Republic of India
India is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area; the most populous country (since of June 2023); and the world’s most populous democracy. Bounded by the Indian Ocean to the south, the Arabian Sea on the southwest, and the Bay of Bengal on the southeast, it shares land borders with Pakistan to the west; China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the north; and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east. In the Indian Ocean, India is in the vicinity of Sri Lanka and the Maldives; its Andaman and Nicobar Islands share a maritime border with Thailand, Myanmar, and Indonesia. India’s coastline measures over 7,500 kilometres (4,700 miles) in length; of this c. 5,400 kilometres (3,400 miles) belong to peninsular India and c.2,000 kilometres (1,300 miles) to the Andaman, Nicobar, and Lakshadweep island chains. According to the Indian naval hydrographic charts, the mainland coastline consists of the following: 43% sandy beaches; 11% rocky shores, including cliffs; and 46% mudflats or marshy shores.
Major Himalayan-origin rivers that substantially flow through India include the Ganges and the Brahmaputra, both of which drain into the Bay of Bengal. Important tributaries of the Ganges include the Yamuna and the Kosi; the latter’s extremely low gradient, caused by long-term silt deposition, leads to severe floods and course changes. Major peninsular rivers, whose steeper gradients prevent their waters from flooding, include the Godavari, the Mahanadi, the Kaveri, and the Krishna, which also drain into the Bay of Bengal; and the Narmada and the Tapti, which drain into the Arabian Sea. Coastal features include the marshy Rann of Kutch of western India and the alluvial Sundarbans delta of eastern India; the latter is shared with Bangladesh. India has two archipelagos: the Lakshadweep, coral atolls off India’s south-western coast; and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a volcanic chain in the Andaman Sea.
The Upper Ganges – ©Ishant juyal CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Indian climate is strongly influenced by the Himalayas and the Thar Desert, both of which drive the economically and culturally pivotal summer and winter monsoons. The Himalayas prevent cold Central Asian katabatic winds from blowing in, keeping the bulk of the Indian subcontinent warmer than most locations at similar latitudes. The Thar Desert plays a crucial role in attracting the moisture-laden south-west summer monsoon winds that, between June and October, provide the majority of India’s rainfall. Four major climatic groupings predominate in India: tropical wet, tropical dry, subtropical humid, and montane.
India is a megadiverse country (high biological diversity with many species exclusively indigenous, or endemic, to them). India is a habitat for c.9% of mammal species, 14% of bird species, 8% of reptile species, 6% of amphibian species, 12% of fish species and 6.0% of all flowering plant species. Fully a third of Indian plant species are endemic. India’s forest cover is c.714,000 km2 (275,000 square miles), which is over 20% of the country’s total land area.
Despite the impact of the huge and increasing population, India hosts more than five hundred wildlife sanctuaries and eighteen biosphere reserves, four of which are part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves; seventy-five wetlands are registered under the Ramsar Convention.
Birding India
India is probably the only country in the world that can boast as varied and rich a birdlife as it does. Home to well over a thousand species, of which about 100 are to be found only in India, there is a wealth of avifauna to see. The reason for this treasure-trove of species is undoubtedly the fact that India encompasses almost all the ecosystems to be found on the planet, ranging from the hot and humid evergreen forests of the north-east and south-west to the scorching deserts making up most of the western state of Rajasthan, providing habitats for variously adapted species, both residents and migrants, the latter numbering about 250 species. Two species, the Pink-headed Duck and the Mountain Quail are now considered extinct whereas the Jerdon’s Courser and the Forest Owlet were rediscovered recently after a gap of more than a century.
Even a cursory glance at the Indian countryside will reveal roughly 150 very common species, ranging from the ubiquitous House Sparrow and Indian Myna to such birds as the Red-vented Bulbul, Black Drongo and White-breasted Kingfisher. Common raptors include Black and Brahminy Kites, Honey Buzzard, Shikra and Egyptian Vulture. Waterbirds also offer quite a spectacle, especially in the winter, when the migratory waders arrive. Common resident species are White-breasted Waterhen, Indian Moorhen and Black-winged Stilt.
Natural Kerala – Jan Joseph George CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The main birding habitats in India can be broadly classified into forests, scrub, grassland & farmland, deserts and wetlands, each of these is home to a characteristic population of bird species, quite different from those found in other habitats. Notable exceptions are some species to be met with in any of these areas, such as the national bird, the Indian Peafowl, the Blue Rock Pigeon and the Hoopoe.
The best time to visit India from an ornithological standpoint is no doubt the months between October and April as, in addition to the variety of resident species, migratory waterfowl, raptors, starlings & other passerines and a host of other species are also to be seen all around the Indian countryside. Roads can be western style motorways, decaying mettled roads of dirt tracks. Some areas seem empty but most places teem with people. I seeming single-track road may be crowded with several lanes of traffic in both directions… every car ever made seems to be there along with massive overloaded trucks, carts powered by water pumps and even elephants and camels.
To fully cover the birding available may me four or five visits to the subcontinent including the tropical southwest, the dry areas of Rajasthan, the Rann of Kutch in the northwest, the foothills of the Himalayas and the extensive wetlands of the northeast, not forgetting one of the Tiger reserves or Asiatic Lion reserves in central India. Every state has something to offer in addition to the myriad of cultures and peoples.
