Last Updated on March 31, 2021 by asoulwindow
Birdwatching in Dudhwa National Park
Dudhwa is home to many endemic and migratory birds. A biodiversity hotspot, Dudhwa is rich in both flora and fauna. This is a complete checklist of birds found in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. You will be surprised to know that of the 1300 birds species found in India, Dudhwa Tiger reserve is home to 550 species of birds.
Some of the birds easily found in Dudhwa Tiger reserve are Kingfishers, Bengal Florican, Lesser Florican, Sarus Cranes, Barbets, Owls, Hornbills, Drongos, Minivets, Geese, Ruddy-breasted Crake etc. Even if you are not fond of birding you will enjoy the wildlife safari at Dudhwa Tiger reserve. Do read my blog on Dudhwa National Park to know more about this offbeat wildlife destination.
Uttar Pradesh Bird Festival in Dudhwa
The Uttar Pradesh forest and wildlife Department, a government body, also organizes the annual Uttar Pradesh Bird Festival in Dudhwa National Park where birdwatchers from Uttar Pradesh and other states are encouraged to go on bird watching trips in and around Dudhwa Tiger reserve.
The objective of the Uttar Pradesh Bird Festival is to conserve avian habitats, promote eco tourism in Dudhwa region and boost the local economy by providing an additional source of income to the local people.
They offer bird watching packages which include Luxury Swiss Cottage Stay, Morning tea, breakfast, beverages, lunch, dinner, jungle safari, panel discussions, seminars, exhibitions and cultural shows.
Bird watching outside Dudhwa Tiger reserve
You can spot many native and migratory birds and even small wildlife outside the Dudhwa Tiger reserve, like I did. You just need to drive on the periphery of the Dudhwa National Park and keep your eyes peeled for any birds in the vicinity of countryside. I saw 2 massive Bishop stork or woolly necked stork while heading to Dhangadhi in Nepal from Dudhwa national Park in Uttar Pradesh in India. Be ready for surprises like this!
Best time for bird watching in Dudhwa Tiger reserve
So, what’s the best time for bird watching in Dudhwa National Park?Winter is a good time for bird watching in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. Apart from the endemic birds, many migratory birds also spend winter months in the Dudhwa region.
Winter months in Dudhwa region include October, November, December, January and February. This is the best time for bird watching in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.
Checklist of birds of Dudhwa
Below is a complete checklist of birds, both endemic and migratory found in and around Dudhwa National Park and Dudhwa Tiger Reserve which also includes Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary.
PICIFORMES: Ramphastidae
Blue-throated Barbet
Brown-headed Barbet
Coppersmith Barbet
Lineated Barbet
Malabar Barbet
PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae
Black Bulbul
Black-crested Bulbul
Red-vented Bulbul
Red-whiskered Bulbul
PASSERIFORMES: Alaudidae
Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark
Bengal Lark
Crested Lark
Indian Bush Lark
Oriental Sky Lark
Singing Bush Lark
PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae
Citrine Wagtail
Forest Wagtail
Grey Wagtail
Olive-backed Pipit
Paddyfield Pipit
Red-throated Pipit
Rosy Pipit
Tawny Pipit
White Wagtail
White-browed Wagtail
PHOENICOPTERIFORMES: Podicipedidae
Little Grebe
CHARADRIIFORMES: Burhinidae
Eurasian Thick-knee
Great Thick-knee
PELECANIFORMES: Threskiornithidae
Black-headed Ibis
Eurasian Spoonbill
Indian Black Ibis
PELECANIFORMES: Phalacrocoracidae
Great Cormorant
Indian Cormorant
Little Cormorant
PELECANIFORMES: Anhingidae
Oriental Darter
