Christopher Helm | 2012 | Edition 2 | Paperback | 528 pages, 226 colour plates, colour distribution maps, b/w illustrations | ISBN: 9781408127636 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Important Bird Areas in Nepal

    (Key Sites for Conservation) | By Hem Sagar Baral & Carol Inskipp | Bird Conservation Nepal | 2005 | Paperback | 242 pages, colour photos, distribution maps | ISBN: 9789993379225 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Useful Information
  • Other good birding areas to check out online

    20 Thousand Lake: around 10 kms from Sauraha is a wetland reserve with many ponds providing a good home to many different species of birds along with migrant birds also known for its crocodiles!

    Jagdishpur lake: Ramsar site between Chitwan and Bardia built as a reservoir. (great for migratory birds in the winter).

    The silt and nutrients in the lake has resulted in the growth of reed beds which provide shelter for several endangered species The reservoir and its surroundings is extremely important for both resident, wintering and migrating wetland birds.

    Over 45 species depend on the lake five of which are globally threatened. The surrounding cultivated land around the lake also provides habitat for large numbers of birds.

    Notable birds:
    Asian Openbill, Black-winged Kite Egyptian Vulture, Greater spotted Eagle, Indian spotted Eagle, Lesser Adjutant, Long-tailed Shrike, Oriental Darter, Pied Kingfisher, Red-wattled lapwing, Ruddy Kingfisher, Sarus Crane, Slender-billed Vulture, White-rumped Vulture, Woolly-necked Stork.

    The Vulture Restaurant on the way from Chitwan to Bardia National Park:
    After a crash in vulture populations in South Asia in the 1990s, several species are rebounding in Nepal thanks to a ban on the drug diclofenac, used in the past for treating cattle. Definitely worth a visit if you are that way.

  • Trekking Regions:

    One of the best ways to view birds in Nepal is on a leisurely trek through the foothills of the country. There are three popular trekking regions in Nepal:

    * The Langtang Region, six hours by road north of Kathmandu,
    * The Annapurna region; six hours by road or a 25 minute flight west of Kathmandu.
    * The Solu Khumbu (Everest) region; eight hours by road or a 45-minute flight.

    Birders are often able to tailor the days they want to spend in the hills. Two of these regions stand out for Birders. Unless you want the Everest experience the Solu Khumbu is really not worth the time.

Organisations
  • Bird Conservation Nepal

    Website
    Established in 1982, Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) is the leading organisation in Nepal, focusing on the conservation of birds, their habitats and sites. It seeks to promote interest in birds amongst the general public, encourage research on birds and identify major threats to birds' continued survival. As a result, we are the foremost scientific authority providing accurate information on birds and their habitats throughout Nepal. We provide scientific data and expertise on birds for the Government of Nepal through the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) and work closely in birds and biodiversity conservation throughout the country. Kathmandu,Nepal - Phone : 977-1-4417805 / 4420213 - Fax : 977-1-4413884 - Email : bcn@birdlifenepal.org
Reserves

Abbreviations Key

  • NP Banke

    InformationSatellite View
    The protected area covers an area of 550 km2 (210 sq mi) with most parts falling on the Churia range. The park is surrounded by a buffer zone of 344 km2 (133 sq mi) in the districts of Banke, Salyan and Dang. The protected area holds tiger and four-horned antelope. In 2014, a ruddy mongoose was recorded for the first time in the protected area.
  • NP Bardiya

    InformationSatellite View
    Covering an area of 968 km2 (374 sq mi) it is the largest and most undisturbed national park in Nepal's Terai, adjoining the eastern bank of the Karnali River and bisected by the Babai River in the Bardiya District. Current checklists include 407 bird species, among them the Bengal florican, white-rumped vulture, peafowl, and bar-headed geese, which are symbolic of the park.[5] Lesser florican and sarus crane are present; 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
  • NP Chitwan

    WebsiteSatellite View
    A total of 68 species of mammals, 544 species of birds, 56 species of herpetofauna and 126 species of fish have been recorded in the park. The park is especially renowned for its protection of One Horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger and Gharial Crocodile.
  • NP Khaptad