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Deserts
India not only has the hot Thar desert in the west but also the cold and wind-swept deserts in the northernmost state of Kashmir. The hot deserts do not house a very rich avifauna, the only endemic bird being the Stolicza's Bush Chat. The cold deserts support such species as the Tibetan Lark and several types of accentors. -
Forests
India's forests are of several types and as such, forests are an important habitat, especially in terms of conservation as most of this country's threatened species and over two-thirds of its endemic birds live in forests. -
Forests - Coastal Mangrove
These are typified by those of the Sunderbans in the east, and are a shelter for such species as the Mangrove Whistler and several species of Pittas. -
Forests - Dense Evergreen
Dense Evergreen Forests are one of the most rewarding spots for field ornithology in India, although these forests don't yield their rewards readily to the impatient birdwatcher, unless one comes upon a blossoming or fruiting tree. The evergreen forests in India occupy what are known as the Western Ghats in south-west India as well as the north-eastern corner of the country, in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura. The birdlife of these regions shows a marked tropical character, with frogmouths, laughing-thrushes and the breathtaking Fairy Bluebird being some of the species to be seen. A host of endemic and rare birds also thrive in this habitat; the Great Pied and Wreathed Hornbills and two species of Cochoas are four of the more uncommon species. -
Forests - Tropical Deciduous
These account for most of the forest cover of India's plains and the plateau of the Deccan and offer a delightful array of avifauna for the enthusiastic birder, ranging from several species of pigeons, parakeets and babblers to exotic and flamboyant species like the Paradise Flycatcher and Racket-tailed Drongo. Other common woodland birds are the ioras, leafbirds and several woodpecker species. Many raptors are also to be met with in these jungles and birds like the Collared Scops Owl are commonly sighted. -
Grassland
This habitat also supports several endemic species and is represented by the terai, a belt of grassland at the foot of the Himalayas (which is extremely rich in wildlife) as well as several pockets of grassland, primarily in central and peninsular India. The Great Indian Bustard and the Bengal Florican are both distinctive species of this habitat and are both facing certain extinction unless drastic measures are taken to safegaurd their existance. -
Mountain Ranges
The mountain ranges of the Himalayas lining the north of the country support Coniferous & Sub-Alpine Forests, home to a variety of characteristic Himalayan species like the colourful Tragopans and Bamboo partridge, tits etc. Other birds typically found here are the finches, grosbeaks and parrotbills. -
Open and Cultivated Land
Openland & Cultivation is the easiest place to go to, to see birds, especially for raptors, as many species of resident and migratory eagles,hawks, falcons and harriers are commonly met with in these hunting grounds. The Short-toed Snake Eagle and the Tawny Eagle are commonly seen residents, as are migratory birds like Old World Kestrels, Red-headed Merlin, Booted Eagle and Montagu's Harrier. Cultivation and openland are also host to a variety of larks, pipits and in wetter areas, wagtails. -
Scrubland
Scrub jungle is found all over the area, interspersed often with heavier jungle and most of the birds found here are also met often in crops and cultivation and in forest habitats. Species that are common in thia region are several types of wren-warblers and cuckoos, the Crow-Pheasant and the Indian Robin. -
Wetlands
India has abundant wetlands in almost all of its areas, barring some parts of the west and they are a major wintering ground for many species of waterfowl, which seasonally augment the resident populations. Ducks and Geese spread far inland and birds like the Shoveler, Garganey and Wigeon are very common. The Keoladeo Ghana National Park is one of the best sites in the world for observing large poulations of migratory waterfowl. Migratory waders also arrive in large numbers and the shanks, sandpipers and stints are not hard to find. Three species of cranes (including the endangered Siberian Crane) visit the India wetlands in the winter months, as do several types of stork, herons, egrets and plovers. The two species of jacana - the Bronze-winged and Pheasant-tailed are common residents.
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Number of bird species: 1377
(As at April 2024)National Bird: Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus
Number of endemics: 77
(35 Non-Passerines)Red Spurfowl Galloperdix spadicea
Painted Spurfowl Galloperdix lunulata
Nicobar Megapode Megapodius nicobariensis
Rock Bush Quail Perdicula argoondah
Painted Bush Quail Perdicula erythrorhyncha
Manipur Bush Quail Perdicula manipurensis
Himalayan Quail Ophrysia superciliosa
Grey Junglefowl Gallus sonneratii
Andaman Teal Anas albogularis
Pink-headed Duck Netta caryophyllacea
Nicobar Serpent Eagle Spilornis klossi
Andaman Serpent Eagle Spilornis elgini
Nicobar Sparrowhawk Accipiter butleri
Andaman Crake Rallina canningi
Jerdon's Courser Rhinoptilus bitorquatus
Nilgiri Pigeon Columba elphinstonii
Andaman Pigeon Columba palumboides
Andaman Cuckoo-dove Macropygia rufipennis
Grey-fronted Green Pigeon Treron affinis
Andaman Green Pigeon Treron chloropterus
Great Indian Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps
Andaman Barn Owl Tyto deroepstorffi
Andaman Scops Owl Otus balli
Nicobar Scops Owl Otus alius
Forest Owlet Athene blewitti
Hume’s Hawk-owl Ninox obscura
Andaman Boobook Ninox affinis
Andaman Nightjar Caprimulgus andamanicus
Malabar Grey Hornbill Ocyceros griseus
Narcondam Hornbill Rhyticeros narcondami
White-cheeked Barbet Psilopogon viridis
Malabar Barbet Psilopogon malabaricus
Andaman Woodpecker Dryocopus hodgei
Malabar Parakeet Psittacula columboides
Nicobar Parakeet Psittacula caniceps(42 Passerines)
Malabar Woodshrike Tephrodornis sylvicola
Andaman Cuckooshrike Coracina dobsoni
White-bellied Treepie Dendrocitta leucogastra
Andaman Treepie Dendrocitta bayleyii
White-naped Tit Machlolophus nuchalis
Indian Black-lored Tit Machlolophus aplonotus
Rufous-tailed Lark Ammomanes pgoenicura
Sykes's Lark Galerida deva
Malabar Lark Galerida malabarica
Grey-headed Bulbul Brachypodius priocephalus
