Top 10 destinations for birding in the world

Introduction to the Birds and Birds of the World

Presenting our new post on the Top 10 destinations for birding in the world. Birds belong to the Aves class, a special class of animals with extraordinary flight abilities. Because of the presence of wings and feathers, they set themselves apart from all other animals. Birds are in reality dinosaur descendants. Most bird species can fly, a capability made possible by the evolution of wings, feathers, and a variety of other adaptations. However, other birds, like penguins and ostriches, no longer have the capacity to fly since they evolved in environments where it wasn’t necessary.

From emperor penguins in the Antarctic to species found in some of the world’s hottest deserts, birds can be found all over the world in practically any habitat. While some bird species migrate tens of thousands of kilometres annually like Artic Tern from one pole to another, others spend their entire lives in a single, constrained location.

As per the data by IUCN 2021, there are 10824 species of birds all around the world. Around the world, there are several places which are a paradise for birds. The tropical forest region of South American countries has the highest number of bird species in the world. Columbia with 19 percent of the total species of Birds in the world has 1878 species of Birds, Peru with 1858 species of birds, Brazil with 1813 species of birds, Equador with 1622 species of Birds followed by Bolivia, Venezuela and several other countries.

Below are the 20 different countries/regions with the highest number of bird species in the world:

Country / region	Bird species count	Rank
Colombia	1,878	1
Peru	1,858	2
Brazil	1,813	3
Indonesia	1,711	4
Ecuador	1,622	5
Bolivia	1,438	6
Venezuela	1,394	7
India	1,317	8
China	1,288	9
Congo, The Democratic Republic of the	1,107	10
Mexico	1,104	11
Tanzania, United Republic of	1,075	12
Kenya	1,058	13
Myanmar	1,031	14
Argentina	1,004	15
Uganda	999	16
Thailand	934	17
Sudan	917	18
Angola	915	19
Cameroon	885	20

 

Some of the birds in the world just make us wow, it is sometimes hard to believe but truth to hear about these beautiful animal’s capabilities like some examples

• Albatrosses, Ocean Wonderers: The wandering albatross has the longest wingspan of any bird, measuring an astonishing 3.7 metres (12 feet, 2 inches). Some people have been known to fly three times a year around the entire Southern hemisphere.
• Arctic Tern, Incredible Migration: Another seabird with extensive travels is the Arctic tern. No other animal migrates as far as this incredible bird. It makes a remarkable voyage every year from its nesting grounds in the Arctic to Antarctica and back. In a single year, some Arctic terns fly 90,000 kilometres (56,000 mi)! Every year, Arctic terns experience two summers: one in the Arctic and one in the Antarctic. Additionally, compared to other animals, they get more daylight.
• Peregrine Falcon: The peregrine falcon is not only the fastest bird in the world but also the fastest animal species overall. It can travel at speeds of more than 200 mph (320 km/h) when diving.

 

Top 10 Birding Destinations around the World

Each place around the world is a place to see birds, here I have listed Ten major places for birding around the world.

 

1. Manu National Park a Birding Destination in Peru

When hundreds of macaws descend to the riverbed to consume their daily snack of mineral salts, you can be treated to a multicoloured riot if you stake out a clay lick in Man National Park. The Manu Biosphere Reserve is the protected region in the world with the most biodiversity. The unmatched beauty of this area lies in its geography and diversity of ecosystems, which range from pristine Amazon rainforest with 13 primate species to oxbow lakes visited by giant otters to orchid-draped cloud forest where Spectacled Bears and Cock-of-the-Rocks still live in peace.

A trip to Manu is a trip to one of the greatest wilderness places in the world, where over 1000 different kinds of birds have been identified and where wildlife is still widely distributed. You can make your trip of a lifetime even better by including a magnificent visit to Machu Picchu.

The park is divided into three distinct zones, each with its own particular habitat. The Puna Grassland reaches 11,500 feet below the snow line in the Andes. The enormous and magnificent Andean Condor is the most distinctive and conspicuous bird in this area. Mountain Caracaras and a number of hummingbird species are also present. Due to poor illumination and, in the case of the majority of females, their identical hues, the numerous hummingbirds in all three zones proved to be very challenging—and in many cases impossible—for me to distinguish.