    InformationSatellite View
    Khaptad National Park is a protected area in the Far-Western Region, Nepal that was established in 1984. Stretching over the four districts of Bajhang, Bajura, Achham and Doti it covers an area of 225 km2 (87 sq mi) and ranges in elevation from 1,400 m (4,600 ft) to 3,300 m (10,800 ft). Current checklists include 23 mammals, 287 birds, and 23 amphibians and reptiles. Bird species symbolic of the park include Impeyan pheasant, peregrine falcon, and white-rumped vulture.
  • NP Langtang

    InformationSatellite View
    It exceeds an altitudinal range of 6,450 m (21,160 ft) and covers an area of 1,710 km2 (660 sq mi) in the Nuwakot, Rasuwa and Sindhulpalchok Districts of the central Himalayan region. In the north and east it is linked with Qomolangma National Nature Preserve in Tibet.
  • NP Makalu Barun

    InformationSatellite View
    It is the world's only protected area with an elevation gain of more than 8,000 m (26,000 ft) enclosing tropical forest as well as snow-capped peaks. It covers an area of 1,500 km2 (580 sq mi) in the Solukhumbu and Sankhuwasabha Districts, and is surrounded by a bufferzone to the south and southeast with an area of 830 km2 (320 sq mi). Ornithologists have recorded 440 bird species, ranging from eagles and other raptors to white-necked storks and brilliantly colored sunbirds. The 16 rare or protected bird species include the rose-ringed parakeet, Blyth's kingfisher, deep-blue kingfisher, blue-naped pitta, pale blue flycatcher, sultan tit, silver-eared mesia, spiny babbler and the white-naped yuhina.
  • NP Parsa

    InformationSatellite View
    It covers an area of 627.39 km2 (242.24 sq mi) in the Parsa, Makwanpur and Bara districts and ranges in altitude from 435 m (1,427 ft) to 950 m (3,120 ft) in the Siwalik Hills. It was established as a wildlife reserve. A camera-trapping survey conducted in February 2017 for three months revealed the presence of 19 Bengal tigers. This indicates the rise in tiger population by three times in three years.
  • NP Rara

    InformationSatellite View
    Covering an area of 106 km2 (41 sq mi) in the Mugu and Jumla districts, it is the country's smallest national park. Its main feature is Rara Lake at an altitude of 2,990 m (9,810 ft). There are 241 recorded species of birds, including 49 wetland species. Birds seen often include Himalayan Snowcock, chukar partridge, Himalayan monal, kalij pheasant and blood pheasant.
  • NP Sagarmatha

    InformationSatellite View
    Sagarmāthā National Park is a national park in the Himalayas of eastern Nepal that is dominated by Mount Everest. It encompasses an area of 1,148 km2 (443 sq mi) in the Solukhumbu District and ranges in elevation from 2,845 to 8,848 m (9,334 to 29,029 ft) at the summit of Mount Everest. In the north, it shares the international border with the Qomolangma National Nature Preserve of Tibet. In the east it is adjacent to Makalu Barun National Park, and in the south it extends to Dudh Kosi river. The forests provide habitat to at least 118 species of birds, including Himalayan monal, blood pheasant, red-billed chough, and yellow-billed chough. Sagarmāthā National Park is also home to a number of rare mammal species, including musk deer, snow leopard & Himalayan black bear.
  • NP Shey Phoksundo

    InformationSatellite View
    Shey Phoksundo National Park is the largest and only trans-Himalayan national park in Nepal. It covers an area of 3,555 km2 (1,373 sq mi) in the districts of Dolpa and Mugu in the Mid-Western Region, Nepal. The park provides habitat for over 200 species of birds, such as Tibetan partridge, wood snipe, white-throated tit, wood accentor and crimson-eared rosefinch.
  • NP Shivapuri Nagarjun

    InformationSatellite View
    It is located in the country's mid-hills on the northern fringe of the Kathmandu Valley and named after Shivapuri Peak of 2,732 m (8,963 ft) altitude. It covers an area of 159 km2 (61 sq mi) in the districts of Kathmandu, Nuwakot and Sindhupalchowk. Ornithologists recorded 318 species of birds including Eurasian eagle-owl, slender-billed scimitar-babbler, white-gorgeted flycatcher, barred cuckoo-dove and golden-throated barbet.
  • NP Shuklaphanta