Andaman Bulbul Brachypodius fuscoflavescens
Yellow-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus xantholaemus
Nicobar Bulbul Hypsipetes nicobariensis
Broad-tailed Warbler Schoenicola platyura
Rusty-throated Wren-babbler Spelaeornis badeigularis
Naga Wren-babbler Spelaeornis chocolatinus
Tawny-breasted Wren-babbler Spelaeornis longicaudatus
Snowy-throated Babbler Stachyris oglei
Marsh Babblet Pellorneum palustre
Rufous Babbler Argya subrufa
Nilgiri Laughingthrush Montecincla cachinnans
Banasura Laughingthrush Montecincla jerdoni
Palani Laughingthrush Montecincla fairbanki
Ashambu Laughingthrush Montecincla meridionalis
Bugun Liocichla Liocichla bugunorum
Wynaad Laughingthrush Garrulax delesserti
White-headed Starling Sturnia erythropygia
Malabar Starling Sturnia blythii
Andaman Sharma Copsychus albiventris
White-bellied Blue Flycatcher Cyornis pallidipes
Nicobar Jungle Flycatcher Rhinomyias nicobaricus
Nilgiri verdita Flycatcher Eumyias albicaudatus
Western Ghats Shortwing Brachypteryx major
Nilgiri Blue Robin Sholicola major
White-bellied Blue Robin Sholicola albiventris
Malabar Whistling Thrush Myophonus horsfieldii
Black-and-orange Flycatcher Ficedula nigrorufa
Andaman Flowerpecker Dicaeum virescens
Crimson-backed Sunbird Leptocoma minima
Vigors's Sunbird Aethopyga vigorsii
Green Avadavat Amandava formosa
Nilgiri Pipit Anthus nilghiriensisNumber of endemics: 2 Breeding endemics
These birds ONLY breed in India:Tytler's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus tytleri
Kashmir Flycatcher Ficedula subrubra
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Avibase
PDF ChecklistThis checklist includes all bird species found in India , based on the best information available at this time. It is based on a wide variety of sources that I collated over many years. I am pleased to offer these checklists as a service to birdwatchers. If you find any error, please do not hesitate to report them. -
Wikipedia
Annotated ListThere have been 1377 species recorded as of 2023, of which 81 are endemic to the country. 212 species are globally threatened.
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A Field Guide to Birds of the Indian Subcontinent
| By Krys Kazmierczak & Ber van Perlo | Christopher Helm | 2008 | Paperback | 352 pages, 96 colour plates, b/w illustrations, distribution maps | Out of Print | ISBN: 9781408109786 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
A Naturalist's Guide to Common Birds [of North India]
| By Ayush Rajotia | Xpress Publishing | 2020 | Paperback | 142 pages, colour photos | ISBN: 9781649194848 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
A Naturalist's Guide to the Birds of India
| (Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka) | By Bikram Grewal & Garima Bhatia | John Beaufoy Books | Edition 2 | 2022 | Paperback | 176 pages, 250 colour photos, b/w illustrations, 1 colour map | ISBN: 9781913679347 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
A Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh
| By Bikram Grewal, Sumit Sen, Sarwandeep Singh, Nikhil Devasar & Garima Bhatia | Princeton University Press | 2017 | Paperback | 792 pages, 4000+ colour photos, 1300+ colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9780691176499 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Birds & Birdwatching in India
| By Gopinath Subbarao & MK Bhaskar | Subbarao & Bhaskar (privately published) | 2019 | Paperback | 314 pages, Colour photos | ISBN: 9789353962265 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Birds of Southern India
| By Richard Grimmett & Tim Inskipp | Christopher Helm | 2005 | Paperback | 240 pages, 87 colour plates, illustrations, 1 map | ISBN: 9780713651645 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Birds of the Indian Ocean (Two volumes)
| By B Narainsamy Ramen | Narainsamy Ramen (privately published) | 2020 | Hardback | slipcase | 1068 pages, 1000+ colour photos | ISBN: 9789994905874 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Birds of the Indian Subcontinent
| By Richard Grimmett, Carol Inskipp & Tim Inskipp | Christopher Helm | Softcover | 2012 | Edition: 2 | 528 Pages | 226 Colour Plates | Colour Distribution Maps | Black & White Illustrations | ISBN: 9781408127636 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Collins Field Guide to the Birds of India
| By Norman Arlott | Harper Collins | 2015 | Paperback | 400 pages, plates with colour illustrations, colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9780007429554 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Field Guide Birds of India
| By Amitava Majumder, et al | Zoological Survey of India | 2022 | Paperback | 599 pages, colour & b/w photos, colour illustrations, colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9788181715814 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Important Bird Areas in India
| (Priority Sites for Conservation) | Edited by M Zafar-il Islam & Asad R Rahmani | Oxford University Press | 2005 | Hardback | 1133 pages, Tabs, photos | Out of Print | ISBN: 9780195673333 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Indian Bird Migration Atlas
| By S Balachandran, Tuhina Katti & Ranjit Manakadan | Oxford University Press | 2018 | Hardback | 216 pages, colour photos, b/w illustrations, colour distribution maps, tables | ISBN: 9780199485949 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Of Wings, Warbles & Wondrous Whims
| (Glimpses of the Feathered Angels of Central India) | By Pradnya Gharpure & Ravikumar Dumpala | Notion Press | 2022 | Paperback | 185 pages, 250 colour photos | ISBN: 9798887336770 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
The 100 Best Bird Watching Sites in India
| By Bikram Grewal & Bhanu Singh | John Beaufoy Publishing | 2019 | paperback | 304 pages, 680 colour photos, 110 colour maps ISBN: 9781912081790 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Waders of the Indian Subcontinent
| Byu Harkirat Singh Sangha | Harkirat Singh Sangha | 2021 | hardback | 520 pages, plates with colour illustrations; colour photos, colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9789354266966 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Bird ID (India)
AndroidA simple Bird identification app for Indian birds that allows you to select criteria like size, colors and other features detailed in the tables at the beginning of Salim Ali's "The Book of Indian Birds" for quick identification. The pictures and descriptions are from Wikipedia.