 

 

Highlight Bird Species of Manu National Park:

Common Name	Scientific Name
Mountain Parakeet	Psilopsiagon aurifrons
Cinereous Ground-Tyrant	Muscisaxicola cinereus
Black-tailed Shrike-Tyrant	Agriornis albicauda
White-throated Antpitta	Grallaria albigula
Red-and-White Antpitta	Grallaria erythroleuca
Blue-banded Toucanet	Aulacorhynchus coereicinctus
White-eared Toucanet	Selenidera spectabilis
Red-backed Woodpecker	Dinopium psarodes
Yellow-billed Nunbird	Monasa flavirostris
Fiery-capped Manakin	Machaeropterus pyrocephalus

 

 

2. Monteverde Cloud Forest a Birding Destination, in Costa Rica

When it was first created in 1972, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve consisted of about 810 acres (328 hectares) of forested area. It is located on the top of the Tilaran Mountain Range at 6000 ft above sea level. Today, it covers eight life zones atop the Continental Divide and covers a total of 35,089 acres (14,200 hectares). Within its borders live more than 100 animal species, 400 bird species, and 1,200 amphibian and reptile species. It is one of the few surviving environments that is home to all six species of cats, Margays, Oncillas, Puma, Jaguardina and Jaguar, including the critically endangered species of birds like three-wattled bellbird and resplendent quetzal.

The Monteverde Cloud Forest is home to a variety of tropical bird species because of its elevation of 4724 feet (1440 metres) above sea level. The resplendent quetzal, is a bird that migrates to lower portions of the reserve during the breeding season. Hummingbirds out of 400 species in the world 30 we can find here. More than 25.730 acres (10.400 ha) of forest and numerous well-maintained trails may be found in the Monteverde Cloud Forest.

• Highlight species of Monteverde Cloud Forest

With the excellent local guides there the chances are good to see as many species of birds there. The 10 highlight species of birds you can find here are as bellows

 

 

Common Name	Scientific Name
Resplendent Qwetzal	Pharomachrus mocinno
Black and Yellow Silky Fly Catcher	Phainoptila melanoxantha
Chiriqui Quail Dove	Zentrygon chiriquensis
Three Wattled Bell Bird	Procnias tricarunculatus
Golden Brown Chlorophonia	Chlorophonia callophrys
Black breasted wood-Quail	Odontophorus leucolamus
Magneta-throated Woodstars	Calliphlox bryanate
Copper Headed Emrald	Microchera cupreiceps
Emrald Taucanate	Aulacorhynchus prasinus
Zeledon’s Antbird	Perccnostola zeledoni

 

 

3. Nameri National Park and Eaglenest the Birding Destination in India

Nameri National Park is located in Assam along the Jia-Bhoraeli River’s left bank and shares a boundary with Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary and Arunachal Pradesh’s Tiger Reserve. More than 300 different species of birds may be found in the national park, which is situated in the eastern Himalayan foothills. The location is a paradise for a bird lover. The white-winged Wood duck is the most significant species for Nameri National Park.

The habitat of the Nameri National Park is a moist deciduous forest, cane and bamboo, and semi-tropical evergreens. Open grassland by a river is another crucial ecological area.

Some of the more notable bird species include the White-winged Wood Duck, Common Merganser, Great Pied Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Kalij Pheasant, Rufous Necked Hornbill, Ibis Bill, Large Whistling Teal, King Vulture, Long-billed Ringed Plovers, Hill Myna, Black Stork, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Himalayan Pied Kingfisher, etc.

Any knowledgeable birder in India will always recommend “Eaglenest” as the best location to see gorgeous birds or the ideal bird-watching locations! An endemic bird of Eaglenest named after the local Bugun tribe, the Bugun Liochichla, was found in 2006 and gained notoriety right away. Currently, the goal of every birder visiting Eaglenest is to catch a glimpse of Bugun Liochichla.

 

 

Two more protected areas, Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary to the south and Pakke Tiger Reserve to the east, abut the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh. It is one of India’s last big intact forest areas due to its relative isolation and low population density.

