Have you ever thought about witnessing one of nature’s most stunning events?
Every winter, millions of migratory birds make a journey of thousands of miles to the forests and grasslands of India. It turns the country into a paradise for bird watchers and wildlife photographers.
A bird watching tour in India during the winter months gives you opportunities to view bird species in the wild that are nowhere else to be found. From November to February, India’s different ecosystems are occupied by birds that are both resident and migrant.
In this guide, you will find the best bird watching places in India during the winter season. Let’s look at these amazing spots.
#1: Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur), Rajasthan
Keoladeo National Park is one of the top bird watching destinations in India. This park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a paradise for bird lovers from November to February as it hosts over 370 species of birds.
Early mornings at Keoladeo are very enchanting. As the fog lifts off the water bodies, you will hear the music of thousands of birds waking up. We suggest that you get an expert local guide who not only can identify birds by their calls but also knows the best spots for bird watching.
Birds to Spot
- Migratory species: Bar-headed Geese, Common Teals, Northern Pintails, Greater Flamingos, Rosy Pelicans and various species of ducks & waders
- Resident birds: Sarus Cranes, Indian Gray Hornbills, White-throated Kingfishers, Purple Sunbirds and Painted Storks
- Raptors: Eastern Imperial Eagles, Spotted Eagles, Marsh Harriers and several falcon species
Ideal Visiting Time
Bird activity is at its peak from mid-December to January, when the migratory bird populations are the highest.
Note: Most of the bird lovers who come to Rajasthan for birding prefer to add Bharatpur to their Golden Triangle Tour with Tigers. It is a tour of Delhi’s heritage, the Taj Mahal in Agra and the palaces of Jaipur before/after the wildlife adventures.
#2: Chilika Lake, Odisha
Chilika Lake is one of the best places for bird watching in India. Being over 1,100 square kilometers in size, this Ramsar Wetland Site is a haven for over one million migratory birds every year, making it one of the most spectacular bird sites in the world.
Boat safaris starting at dawn offer the most personal experiences of bird watching. Moving silently over the water, you can see feeding behaviors, different courtship displays, and the incessant gathering of waterfowl. The lake’s islands, especially Nalabana Bird Sanctuary (which requires permits), are the main places where the birds come to rest.
Birds to Spot
- Migratory waterfowl: great flamingos (coming in huge flocks), northern pintails, eurasian wigeons, gadwalls, and northern shovelers
- Waders and shorebirds: black-tailed godwits, spotted redshanks, curlew sandpipers, and little stints
- Special appearances: goliath herons, purple herons, white-bellied sea eagles, brahminy kites, and if you are lucky, the extremely rare spoon-billed sandpiper
- Resident birds: grey-headed swamphens, bronze-winged jacanas, and a variety of terns
Ideal Visiting Time
Bird watching is best from December to early February with the peak concentration of migratory birds in January.
#3: Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Kerala
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is undoubtedly the best bird watching place in India if you want to see forest species. Dr. Salim Ali, the most famous ornithologist in India, called it the best bird habitat in the whole of peninsular India.
There is a big difference between Thattekad and wetland birding. Here you have forest trails, and you get to experience nature quite closely. Taking a guided early morning walk through sal forests and bamboo groves will get you to know the hidden species by their distinctive calls. There are also walking trails that lead you to different elevations and thus to different bird communities.
Birds to Spot
Thattekad’s different nature types have helped the conservation of around 300 bird species over the years:
- Endemic Western Ghats Species: Malabar Grey Hornbill, Ceylon Frogmouth, White-bellied Treepie, Crimson-backed Sunbird, and Malabar Parakeet
- Migratory Species: Blue-capped Rock Thrush, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Orange-headed Thrush, and various warbler species
- Forest Specialists: Indian Pitta, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Great Hornbill, Brown-headed Barbet, and Rose-ringed Parakeets
- Raptors: Crested Serpent Eagle, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, and Oriental Honey Buzzard
Ideal Visiting Time
Between November and March, the weather is pleasant and the birds are more active. The best times for bird watching are early mornings (5:30-9:00 AM) and late afternoons (3:30-6:00 PM).
