There are about 200 species of birds living in the Maldives. The birds in the island nation live in various habitats close to the sea.
The Maldives’ national bird is the White-breasted Waterhen. Other notable species include the Asian Koel, the Gray-headed Fish Eagle, and the Maldivian Pied Fantail.
List of Common Birds Found in Maldives
Native Birds
- Ashy Drongo
- Asian Brown Flycatcher
- Asian Koel
- Barn Swallow
- Bar-tailed Godwit
- Black Bittern
- Black-capped Kingfisher
- Black-crowned Night Heron
- Black Drongo
- Black-headed Gull
- Black-headed Munia
- Black-naped Oriole
- Black-naped Tern
- Black-tailed Godwit
- Blue-tailed Bee-eater
- Brahminy Kite
- Bridled Tern
- Brown-backed Needletail
- Brown Noddy
- Brown Shrike
- Citrine Wagtail
- Collared Kingfisher
- Common Greenshank
- Common Iora
- Common Myna
- Common Redshank
- Common Rosefinch
- Common Sandpiper
- Common Tailorbird
- Cotton Pygmy Goose
- Crab Plover
- Crimson Sunbird
- Curlew Sandpiper
- Eastern Cattle Egret
- Eurasian Curlew
- Eurasian Spoonbill
- Garganey
- Greater Crested Tern
- Great Tit
- Gray-headed Canary-flycatcher
- Gray-headed Fish Eagle
- Gray Heron
- Gray Munia
- Gray Plover
- Gray Wagtail
- Gull-billed Tern
- Indian Paradise Flycatcher
- Indian Peafowl
- Indian Pitta
- Indian Pond Heron
- Indian Reef Heron
- Indian Spot-billed Duck
- Kentish Plover
- Lesser Crested Tern
- Lesser Whistling Duck
- Little Ringed Plover
- Maldivian Paradise Flycatcher
- Maldivian Plover
- Marsh Sandpiper
- Olive-backed Sunbird
- Oriental Honey Buzzard
- Oriental Magpie-robin
- Oriental Skylark
- Pacific Golden Plover
- Pacific Swallow
- Pied Kingfisher
- Purple Heron
- Purple-rumped Sunbird
- Red-necked Phalarope
- Red-vented Bulbul
- Red-wattled Lapwing
- Roseate Tern
- Ruddy Turnstone
- Ruff
- Scaly-breasted Munia
- Sooty Tern
- Stork-billed Kingfisher
- Terek Sandpiper
- Thick-billed Flowerpecker
- Whimbrel
- Whiskered Tern
- White-bellied Drongo
- White-bellied Munia
- White-bellied Sea Eagle
- White-breasted Waterhen
- White-browed Fantail
- White-tailed Tropicbird
- White-throated Kingfisher
- White Wagtail
- White-winged Tern
- Wire-tailed Swallow
- Wood Sandpiper
- Yellow Bittern
- Yellow Bittern
- Yellow Wagtail
- Yellow-wattled Lapwing
Non-native Birds
- Common Myna
- House Sparrow
- Red Junglefowl
- Rock Pigeon
- Rose-ringed Parakeet
- Zebra Dove
There are a few birding sites where birdwatchers can enjoy observing various species. Some of them include Hithadhoo Island, Villingili Island, and Baa Atoll. The last one is notable as it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The peak season for birding in the Maldives generally occurs during the winter months, from November to March. This is when the weather is relatively cooler and drier, making it more comfortable for outdoor activities, including birdwatching.
