Top Bird Sanctuaries in India for Watching the Winged Beauties

Are you a bird watcher who likes the companionship of birds from a distance?

Do you love to while away your time watching the winged beauties and clicking their pictures?

You can find several places to spend your free time engaging in bird watching in India. There are quite a few bird sanctuaries in India that attract the attention of bird watchers from across the globe. If you plan to watch the birds or click great pictures of these beautiful creatures, you can head to one of these excellent bird sanctuaries in India that boast of a wide range of flora and fauna. You can see some amazing species of birds, both endemic as well as migratory, in these bird sanctuaries in India across different states of the country.

Here's a list of some of these enchanting bird sanctuaries in India, which can keep you engrossed in watching different species and shades of birds.

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Rajasthan

Also known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park, the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, is one of the largest and most popular places among birdwatchers. Full of marshes as well as large trees, the Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Rajasthan has several local birds. It also attracts a number of migratory birds from the Arctic region.

The best time to visit Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is from October to March. The Keoladeo Ghana National Park remains closed in May and June.

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM in summer and 6:30 AM to 5 PM in winter

Entry Fee for Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary: INR 50 per person for indian tourists, INR 400 per person for foreign tourists, and INR 50 for two persons for rickshaw ride per hour. You can also hire a Guide for INR 200 per person.

Birds Found in Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Some of the common species of birds found in Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary are:

Oriental ibis

Siberian crane

Sarus crane

White spoonbill

Asian open-billed stork

Painted stork

Gadwall

Herons

Shoveler

Cotton teal

Common teal

Indian grey hornbill

Crested serpent eagle

Imperial eagle

Pallas' sea eagle

Short-toed eagle

Spotted eagle

Tawny eagle

Knob-billed duck

Tufted duck

Painted francolins

Osprey

Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary, West Bengal

Chintamoni Kar Bird Sanctuary is one of the few bird sanctuaries within the city of Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal. Located near Narendrapur in South Kolkata, this bird sanctuary Kolkata is also referred to locally as Kayal-er Bagan. Chintamoni Kar Bird Sanctuary is known for a wide variety of avian species, along with orchids, ferns, and trees. Different types of spiders and nimble butterflies can also be found in this bird sanctuary Kolkata.

The Best time to visit Chintamoni Kar Bird Sanctuary is from November to February.

Chintamoni Kar Bird Sanctuary Timing: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Entry Fee for Chintamoni Kar Bird Sanctuary: INR 50

Birds Found in Chintamoni Kar Bird Sanctuary

Some of the common species of birds found in Chintamoni Kar Bird Sanctuary, Kolkata, are:

• Black-hooded Oriole
• Green Bee-eater
• Little Egret
• Streak-throated woodpecker
• Indian Pond Heron
• Shikra
• Red-vented Bulbul
• White-throated Fantail
  
• Asian Koel
• Brown Fish Owl
• Blue-throated Barbet
• White-throated Kingfisher
• Rufous Woodpecker
• Indian Paradise Flycatcher
• Olive-backed Sunbird
• Oriental Magpie-Robin
• Spotted Dove
• Common Emerald Dove

Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu

One of the most important bird sanctuaries of Tamil Nadu, the Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary is also known as Chitragudi and Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary. Located adjacent to the Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary, this bird sanctuary in Tamil Nadu is famous for being the nesting place of different types of migratory water birds. Besides, this bird sanctuary in Tamil Nadu has several Babul trees that act as the perfect habitat for the birds.

The best time to visit Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary is between October and February.

The Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary is the breeding ground of different types of migratory water birds. Some of the birds found in this bird sanctuary in Tamil Nadu are:

• Asian openbill stork
• Spot-billed pelican
• Pond heron
• Grey heron
• Purple heron
• Little egret
• Great egret

Kutch Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary, Gujarat

Kutch Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary, also known as Kutch Bustard Sanctuary and Lala-Parjan Sanctuary, is the safe haven for Great Indian Bustard, a heavy bird, which is critically endangered. This bird, which is locally known as Ghorad, is quite difficult to spot.

Located in the Indian state of Gujarat, this bird sanctuary is close to the coast of Kutch and the Jakhau Creeks. As a result, it is visited by several birds throughout the year. This attracts a number of tourists and photographers to the Kutch Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary regularly.

The best time to visit Kutch Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary is from October to February.

Kutch Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary Timing: Sunrise to sunset

Entry Fee for Kutch Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary: Free

Birds Found in Kutch Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary

Some of the birds found in Kutch Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary are:

• Indian Bustard or Ghorad
• Lesser Florican
• Egrets
• Flamingos
• Sandpipers
• Herons
• Black Patridges
• Black and Grey Francolin
• Quails
• Common cranes
• Shrikes
• Plovers
• Harriers
• White-naped Tit
• Stoliczka's bushchat
• Imperial Eagle
  

Some of the animals often sighted in this bird sanctuary are wolves, desert cats, caracals, striped hyenas, fox, Indian gazelle, spiny tailed lizards, nilgai, mongoose, and so on.

Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary, Mizoram

Located close to the Indo-Myanmar border in the state of Mizoram, Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary is known for the wide range of birds available. In fact, this forest is considered as a safe haven for different kinds of rare species of birds. A protected area since 1999, this forest was given the status of a national wildlife sanctuary in 2001.

The best time to visit Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary is from October to April.

Birds Found in Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary

Some of the birds found in Kutch Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary are:

• Great Indian hornbill
• Pied hornbill
• Wreathed hornbill
• Grey sibia
• Oriental pied hornbill
• Rufous-bellied eagle
• White cheeked patridge
• White-naped yuhina
• Dark-rumped swift
• Blyth’s tragopan
• Khaleej pheasant
• Grey peacock pheasant
• Mrs. Hume's pheasant

In addition, this wildlife sanctuary has several animals, such as tigers, leopards, giant squirrel, sambar, ghoral, Himalayan black bear, ferret badgers, serow, barking deer, and large Indian civet.

Mayani Bird Sanctuary, Maharashtra

There aren't many bird sanctuaries in India where you can watch flamingoes and other migratory birds. But you can usually find them in Mayani Bird Sanctuary during winter when they are on their route of winter migration. In fact, other migratory birds come in large numbers in this bird sanctuary in Maharashtra and the flamingoes paint the landscape of the sanctuary pink.

Mayani Bird Sanctuary in Maharashtra is built close to a dam. Different kinds of birds are attracted by the water of the dam. There are watch towers in the sanctuary, from where you can view various types of birds, which throng this sanctuary in Maharashtra.

Mayani Bird Sanctuary Timing: 7 AM to 9 PM

Entry Fee for Mayani Bird Sanctuary: INR 15 per person

Birds Found in Mayani Bird Sanctuary

Some of the common species of birds found in Mayani Bird Sanctuary are:

• Flamingoes
• Various types of kingfishers
• Common Spoon Bills
• Brahminy Ducks
• Painted Storks
• Black Ibis
• Northern Shoveler
• Different types of storks
• Coot

Mangalajodi Bird Sanctuary, Odisha

Chilka Lake in Odisha is the largest salt water lake in Asia. And on its northern shores is located Mangalajodi, a small hamlet that's becoming increasingly popular among the birdwatchers with every passing day. The Mangalajodi Bird Sanctuary in Odisha is undoubtedly the best of all the bird sanctuaries at Chilka Lake.

The wetlands on the shores of Chilka Lake are full of marshes. Migratory birds of various kinds crowd these places during the winter. They join the native birds to increase the bird population at the Mangalajodi Bird Sanctuary at Chilka Lake.

The best time to visit Mangalajodi Bird Sanctuary in Odisha for bird watching is from November to February. However, maximum number of birds can be found during December and January.

Mangalajodi Bird Sanctuary Timing: 7 AM to 9 PM

Entry Fee for Mangalajodi Bird Sanctuary: INR 15 per person

Birds Found in Mangalajodi Bird Sanctuary

A number of migratory birds from the Arctic regions as well as several native birds crowd the Mangalajodi Bird Sanctuary during the winter. Some of the bird species that are visible to the bird watchers include:

• Purple Heron
• Ruddy Shelduck, Knob-billed Duck, and Indian Spot-billed Duck
• Northern Shoveler
• Slaty-breasted Rail
• Garganey
• Northern Shoveler
• Gadwall
• Indian Spot-billed Duck
• Little Grebe
• Asian Palm-Swift
• Pheasant-tailed Jacana
• Bronze-winged Jacana
• Gray-headed Swamphen
• Watercock
• Ruddy-breasted Crake
• Baillon's Crake
• Pacific Golden-Plover
• Gray-headed Lapwing
• Greater Painted-Snipe and Common Snipe
• Black-tailed Godwit
• Ruff
• Collared and Oriental Pratincoles
• Brown-headed Gull
• Whiskered Tern
• Little Cormorant
• Yellow Bittern
• Cattle Egret
• Glossy Ibis
• Osprey
• White-throated Kingfisher
• Pied Kingfisher
• Blyth's Reed Warbler
• Clamorous Reed Warbler
• Bluethroat
• Citrine Wagtail
• Paddyfield Pipit

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka

Situated across several islets on River Kaveri in the state of Karnataka, the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary has a royal history. It was built by the Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wadiyar, who was the king of Mysore. More than 150 species of birds, including both native and migratory, build their nests on these river islets around the year.

This bird sanctuary in Karnataka is the result of the dedication of Dr.Salim Ali, who was India's Birdman. This bird sanctuary in Karnataka also offers boating options on the river.

The best time to visit Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary in Karnataka is from June to February. The best time for birdwatching is December.

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary Timing: 7 AM to 9 PM

Entry Fee for Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary: INR 75 per adult and INR 25 per child

Birds Found in Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

Some of the common species of birds found in Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary are:

• Kingfishers
• Open-billed stork
• Painted stork
• Cattle Egret
• Little Egret
• River Tern
• White Ibis
• Streak-throated Swallows
• Large Cormorant
• Little Cormorant 
• White Ibis
• Darter
• Shag
• Indian Cliff Swallow
• Peafowl
• Lesser whistling teal
• Spoon bills
• Wild Duck
• Pond Heron
• Heron
• River Tern
• Great Stone Plover

Rasikbill Bird Sanctuary, West Bengal

Located in the district of Cooch Behar, Rasikbill Bird Sanctuary is one of the least explored places in West Bengal. It is situated across a large lake, which is named Rasikbill. The lake and its surrounding areas of marsh lands accept a large number of birds every year. The bird sanctuary has a watch tower from where you can watch different types of birds that flock here.