#4: Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
Corbett National Park, beyond its fame as a tiger reserve, stands out as one of the top bird watching destinations in India. In winter, the park with its varied habitats is home to more than 600 species of birds. There are even a few high-altitude migrants that, in winter, come down to lower elevations.
Corbett has numerous ways to discover birds. Go on Jeep safaris in different zones that will expose you to both grassland and forest species. The park’s high points are also perfect for raptor watching since eagles and vultures use warm air currents to soar.
Birds to Spot
- Himalayan Species: Himalayan Griffon, Kalij Pheasant, Red Junglefowl, Koklass Pheasant, Mountain Hawk-Eagle
- Water Birds: Along the Ramganga River, you can see Great Thick-knees, River Lapwings, Pallas’s Fish Eagles and a variety of kingfishers.
- Winter Visitors: Wallcreepers (typically on rocky cliffs), Brown Dipper, Plumbeous Water Redstart, and a variety of thrush species
- Forest Birds: Long-tailed Broadbill, Great Hornbill, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, and Slaty-headed Parakeet
The merger of birdwatching and the prospect of sighting a tiger creates the uniqueness of Corbett amongst places to visit in India in January.
Ideal Visiting Time
Bird watching at Corbett National Park is at its best from November to March. December and January generally provide the best weather conditions along with the most active birds.
#5: Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan
India’s largest inland salt lake, Sambhar Lake, spans over 230 square kilometers and ranks among the most spectacular bird watching destinations in India during winter. This ancient saline wetland becomes a flamingo paradise from October through March.
Birds to Spot
- Flamingo Spectacle: Flamingos create magnificent pink carpets across the lake, with peak numbers often exceeding 2 lakh birds during favorable conditions
- Waders and Shorebirds: Black-winged Stilts, Pied Avocets, Kentish Plovers, Little Stints, Curlew Sandpipers, and Temminck’s Stints
- Raptors: Short-eared Owls, Marsh Harriers, Eastern Imperial Eagles, and various falcon species hunting over the salt flats
Ideal Visiting Time
October through March offers optimal flamingo viewing, with November through February providing peak populations and the most comfortable weather conditions.
#6: Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
The Great Rann of Kutch is undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary places for bird watching in India. In winter, a huge salt desert becomes the main habitat for thousands of migratory birds, including flamingos and cranes. The vast white terrain, dotted with lively bird flocks, presents amazing photographic opportunities.
Bird watching in Rann of Kutch can very well be combined with cultural experiences during the Rann Utsav festival (November-February), where you also get to know the traditional Gujarati culture. The local people from nearby villages have great knowledge of how birds move and the changes in seasons.
Birds to Spot
- Flamingo Spectacular: Both the Greater and Lesser Flamingos come in huge flocks, sometimes up to tens of thousands
- Cranes: Demoiselle Cranes, Common Cranes, and at times Sarus Cranes
- Raptors and Scavengers: Pallid Harriers, Montagu’s Harriers, Short-eared Owls, Egyptian Vultures, and Steppe Eagles
- Grassland Specialists: MacQueen’s Bustards, Stoliczka’s Bushchats, Variable Wheatears, and some lark species
Ideal Visiting Time
The months from December to February provide the best conditions when the flamingo populations are at their peak and the winter migrants are very active. January is the ideal month to get a good combination of a comfortable temperature and a diverse bird life.
#7: Pulicat Lake, Tamil Nadu/Andhra Pradesh
Pulicat Lake is generally overshadowed by more famous wetlands. However, Pulicat Lake is one of the best bird watching places in India. This coastal lagoon becomes a refuge for migratory waterfowl and flamingos in the winter season. The shallow water and mudflats make perfect feeding spots for thousands of waders and shorebirds.
Traditional fishing villages surrounding Pulicat are the base of boat-based birding trips that offer close and personal access to the birds. Instead of getting lost in the crowd as in major tourist destinations, Pulicat still preserves its real and natural vibe where you can spend a lot of time watching nature’s ways without being disturbed.
