A lesser known fact about Nepal is that it’s an excellent place to see birds. Aside from the exotic beauty of the country’s landscape, Nepal is a home to the world’s many beautiful species of birds. There are many places and opportunities where you can see birds in Nepal.
As you explore the nation, keep your eyes open and look up because you never know what kind of bird might just be flying over your head or perched on a branch right above you!
This article is all about you knowing different types of birds in Nepal. After reading this article, you will know many things about birds in Nepal-from the status of birds in Nepal to different types of birds that are found in Nepal.
Surprisingly, birds can be found in Nepal, a country more well-known for its snow-capped mountains and dense forests than for its exotic birdlife. And though the number of species are limited, there are still quite a few beautiful birds that make their home here – both native and migratory. Read on to learn about some of the most prominent birds in Nepal!
Status Of Birds In Nepal
A team of researchers from Swiss Ornithological Institute released a checklist of birds found in Nepal. The status report involved 6 ornithologists who spent 3 years studying birds throughout different habitats and regions, from Arun to Kanchenjunga, including 56 species previously unknown to science. BirdLife International estimates that there are about 1,000 bird species in Nepal with some new ones being discovered every year.
As many as 70% of these birds are non-migratory residents while 30% are migratory birds that fly into Nepal during winter season. There is also an endemic bird known as Rufous-fronted Laughingthrush which is only found in forests at high altitudes around Annapurnas and Himalchuli mountain ranges. Other birds such as Red-billed Blue Magpie, Lammergeier or Bearded Vulture can be seen flying across open plains and over mountains.
Some birds like Black Francolin or Grey Partridge can be spotted by going on bird watching tours organized by Nepalese tour operators. According to BirdLife International (2000), Nepal has more than 600 protected areas covering almost 15% of its land area; these include national parks, wildlife reserves, community reserves and conservation areas.
Birds Found In Nepal
As we have already told you Nepal is a home to world’s many species of birds. Since Nepal is geographically divided into three parts-Himalayan, Hilly, and Terai resulting in the massive variation in biodiversity of Nepal.
Due to this variation in biodiversity, you will find different lifestyle, landscape, climate, animals, and birds in these three different parts of Nepal. The main bird species found in Nepal are the Tawny eagle, Eurasian eagle-owl, Common buzzard, Common hawk-cuckoo, Oriental magpie-robin and Pallas’s leaf warbler. In this section of this article, we are briefly going to tell you about all kinds of birds that are found in Himalayan, Hilly, and Terai region of Nepal.
-Birds Found In Himalayan Region Of Nepal
Himalayan region is the mountainous region of Nepal containing highest mountains and snows that ranges from 3,000 meters to the world highest 8,848 meters. Due to the high altitude and cold climate, very few species of birds can be spotted in this region of Nepal. Lophophorus, in Nepali known as Danphe is the national bird of Nepal that is mostly found in the Himalayan region of Nepal epspecially in Mt. Everest and Annapurna areas.
Beside this, birds like Himalayan Snowcock, Chher Pheasant, Himalayan Cuckoo, Himalayan Swifts, Himalayan Griffon, Himalayan Buzzard, Himalayan Owls, Himalayan Woodpecker, Himalayan Flameback, Kaliz, Himalayan Shrike-Babler, Himalayan Prinia, Nepal Cupwing, etc are found in Himalayan region of Nepal. One of the world’s extinct bird Jerdon’s Baza also used to be spotted in this region.
-Birds Found In Hilly Region Of Nepal
Covering more than 68% of total area of Nepal, Hilly region is the largest region of Nepal that contains mountain without snow and many high hills. Hilly region rises from 1,000 meters to 3,000 meters. Since Hilly region covers the large part of Nepal, it is a home to more than 500 out 915 species of birds in Nepal.
There are many places in Hilly region where you can easily observed these birds. Watercock, Indian Nightjar, Dusky Eagle Owl, Black-Headed Cuckoo, White-Tailed Stonechat, Stariated Grassbird, Large Adjutant Stork, Pallas Fish’s Eagle, Common Golden Eye, Gull Bidded Tern, Swamp Francolin, Rufousvented Grass Babbler, and Bengal Floricians are some common species of birds found in the Hilly region of Nepal.