Birds of the Indian Subcontinent
Apple iOS | Android| eGuide | mydigitalearth.com | 133 MB | Requires iOS 9.3 or later | The eGuide to Birds of the Indian Subcontinent is an interactive companion to Birds of the Indian Subcontinent – the definitive guide for birdwatchers visiting the region. It covers India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. This application has specific features that will enhance your birding experience.
Indian Birds
Android| NATURE WEB | Requires Android 4.1 and up | Indian Birds app is the only application available on android market which displays bird names in regional languages (vernacular names) such as Marathi [मराठी], Hindi [हिन्दी], Sanskrit [संस्कृत], Gujarati [ગુજરાતી], Bengali [বাংলা], Kannada [ಕನ್ನಡ], Assamese [অসমীয়া], Bhojpuri [भोजपुरी], Nepali [नेपाली], Malayalam [മലയാളം], Tamil [தமிழ்], Punjabi [ਪੰਜਾਬੀ], Oriya [ଓଡ଼ିଆ] and Telugu [తెలుగు]. Indian Birds app works in offline mode and can be moved to SD Card. "Indian Birds" app is very easy to use as a field guide at birding sites as it has various information like bird's relative size, sexual differences, wildlife schedule, habitat, food, interesting facts, nesting period, etc. captured for each bird. In addition to this, the app allows to create checklists (offline) to capture on-the-field observation.
Indian Birds
Apple iOS | AndroidPioneers in bringing Indian Birding to the smart phone generation Introducing Indian Birds, the time-honored and cherished birding companion for India. Established in 2010, it proudly remains the sole mobile app available on App Store, offering bird enthusiasts the ability to explore bird namesFestivals & Bird Fairs-
Indian Bird Fair
WebsiteThe Indian Bird Fair (IBF) is held every year in the city of Jaipur (Rajasthan). It is the only event of its kind in India. Conducted on the shores of Man Sagar Lake (Jal Mahal), in the city of Jaipur, during winter when the migratory species are present, the Fair presents an opportunity for education and awareness activities that benefit the bird resource in India…
Organisations-
DelhiBird Foundation
WebsiteOur Vision To create a better world where people and nature grow & thrive together -
Indian Birds....the birding club
Facebook Page -
Indian Wildlife Club
WebsiteWhen Bird Clubs started in India, they were generally seen as hobby clubs for the well to do. Who else would drive miles every Sunday with expensive cameras and binoculars to click bird photographs? -
Oriental Bird Club
WebsiteThe Oriental Bird Club is for birders and ornithologists around the world who are interested in birds of the Oriental region and their conservation -
Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History
WebsiteSACON or the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History was formally inaugurated on 5th June 1990 and registered as a society under the Society Registration Act 1860. SACON, an autonomous organization is a national centre for studies in Ornithology and Natural History. The centre was named befittingly after Dr. S -
Sanctuary Asia
WebsiteSanctuary Asia, India`s leading wildlife, conservation and environment magazine, was started by editor Bittu Sahgal in 1981 to raise awareness among Indians of their disappearing natural heritage.
Reserves-
Protected areas of India
InformationSatellite ViewAs of May 2004, the protected areas of India cover 156,700 square kilometres (60,500 sq mi), roughly 4.95% of the total surface area. There are four categories of Protected areas in India Constituted under the provisons of Wildlife ( Protection) ACT, 1972. Tiger Reserves are constituted by including the areas of National park sand sanctuaries. There are 50 tiger reserves in India.
Guides & Tour Operators-
Asian Adventures
Tour Operatore.g.Karapur Gateway to the wildlife wealth of Karnataka, Kabini River Lodge is nestled in the famous Nagarhole National Park. Once the hunting lodge of the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore, Kabini is today rated by the British Tatler`s Travel Guide as one of the top 5 wildlife resorts in the world. -
Birding Ecotours
Tour OperatorBirding in the Himalayan foothills is of the best on planet earth. Our guides never cease to be amazed by the diversity and numbers of spectacular birds. We visit Ranthambore National Park for our first Tiger tracking adventure. Bird Keoladeo National Park – India’s most famous birding reserve, take a boat down the Chambal river, and much more… -
Bluetail Birding
Tour OperatorBluetail 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 regio -
Eco India
Tour OperatorThis website contains the ecotourism information in India including the information on the wild animals in India, birds information, famous wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and zoos in India -
India Birding Adventures
WebsitePersonalised bird watching and wildlife holidays in India. We offer flexible itineraries on our India birding adventures to suit your specific requirements as a traveling birder. All our birding trips are lead by professional naturalists -
India Wildlife Resorts
Tour OperatorBirdwatching tours based in resorts around India -
Jungle Lore
Tour OperatorOur tours will appeal to the serious birder as well as to the beginner or intermediate bird watcher and some are suitable for the non-birding spouse. A spectacular variety of Himalayan birds and wildlife is spotted in some of these most exotic locales. The itinerary focuses on the Central Himalayas at Binsar, Nainital, Betalghat and Corbett National Park. -
Naturalist Journeys
Tour OperatorAn Indian wildlife tour is one that memories are made of. Imagine discovering India’s dizzying array of endemic birds and stunning mammals like tiger and Snow Leopard. From the Western Ghats to India’s “Yellowstone” — Kanha National Park, a journey to India is exotic in every sense of the word. And in addition to India’s wildlife wonders, the cultural experience in this fascinating country is one you will never forget. -
