Pakistan
Pakistan spans a dramatic range of landscapes from the Arabian Sea and Indus floodplain to some of the world's highest mountains. The north contains the Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindu Kush, including K2, with glaciers, alpine valleys and high plateaus. Farther south, the Indus River crosses fertile plains before reaching extensive delta wetlands and mangroves. Western Pakistan is dominated by dry mountains and the Balochistan Plateau, while the southeast includes the Thar Desert. Climate ranges from alpine to subtropical and extremely arid, with monsoon influence strongest in the east.
Overview
Pakistan combines Himalayan, Central Asian and South Asian birdlife. Northern mountains support Himalayan Monal, Western Tragopan, Snow Partridge, Lammergeier and numerous rosefinches and accentors, with Palas Valley particularly important for forest specialties. The Indus wetlands attract huge numbers of migratory waterbirds, while the Thar and other arid regions hold sandgrouse, coursers and desert larks. Coastal wetlands and the Indus Delta add flamingos, pelicans and shorebirds. Pakistan has significant birding potential but relatively limited specialist tourism infrastructure. Security conditions and access restrictions vary considerably by region, particularly near some borders, so current travel advice and local guidance are important. Northern mountain sites may also require long journeys on difficult roads and seasonal access.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Myna Acridotheres tristis | 63.0% | 58.5% | 60.7% | 68.2% | 71.5% | 68.2% | 62.9% | 65.4% | 62.3% | 61.6% | 59.1% | 59.7% | 57.5% |
| House Crow Corvus splendens | 60.2% | 60.2% | 62.6% | 66.9% | 66.4% | 59.9% | 50.3% | 57.1% | 60.9% | 62.5% | 57.3% | 60.4% | 57.4% |
| Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer | 51.1% | 47.3% | 51.5% | 58.7% | 61.4% | 56.3% | 45.7% | 52.0% | 47.2% | 47.8% | 47.5% | 50.9% | 47.4% |
| Black Kite Milvus migrans | 48.6% | 50.1% | 54.9% | 57.4% | 57.7% | 42.9% | 33.8% | 41.3% | 40.6% | 52.9% | 51.4% | 51.2% | 49.5% |
| House Sparrow Passer domesticus | 45.5% | 40.4% | 46.3% | 51.3% | 52.6% | 51.4% | 45.3% | 48.2% | 43.7% | 43.8% | 40.8% | 40.8% | 41.9% |
| Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto | 36.4% | 27.5% | 36.0% | 42.6% | 46.7% | 38.0% | 31.7% | 37.0% | 35.6% | 42.7% | 35.9% | 36.9% | 26.1% |
| Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis | 35.0% | 28.3% | 34.6% | 39.3% | 42.6% | 38.5% | 33.2% | 34.8% | 35.8% | 41.1% | 33.4% | 30.4% | 28.3% |
| Rock Pigeon Columba livia | 31.1% | 31.0% | 32.1% | 35.1% | 30.9% | 30.8% | 20.8% | 28.6% | 29.6% | 37.7% | 33.0% | 31.9% | 31.7% |
| Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus | 26.3% | 14.5% | 14.9% | 19.7% | 43.1% | 40.1% | 36.4% | 35.1% | 31.7% | 32.7% | 19.6% | 14.9% | 12.6% |
| Purple Sunbird Cinnyris asiaticus | 25.8% | 6.7% | 9.4% | 39.4% | 55.2% | 45.8% | 38.4% | 39.3% | 31.7% | 21.9% | 9.1% | 6.3% | 6.4% |