Nepal is indeed a paradise for birds with over 800 species recorded representing 10% of the world’s population in just a tiny fraction of the earth’s land mass. Just to list a few: eight species of stork, six species of pheasant, 17 species of cuckoo, 3 species of crow, cormorant, egret, black ibis, eagle, falcon, duck, chukar, partridge, sarus crane, lapwing pigeon, bengal green pigeon, dove, parakeet, koel cuckoo, owl, vulture, peafowl, red jungle fowl, swallow, black drong, blue jay, wood pecker, black-headed shrike, common myna, red-vented bulbul, paradise flycatcher, brahminy duck, house sparrow, red mania, and hawk. The opportunity to see these and other birds will make your trip a memorable and enjoyable one. These trips also provide panoramic mountain views, glimpses of wild animals and exposure to the local people’s culture and traditions.
Nepal is blessed with a vast array of exceptionally rich bird life with total of over 850 species recorded . A diverse topography and climate has resulted in a variety of habitats within the country, which are home to over 8% of the Worlds total bird population Nepal is a paradise for the birdwatcher. From the lowland jungle of the Terrai and the Kosi Tappu barrage through dense rhododendron and Oak forest of the middle hills to the windswept plateaus of the high Himalaya there is always something to keep one twitching.
Within the Kathmandu valley alone, over 500 species of birds have been recorded. The surrounding hills offer a varied ecology ranging from primary and secondary forests to rhododendron, oak and pine forests. In addition, the wetlands and open fields inside the valley make up a diverse habitat for many species of birds. The most popular bird watching spot is the Phulchoki hill, the highest peak on the Valley rim situated 20 km South East of Kathmandu, with some 265 species recorded to date. The birds seen here included babblers, warblers, tits, thrushes, Minivets, woodpeckers, eagles and many migrant birds. Godavari, at the foot of Phulchoki hill where the Royal Botanical Garden is situated, records over 100 species of birds including the lesser racket-tailed drongo, Tibetan siskin and the spotted fork tail.
