| Owing to its varied geography, climate and presence | | | | Traveling to Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary for watching |
| of a long coastline, India is the home to several species | | | | birds can be an exhilarating experience for you. Away |
| of birds. Not only can you spot numerous regional birds | | | | from the busy schedule of fast passed life, spending a |
| here, but scores of migratory birds also make India, | | | | day amidst nature can be quiet rewarding. |
| their temporary habitat. Bird sanctuaries in India are | | | | This Bird Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the |
| therefore a hot spot for nature lovers and | | | | Kaveri River and is laden with rare avian species. It is a |
| birdwatchers. | | | | happy breeding ground for many migratory birds like |
| With more than 1200 species of avifauna present in | | | | Open Bill Storks, Spoonbills, Darters, Little Cormorants, |
| India, it has forever been one of the favored | | | | White Ibis, Egret, Partridge, Heron, River Tern, Snake |
| destinations for tourists. Among the most distinguished | | | | Bird, Stone Plougher and other exotic bird species, |
| bird sanctuaries in India, the following are the most | | | | which flies all the way from Australia, Siberia and even |
| visited ones: | | | | North America. There are several local inhabitants like |
| Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Rajasthan | | | | Peacocks and Kingfishers. Take a boats ride along the |
| Situated in Rajasthan in Northern India, Bharatpur Bird | | | | river to spot all these beautiful birds. |
| sanctuary is an exclusive reserve for rare avifauna | | | | Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary, Orissa |
| and Indian Wildlife. It is a Ramsar site under the | | | | Covering an extensive area of 1100 Sq Km and |
| Ramsar Convention, and hence is also a World | | | | situated to the south west of Puri, the Chilka Lake Bird |
| Heritage site. | | | | Sanctuary is the largest brackish water lake in Asia. |
| Over 350 species of birds can be seen in this 29 Sq | | | | This sanctuary is a home to some of the most |
| Km Park. One third of these are migrants, who have | | | | amazing avifauna of the world and hence attracts a |
| made this sanctuary their wintering ground. Since | | | | large number of tourists. It has been reported that as |
| Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary lies on the Central Asian | | | | many as 9 Lakh migratory birds fly to this bird |
| Flyway of the Asia Pacific Global Migratory Flyway; it | | | | sanctuary during winters. The commonest of birds in |
| is a wintering ground for a large number of migratory | | | | Chilka Lake are Geese, Eagle and Flamingoes. Apart |
| water-bird that breeds in the Pale arctic region. | | | | from these the Jacana, the Purple Moorhen and the |
| The endangered Siberian Crane (Grus leucogeranus) | | | | Herons are simply a delight to watch. |
| uses this bird sanctuary as its only wintering ground. | | | | Boating in the crystal clear water of Chilka Lake to |
| Apart from this, you can also find several species of | | | | spot these beautiful creatures will surely be an |
| Pelicans, Cranes, Larks, Geese, Eagles, Hawks, Ducks, | | | | enjoyable experience that you will cherish throughout |
| Shanks, Wagtails, Stints, Warblers, Flycatchers, | | | | your life. |
| Wheatears, Buntings and Pipits in this sanctuary. | | | | Porbadar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat |
| Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Kerala | | | | Porbandar Bird Sanctuary is situated in the heart of |
| The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is spread across 14 | | | | Porbandar city. Spread across an area of about 1 Sq. |
| acres of land around the Vembanad Lake, near the | | | | Km, this bird sanctuary is home to various rare and |
| Backwaters. It is home to a large number of migratory | | | | migratory species of birds. If you visit this sanctuary |
| birds like Flycatcher, Teal, Siberian Stork, Crane, | | | | during winters you would get an opportunity to spot |
| Parrots and Wood Beetle. Apart from these, native | | | | birds like Flamingos, Pelicans, Spoonbills, Avocets, |
| birds like the Kingfisher, Heron, Egret, Owl, and Cuckoo | | | | Coots, Pintails, Little Cormorants, Little Grebes, |
| are seen in plenty in this sanctuary. | | | | Shovellers, Whistling Teals, Herons, Terns, Jacanas, |
| The best way of viewing birds at Kumarakom Bird | | | | Red Shanks and Ruffs to name a few. |
| Sanctuary is by riding a houseboat or motorboat. In | | | | So, pack your bags and take a wildlife tour to India at |
| case you want to experience the rustic rural touch, try | | | | the earliest. And yes, do not forget to carry you |
| to get hold of a local rice boat or fishing boat. These | | | | camera with you. You would certainly love to capture |
| will help you to watch the birds at play without them | | | | every moment of bird watching in India with your |
| being disturbed by the sounds of motor. | | | | camera and preserve their pictures for the rest of |
| Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka | | | | your life. |