India is a paradise for bird watchers with around 1200 species of birds. The main reason behind this attraction is the diversity of climate, vegetation and the altitude. Bird watching is one of the best mediums to enjoy for nature lovers. India is also a home to more than 450 wildlife sanctuaries and 90 national parks. Bird watching in India has attracted a number of ornithologists and nature lovers from far away places since very ancient times. Some of the major habitats of birds, including migratory birds from other countries, include Bharatpur National Park, Corbett National Park and Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Major Bird Watching Sites in India
Bharatpur National Park
It is also famous by the name of Keoladeo National Park and is a favourite tourist destination of Ornithologists and nature lover for birding in India. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary nests some of the indigenous water as well as migratory birds in India. It is located in the Western Indian state of Rajasthan. Bharatpur is the only place for bird watching in India which has been created by a Maharaja or King. The best time to visit Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is from March to October and from November to February, specially for migratory birds. Some of the bird species found in this national park are Black Francolin, Common Quail, Indian Peafowl, Marbled Teal, Greater White Fronted Goose, Comb Duck, Ruddy Shelduck, Gadwall, Baikal Teal, Common Pochard, Woodpecker, Buttonquail, Bunting, Rosefinch, Munia and Baya Weaver.
Corbett National Park
Corbett National Park is located in the beautiful state of Uttarakhand in North India. It is home to a variety of flora and fauna besides a number of species of birds. It was established in 1936. Jeep safari is the best way to travel inside Corbett National Park. It can be visited at any time throughout the year except monsoon season by those who want to enjoy birding in India. Some of the species found in Corbett National Park are Francolins, Partridges, Quails, Hill Partridges, India Peafowl, Whistling Duck, Geese, Ducks, Woodpeckers, Buronquails, Barbets, Hornbills, Rollers, Kingfishers, Bee Eaters, Cuckoos, Parakeets and Coucals.
Sultanpur National Park
Sultanpur National Park is located about 50 km away from Delhi. It was declared as a water bird reserve in 1972. Though there is a lake in this sanctuary but visitors are not allowed to indulge in boating so as not to disturb the birds from their natural activities. The best season to visit Sultanpur National Park is during the winter months in December, January and February, as it is the best time to spot some of the beautiful migratory birds here. Some of the famous bird species which are found in this national park are Grey Pelicans, Spoonbills, White Ibis, Black-Necked Storks, Grey Pelicans, Cornorants, Egrets, Painted Storks, Pond Herons.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Western Ghats in Kerala. It has a beautiful lake in the center of the wildlife sanctuary. Though it is a habitat of some of the endangered species of wildlife animals but at the same time varieties of birds also inhabitate here. Cormorants, the great Malabar Hornbills, Kingfishers, Racket-Tailed Drongoes, Darters and a number of migratory birds can be spotted in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Kaziranga National Park
Kazhiranga National Park is one of the natural habitat of wildlife and birds in North East India. Located in Assam, Kazhiranga is mainly known for its one horned Rhino and a number of bird species. Bengal Florican, Pied Harriers, Pallas Fish Eagle, Jerdon's Babbler, Mash Babbler, Pied Falconet, Mountain Bulbul, Slaty Bellied Tesia, Sultan Tits, Ibisbill, Jerdon's Bushchat and Greater adjutant Storks are some of the famous birds which can be spotted in Kazhiranga National Park throughout the year. Apart from all these national parks and sanctuaries, a number of colourful birds can be spotted in the Himalayan hill stations of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh by lovers of bird watching in India.
Ethics of Bird Watching
1. Avoid any unwanted disturbance in the national parks and sanctuaries.
2. Follow all the rules and regulations of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
3. Avoid littering and trashing of such areas.
4. Larger groups should be divided into different small groups, which are more manageable.
5. Extra care should be taken while visiting such destinations during breeding season of birds.
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