India, a land of stunning diversity, offers a unique opportunity for birdwatchers to witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of bird migration. With its diverse ecosystems, ranging from the snow-capped Himalayas to the tropical rainforests of the Western Ghats, India attracts a myriad of avian visitors each year.

Why India?
Diverse Habitats: From the wetlands of Bharatpur to the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans, India offers a plethora of habitats that cater to a wide range of bird species.

Rich Biodiversity: India boasts a rich biodiversity, with numerous endemic and migratory bird species.
Ideal Climate: The temperate climate during the winter months provides a perfect refuge for birds escaping the harsh winters of their breeding grounds.

Thriving Birdwatching: Culture: India has a growing community of avid birdwatchers and experienced guides, making it easier to explore and appreciate the country's avian wonders.

Top Birdwatching Destinations in India

Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur): Renowned as one of the world's best birdwatching sites,Bharatpur is a haven for migratory waterfowl, including Siberian Cranes, Bar-headed Geese, and a variety of ducks and geese.

Chilka Lake: Asia's largest brackish water lake, Chilka is a vital wintering ground for numerous migratory birds, especially flamingos.

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary: Located on the banks of the Cauvery River, this sanctuary is home to a diverse range of resident and migratory birds, including cormorants, herons, egrets, and kingfishers.

Great Rann of Kutch: This vast salt marsh transforms into a vibrant wetland during the monsoon season, attracting a diverse range of migratory birds, including flamingos, pelicans, cranes, and various waterfowl.

The Sundarbans: This vast mangrove forest delta is a unique ecosystem, home to a diverse range of avian species, including the rare and elusive Bengal Florican.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit India for birdwatching is during the winter months, from October to February. This is when most migratory birds arrive in India to escape the harsh winter conditions
in their breeding grounds.

Tips for Birdwatching in India

Hire a Local Guide: A knowledgeable guide can help you identify different bird species and navigate the best birding spots.

Use Binoculars: A good pair of binoculars is essential for birdwatching.

Dress Appropriately: Wear comfortable, lightweight clothing and sturdy footwear.

Respect Wildlife: Avoid disturbing the birds and their habitat.

Be Patient: Birdwatching requires patience and observation skills.

Embark on a Birdwatching Adventure
India Safaris offers a truly unforgettable birding experience. Whether you're an experienced birdwatcher or a novice, you are sure to be captivated by the beauty and diversity of India's avian wonders. So, pack your bags, grab your binoculars, and get ready to explore the avian paradise of India.

Haven for birds, the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary also known as Keoladeo National Park is one of the best places for wildlife safari tours in India.  A UNESCO-recognized World Heritage, the natural paradise is located in Rajasthan. Its location, close to the capital, Delhi and on the route of the Golden Triangle Tour India makes it one of the popular weekend getaways and holiday destinations.

Home to more than 366 species of birds, 379 species of plants, and around 30 mammals, the sanctuary is a wild haven. The bird population in the park includes species that migrate from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, China, and Siberia only during winter. The native population as well as the migratory ones makes Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary an interesting getaway for bird watchers and wildlife photographers.

When making plans to explore nature’s best at Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, here is your guide.

Best Time to Visit Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary can be visited all through the year but the best time to visit is from October to March.

Opening timings: 6 am – 6 pm (summers) | 6:30 am – 5 pm (winters)

History of Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Keoladeo National Park, the present name of Bharatpur Sanctuary was formerly a duck shooting preserve of the Maharaja of Bharatpur. In the 1980s after seeing the diverse range of flora and fauna flourishing in the park, UNESCO declared it as a World Heritage Site. It is now a green haven for birds and animals.

Flora and Fauna of Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Bharatpur is a blessed lush oasis in the middle of the crowded getaways of Agra and Jaipur. The semi-arid forest has significant vegetation of medium size trees and shrubs. Kadam, Jamun, and Babul trees cover the major area with small amount of Kandi and Ber. The park has an aquatic vegetation of the park is rich and suffices the food requirement for waterfowl.

Bharatpur Sanctuary is one of Asia’s finest birding areas, with over hundreds of resident and migrant birds. Once a duck-hunting reserve of the Maharajas, Keoladeo now sees a lot of birds such as cranes, pelicans, geese, ducks, eagles, hawks, shanks, stints, wagtails, warblers, wheatears, flycatchers, buntings, larks, and pipits.

The 29 sq km area of the bird sanctuary, Bharatpur is not just known for birds. It is also a great place to watch mammals like the golden jackal, jungle cat, nilgai, sambar, and wild boar. It’s a treat to watch them play, pounce and move around freely in their natural habitat. During the month of winter, pythons can also be found moving around sluggishly.

Watch out for: Demoiselle, the rare Siberian Cranes, Striped Hyaena, Fishing Cat, and Blackbuck

Bird Safari at Bharatpur National Park

Bird safari makes for the most surreal experience at Bharatpur sanctuary. Bharatpur wildlife sanctuary has spread over 29 sq km with well laid-out forest trails and can be easily covered on foot, a rickshaw, or a cycle. However, motor vehicles are not permitted inside the sanctuary premises. Add lots of excitement to your birding tour by going for an early morning or late evening boating trip. Make the most of your photography skills by taking candid shots of birds flying around.

Timings: 8 am – 5 pm all days; to get the best value of your time, plan an outing early in the morning or immediately after the sunset.

Browse at here: Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

India is a bird watching haven. The lush jungles are home to all species of the animal kingdom including birds of colourful shades. The vast country is a habitat to birds including migratory ones flying in from far parts of the world.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo National Park)

Binsar National Park

Kaziranga National Park