Bird Watching in Nepal

Globally Nepal is well known for comprising diverse avifauna, almost 9% of the world’s bird species. Nepal has a small size but due to variation in elevational gradients within the short distance and meeting place of different biomes, supporting large numbers of bird species. Although ornithological studies dated back to 1793 by W. J. Kirkpatrick, more comprehensive studies were performed by Brian Hodgson between 1820-1843. After a long time, contributions were made by S. D. Replay, D. Proud, Flemings, etc. Fleming et al. 1976 first field guide on birds of Nepal. Contributions were added by a field ornithologist Hari Sharan Nepali and other ornithologists from different parts of the world. Further remarkable contributions were made by Carol and Tim Inskipp producing a book A Guide to the Birds of Nepal in 1991. Dr. Hem Sagar Baral, a Nepalese ornithologist and different field ornithologist further continued in bird research in Nepal. A field guide to Birds of Nepal Grimmett et al. (2000) is available for bird identification and study.

At present 894 bird species have been identified nearly 900 birds comprising 16 Orders and 68 Families in Nepal. Around 62% of birds are primary residents, 14% are winter visitors, 12% are passage migrants, 6% are summer visitors, 5% are residents and migrants, and 1% are summer and winter visitors. The Spiny Babbler (Turdoides nipalensis) is only the endemic bird species in Nepal. 172 species were assessed as nationally threatened; globally threatened 39 and 9 species were already extinct from Nepal. Similarly, 27 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are identified in Nepal which support a large number of bird species. Important bird-watching areas in Nepal