    InformationSatellite View
    Shuklaphanta National Park is a protected area in the Terai of the Far-Western Region, Nepal, covering 305 km2 (118 sq mi) of open grassland, forests, riverbeds and tropical wetlands at an altitude of 174 to 1,386 m (571 to 4,547 ft). A total of 423 bird species has been recorded. The park supports the highest population of Bengal floricans in Nepal. It is the western limit of swamp francolin, Jerdon's bushchat, rufous-rumped grassbird, chestnut-capped babbler and Jerdon's babbler; the north-western limit of yellow-eyed babbler; the eastern limit of Finn's weaver and the most important regular wintering site of Hodgson's bushchat. Forest birds include spot-bellied eagle owl, dusky eagle owl, rufous-bellied eagle and Oriental pied hornbill. The forests are also important for great slaty woodpecker and white-naped woodpecker. The white-rumped vulture, slender-billed vulture, lesser adjutant, grey-headed fish eagle, darter and rufous-rumped grassbird are breeding residents. Sarus crane, painted stork and bristled grassbird are summer visitors. Greater racquet-tailed drongo, white-capped water redstart, rusty-tailed flycatcher and rufous-gorgeted flycatcher are uncommon winter visitors.
  • National Parks

    InformationSatellite View
    Nepal is endowed with rich and varied biodiversity.Altitudinal variances in short distance give Nepal's biogeography variety that range from lush moist forests and sparse alpine deserts to luxurious grasslands in lowland Terai. The mountainous country also shelters some of the world's most rare animals…
  • WR WII Koshi Tappu

    InformationSatellite View
    Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is an example of one of the finest birding sites in Asia. The reserve has a total area of 175sq. km. and is roughly rectangular in shape. The principal habitats in the reserve include: wetlands, grasslands and small patches of riverine forest.Notable among the 485 bird species are watercock, Indian nightjar, dusky eagleowl, black-headed cuckooshrike, white-tailed stonechat, striated grassbird, large adjutant stork, Pallas’s fish eagle, common golden-eye, and gull-billed tern.Swamp francolin and rufous-vented grass babbler occur as well In spring 2011, 17 Bengal floricans were recorded from nine different sites along a 39 km (24 mi) north-south stretch of the Koshi River.
  • Wetlands

    WebpageSatellite View
    Nepal currently has 10 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), with a surface area of 60,561 hectares.
Guides & Tour Operators
  • Birding Ecotours

    Tour Operator
    The former kingdom of Nepal, now officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a land-locked country in Asia and one of the most mountainous on the planet. It is located in the central Himalayas, and of the world’s ten highest mountains eight are in Nepal. This land was cut off from the outside world for many decades after the second world war. But now it has opened up its boundaries to travelers, and it offers birders the opportunity to experience the immensity of birding the world’s highest mountain range without the high costs associated with visiting Bhutan.
  • Bluetail Birding

    Tour Operators
    Bluetail Birding is a dedicated bird tour operator offering both scheduled departure (small group) and custom travel worldwide. We specialise in bird tours across South Asia, to destinations throughout India, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka where we have been operating since 2009 as India Nature Tourism, which now acts as our ground agent in this region.
  • Rockjumper

    Tour Operator
    Nepal is a beautiful and diverse land with an amazing variety of wildlife and landscapes. Its cultural and religious mix and intriguing history have conquered the hearts and minds of visitors throughout time.
  • Travel & Tour Operators in Nepal

    Tour Operators
    Lots of companies offering Nepal treks.
Trip Reports
  • 2010 [03 March] - Peter & Rosemary Royle

    Report
    My husband, Peter and I had visited Nepal in January 1982 - we spent time at Chitwan, Pokhara and did a 7 day Helambu Trek. We loved it and had always wanted to return and do the Langtang Trek which is reckoned to be one of the best for birdwatching and wildlife in general…
  • 2010 [03 March] - Suchit Basnet

    PDF Report
    …We also came across a small flock of Black-faced warblers, Black-throated Tits, and Fire-breasted Flowerpecker amongst others. After a picnic lunch, we walked further down for about 2 and half hours before driving back to the hotel…
  • 2010 [04 April] - Oscar Campbell