Rockjumper Birding Tours
Tour OperatorHome to the world’s richest cultural kaleidoscope, India is also justly famous for its rich and impressive avifauna. Our fascinating and multi-faceted tours are conducted at a leisurely pace and are enjoyable for birders and non-birding spouses alike. Birding highlights include Sarus Crane, Grey Junglefowl, White-bellied Treepie and India’s national bird, the resplendent Indian Peafowl. -
Soar Excursions
Tour OperatorWe specialise in designing birding trips, bird and wildlife photo tours that will make your visit to Indian Subcontinent an unforgettable experience. The Founders of Soar Excursions are passionate wild lifers, birders, and wildlife biologists. Our experts personally choose birding location, best guides and naturalists to ensure sighting of targeted birds. -
Wildlife India
Tour OperatorThe text on this site is all embedded so I couldn't lift any to give people an idea of what they offer
Trip Reports-
2014 [02 February] - Bo Beolens
PDF ReportThe trip was an ‘add on’ to a two week tour of southwest India ‘cleaning up’ some Western Ghats’ endemics prior to a short visit to the UAE (hence a built in rest day). Both couples have mobility issues and the youngest participant was just under 65 years old. -
2016 [01 January] - Andy Walker
PDF ReportThe tour connected with numerous exciting birds, such as Indian Skimmer, Indian Courser, Koklass and Cheer Pheasants, Painted Spurfowl, Bearded Vulture, Collared Falconet, Sarus Crane, Ibisbill, Painted Sandgrouse, Pallid Scops Owl, Tawny and Brown Fish Owls, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Great Hornbill, Sirkeer Malkoha, Long-billed Thrush, Spotted, Slaty-backed, and Little Forktails, Golden Bush Robin, Himalayan Bluetail, White-tailed (Himalayan) and Siberian Rubythroats, Wallcreeper, Rufous-breasted and Altai Accentors, and White-capped Bunting. -
2016 [02 February] - Dick Meijer - NE India
PDF ReportEagleNest, Kaziranga, Nameri, Sela pass, Sangti valley and Mandala road -
2016 [04 April] - Wendy Newnham - North East India
Report...the trip was very successful with most of us seeing (or hearing) just under 400 species. At Firmbase Camp in the Namdapha NP we had a flyover of a pair of globally threatened White-bellied Herons. We had excellent views of several pairs of Mountain Bamboo Partridge a glimpse of Common Hill Partridge & we heard Rufous throated, White-cheeked, Chestnut-breasted Partridges as well as Grey Peacock Pheasant. Two of us saw Blyth's Tragopan... -
2016 [11 November] - Ralf Jahraus
PDF ReportThis report is based on a 5 weeks trip to North-East India on which I was joined by mygirlfriend Thai Kong. Sites visited were Tiger Hill and Sandakphu (we did the trek) inDarjeeling, Kaziranga, Nameri and Manas in Assam and finally the Sunderbans. Most of thetour was organized by Help Tourism, Kolkata. -
2016 [11 November] - Ralf Jahraus
PDF ReportThis report is based on a 5 weeks trip to North-East India on which I was joined by my girlfriend Thai Kong. Sites visited were Tiger Hill and Sandakphu (we did the trek) in Darjeeling, Kaziranga, Nameri and Manas in Assam and finally the Sunderbans. Most of the tour was organized by Help Tourism, Kolkata. -
2016 [11 November] - Wayne Jones - South India
PDF Report...In the afternoon, we visited the Bodi Ghats atthe far end of Munnar. We had scintillatingsightings of the shy Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, withChestnut-headed Bee-eater, AshyWoodswallow and Square-tailed Bulbul,among others, as support acts..... -
2016 [12 December] - Aseem Kothiala - Western Ghats
Report...We spent our early morning trying to photograph the Brown-Hawk Owl and the entire afternoon session looking for the Sri Lanka Bay Owl but in vain. On the last day we spent some time birding with Sudha Ma'am, who was also a very keen birder and showed us the Vernal Hanging Parrot, Malabar Woodshrike, Malabar Grey Hornbill and Sunbirds. At a distant we could hear the calls of Jungle owlet and Treepie's.... -
2016 [12 December] - Wayne Jones
PDF Report...Between the hotel garden and our little walkdown the road, we found Grey Francolin,Indian Peafowl, the ubiquitous Black Kite,Red-wattled Lapwing, Eurasian CollaredDove, six lovely Yellow-footed GreenPigeons, Asian Koel, Green Bee-eater,Eurasian Hoopoe, Brown-headed andCoppersmith Barbets, Rose-ringed and PlumheadedParakeets, Black Drongo, Red-ventedBulbul, Greenish Warbler, Ashy Prinia,Common Tailorbird, Jungle Babbler, IndianRobin, Oriental Magpie-Robin, a female Black Redstart and Purple Sunbird.... -
2017 [01 January] - James Eaton - Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra
PDF ReportA region long neglected has now become a popular destination due to the large number of very rare and, inmany cases declining, subcontinent endemics reliant on the natural grasslands of Central and West India. Wemanaged a clean-sweep of all of the specialities of the region, with pride of place going to the regal Great IndianBustard after just an hour of searching. Among the 344 species recorded, the list of megas was impressive;Rufous-vented Grass-babbler, Jerdon’s Babbler, Mountain Chiffchaff, Yellow-eyed Dove, Green Avadavat,Macqueen’s Bustard, Hypocolius, Sociable Lapwing, Sykes’s Nightjar, White-naped Tit, Crab Plover, Stoliczka’sBushchat, Mottled Wood Owl, Vigors’s Sunbird and to finish off, the critically endangered Forest Owlet. Add insome impressive mammals and some of the finest food in Asia, and this was a wonderful visit to one of India’smost exciting areas.... -
2017 [02 February] - Mike Nelson
PDF Report...Great and Indian Cormorant were common and out in the grasses loads of Red-wattled Lapwingwere visible. Our main target here, Jerdon’s Babbler skulking in the grasses was very responsive but reluctantto show, but eventually we found a pair that were more obliging and showed very well before we headed back.Another bonus here was a little Jack Snipe that flushed from the fields as we were walking around.... -
