The iridescent colours of a peacock in plumage. The long legged flamingo sieving its food from the placid waters with its pink beak.

The two marvelous species of Adjutants found in India are the Greater Adjutant and Lesser Adjutant. The Greater Adjutant is on the verge of extinction due to lack of breeding grounds. Various sanctuaries and organizations are working towards the conservation of this gorgeous bird.

Bulbul

The Bulbul is a small bird that frequents human habitation and is found in parks or scrub jungles. Though not a god singer, the Bulbul is known for the distinct noise it creates. These birds are widely used for fighting.

BNHS

The 120-year-old Bombay Natural History Society is today the largest non-government organisation (NGO) in the Indian sub-continent engaged in nature conservation research. Once headed by famed India ornithologist and naturalist, Dr. Salim Ali, the NGO is committed to conservation of India's natural wealth, protection of the environment and sustainable use of natural resources.

Cuckoo

The long-tailed insectivorous cuckoo has been the fancy of many poets. The songbird is eye catchy and can be spotted in various parts of India. These parasites lay their eggs in the nests of smaller birds forcing them to rear their young ones.

Cormorants

Ducks are commonly found all throughout the world. India has wide and varied species of ducks that have been part of the avifauna for ages. Get a glimpse of the Spot-billed Duck, Long-tailed Duck White winged Duck, White-headed Duck, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, and the Lesser Whistling-Duck right here in India.

Emerald Dove

This iridescent green winged dove is a ground-feeding resident found in many parts of India. The shy bird could be rarely spotted or caught on film though its commonly found. Their beautiful coloration and pleasant call is the main attraction of these gorgeous birds.

Flamingo

You are sure to spot a flock of the pale pink beauties in alkaline or saline lakes or estuarine lagoons all over India. The northwest of India has the perfect habitat for flamingos that have been a part of the Indian avifauna for ages. The Great Flamingo and Lesser Flamingo are common in India and are the fancy of various ornithologists’.

Francolin

Francolins settle near cultivations or wetlands, and are mainly found in various parts of India. The stunningly beautiful bird produces very unusual eggs that are khaki or coffee-coloured.

Great Hornbill

The Mohawk-adorning Great Hornbill is one of the most unique looking birds in the world. The monogamous birds are about 5 feet long and weigh around 6.5 pounds.

Himalayan monal

The multi-coloured Himalayan monal is an attractive pheasant hunted for its attractive feathers and crest, and is almost on the verge of extinction.

Ibis

These scarce Himalayan beauties are found in open areas rather than dense forests. The two species commonly found in India are the Eurasian Jay and Black necked Jay. The Eurasian Jay is an expert mimic and thus hard to spot compared to the Black necked Jay.

Koel

These summer visitors are mostly found in wooded areas. The males are more attractive than the female and are shy in nature. The small and colorful Koel makes a loud ascending whistle due to which it can be easily spotted. The female Koel is known for laying its eggs in the nests of other bird species.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary in Kerala is the perfect place to get a glimpse of the migratory Siberian cranes. You could even spot large flocks of waterfowls, cuckoos, owls, egrets, herons, parrots, teals, larks, flycatchers and wood beetles to name a few.
Keoladeo Ghana National Park
Situated in Bharatour, Rajasthan, the Keoladeo Ghana National Park (a.k.a the Bharatpur National Park) is one of the most spectacular bird sanctuaries in India. The Siberian cranes fly half the globe to feed in the Keoladeo Ghana National Park during their migration period.

Lapwing

These magnificent wading birds breed on farmland, wet meadows and moors, which can be commonly found in various parts of India. They have a complex migratory pattern and are found extensively in India. The species found in India include the Grey-headed Lapwing, River Lapwing, Sociable Lapwing, Red-wattled Lapwing, White-tailed Lapwing, Yellow-wattled Lapwing and the Northern Lapwing.

Merlin

The winter vagrants can be found near wetlands and are birds of prey. Also known as Pigeon Hawks these compact birds thrive on smaller birds and are excellent hunters.

Bastar Mynah

Known for mimicking the human voice the Bastar Mynah is exclusive to Chhattisgarh and is on the verge of extinction.

Oriole

India you are sure to spot the Black-naped Oriole, Eurasian Golden-Oriole, Slender-billed Oriole, Maroon Oriole and the Black-hooded Oriole.

Peacock

Rightly chosen as the national bird of India, the peacock is gentle and social in nature. The peacock’s display of its alluring train is an act to attract its mate during the breeding season.

Porbandar Bird Sanctury

Home to a variety of Wildfowls, Teals, Ibis, Curlews and a sizeable number of migratory birds the Porbandar Bird Sanctury is a ornithologist’s paradise.

Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary

Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu is noted for the vast flocks of migratory waterfowl, especially flamingos, which congregate here every winter. Spanning across 17.26 sq. kms. the vast marshes are covered with Teals, Curlews, Gulls, Terns, Plovers, Sandpipers, Shanks and Herons.

Quail

Part of the pheasant family the small and plump quail is a delicacy in various parts of the world except India. The terrestrial beings feed on insects and tend to forage on the ground. You could spot the Blue-breasted Quail, Rain Quail and Japanese Quail in various parts of India.

Raven

One of the most intelligent birds, the Raven is the largest member of the crow family. Noted for their calls, the black coloured Ravens are always confused for crows.

Sparrow

The tiny, seed-eating birds are commonly found in India. You could find them foraging on leftover food on your windowsill or arguing with their spouse over household chores. You are sure to get a glimpse of the Russet Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Sind Sparrow, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, and the Rock Sparrow in India.

Stork

You can spot a stork nest on tall buildings and structures with ease. These migratory birds can be found all over India. Get a glimpse of the White Stork, Painted Stork, Black Stork, Black necked Stork, and Woolly headed Stork in various sanctuaries in India.

Siberian cranes

The rare and beautiful Siberian cranes that fly down 6400 kms to India after breeding in Siberia. The birds are the highly specialized compared to their cousins in terms of breeding habits and behaviour. They feed on the shoots and roots of aquatic plants. Many conservation programs and projects are deidcated solely to this gorgeous endangered bird.

Teal

The commonly found Teal species in India are the Sunda Teal and the Baikal Teal. The Sunda or Grey Teal is mottled brown duck with white and green flashes on its wings, while the Baikal Teal has a striking green, yellow and black head-pattern. Both of the species are completely different in nature and are extensively found throughout India.

Ultramarine Flycatcher

Commonly found in the Himalayas and northeast India the Ultramarine Flycatcher is found in dark spaces and dense forests.

Vulture

The scavengers are found mainly in open country and near human habitation. The Egyptian Vulture and Red-headed Vulture are found in the northeast and central north. The Egyptian Vulture is known for its ability of killing and consuming fresh-water turtles.

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuaries

Founded 200 years ago the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is one of the oldest bird sanctuaries. The 30 hectare sanctuary plays host to breeding birds and migratory birds like cormorants, egrets, grey herons, open-billed storks, darter, spoonbills, white ibis, night herons, grebes, Garganey teals, shovellers, pintails, stilts, sandpipers and grey pelicans to name a few.

Woodpecker