India being a vast country is home to exotic flora and fauna. There is much to admire and see when travelling in India. In India, many bird sanctuaries are full of exotic species of birds. The location of these bird sanctuaries is awe-inspiring and the biodiversity related to birds is remarkable. Most of the bird sanctuaries in India are open around the year. The breeding season for birds in India is between June and September. So, let us begin with the top 10 bird sanctuaries in India.
If you want to explore bird sanctuaries in India and the gorgeous beauty of the Indian Bird Sanctuaries to its fullest, you must plan your visit around winter. Since there are so many gorgeous and breathtaking bird sanctions in India, deciding which one is the best is tough. However here in this article, we have mentioned the 10 must-explore bird sanctuaries in India.
List of 10 Bird Sanctuaries in India
- Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
- Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary
- Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
- Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
- Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
- Kaundinya Bird Sanctuary
- Chilika Lake Bird Sanctuary
- Mayani Bird Sanctuary
- Kutch Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary
- Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
1. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
Located in Rajasthan, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is also known as Keoladeo National Park or Keoladeo Ghana National Park. It is one of the most famous bird sanctuaries in India. It is also a World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO. The Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is home to more than 360 different species of birds. There are animals like Sambar, Nilgai, Boar, and Chital in the bird sanctuary and you can find exotic species of birds including cranes, pelicans, geese, ducks, eagles, hawks, and shanks. If you are a bird or wildlife lover, you will find it an alluring place.
2. Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary
Spread across an area of 1.43 sq km, Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is located in Haryana. It is a famous bird reserve that is home to nomadic birds from various countries like Siberia, Russia, Turkey, and Eastern Europe. Known for its 250 species of beautiful resident birds and many migratory birds, Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is a great place to watch birds. Moreover, exotic and alluring birds like Black-necked stork, cattle egret, laughing dove Indian roller, white-throated kingfisher, etc are found here.
3. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
Situated in Goa, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is stretched across the mangrove forest of Mandovi River and Chorao Island. It is named after a famous ornithologist Salim Moizuddin Abdul Ali. Furthermore, this bird sanctuary is famous and if you want to visit here, you can take a ferry ride. Here you can have a great experience of watching the flora and fauna of the place that includes exotic birds including Drongos, cormorants, Malabar trogons, kingfishers, sandpipers, woodpeckers and beautiful animals like foxes, jackals, marsh crocodiles, and mudskipper fish.
4. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is one of the most beautiful places that you can explore in Kerala. Situated on the banks of Vembanad Lake, the bird sanctuary is spread across 14 acres of area. The beauty of the bird sanctuary is accentuated by the mesmerizing species of seasonal birds and the lush green surroundings. Birds from Siberia and Russia migrate to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary during winter and it is also home to birds like Paradise flycatchers, pheasant-tailed jacanas, golden-backed woodpeckers, etc.
5. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
Situated in Tamil Nadu, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is a famous bird sanctuary in India. Here you can see more than 4000 migratory birds and it is a gorgeous place for wildlife lovers. In the local language, Vedanthangal means the ‘hamlet of the hunters’. November to February is the best time to visit Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary.
6. Kaundinya Bird Sanctuary
Kaundinya Bird Sanctuary is a delightful place for the bird lovers. Situated in Andhra Pradesh, the bird sanctuary is spread across 358 sq km of land and it is 86 km away from Horsley Hills. Well known for its natural beauty and rich biodiversity, Kaundinya Bird Sanctuary is a vibrant place famous for endemic and migratory birds. Here you can find the various species of elephants, porcupines, sloth bears and spotted bears along with birds like grey pelicans, rosy pelicans, and painted storks.
7. Chilika Lake Bird Sanctuary
Located in Orissa, Chilika is the largest brackish water lake in Asia. It has many different varieties of exotic species of birds and animals. The natural backdrop of the place makes it a wonderful natural spot for people who are looking for mesmerizing locations. Here you can see the various species of birds like Eagles, geese, and flamingos. Consequently, apart from the birds here, you can find Irrawaddy dolphins, prawns, crabs, and limbless lizards. Thus, making it one of the top 10 bird sanctuaries in India.