2017 [02 February] - Terry Stevenson - Northern India
Report...at the world-famous wetland of Bharatpur. Water levels have been low in recent years, but this time was just fantastic, with flocks of hundreds of Graylag and Bar-headed geese, Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, the Eurasian form of Green-winged Teal, and lesser numbers of Indian Spot-billed Ducks, Ferruginous Ducks, and Red-crested Pochards. We also saw hundreds of Painted Storks, along with Asian Openbill, Indian Cormorant, Dalmatian Pelican, Black Bittern, Black-headed Ibis, and Eurasian Spoonbill. Displaying Sarus Cranes were a real treat, and Greater Spotted Eagles were often in the bare trees around the water, while on the floating vegetation we watched both Bronze-winged and Pheasant-tailed jacanas. Our local guide helped us find Dusky Eagle-Owl at a nest, and Oriental Scops-Owl at a day roost. On a day trip to the Bund Baretha and Bayana area we added the critically endangered Indian Vulture, plus Brown-headed Barbet, our first Wallcreeper, Sulphur-bellied Warbler, Orange-headed Thrush, and Red Avadavat. We also saw several hundred Indian Flying-Foxes, and troops of Rhesus Monkeys and Common Langurs that were to become a daily feature of the tour..... -
2017 [10 October] - Andy Walker
PDF ReportThe tour connected with many exciting birds, such as Indian Skimmer, Indian Courser, Kalij, Koklass, and Cheer Pheasants, Painted Spurfowl, Indian Spotted Eagle, Bearded (Lammergeier), Red-headed, Indian, and Himalayan Vultures, Collared Falconet, Sarus Crane, Black-necked Stork, Small Pratincole, Painted Sandgrouse, Brown Fish Owl, Oriental Scops Owl, Black-bellied and River Terns, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Great Hornbill, Spotted Forktail, Grey-winged Blackbird, Long-billed and Scaly Thrushes, Himalayan and Siberian Rubythroats, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Striated and Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush -
2017 [12 December] - Pete Aley
ReportThis report outlines a three week trip which I undertook with my wife, Alison Rowntree, in northern India. Although we were keen to maximise birding opportunities, the overriding priority was to see Tigers, so a significant amount of time was spent in two Tiger parks. We flew into Delhi and from here, after a day trip to Sultanpur, travelled to the Chambal River for a boat safari, then to Agra to see the famous Taj Mahal, followed by the world renowned bird reserve at Bharatpur. Next we visited the Tiger parks of Ranthambhore and Bandhavgarh before returning to Delhi. -
2018 [01 January] - Jason Boyce
PDF ReportThe tour connected with so many brilliant birds, such as Great Slaty Woodpecker, Ibisbill, Wallcreeper, Cheer, Koklass, and Kalij Pheasants, Bearded Vulture, Great Hornbill, Indian Skimmer, Indian Courser, Brown Hawk-Owl, Tawny Fish Owl, Golden Bush Robin, Spotted Forktail, and Brown Dipper. -
2018 [02 February] - Hannu Jännes - Western India
PDF ReportThis was yet another very successful Birdquest tour to the north western of India with an epic journey through the states of Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat plus a short visit to the state of Maharasthra to conclude. We recorded no fewer than 330 bird species and 17 mammals, and, more importantly, we found almost every bird specialty of the dry western and central regions of the subcontinent including a number of increasingly scarce species with highly restricted ranges like the impressive Great Indian Bustard (with a world population of only 150 or so)... -
2018 [03 March] - Hannu Jännes - Northern India
PDF ReportThis year’s ‘Birds and Tigers of Northern India’ tour was again a great success providing a feast of avian and mammalian delights. We followed the classic itinerary that took us to a wide variety of habitats, from birdfilled wetlands to semi-desert scrub, from dry savanna woodland and arable farmland to the verdant forested slopes and rushing torrents of the Himalayan foothills. -
2018 [03 March] - Hannu Jännes = Northern India - Birds & Tigers
PDF ReportThis year’s ‘Birds and Tigers of Northern India’ tour was again a great success providing a feast of avian and mammalian delights. We followed the classic itinerary that took us to a wide variety of habitats, from birdfilled wetlands to semi-desert scrub, from dry savanna woodland and arable farmland to the verdant forested slopes and rushing torrents of the Himalayan foothills. -
2018 [03 March] - Jason Boyce
PDF ReportThe tour connected with a great number of bird families (77 to be exact), including a wonderful variety of species such as Brown Fish Owl (seen on the cover of the report), Bar-headed Goose, Jungle Bush Quail, an assortment of woodpeckers including White-naped Woodpecker, Himalayan Woodpecker, Greater Flameback, and the diminutive Speckled Piculet, Indian, Himalayan, and Bearded Vultures, Bonelli’s Eagle, the amazing Black Eagle, and Greater Spotted and Indian Spotted Eagles, as well as Indian Courser, Small Pratincole, Maroon Oriole, Cheer and Koklass Pheasants, and Chestnut-headed and Grey-bellied Tesias, as well as Slaty-backed and Spotted Forktails -
2018 [04 April] - Craig Robson - Ultimate Northeast India
PDF Report2018 saw a completely new Birdquest itinerary for this remote northeast corner of the Indian subcontinent. Our epic journey lasted nearly a month, and saw us amass a huge total of 530 species. The pre-tour extension to the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya started us off well, with Dark-rumped Swift and Tawny-breasted WrenBabbler. The grasslands and semi-deciduous forests of Orang National Park produced Slender-billed Babbler. From the Himalayan midlands to the snowy heights in the Dirang Region, we enjoyed the likes of Snow Partridge, Blood Pheasant, Himalayan Monal, Black-tailed Crake... -
2018 [12 December] - Dave Farrow - Southern India & Sri Lanka