    Report
    …It is also worth trying the nearby Damside Park for some forest edge birding. Species logged here but not further up into the hills, apart from the predictable egrets and the odd wader, included Khalij Pheasant (easy along the lake shore early am), Fulvous-breasted and Grey-headed Woodpeckers (woodpeckers were actually amazingly scarce, or at least hard to pin down on the trek), Blue-throated Barbet, Dusky Warbler and Taiga Flycatcher…
  • 2012 [01 January] - Mark D. Read & Terri-Lynn Brennan

    Report
    Our budget trip to Pokhara was planned as a break from Dhangadhi, in the Far-West Terai region of Nepal, where we have been working for the last 6 months…
  • 2013 [03 March] - Jim Rose

    Report
    …The locals had more than one way to cross the river. I imagine the river would be difficult to cross in boats during the monsoon season. A long way to the local shops!…
  • 2013 [04 April] - Ann Gifford

    PDF Report
    ..Anyway, we thought it a good omen when we stopped fairly early on to observe a Red-headed Vulture – massive with very striking features and after we had gained more height we stopped in a village and decided to climb up the hillside…
  • 2013 [04 April] - Pete Aley - Langtang & Chitwan

    Report
    …We arrived at Hotel Trekker’s Inn in Syabru Besi and watched a Blue Whistling Thrush (subsequently commonly seen) and some Long-tailed Shrikes from the balcony, before the festival ended and it was safe to venture out along the river! Here we saw the first of many beautiful White-capped and Plumbeous Water Redstarts of the trip, had prolonged views of a Wallcreeper on the rock face and glimpsed a Crested Kingfisher. Other sightings included: Grey Treepie, Black-throated Tit, Himalayan Bulbuls, Striated Prinias, and Grey-hooded Warblers….
  • 2015 [03 March] - Carol Inskipp - Chitwan National Park & Buffer Zone

    PDF Report
    Annotated list only
  • 2015 [12 December] - Aseem Kothiala

    Report
    Birding in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Dudhwa National Park and Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve...
  • 2017 [05 May] - Thad Roller

    Report
    Despite the fact that many thousands of trekkers visit each year, and despite the relative abundance of ebird reports from the area, it seems that no one has written a report of the avifauna encountered on their trek.
  • 2017 [11 November] - David Roche

    PDF Report
    My first chance for some birding saw me head up to the corner of the Nagarjun forest reserve (about 30 minutes walk from the hostel) which had proved to be a productive area on my first visit, back in December 2014. A female Hodgson’s Redstart was something of a surprise, feeding in the river close to the main bus park, along with two Grey Wagtail a single Cattle Egret and numerous Black Kites. Arriving at the edge of the forest...
  • 2018 [05 May] - Wendy Newnham

    Report
    ...As we climbed higher the birds changed so that by late morning we had seen over 50 species, nothing new that I had not seen before, but an excellent selection of Asian birds which I really enjoyed seeing & identifying again after several years away from Asia...
  • 2018 [08 August] - Pete & Caroline Stevens

    PDF Report
    ...A journey into Pokhara was required the next day, to check on my arm and to book our bus to Chitwan. As we got ready to leave blue-throated barbet was calling loudly in the garden and eventually showed itself. After the necessary jobs we stopped off at restaurant over-looking the lake for brunch. Indian pond heron frequented the lake edge and among the black kites was one rather different -a black-eared kite, now recognised as a separate species. Sweeping about near to us was a lesser kestrel...
Places to Stay
  • Koshi Tappu Wildlife Camp

    Website
    Koshi Tappu Wildlife Camp, set up in 1993, was the first luxury camp in this wildlife Reserve. It was set up primarily for bird watchers. The Camp is ideal for all nature lovers seeking peace within a paradise of nature.
Other Links
  • Birding Nepal

    Article
    This area was good for Olive-backed Pipit, Blue-throated Barbet and Fire-breasted Flowerpecker. After the flight to Biritnagar we travelled by road along flat agricultural land to the Kosi Tappu Game Reserve near the Kosi Barrage, a major irrigation project…
  • Birding Nepal

    Article
    I've been to Nepal lots of times but only in recent years as a birder, so I re-visited places to see whay kind of birdlife I had missed. It's hard to choose between Annapurna and Langtang for birding.

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