Highlight Species of Birds of Nameri National Park and Eaglenest Bird Sanctuary

Common Name	Scientific Name
White Winged Duck	Asarcornis scutulata
Wreathed Hornbill	Rhyticeros undulatus
Rufous Necked Hornbill	Aceros nipalensis
Green Cochoa	Cochoa viridis
Long Billed Plover	Charadrius placidus
Long Tailed Broadbill	Psarisomus dalhousiae
Great Hornbill	Buceros bicornis
Pied Falconate	Microhierax melanoleucos
Blue-napped Pitta	Hydrornis nipalensis
Amur Falcon	Falco amurensis

 

Explore our popular birding tours in India

 

4. West Papua a Birding Destination in Indonesia

In Indonesia West Papua is also a prime birding area to look for the birds of paradise. West Papua has about 680 bird species on record, compared to slightly more than 700 for the entire New Guinea region. Approximately 550 species are regarded as breeding inhabitants, including at least 42 additional West Papua-only endemics and 279 New Guinea endemics (found in Indonesia and/or Papua New Guinea). More than 115 species of migratory birds from the Palearctic and Australia as well as a variety of seabirds spend time in West Papua.

Just a few of the other simply stunning and highly sought-after birds that can be found in the Arfak mountains are the Spotted Jewel-babbler, Blue Jewel-babbler, Masked Bowerbird, Pesquet’s (New Guinea Vulturine) Parrot, Moluccan King Parrot, Modest Tiger Parrot, White-striped Forest Rail, Feline Owlet-nightjar, Mountain Owlet-nightjar, Papuan Boobook, Tit Berrypecker, Mottled Berryhinter, Papuan Treecreeper, Papun Logrunner, Gret-Banded Mannikin, Papuan Grassbird, Drongo Fantail, Goldenface and Lesser Melampitta.

The town of Manokwari, located on the north-eastern tip of West Papua, is where you can start your tour. Here, you can see the stunning Lesser Bird-of-Paradise, and this region is frequently excellent for seeing Blyth’s Hornbill and a large number of fruit doves. We will proceed to the neighbouring Arfak Mountains to look for a spectacular group of birds known as the “Vogelkop Endemics,” including the Western Parotia, Arfak Astrapia, Crescent-caped Lophorina, Long-tailed Paradigalla, Arfak Catbird, Vogelkop Melidectes, and Vogelkop Bowerbird.

 

 

Highlight species of birds from West Papua:

Common Name	Scientific Name
Wilson’s Bird-of-Paradise	Cicinnurus respublica
King Bird-of-Paradise	Cicinnurus regius
Lesser Bird-of-Paradise	Paradisaea minor
Red Bird-of-Paradise	Paradisaea rubra
Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise	Cicinnurus magnificus
Twelve-wired Bird-of-Paradise	Seleucidis melanoleucus
Crescent-capped Lophorina	Lophorina niedda
Papuan Frogmouth	Podargus papuensis
Dusky Megapode	Megapodius freycinet
Vogelkop Meledectes	Melidectes leucostephes

 

5. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary – Birding destination in India

The Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is one of the top avifauna reserve parks in the world and the most alluring travel destination for bird enthusiasts located in the state of Rajasthan. A safari in the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is a seductive and revitalising experience in the calm of Nature with the sounds of melodic birds chirping all around. The park, which is now known as the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, is one of the few that is protected, particularly because it is home to hundreds of rare bird species. Along with the native waterbirds, migrating winter birds, waterside birds, and other uncommon avifauna species.

The Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary‘s main draw for bird-loving travellers is its large collection of rare migratory birds. This modest marsh of 29 square kilometres, which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Ramsar Site, and an IBA, provide food and breeding grounds for over 400 bird species (Important Bird Area). The majority of migrating birds come to this area from far-off Siberia and Central Asia to spend the winter.

These migratory birds arrive in the winter, spend the season nearby Bharatpur Lake, and then migrate back to their original wintering grounds. A variety of migratory bird species, including Cranes, Geese, Pelicans, Ducks, Hawks, Eagles, Shanks, Stints, Warblers, Wagtails, Wheatears, Pipits, Larks, Flycatchers, Buntings, etc., frequent the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. There is a walking safari and a rickshaw ride safari if you do not wish to walk.