-Birds Found In Terai Region Of Nepal
Terai region is a low and flat land containing region of Nepal that ranges from lowest point 59 meters in Musharniya of Dhanusha district to 1,000 meters. Different species of ducks, geese, waterfowl, pigeons, doves, sandgrouse, bustards, owls, cuckoos, cranes, hawks, eagles, kites, kingfishers, rollers, falcons, parrots, crows, grassbirds, bulbuls, and many more species are found in the Terai region of Nepal.
Someone can easily observe these species of birds in the sky and land of this region in Nepal. There are some places in the Terai of Nepal where birds are well-protected. Koshi Tappu is the biggest preserved area of Terai eastern region which covers more than 175 sq.km of wetlands in Sunsari, Saptari, and Udaypur districts. In this protected area, over 485 species of birds can be easily protected in Nepal.
Conservation Of Birds In Nepal
Birds are one of those things that can make an environment beautiful, not just from a visual perspective but from a sound as well. Birds have been a natural and logical way for humans to identify with animals. Ever since, we have been on friendly terms with birds.
Some of the most common species of birds found in NEpal are listed under endangered category by IUCN (International Union For Conservation Of Nature). There are also many other national and international organizations involving in the protection and conservation of birds in Nepal.
Organizations like Bird Conservation Nepal and Department Of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation are heavily involved and dedicated to conserve and biodiversity benefiting people having a vision that “Birds and biodiversity thriving in Nepal and benefiting people” with the goal as “Contribute to Birds and Biodiversity Conservation for benefiting people”.
It is important to conserve these creatures so that they do not become extinct any time soon. One must realize how much these creatures help us every day even though we might not be aware of it at all times.
The conservation status of some common birds:
Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax) is categorized as vulnerable by IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to habitat loss and over hunting in many parts of its range. The bird has a wide distribution from Europe to Central Asia, from India to China. The species occurs in areas where trees are present, especially near water bodies such as lakes, rivers or ponds. In Nepal, it is found mostly in Chitwan National Park and Bardia National Park.
The Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) can be found all across Asia and Europe but not Africa. They are most commonly found on open grasslands or heath lands with scattered trees nearby. The Common buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a large bird of prey which is found in many parts of Asia, Europe and North America. In Nepal, it is mostly seen at higher altitudes such as Pokhara and Annapurnas. The Common hawk-cuckoo (Hierococcyx varius) is a species of cuckoo that has a wide distribution from India to Indonesia.
Some Interesting Facts About Birds In Nepal
There are many facts about birds in Nepal that you probably don’t know. Let’s us tell you some surprising and interesting facts about birds in Nepal:
- There are over 915 species of birds that are recorded till date in Nepal. These species of birds are categorized into 4 category. (i) Accidental, (ii) Endemic, (iii) Extirpated, and (iv) Introduced.
- Out of 915 species of birds, there is a bird named Spiny Babbler which is only found in Nepal. Spiny Bibbler is one of those things that are only found in Nepal.
- There are 42 species of birds in Nepal that are on the list of globally threatened birds.
- You may know that Danphe is the national bird of Nepal, also known as Himalayan Monal by its English name and Lophophorus by its scientific name is also the largest bird found in Nepal.
- Apart from being the bird only found in Nepal, Spinny Babbler is also the smallest bird that is found in Nepal.
Conclusion
The majestic Himalayan mountains are home to some of the world’s most beautiful bird species, including the Himalayan Monal, White-throated Munia, Rose-ringed Parakeet, and more! The country also has its own native species, such as the Rubythroat and Fire-tailed Myzornis. However, it’s still hard to locate them due to their shy nature, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled on any of Nepal’s many tour routes or wildlife parks!
FAQs
1. How many types of birds are there in Nepal?
There are 915 species of recorded birds that are found in Nepal.
2. Which is the largest bird in Nepal?
The national bird of Nepal Danphe is the also the largest bird that is found in Nepal.
3. Which bird is found in all regions of Nepal?
Nepal has three different religions that have different climate and environment. Surprisingly though there is a bird which is found in all religions of Nepal. Kalij Pheasant is found in all religions of Nepal.
4. Which bird is famous in Nepal?
Out of 915 species of birds in Nepal, the most common and famous species of birds in Nepal are Danphe, Spinny Babbler, Pigeons, Pheasant, Crane, Eagles, etc.