8. Mayani Bird Sanctuary
Situated in the Vaduj town of Maharashtra, Mayani Bird Sanctuary is a famous bird sanctuary in Maharashtra. The place is full of amazing biodiversity and the wetlands of the region are awe-inspiring. Here you can find around 400 species of migratory birds and the best time to visit the Mayani bird sanctuary is from November to January. Similarly, famous birds of the Mayani bird sanctuary that attract millions of tourists include Flamingoes, coots, spoonbills, painted storks and black ibis. Kingfishers and Brahminy ducks are also found here. This is also known as the best bird sanctuary in India
9. Kutch Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary
Kutch Great Indian Bird Sanctuary is located in Gujarat and it is a famous bird sanctuary in India. Moreover, here you can see gorgeous birds like Great Indian Bustards, Houbara Bustards and Florican Bustards. Check out the bird life sanctuary in India by visiting this wonderful and one of the top 10 bird sanctuaries in India
10. Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
One of the famous bird sanctuaries in India located in Gujarat is the Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary. The largest water bird sanctuary in India is situated at a distance of 60 km from Ahmedabad. Additionally, you can find Geese, ducks, spoonbills, and eagles in Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary.
When should you visit these Sanctuaries?
Winter is the ideal season to go to India’s top bird sanctuaries. Choose any time between November and March. Migratory birds are on the move in the sanctuaries during these months offering top-notch bird-watching conditions. You can see more varieties of birds. Plus, the climate is just right around this season. Hence, if you’re big on nature, you’d enjoy exploring these sanctuaries for India’s stunning bird biodiversity.
Preparing for a Road Adventure
If you’re packing for a journey to bird sanctuaries in India, some items should be in your bag for a smooth experience. Binoculars for closeup bird views, a high-quality camera or DSLR for photos, and a bird guidebook to know the local species are essentials. You should wear comfortable clothes that blend with the environment and durable shoes. Don’t forget to bring along water, food, and bug spray. A notebook and pen come in handy for jotting down what you see and bring an emergency kit just in case. Put everything in a light bag so it’s easy to carry.
Why Going on a Road Trip to a Sanctuary is a Good Idea
Getting a rental car in India or hiring a tempo traveller for a group trip to bird-reserved areas comes with loads of perks that can make your journey more exciting.
- Set yourself Free: Exploring on a road trip lets you decide how you travel. This means you can chill and have the ease of stopping whenever you like exploring new places as you go.
- Mesmerizing Views: Sanctuaries offer amazing views. Choose to take a ride to appreciate nature, abundance, and charming small towns.
- Packing: If you decide to hire a car, you can pack all the essentials like iPods, devices and view magnifiers without worrying about restrictions.
- Proximity to Wildlife: By going on a road trip, you can get close to the natural world around you. Stop whenever you like to watch birds making the trip even more thrilling.
- Saving Money: Hitting the road with your friends turns out to be less costly compared to flying or taking a train when you share the petrol expenses and the like.
- Discover places: Your bird-spotting journey can be more fun if you drive around different places. Taste the local cuisine, interact with new people, and see their culture
Conclusion
Visit the best bird parks in India to witness the beauty of its winged inhabitants and enjoy the wonders of nature. These parks, with their bright landscapes and interesting bird species, allow a unique opportunity to connect with the environment and create enduring memories. If you are in love with wildlife creatures, especially birds, then these above bird sanctuaries in India will be some of the best destinations for you to spend your vacation alone or even with family or friends. You can take your kids with you as they will enjoy spending time out here knowing about many unknown birds. Thus, book the tickets well in advance to avoid any type of hazards on your trip.
Leave a Comment :