 

 

Highlight Species of Birds in Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Common Name	Scientific Name
Sarus Crane	Antigone antigone
Indian Courser	Cursorius coromandelicus
Siberian Rubythroat	Calliope calliope
Demoiselle Crane	Grus virgo
Dusky Eagle Owl	Bubo coromandus
Marsh Harrier	Circus aeruginosus
Pallid Harrier	Circus macrourus
Greater Spotted Eagle	Clanga clanga
Imperial Eagle	Aquila heliaca
Rosy Pelican	Pelecanus onocrotalus

 

Explore our popular birding tours in India

 

6. Nainital, Pangot and Sattal the Birding destination in India

Located in the West-Central Himalayan range areas in the state of Uttarakhand within a 30 Km of radius have diverse bird life. The avifaunal diversity in Uttarakhand, a mountainous state, is fantastic. Despite being one-sixtieth the area of India, Uttarakhand is home to roughly 687 bird species, which is more than half of the 1317 bird species registered in the nation, according to the State Forest Department.

According to the IUCN Red List, around 39 of these species are classified as globally threatened. The Eco-Tourism branch of the Uttarakhand Forest held a series of bird-watching camps in various locations across the state where forest staff, members of the local community, tour guides, and others were taught the fundamentals of birding. While it is important to celebrate this wealth, it is equally important to protect it.

A sea of tranquilly and a haven for bird aficionados, Sattal, Nainital, and Pangot are parts of the Shivalik range and are covered with rhododendron, pine, and oak forests that appear to be home to around 300 Himalayan bird species.

 

 

Sattal, where “Sat” stands for “Seven” and “Tal” for “Lakes,” is a magnificent meeting place of seven freshwater lakes that originate in the Himalayan Mountains. These magnificent forests in Uttarakhand provide fantastic chances for birdwatching in addition to breath-taking rural and wilderness settings.

Highlight Species of Birds from Nainital, Pangot and Sattal

Common Name	Scientific Name
Cheer Pheasant	Catreus wallichii
Koklass Pheasant	Pucrasia macrolopha
Chukar Partridge	Alectoris chukar
Lammergeier or Bearded Vulture	Gypaetus barbatus
Himalayan Griffon	Gyps himalayensis
Black-headed Jay	Garrulus lanceolatus
Rufous-bellied Woodpecker	Dendrocopos hyperythrus
Brown-fronted Woodpecker	Dendrocoptes auriceps
Himalayan Woodpecker	Dendrocopos himalayensis
Wallcreeper	Tichodroma muraria

 

 

7. Lore Lindu National Park a Birding Destination in Indonesia

The Island of Sulewasia is located in the eastern, of of the birding paradise in the world. Lore Lindu National Park is located in the central part of the island with an area of 25000 hectares. It has around 267 species of birds in the region. Over 70 of the island’s unusual bird species, including the Great Short Wing, Purple Bearded Bee Eater, and Sulawesi Thrush, have their home in this diversified forest, which ranges in altitude from 200 metres to 2,600 metres. The region is renowned for its dispersion of enigmatic stone jars and megaliths with images of humans and animals that are estimated to be between 1000 and 5000 years old.

One of Sulawesi’s greatest remaining mountainous rain forests is found in the Lore Lindu Biosphere Reserve and National Park. From the perspectives of biodiversity, culture, and archaeology, it is extremely important. The majority of Sulawesis’ distinctive mountain flora and wildlife may be found in the area’s 90% of montane forest over 1,000 metres of elevation.

 

 

The area of Lore Lindo National park is huge for birding the entire place. The best birdwatching is focused in a relatively limited area near the settlements of Wuasa/Sedoa, Lake Tambing, and the renowned Anaso Track. All of the high-mountain specialities from Sulawesi, such as the Great Shortwing, Geomalia, and Sulawesi Thrush, as well as many more, may be found here.

• Highlight species of birds in Lore Lindu National Park

 

Common Name	Scientific Name
Small Sparrowhawk	Accipiter minullus
Bare-faced Rail	Genus Gymnocrex
Sulawesi Woodcock	Scolopax celebensis
Metallic Pigeon	Columba vitiensis
Ornate Lorikeet	Trichoglossus ornatus
Yellow-and-green Lorikeet	Trichoglossus flavoviridis
Ochre-bellied Hawk-Owl	Ninox ochracea
Sulawesi Blue-Flycatcher	Cyornis omissus
Olive-flanked Whistler	Hylocitrea bonensis
Mountain Serin	Chrysocorythus estherae mindanensis

 

 

8. Sierra Nevada De Santa Marta a Birding destination in Columbia

The Caribbean area of Colombia is home to the world’s tallest coastal mountain range and Colombia’s highest summit. At 5,700 metres above sea level, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is the highest point in the world. The Sierra Nevada is situated in the departments of Magdalena, Cesar, and Guajira, bordering the Caribbean lowlands of Colombia to the south, east, and west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the north.