Birds to Spot
- Flagship Species: Older Greater Flamingos (mostly flying in large flocks), Spot-billed Pelicans, Painted Storks, and Asian Openbills
- Migratory Ducks: Northern Pintails, Garganeys, Common Teals, Eurasian Wigeons, and Spot-billed Ducks
- Waders: Black-tailed Godwits, Common Redshanks, Marsh Sandpipers, Wood Sandpipers, and various stint species
- Terns and Gulls: River Terns, Gull-billed Terns, Brown-headed Gulls, and Black-headed Gulls
- Raptors: Pallid Harriers, Ospreys, Brahminy Kites, and White-bellied Sea Eagles
Ideal Visiting Time
Mid-December to early February is the time when the peak population occurs. Flamingos usually get there around the end of November and leave by March.
Note: People usually combine their trip with Ayurveda tours in India. After your birding trips, the best thing to do is to relax and rejuvenate at Ayurvedic wellness centers in the vicinity of Tamil Nadu. That way, you get the best of two worlds: nature and wellness.
#8: Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Haryana
Only 46 kilometers away from Delhi, Sultanpur National Park creates great accessibility for urban travelers who want to have a quality experience of bird watching in India without going far. Although it is very close to the city, this small wetland bird sanctuary can attract over 250 species of birds during the winter season.
Sultanpur is a fine starting point for a bird watching tour in India. It is suited for beginners who are learning to identify birds and developing their photography skills. The sanctuary is very small and it can easily be covered in 3-4 hours.
Birds to Spot
- Winter Visitors: Greater Flamingos, Rosy Pelicans, Common Cranes, Black-necked Storks, and Painted Storks
- Waterfowl: Common Pochards, Red-crested Pochards, Gadwalls, Northern Shovelers, and various teal species
- Waders: Black-winged Stilts, Common Redshanks, Common Greenshanks, and Ruff
- Raptors: Eastern Imperial Eagles, Steppe Eagles, Long-legged Buzzards, and many different harrier species
- Passerines: Bluethroats, Siberian Rubythroats, Yellow Wagtails, and several warbler species
Beginners can explore the sanctuary by following footpaths and using the small observation towers, which are two very good features of the place. On the other hand, experienced birders also get an extremely pleasing birding experience.
Ideal Visiting Time
Bird populations are fairly stable from November to February with the highest diversity seen in December and January. It’s best to visit on weekday mornings so that you can avoid the weekend rush.
Note: It is especially suitable for solo tours for women or customized women group tours. The safe environment and great facilities make it perfect for independent women travelers going birding!
#9: Kaziranga National Park, Assam
Locally renowned for its giant one-horned rhinoceros herds, Kaziranga is also worthy of being ranked among the best places for bird watching in India. The park is a mixture of habitats in the form of grasslands, wetlands, and woodlands along the Brahmaputra River that support more than 480 species of birds.
Elephant-back safaris create a perfect hide for the bird-watchers of the grassland species while at the same time giving an opportunity to view rhinos, wild water buffalo, and other megafauna. This mode of birding on elephant-back is still exclusive to a few Indian parks.
Birds to Spot
- Grassland Specialists: Bengal Floricans, Swamp Francolins, Jerdon’s Babblers, and a number of grassbird species
- Wetland Birds: Spot-billed Pelicans, Greater Adjutants, Black-necked Storks, Pallas’s Fish Eagles, and Grey-headed Fish Eagles
- Migratory Species: Ferruginous Ducks, Baer’s Pochards (which are critically endangered), Common Pochards, and a variety of goose species
- Raptors: Greater Spotted Eagles, Imperial Eagles, Pallas’s Fish Eagles, and a magnificent Himalayan Griffon Vulture
- Northeastern Specialties: Marsh Babblers, Striated Grassbirds, Black-breasted Parrotbills, and several prinias
Ideal Visiting Time
Access to the park is available from November to early April, with December to February being the best period in terms of weather and bird activity. Birding will be most successful if you go early in the morning, especially for grassland species.
Note: You may want to think about including a bird watching tour in India at Kaziranga with the cultural experiences in the Assamese villages and tea estates nearby for a complete Northeast India trip.
Conclusion
Winter in India is such an excellent season for bird watching in India that the opportunities available are beyond comparison anywhere in the world. These spots are only the starting points for your birding adventures.
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