Birds of India

India is home to over 1300 species of birds that thrive in the widely diverse habitats of the country. It is one of the 17 megadiverse nations, with 21.71% of the country covered in forests.

The national bird of India is the Indian peafowl, the male of which is one of the most beautiful birds in the world.

Birds of India

List of Common Birds Found in India

Birds of Prey

  • Himalayan Griffon
  • Indian Spotted Eagle
  • Indian Vulture
  • Oriental Honey-buzzard
  • White-rumped Vulture

Waterbirds

  • Indian Cormorant
  • Indian Darter
  • Indian Pond-heron
  • Indian Spot-billed Duck
  • Little Egret
  • Sarus Crane

Hill Birds

  • Himalayan Bulbul
  • Himalayan Monal
  • Koklass Pheasant
  • Long-tailed Broadbill
  • Rufous-bellied Niltava

Jungle Birds

  • Asian Fairy-bluebird
  • Indian Paradise-flycatcher
  • Indian Peafowl
  • Indian Pitta
  • Malabar Trogon
  • Orange-headed Thrush

Grassland Birds

Migratory Birds

Birds of India by Size

Largest Birds

By LengthBy WeightBy Wingspan
1. Indian Peafowl (75-91 in)1. Great Indian Bustard (22-35 lbs)1. Sarus Crane (90-98 in)
2. Sarus Crane (61-69 in)2. Sarus Crane (13-26 lbs)2. Great Indian Bustard (83-98 in)
3. Great Indian Bustard (35-47 in)3. Indian Peafowl (8.8-13.2 lbs)3. Indian Peafowl (77-89 in)

Smallest Birds

By LengthBy WeightBy Wingspan
1. Tickell’s Flowerpecker (3.5-4 in)1. Purple-rumped Sunbird (0.18-0.35 oz)1. Tickell’s Flowerpecker (5.5-6.3 in)
2. Purple-rumped Sunbird (4-4.7 in)2. Tickell’s Flowerpecker (0.2-0.3 oz)2. Purple-rumped Sunbird (5.9-7.9 in)
3. Asian Paradise Flycatcher (7.5-8.7 in)3. Asian Paradise Flycatcher (0.4-0.5 oz)3. Asian Paradise Flycatcher (8.7-10.2 in)

Common Indian Birds by Color

White Birds

  • Asian Openbill
  • Black-headed Ibis
  • Great Egret
  • Indian Cormorant
  • Indian Pond-heron
  • Little Egret
  • Painted Stork

Black Birds

  • Asian Pied Starling
  • Black Bittern
  • Black Drongo
  • Indian Blackbird
  • Indian Jungle Crow

Blue Birds

  • Blue Rock Thrush
  • Blue-tailed Bee-eater
  • Common Kingfisher
  • Indian Blue Robin
  • Indian Roller
  • Male Indian Paradise Flycatcher 
  • Male Indian Peafowl
  • White-throated Kingfisher

Green Birds

  • Alexandrine Parakeet
  • Female Indian Peafowl
  • Green Avadavat
  • Green Bee-eater
  • Green Imperial Pigeon
  • Green Warbler
  • Indian Ringneck Parakeet
  • Indian Swiftlet
  • Plum-headed Parakeet

Red Birds

  • Indian Pitta
  • Painted Sandgrouse
  • Red Avadavat
  • Red Junglefowl
  • Red Munia

Yellow Birds

  • Asian Paradise Flycatcher
  • Indian Golden Oriole
  • Indian Robin
  • Indian Yellow Tit

Brown Birds

  • Brown Shrike
  • Indian Eagle-owl
  • Indian Nightjar
  • Indian Pitta
  • Indian Robin
  • Indian Scops Owl
  • Indian Silverbill

Orange Birds

  • Indian Pitta
  • Male Indian Paradise Flycatcher
  • Orange-bellied Flowerpecker
  • Orange-bellied Leafbird
  • Orange-breasted Green Pigeon
  • Orange Minivet

Gray Birds

  • Ashy Prinia
  • Gray-bellied Cuckoo
  • Gray Francolin
  • Gray-headed Canary Flycatcher
  • Gray-headed Fish Eagle
  • Gray Heron
  • Gray Junglefowl
  • Gray Nightjar
  • Gray Tit
  • Indian Gray Hornbill

India is a popular destination for birdwatchers, with even birds coming from Siberia. Some notable birdwatching sites include Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Kaziranga National Park, and the Sundarbans. The best time for birdwatching in India is during the winter months and early spring, from November to March.

FAQs

1. Are there any endemic avian species in India?

There are around 80 endemic birds in India, including the Andaman Woodpecker, the Indian Peafowl, and the Kashmir Flycatcher.

2. Are any birds in India endangered?

Several birds in India may go extinct without adequate protection. These include the Bengal Florican, the Great Indian Bustard, and the Himalayan Quail.

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