PDF ReportThis years’ tour to Southern India and Sri Lanka was once again a very successful and enjoyable affair. A heady brew of wonderful birdlife was seen, rich in endemics, beginning with our extension to the Andaman Islands where we were able to find 20 of the 21 endemics in just three and a half days, with Andaman Masked Owl, Andaman Scops and Walden’s Scops Owls, Andaman and Hume’s Hawk Owls leading the way, Andaman Cuckoo Dove, great looks at Andaman Crake, plus all the others with the title ‘Andaman’ (with the fairly predictable exception of the Woodpigeon!) and a rich suite of other birds such as Long-tailed Parakeets and Mangrove Whistler. In Southern India we birded our way from the Nilgiri Hills... -
2019 [04 April] - Andy Walker - Southern India
PDF ReportA total of 226 bird species were seen (plus three species heard only). The main highlight birds of the tour were the Western Ghats and Nilgiri endemic species we saw, such as Nilgiri Blue Robin, Nilgiri Thrush, Nilgiri Pipit, White-bellied Blue Robin, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Malabar Grey Hornbill, White-bellied Treepie, Blue-winged (Malabar) Parakeet, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, Black-and-Orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri and Palani Laughingthrushes, Greyheaded and Flame-throated Bulbuls, Grey Junglefowl, and many more. The region also plays host to a number of birds shared with neighboring Sri Lanka, such as Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Malabar Trogon, and Blue-faced Malkoha, and all were seen well. Other highlight birds included White-rumped and Indian Vultures, Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl, Mottled Wood Owl, Brown Fish Owl, Indian Pitta, Heart-spotted, White-bellied, and Streak-throated Woodpeckers, Indian Nuthatch, White-bellied Minivet, Indian Scimitar Babbler, Indian Black-lored Tit, Crimson-backed Sunbird, and the stunning Indian Blue Robin -
2019 [04 April] - Jason Boyce
PDF ReportThe tour connected with so many phenomenal species, some of these southern specials included; Black, Yellow and Cinnamon Bitterns, Oriental Pratincole, Sarus Crane, Indian Skimmer, Black-bellied Tern and Great Thick-knee. The north produced Great Slaty Woodpecker, Great Hornbill, Brown Fish Owl, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Cheer, Koklass and Kalij Pheasants, Himalayan Shrike-babbler, Asian Fairy-bluebird, Indian Blackbird, Tickell’s, Mistle, Scaly and the rare Dark-sided and Pied Thrushes as well as Speckled Piculet and Slaty-backed and Spotted Forktails. -
2019 [05 May] - James Eaton - Nagaland, Eaglenest, Assam and Mishmi Hills
PDF ReportThis mammoth tour of the Eastern Himalaya lived up to everything it was set up to be – we recorded a total of 495 species, a huge total considering nearly all wintering birds had dispersed northwards already but as always in this region, it is quality rather than quantity that impressed us most. We began in Nagaland... -
2019 [08 August] - Shashank Dalvi - Monsoon India
PDF ReportThe arrival of the monsoon makes some of these birds easy to observe in a lush green background which is usually dry and yellow during other months. This tour was designed to hit just eight target species for Albert; namely Forest Owlet, Vigors’s Sunbird, Painted Francolin, Lesser Florican, Rock Bush Quail, Indian Spotted-creeper, Sind Sparrow and Bristled Grassbird. Not only did we achieve this, we ended up hitting an impressive 10 lifers for him. -
2019 [12 December] - Daniel Keith Danckwerts
PDF ReportIndia is perhaps one of the most exciting destinations in all of Asia and our northern India circuit routinely produces around 400 birds including several incredibly sought-after species as well as a number of highly desirable mammals -
2020 [01 January] - Carlos Sanchez
PDF ReportOur Naturalist Journeys tour to India was led by Carlos Sanchez and local operator/guide Avijit Sarkhel, owner of Vana Safaris. Carlos and Avijit were both excellent––both very knowledgeable, obviously enjoyed people, and gave their utmost to make the trip successful for everyone. Carlos has a very steady presence, in addition to his vast knowledge of varied subjects and accomplished ID skills. -
2020 [01 January] - James Eaton - Andamans & Western Ghats
PDF ReportThough recording 302 species, a respectable total on a two-week Asian tour, it was the quality that makes Southern India such a mouth-watering, must-do tour. Included in the total, we saw all bar one of the 21 endemics that are shared between the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and some 30 Indian endemics, most of which are found only the Western Ghat states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Pride of place must go to the 19 species of night- bird seen – 12 owls, one frogmouth and six nightjars – from the nesting Spot-bellied Eagle Owl to the walkaway Sri Lanka Bay Owl finale to the tour. Of the trickiest, often missed species, Nilgiri Thrush, Wynaad Laughingthrush and Andaman Crake gave superlative, prolonged views. -
2020 [02 February] - Mike nelson - Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra
PDF ReportWith a list of highly endangered and regionally localized birds, western India is a priority tour for birders. From the marshlands of the Punjab down through arid scrubland into the rolling dunes of Desert National Park, the vast expanses of the Kutch and then across to the dry deciduous forests of Maharashtra, this year’s tour covered all of the desired species of the region. The wetlands and reed beds around Harike attract migrants along with our main target the Rufous-vented Grass-babbler, and Jerdon’s Babbler and we had great views of these range- restricted skulkers. Sind Sparrow, wintering Mountain and Siberian Chiffchaffs, and loads of waterfowl were added. Heading south into Rajasthan we entered into the dry thorn scrub landscape dotted with Acacias and rocky outcrops where we found White-bellied Minivet, Painted Sandgrouse, Indian Spotted-creeper and stunning Black Francolin. -
