Top 6 Birdwatching Places in Nepal

In a country like Nepal, where nature and the ecosystem are abundant, it can provide more than just relaxation and the view. Nepal is also exemplary when it comes to birdwatching. Many researchers, nature, and bird lovers visit Nepal solely for birdwatching. And these are the top six bird watching destinations in Nepal.

1. Chitwan National Park
2. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
3. Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
4. Shuklaphanta National Park
5. Bardia National Park
6. Godawari

Chitwan National Park

Chitwan National Park was the first national park of Nepal and was established in 1973 that extends over Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Parsa, and Makwanpur districts. The flora and fauna spread across the national park into the deep forest are remarkable. There are 544 species of bird recorded here, which is why researchers or interested people can visit the park specifically for bird watching as well. Some migrate here seasonally, like the Kashmir Flycatcher, and there are some rare and endangered birds.

Location: South - Central Terai

Area: 952.63 square km

Rare and Endangered Birds: Lesser adjutant, Lesser Florican, Red-vented bulbul, Peacock, Kingfisher, Bengal florican

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

Koshitappu Wildlife Reserve was established in 1976 as a wildlife reserve, but before that, it was called a ‘Hunting Reserve’ in 1969. It lies on the eastern and western banks of the Sapta Koshi River. It covers some areas of Sunsari, Saptari, and Udayapur districts and is a protected area. Koshitappu Wildlife Reserve was initially announced to preserve the population of wild water buffaloes on the verge of extinction. But the reserve has extended to the area it is today and has 441 bird species recorded here. You can find the best at the Koshi River and the Koshi Barrage.

Location: South - Eastern Terai

Area: 176 square km

Rare and Endangered Birds: Bengal Florican, Sarus Crane, Black-necked Stork, Red-necked Falcon

Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park

Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park lies 12 km to the north of the center of Kathmandu and is the ninth national park of Nepal. It was established in 2002 as a national park, but before that, it was established as a protected watershed and wildlife reserve in 1976. But today, it covers the areas of Kathmandu, Nuwakot, and Sindhupalchowk and joins the 23 VDCs in the valley. It nests 177 species of birds, with at least nine endangered species with 102 species of butterflies.

Location: Northern edge of Kathmandu valley

Area: 159 square km

Famous Birds: White-capped Redstart, Himalayan Griffon, Hume’s Warbler, Black-throated Tit, Gray Bushchat, Gray-headed Canary Flycatcher, Mountain Bulbul

Shuklaphanta National Park

Before Shuklaphanta National Park became a national park, it was declared a Royal Hunting Forest in 1969. It then became Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve in 1976. It was a famous hunting ground for the then royals of Nepal. Finally, it was named Shuklaphanta National Park in 2017 as a protected area. The name was inspired by the largest grassland of Nepal called ‘Shuklaphanta’.  A total of 450 species of birds are recorded here.

Location: South-Western side of Terai in Kanchanpur district

Area: 305 square km

Rare and Endangered Birds: Greater scaup, Indian spot-billed duck, Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis, Red-crested pochards.

Bardia National Park

Bardia National Park is the largest national park in the lowland of Terai and was established in 1976. It was named ‘Karnali Wildlife Reserve’ when it was established. It was later called ‘Bardia Wildlife Reserve’ in 1984 and was officially announced as a national park in 1988. It has 542 bird species, out of which many are rare, like the Bengal Florican. You can watch these exotic and the inhabitant birds of the national park on the banks of Karnali river, Satkhalauwa lake, Badhaiya lake, and the buffer zone of the Babai River.

Location: Western Terai

Area: 968 square km

Rare and Endangered Birds: Bengal Florican, crow, myna, dove, kingfisher, Sarus crane, hummingbird, woodpeckers, white-rumped vulture

Godawari

Godawari Botanical Garden is in the lower area of Phulchowki and is one of the best places to go birdwatching in Godawari. It was established in 1962 and is, as the name suggests, a garden filled with immense greenery, flora, fauna, and birds. There are at least 256 species of birds found here.

Location: Lalitpur

Area: 0.8 square km

Famous Birds: Spiny Babbler, Warblers, Eagles, Woodpeckers, Ducks, Lesser racket-tailed drongo, Thrushes, Tibetan siskin, Spotted forktail

Snippet: Here are the top six bird watching destinations in Nepal: 1. Chitwan National Park 2. Koshitappu Wildlife Reserve 3. Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park 4. Shuklaphanta National Park 5. Bardia National Park 6. Godawari