Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Top 5 Bird Watching Places in India

As many as 1,200 species of birds make their home in India. This vast number is surely enough to make India one of the best bird watching destinations in the world.

The best bird watching destinations are:

Bird Watching in Keoladeo Ghana National Park

Located 175 km away from Delhi on Agra- Jaipur road, this park is declared as World Heritage Site. Stretched on 28.7 sq km, this park is home to 330 species of birds out of which several are migratory. Prominent bird species here are migratory birds like Siberian Crane, Geese, Ducks, Raptors, Warblers and Waders. Other frequently seen birds are pelicans, storks, herons, egrets and kingfishers. Best time to visit this park in the month of November to March.

Bird Watching in Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary

Spread across vast 800 sq km, this park boasts of 200 species of birds. Situated in the hills of Aravalli, birds species mainly found here are Wryneck Woodpecker Babbler, White Breasted Kingfisher, Little Brown Dove, Small Minivet, Gray Hornbill, Crested Serpent Eagle, Black/Red Headed Bunting, Golden Oriole, Little Brown Dove, Small Minivet, Great Gray Shrike, Pale Harrier and Tailor Bird and many more.

Bird Watching in Corbett National Park

There is a mind boggling 600 species of birds in this sanctuary. Bird watchers from all over the world come here to see these varieties. The park located in the western Himalayas in Uttaranchal is spread in an area of 600 sq km. The most prominent bird species are bareheaded goose, snipe, gull, duck, grepe, graylag, wagtail and sandpiper, raptors, darters, egrets, black-necked stork and cormorants are commonly seen here.

Bird Watching in Sunderbans National Park

Just 72 km away from kolkata, this park is spread across 2,585 sq km. Labeled as a World Heritage Site, this place is known for its mangrove forest. Bird sanctuary at Sajnekhali offers home to quite a lot of variety of birds like White ibis, Heron, Egret, Cotton Teal, Brahmini kite, Tern, Curlew.

Bird Watching in Kaziranga National Park

Spread across 430 sq km and situated on the bank of River Brahmaputra in Assam this park is made up of thick forest and lakes, the perfect conditions for the birds to thrive. Most prominent bird species are Pallas's fish eagle, black necked stork, lesser adjutant stork, grey pelican, Bengal floricans, grey peacock-pheasant, green imperial pigeon.

Bird Watching in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Spread in a total area of 777 sq km, 350 sq km area was made into the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve, better known as the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Situated in Kerala, this sanctuary houses 330 species of birds out of which like Darters, the Malabar Hornbill, Kingfishers, Cormorants and racket-tailed Drongoes are well known.

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