2022 [05 May] - Jules Eden - Assam & Arunchal Pradesh
PDF ReportWe were going for Ward’s Trogon and the joy of a private trip like this is that we were going to get it, as the plan was to stay until that moment and if it dragged on, to buy a house there, marry a local , get residency and only clear out of the mountains when the job was done. -
2022 [11 November] - Garry Armstrong
PDF ReportAfter more than two years of Covid restrictions it was time to get back to foreign birding trips. I had an idea for a trip to northwest India and David and Mark were happy to join in. On the advice of a birding friend in Northern Ireland I contacted Manoj Sharma at Indian Nature Tours -
2022 [12 December] - Chris Mills - Northern India
Report0715 saw the first members of the group out for pre-breakfast birding in the grounds of the hotel. Indian eafowl, Red-wattled Lapwing and House Crow strutted around on a lawn amongst the remnants of an Indian wedding, the trees held Oriental White-eye, Brown-headed Barbet, Black Drongo and both Red-whiskered and Red-vented Bulbul and Oriental Magpie Robin. Overhead, a procession of Black Kites made their way across the city together with a Black-shouldered Kite and a small number of Little Swifts. Common Myna and Jungle Babbler were prominent around the buildings. -
2023 [01 January] - Peregrine Rowse - Rajasthan&Gujarat
PDF ReportThe outlook for the magnificent Great Indian Bustard is ever more critical withnumbers now possibly falling below what is a viable population. I decided thereforetomake the long drive out West to the Desert National Park beyond Jaisalmer, the focusof the trip. T -
2024 [01 January] - : Glen Valentine - Western Ghats
PDF Report -
2024 [03 March] - Chris Lotz - Northeast India
PDF ReportNortheast India is one of the best places for finding Ibisbill, Wallcreeper and Spotted Elachura. These three species are the only members of their families, and are therefore soughtafter by bird family listers, like the three participants on this tour. Thankfully, we found these major targets. This part of the world is also excellent for a suite of Himalayan foothill forest bird species such as Beautiful Nuthatch, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Himalayan Cutia and many other star birds; we saw the four mentioned above really well. The Sela Pass provides easy access to sought-after high altitude Himalayan birds like the luminous Grandala, Blood Pheasant and various rosefinches, all of which we enjoyed seeing on this tour... -
Trip Reports
ReportsAsian Adventures repository of their tours
Places to Stay-
Chambal Safari Lodge - Uttar Pradesh
AccommodationThe Chambal Safari Lodge
Other Links-
AVIS-IBIS
WebsiteAn Avian Information System - Indian BioDiversity Information System - Welcome to AVIS (Avian Information System of India), an internet-based and peer-reviewed resource devoted to Indian Birds. India is one of the 17 "mega diverse" countries of the world. The endeavour behind this portal is to disseminate comprehensive info… -
Birding India 2000
WebsiteNovember 5th was a Sunday and was our day off. Our hosts kindly arranged for a trip to the Taj Mahal near Agra going via Bharatpur. It took us five hours to get to Bharatpur where we had two hours, then we drove to Agra and the Taj -
Birds of India | Bird World
WebsitePictures, description, distribution, habitat, behaviour, feeding and breeding habits, migration and conservation status of birds -
Books on Ornithology published in India
WebsitePlease find below a selection of books on Ornithology published in India. Many of these titles are further linked to provide the complete table of contents of the books along with excerpts from the jacket/preface. If you do not find a title you are looking for in the list below, please e-mail us at vedams@vedamsbooks.com and we shall do our best to procure it. We can supply you any title published in India. -
Indian Wildlife
WebsiteIndia has a network of about 80 National Parks and 441 Sanctuaries, covering four per cent of its land area. Most of them have excellent facilities for visitors. India has a network of about 80 National Parks and 441 Sanctuaries, covering four per cent of its land area. Most of them have excellent facilities for visitors.
Blogs-
Arijit Sarker - Mostly Indian Birds
WebsiteI created this blog to share with the world my hobby of bird watching and wildlife. You will see mostly Indian birds captured during my travels across India. Occasionally you might come across some wildlife and nature photography to keep it interesting :) Hope you enjoy it. -
Birds of India
BLOGThis is a welcome page of my blog Birds of India. And I welcome all the persons who are Bird lovers and those who are interested to know about bird identification. For those Bird lovers I shall try to say how to identify a bird and also habits and habitats of different birds of India. Also, I discussed here about bird sanctuary and birding spot of India. But before that, below is some general discussion about birds of India. -
Deepak Balasubramanian - BirdingDoc
BLOGA Doctor by education, Nature lover by birth, Gardening in my free time, Music lover, Birder, Trekker.. -
Wildside of Matthew
BLOGBlog featuring weekly posts on wildlife related travel, especially for bird photography, in India and other parts of the world.
Photographers & Artists-
Gallery - India Birds
GalleryIn this website, I have attempted to bring to you birds found in India, in the wild, in their natural habitat, as God made them. Enjoy yourselves & thanks for dropping in! - Vijay Cavale -
Photographer - Aseem Kumar Kothiala
GalleryAn entrepreneur with a passion for photography, engineer by education, lover of nature and its creation. I am fortunate to be able to spend a good amount of time on personal projects, traveling and birding.Have no basic training in photography, its just clicks, so I will just share a few I like.
Fatbirder - linking birders worldwide...
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