India
India spans an exceptional range of landscapes, from the Himalayas and high Tibetan environments of the north to the deserts of Rajasthan, fertile plains formed by the rivers Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra, central forests and tropical coasts. The Western Ghats form a major biodiversity hotspot along the southwest, while northeastern India connects the Himalayas with the forests of Southeast Asia. Habitats include alpine meadows, tropical rainforest, dry deciduous forest, grasslands, mangroves and vast wetlands. Climate ranges from alpine to tropical and is strongly shaped by the monsoon.
Overview
India is one of Asia's premier birding destinations, combining enormous diversity with numerous endemics and regional specialties. The Western Ghats hold birds such as Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Malabar Grey Hornbill and Nilgiri Flycatcher, while the Himalayas offer pheasants, laughingthrushes, rosefinches and raptors. Rajasthan's deserts support Great Indian Bustard, Indian Courser and sandgrouse, and northeastern forests are exceptionally diverse, with hornbills, babblers and ward's trogons. Famous destinations include Keoladeo, Corbett, Eaglenest, Kaziranga and the Little Rann of Kutch. India has a highly developed birding-tourism sector with specialist guides, lodges and tours. Its enormous size means comprehensive birding requires several regional trips, while some Himalayan and northeastern areas involve permits or difficult access.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Myna Acridotheres tristis | 42.0% | 37.9% | 36.1% | 38.6% | 42.4% | 45.1% | 48.1% | 50.4% | 47.2% | 43.5% | 41.3% | 38.0% | 35.9% |
| House Crow Corvus splendens | 37.9% | 35.5% | 36.6% | 33.0% | 34.7% | 36.2% | 38.9% | 43.9% | 44.4% | 43.2% | 38.5% | 35.6% | 34.3% |
| Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer | 37.1% | 34.2% | 32.6% | 36.2% | 37.9% | 38.7% | 40.8% | 41.2% | 39.0% | 36.2% | 37.2% | 36.8% | 34.6% |
| Rock Pigeon Columba livia | 35.5% | 32.1% | 31.0% | 32.3% | 35.1% | 35.7% | 37.9% | 41.2% | 39.3% | 37.8% | 36.7% | 34.6% | 32.7% |
| Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri | 31.7% | 31.8% | 31.2% | 30.8% | 30.9% | 30.0% | 32.1% | 34.3% | 33.4% | 31.8% | 32.6% | 31.3% | 29.9% |
| White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis | 31.1% | 32.4% | 26.1% | 29.7% | 28.6% | 28.9% | 31.8% | 33.1% | 32.0% | 29.3% | 32.9% | 35.0% | 33.1% |
| Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius | 30.7% | 25.2% | 23.8% | 27.6% | 29.5% | 32.5% | 35.8% | 38.4% | 37.8% | 34.6% | 31.3% | 27.2% | 24.7% |
| Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus | 29.5% | 21.8% | 22.2% | 28.8% | 37.9% | 39.8% | 41.1% | 38.5% | 30.5% | 25.4% | 23.8% | 22.8% | 21.2% |
| Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus | 29.3% | 32.8% | 28.4% | 27.3% | 24.4% | 24.6% | 28.5% | 29.8% | 28.5% | 28.1% | 33.3% | 33.7% | 32.4% |
| Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos | 27.1% | 25.8% | 25.0% | 27.8% | 28.6% | 29.1% | 28.0% | 28.2% | 27.0% | 26.7% | 27.2% | 26.1% | 25.2% |