There are 635 different bird species that have been identified in the Sierra Nevada de The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is home to 635 different bird species, which represents an amazing 35% of all the avifauna in Colombia on just 1.48 percent of the country’s land.

With 36 bird species (and 55 subspecies) unique to the Sierra, it is the most significant centre of endemism in the entire world. Sadly, 22 of its national species and 18 of its global species are in danger of extinction. There have been 122 migratory species identified in the region.

 

 

Highlight species of Birds of Sierra Nevada De Santa Marta:

Common Name	Scientific Name
Santa Marta Parakeet	Pyrrhura viridicata
Coppery Emerald	Chlorostilbon russatus
Streak-capped Spinetail	Cranioleuca hellmayri
Santa Marta Antpitta	Grallaria bangsi
Brown-rumped Tapaculo	Scytalopus latebricola
Santa Marta Bush-Tyrant	Myiotheretes pernix
Yellow-crowned Whitestart	Myioborus flavivertex
White-lored Warbler	Basileuterus conspicillatus
Santa Marta Mountain-Tanager	Anisognathus melanogenys
Santa Marta Brush-Finch	Atlapetes melanocephalus

 

 

9. Western Ghats region – A Birding destination in India

The biggest diversity of avifauna and fauna can be found in the region with rich vegetation. There are about 1317 species of birds in India, and the Western Ghats region is home to more than 600 of them or about 45 percent of the total. 29 of those species are unique to the area. One of the prime areas in India for bird viewing is the Western Ghats.

Red Whiskered Bulbul, Malabar Laughing Thrush, Orange Minivet, Asian fairy Bluebird, Chestnut-headed bee-eater, Golden Fronted Leaf Bird, Emerald Dove, Great Hornbill, Heart spotted Woodpecker, Indian Grey Hornbill, and many more are a few of the common birds in the western ghats of India.

Some of the destinations for birding within the Western Ghats are, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, Thattekad, Madumalai where the bird’s count is the highest. To know more please visit Guide to Birding in the Western Ghats.

 

 

Highlight Species of Birds in the Western Ghats

Common Name	Scientific Name
Nilgiri Woodpigeon	Columba elphinstonii
Malabar Grey Hornbill	Ocyceros griseus
Malabar Parakeet	Paittacula columboides
While bellied Treepie	Dendrocitta leucogastra
Flame-throated Bulbull	Rubigula gularis
Rufous Babbler	Argya subrufa
Palani Chilappan	Montecinla fairbanki
Banasaru Chillapan	Montecinla jerdoni
Malabar Starling	Stumia blythii
Malabar Barbet	Psilopogon malabaricus

 

10. Little Rann of Kutch a Birding destination in India

The Little Rann of Kutch, a geographically distinct landform, is a salty desert environment that offers thrilling cross-desert safaris, exceptional opportunities for wildlife viewing, and vibrant communities along the edge of the desert. Little Rann of Kutch, often known as LRK, is a captivating birding haven that has been designated a Ramsar Site. Large groups of water birds are drawn to the marshes of the Rann and neighbouring lakes such as Nawa Talao and Savada Wetlands. Numerous birds, including flamingos, pelicans, cranes, storks, ducks, and waders, can be spotted.

Variable, Isabelline & Desert Wheatears, Isabelline Shrike, Macqueen’s Bustard, Lesser Whitethroat, Greater Short-toed Lark, Long-billed Pipit, Graceful Prinia, Merlin, Short-eared Owl, etc. are just a few of the species that call LRK home. 42 animal species have also been identified, including the rare Indian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus khur), which lives in the Dasada region, along with about 300 bird species.

 

 

Highlight Species of Birds in Little Rann of Kutch

Common Name	Scientific Name
Short-eared Owl	Asio flammeus
Greater Hoopoe-Lark	Alaemon alaudipes
Greater Flamingo	Phoenicopterus roseus
Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin	Cercotrichas galactotes
Indian Courser	Cursorius coromandelicus
Greater Short toed Lark	Calandrella brachydactyla
Crested Lark	Galerida cristata
McQueen’s Bustard or Houbara Bustard	Chlamydotis undulata
Cream-coloured Courser	Cursorius cursor
Lesser Flamingo	Phoeniconaias minor