Are you a bird lover looking for your next travel destination? Look no further than India, a country full of incredible birds and habitats. India has everything from ancient wetlands to lush forests teeming with colorful wildlife!
This blog post will take you on a nationwide tour of some fascinating bird sanctuaries. Whether you're an experienced birder or simply curious about nature's beauty, there's no better way to engage in our feathered friends' lives than by visiting these grounds, where they are protected and appreciated like nowhere else.
So join us as we explore five remarkable sanctuaries guaranteed to excite any traveler – and inspire lifelong respect for the natural world!
Top 20 Fascinating Bird Sanctuaries in India for Bird Lovers
1. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Rajasthan
Located in Bharatpur, this is one of India’s finest bird sanctuaries and a paradise for bird-watching enthusiasts. This sanctuary is home to many birds, including migratory species from Siberia and Central Asia. The most popular attraction here is the ‘Ladies Finger,’ a boat ride in the middle of the sanctuary.
2. Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat
This bird sanctuary is located near Ahmedabad and on Lake Nal's banks. It is home to over 200 species of birds from various regions like Europe, Siberia, Tibet, and Mongolia. One can spot some rarest birds here, like the Great Crested Grebe, Black Stork, and Flamingos.
3. Mayani Bird Sanctuary, Maharashtra
At this sanctuary, in the Satara district of Maharashtra, you can spot over 200 species of migratory and resident birds, including flamingos, pelicans, ibises, and spoonbills. The lake in this sanctuary is the main water source for the birds that live here.
4. Haryana's Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary
Over 250 different species of birds live in this bird sanctuary close to Delhi, including peacocks, egrets, cranes, parakeets, and herons. The sanctuary's main attraction is a lake that draws migratory birds from all over the world.
5. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
This sanctuary, lo Kathe Kanchipuram district, is the oldest in India and was established in 1798. It is home to around 30,000 migratory birds, including cormorants, herons, and egrets, who come here during winter.
6. Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka
This sanctuary, in the Mandya district of Karnataka, is home to more than 170 species of birds like cormorants, darters, and herons. This sanctuary was declared protected in 1940, making it India’s first bird sanctuary.
7. Bharatpur Jheel Bird Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh
This bird sanctuary near Agra is home to over 320 species of birds, including migratory species from Europe and Siberia. It was declared a sanctuary in 1984 due to its rich avian diversity. The most popular attraction here is the migratory Siberian cranes that visit this place every year between October and February.
8. Neora Valley National Park, West Bengal
This park, located in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, is home to over 400 species of birds and serves as a haven for many migratory species. Among the commonly spotted birds are barbets, partridges, woodpeckers, and minivets.
9. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Goa
This bird sanctuary on an island in Goa is named after India’s legendary ornithologist, who discovered it in 1976. It is home to around 200 resident and migratory birds, including white-bellied sea eagles, little grebes, and kingfishers.
10. Kolleru Lake Bird Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh
Kolleru Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in India and is home to many migratory birds from Europe, Siberia, and Central Asia. This lake is a major breeding ground for resident species like egrets, cormorants, pelicans, and herons.
11. Bhigwan Bird Sanctuary, Maharashtra
This bird sanctuary near Pune attracts thousands of migratory birds worldwide. Some common migratory species spotted here are pintails, coots, shovellers, and godwits.
12. Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Kerala
Thattekad is one of Kerala’s most popular bird sanctuaries and was declared a protected area in 1983. It is home to over 300 species of birds like drongos, woodpeckers, and babblers. It is also home to some of India’s rarest species of birds, including the Malabar Grey Hornbill and Nilgiri Wood Pigeon.
13. Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary, Odisha
Chilka Lake is one of Asia’s largest brackish water lakes and a paradise for bird watchers. This sanctuary is home to over 160 species of resident and migratory birds, like flamingos, pelicans, storks, and ibises, that come here during the winter.
14. Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan
This wildlife sanctuary, near Udaipur in Rajasthan, is home to various species of birds like owls, eagles, and vultures. This sanctuary is also famous for its large population of leopards which share the same habitat as the birds.
15. Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
Pulicat Lake, near Chennai in Tamil Nadu, is another important bird sanctuary in India. It serves as a wintering ground for many migratory bird species from Siberia and North America, including flamingos, pelicans, cormorants, and ducks.
16. Nangal Wetland Bird Sanctuary, Punjab
Nangal Wetland, situated on the banks of River Sutlej in Punjab, is a major breeding ground for resident birds like bar-headed geese, ducks, and gulls. This sanctuary also serves as a wintering ground for many migratory species like grebes, spoonbills, and flamingos.
17. Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary, West Bengal
This bird sanctuary, located in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, is home to over 150 species of birds, including parakeets, pelicans, and kingfishers. Because of the area's vast avian variety and quantity of bird food supplies, it is one of India's most significant bird locations.
18. Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Rajasthan
Keoladeo Ghana National Park near Bharatpur in Rajasthan is another famous bird sanctuary in India. It is home to over 350 species of birds, including ducks, geese, pelicans, and storks. This sanctuary is also a popular tourist spot due to its picturesque landscapes and unique wildlife.
19. Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharashtra
This sanctuary, in the Sahyadri Hills of Maharashtra, is home to many endangered species of birds, like the Spotted Eagle and Grea,t Hornbill. It also provides a safe habitat for numerous other resident and migratory bird species looking for food and shelter.
20. Ladakh High Altitude Lake Bird Sanctuary, Jammu &'' Kashmir
This lake in Ladakh's high-altitude plains is one of India's most important wetland habitats. This sanctuary is home to over 200 species of birds, including bar-headed geese, short-toed eagles, and falcons that migrate here from as far away as Europe during the winter.
FAQs
Q. Which is the second largest bird sanctuary?
A. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan is the second largest bird in India. It is spread over 29 km and is home to various migratory and resident species like Grey Partridge, Peafowl, Crane, Stork, Ducks, Eagles, etc. This sanctuary even has a World Heritage tag from UNESCO, as it houses more than 230 species of birds!
Q. How many national parks are there in India?
A. There are 98 national parks in India spread across different states and union territories that cover an impressive 2% of the total land area. These parks are home to thousands of animal and plant species, providing them a haven from poachers and hunters. Famous national parks in India include Jim Corbett National Park, Kaziranga National Park, Ranthambore National Park, etc.
Q. Are there many bird sanctuaries near Delhi?
A. Yes! There are several bird sanctuaries near Delhi that you can visit, such as Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Okhla Bird Sanctuary, and Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. All these sanctuaries are home to various migratory and resident species like Grey Partridge, Peafowl, Crane, Stork, Ducks, and Eagles, making them ideal places for bird-watching enthusiasts worldwide.
Conclusion
India is a paradise for bird lovers. From ancient wetlands, India has everything from lush forests teeming with colorful wildlife, India everything! Varied avifauna has plenty of amazing bird sanctuaries where you can encounter some of the world’s rarest and most beautiful birds. Whether you love bird watching or want to admire nature, these bird sanctuaries in India will leave you inspired and amazed.
