The Top 20 List of Birds Species Found in India

Introduction:

India is a bird watcher’s paradise, offering a diverse range of habitats and climates, from tropical rainforests to arid deserts, making it home to a wide variety of bird species. Here are the top 20 birds found in India, where they are commonly found, and interesting facts about them.

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Indian Peafowl

The Indian Peafowl, also known as the common peafowl, is the national bird of India. It is found across the country, in both rural and urban areas. They are mostly seen in the countryside and forested regions, but can also be found in gardens and parks in cities.

The male peafowl, also known as a peacock, is famous for its striking plumage, which it displays during mating season to attract females. The female, or peahen, is less colorful but equally beautiful, with her own distinct pattern.

Himalayan Monal

The Himalayan Monal is a colorful bird found in the Himalayan mountain range in India. It is most commonly found in the state of Uttarakhand, but can also be spotted in Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim.

The male Himalayan Monal is known for its iridescent plumage, which changes color depending on the angle of the light. It is considered one of the most beautiful birds in the world.

Indian Pitta

The Indian Pitta is a small, colorful bird found across India. It is most commonly found in the forests and scrublands of the southern and central parts of the country, including Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.

The Indian Pitta is known for its distinctive coloration, with a bright blue head and green back. It is also known for its distinctive call, which sounds like a series of whistles.

Great Indian Hornbill

The Great Indian Hornbill is a large, colorful bird found in the forests of India. It is most commonly found in the northeastern part of the country, including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland.

The Great Indian Hornbill is known for its distinctive appearance, with a large, curved beak and a colorful casque on its head. It is also known for its distinctive call, which sounds like a series of honks.

Oriental Magpie Robin

The Oriental Magpie Robin is a small, black and white bird found across India. It is most commonly found in urban and suburban areas, including gardens, parks, and buildings.

The Oriental Magpie Robin is known for its melodious song, which is often heard in the early morning and late afternoon. It is also known for its habit of wagging its tail, which is believed to be a territorial display.

Indian Cormorant

The Indian Cormorant is a large, black bird found in wetland habitats across India. It is most commonly found along the coastlines of the country, including in Goa, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

The Indian Cormorant is known for its habit of spreading its wings out to dry after swimming, giving it a distinctive appearance. It is also known for its habit of fishing in groups, known as a “gaggle.”

Black Drongo

The Black Drongo is a small, black bird found across India. It is most commonly found in agricultural fields and open grasslands, including in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.

The Black Drongo is known for its distinctive forked tail, which it uses to catch insects in midair. It is also known for its habit of attacking larger birds and animals, including humans, in defense of its territory.

White-throated Fantail

The White-throated Fantail is a small, colorful bird found in the forests of India.

The White-throated Fantail is most commonly found in the northeastern part of the country, including in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

The White-throated Fantail is known for its distinctive fan-shaped tail, which it uses to display during courtship. It is also known for its melodious song, which is often heard in the early morning.

Indian Roller

The Indian Roller is a colorful bird found across India. It is most commonly found in open grasslands and agricultural fields, including in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.

The Indian Roller is known for its striking blue coloration and its habit of rolling in the air during courtship displays. It is also known for its distinctive call, which sounds like a harsh, rasping sound.

Grey Francolin

The Grey Francolin is a small, ground-dwelling bird found across India. It is most commonly found in agricultural fields and scrublands, including in Rajasthan, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.

The Grey Francolin is known for its distinctive call, which sounds like a loud, rolling krrr-krrr-krrr sound. It is also known for its habit of running rather than flying when threatened.

Painted Stork

The Painted Stork is a large, white bird with black and pink markings found in wetland habitats across India. It is most commonly found in the northeastern part of the country, including in Assam and West Bengal.

The Painted Stork is known for its distinctive appearance, with its long, pink legs and black and pink feathers. It is also known for its habit of nesting in large colonies.

Common Myna

The Common Myna is a small, black and brown bird found across India. It is most commonly found in urban and suburban areas, including in gardens, parks, and buildings.

The Common Myna is known for its distinctive call, which sounds like a loud, rasping sound. It is also known for its habit of nesting in cavities in buildings and trees.

Rose-ringed Parakeet

The Rose-ringed Parakeet is a colorful bird found across India. It is most commonly found in urban and suburban areas, including in gardens, parks, and buildings.

The Rose-ringed Parakeet is known for its striking green coloration and its habit of forming large flocks. It is also known for its ability to mimic human speech.

Black Kite

The Black Kite is a medium-sized bird of prey found across India. It is most commonly found in open grasslands and agricultural fields, including in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.

The Black Kite is known for its distinctive forked tail and its habit of scavenging. It is also known for its ability to soar for long periods of time without flapping its wings.

Indian Robin

The Indian Robin is a small, colorful bird found across India. It is most commonly found in the forests and scrublands of the southern and central parts of the country, including Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.

The Indian Robin is known for its distinctive red breast and its melodious song, which is often heard in the early morning. It is also known for its habit of wagging its tail, which is believed to be a territorial display.

Common Kingfisher

The Common Kingfisher is a small, colorful bird found across India. It is most commonly found in wetland habitats, including in rivers, streams, and ponds.

The Common Kingfisher is known for its striking blue and orange coloration and its habit of diving into the water to catch fish. It is also known for its distinctive call, which sounds like a loud, shrill whistle.

Greater Coucal

The Greater Coucal is a large, ground-dwelling bird found across India. It is most commonly found in dense forests and scrublands, including in the Western Ghats and the northeastern part of the country.

The Greater Coucal is known for its distinctive call, which sounds like a deep, booming coo-coo-coo sound. It is also known for its habit of running rather than flying when threatened.

Black-headed Oriole

The Black-headed Oriole is a colorful bird found across India. It is most commonly found in the forests and scrublands of the southern and central parts of the country, including Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.

The Black-headed Oriole is known for its striking black and yellow coloration and its melodious song, which is often heard in the early morning. It is also known for its habit of feeding on fruits and insects.

Cattle Egret

The Cattle Egret is a white bird with a yellow beak found across India. It is most commonly found in wetland habitats and agricultural fields, including in the northeastern part of the country and in the wetlands of Bharatpur.

The Cattle Egret is known for its habit of following grazing animals, such as cattle and buffalo, and feeding on the insects that they disturb. It is also known for its distinctive appearance, with its white plumage and yellow beak.

Alexandrine Parakeet

The Alexandrine Parakeet is a colorful bird found across India. It is most commonly found in the forests and scrublands of the southern and central parts of the country, including Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.

The Alexandrine Parakeet is known for its striking green coloration and its habit of forming large flocks. It is also known for its ability to mimic human speech.

In conclusion, India is home to a diverse range of bird species, from large birds of prey to small, colorful songbirds. Each bird has its own unique characteristics, from distinctive calls to striking coloration, and can be found in a variety of habitats across the country. Whether you are a seasoned birdwatcher or a casual nature enthusiast, India offers endless opportunities to observe and appreciate the beauty of its avian inhabitants.