The best time to visit Rasikbill Bird Sanctuary is from October to March. Maximum numbers of migratory birds can be seen during the months of December and January.

Some of the species of birds found in Rasikbill Bird Sanctuary, West Bengal, are:

Birds found in Rasikbill Bird Sanctuary

• Ibis
• Storks
• Parrots
• Spoonbill
• Common teal
• Lesser whistling teal
• Gadwall
• Red-crested pochard
• Ferruginous duck
• Northern pintail
• Eurasian wigeon
• Northern shoveler
• Northern lapwing
• Grey-headed lapwing
• Common kingfisher
• Pied kingfisher
• Stork-billed kingfisher
• Great cormorant
• Little cormorant

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Goa

Named after Dr.Salim Moizzuddin Ali or Dr.Salim Ali, the famous ornithologist of India, the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary stretches across the western part of the Chorao Island on the Mandovi River in Goa. This island is full of mangrove forests, which makes it a perfect nesting place for different types of birds.

Birding enthusiasts can reach this bird sanctuary in Goa by hiring ferry from Ribander to Chorão. Once they reach the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, they can hire canoes from Chorao to move through the narrow estuaries and canals. These canals have trees on both sides. Various types of birds crowd these trees. Besides, there's also a Mangrove Interpretation Facility inside the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Goa.

The best time to visit Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary in Goa is between October and March.

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary Timing: 6 AM to 6 PM

Entry Fee for Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary: INR 10 per person for Indians and INR 100 per person for foreign tourists.

Birds found in Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

Some of the species of birds found in Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Goa, are:

• Western reef heron
• Striated heron
• Kites
• Pintail ducks
• Black bittern
• Little bittern
• Cormorants
• Woodpeckers
• Eagles
• Kingfishers of different types
• Curlews
• Sandpipers
• Mynahs
• Drongos
• Jack snipe
• Red knot
• Pied avocet

In addition to the birds, several animals, such as crocodiles, jackals, flying foxes, otters, fiddler crabs, and mudskippers can also be found in Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary in Goa.

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Kerala

A bird watchers' paradise, Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary in Kerala had been described as the richest bird habitat on peninsular India by India's Birdman, Dr.Salim Ali. This forest has almost 300 species of birds. Along with the resident birds, it is also visited by migratory birds.

The best time to visit Thattekad Bird Sanctuary in Kerala is between October and February.

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary Timing: 7 AM to 5 PM

Entry Fee for Thattekad Bird Sanctuary: INR 40 per person for adults, INR 35 per person for children, and INR 180 per person for foreign tourists.

Situated on the banks of River Periyar, this bird sanctuary in Kerala offers a wide range of terrestrial as well as water birds. Some of these include:

• Ceylon frogmouth
• Malabar Grey Hornbill
• Large-billed leaf-warbler
• Orange-headed thrush
• Indian cuckoo
• Jerdon's nightjar
• Whiskered terns
• Oriental darter
• Cormorants
• Grey-fronted green pigeon
• Collared scops owl
• Yellow-browed bulbuls
• White-rumped spinetail
• Brown-cheeked fulvetta
• Emerald Green Pigeon
• Brown-backed needletails
• Dark-fronted babbler 
• Drongo cuckoo
• Large hawk cuckoo
• Indian hawk cuckoo

Kaundinya Bird Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh

Kaundinya Bird Sanctuary is a hidden gem in the state of Andhra Pradesh. With an area of over 358 square kilometers, this sanctuary is home to numerous species of endemic birds. In addition, Kaundinya Bird Sanctuary is also frequented by the migratory birds in winter.

The best time to visit Kaundinya Bird Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh is from October to April.

Kaundindya Bird Sanctuary Timing: Dawn to dusk

Entry Fee for Kaundinya Bird Sanctuary: Free

Birds found in Kaundinya Bird Sanctuary

Different varieties of birds can be seen in Kaundinya Bird Sanctuary. Some of these include:

• Ducks
• Peacocks
• Rosy Pelicans
• Grey Pelicans
• Love Birds
• Painted Storks
• Pied Hornbills
• Budgerigars
• Cockatiels

The rich biodiversity, for which the Kaudinya Bird Sanctuary is popular, includes several animals as well. Some of the animals visible here include sloth bears, elephants, tigers, jungle cats, porcupines, monitor lizards, and so on.

India is a country rich in bio-diversity. These are some of the best bird sanctuaries in India. If you're a bird lover, you can visit some of these best bird sanctuaries in India and have a look at some unique avian species.

Are you aware of a few other bird sanctuaries in India where bird watchers can view some wonderful species of birds?

You can share them with us in the comments section.