GRUIFORMES: Rallidae
Brown Crake
Common Coot
Common Moorhen
Purple Swamphen
Ruddy-breasted Crake
Watercock
White-breasted Waterhen
CHARADRIIFORMES: Rostratulidae
Greater Painted-snipe
GRUIFORMES: Gruidae
Common Crane
Sarus Crane
PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae
Chestnut-shouldered Bush Sparrow
House Sparrow
CHARADRIIFORMES: Recurvirostridae
Black-winged Stilt
CHARADRIIFORMES: Jacanidae
Bronze-winged Jacana
Pheasant-tailed Jacana
OTIDIFORMES: Otididae
Bengal Florican
Lesser Florican
CHARADRIIFORMES: Glareolidae
Little Pratincole
CHARADRIIFORMES: Turnicidae
Common Buttonquail
CHARADRIIFORMES: Laridae
Black-bellied Tern
Black-headed Gull
River Tern
Whiskered Tern
ACCIPITRIFORMES: Pandionidae
Osprey
CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Apodidae
Alpine Swift
Crested Treeswift
Little Swift
White-rumped Spinetailed Swift
CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae
Grey Nightjar
Indian Nightjar
Jerdon’s Nightjar
Large-tailed Nightjar
Savanna Nightjar
STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae
Asian Barred Owlet
Brown Boobook
Brown Fish Owl
Brown Wood Owl
Collared Scops Owl
Dusky Eagle Owl
Eurasian Eagle Owl
Jungle Owlet
Oriental Scops Owl
Rock Eagle Owl
Spot-bellied Eagle Owl
Spotted Owlet
STRIGIFORMES: Tytonidae
Common Barn Owl
Eastern Grass Owl
BUCEROTIFORMES: Bucerotidae
Great Hornbill
Indian Grey Hornbill
Oriental Pied Hornbill
COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae
Emerald Dove
Eurasian Collared Dove
Laughing Dove
Orange-breasted Green Pigeon
Oriental Turtle Dove
Pin-tailed Green Pigeon
Pompadour Green Pigeon
Red Collared Dove
Rock Dove
Spotted-necked Dove
Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon
Yellow-legged Green Pigeon
PICIFORMES: Picidae
Black-rumped Woodpecker
Brown-capped Woodpecker
Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker
Great Slaty Woodpecker
Greater Flame-backed Woodpecker
Greater Yellow-naped Woodpecker
Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker
Grey-headed Woodpecker
Himalayan Flame-backed Woodpecker
Lesser Yellow-naped Woodpecker
Northern Wryneck
Rufous Woodpecker
Scaly-bellied Woodpecker
Streak-throated Woodpecker
White-browed Piculet
White-naped Woodpecker
Yellow-crowned Woodpecker
BUCEROTIFORMES: Upupidae
Common Hoopoe
CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae
Asian Emerald Cuckoo
Banded Bay Cuckoo
Common Cuckoo
Common Hawk Cuckoo
Common Koel
Drongo Cuckoo
Greater Coucal
Green-billed Malkoha
Grey-bellied Cuckoo
Indian Cuckoo
Jacobin Cuckoo
Lesser Coucal
Lesser Cuckoo
Sirkeer Malkoha
CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae
Grey-headed Lapwing
Little Ringed Plover
Northern Lapwing
Red-wattled Lapwing
River Lapwing
White-tailed Lapwing
PASSERIFORMES: Monarchidae
Black-naped Monarch
Indian Paradise-flycatcher
GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae
Black Francolin
Common Quail
Grey Francolin
Indian Peafowl
Jungle Bush Quail
Red Junglefowl
Swamp Francolin
CORACIIFORMES: Coraciidae
Indian Roller
CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae
Common Kingfisher
Pied Kingfisher
Stork-billed Kingfisher
White-throated Kingfisher
CORACIIFORMES: Meropidae
Blue-bearded Bee-eater
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Blue-tailed Bee-eater
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater
Green Bee-eater
PSITTACIFORMES: Psittaculidae
Alexandrine Parakeet
Plum-headed Parakeet
Red-breasted Parakeet
Rose-ringed Parakeet
PASSERIFORMES: Laniidae
Bay-backed Shrike
Great Grey Shrike
Long-tailed Shrike
ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae
Asian Pygmy Goose
Bar-headed Goose
Comb Duck
Common Pochard
Common Teal
Eurasian Wigeon
Falcated Duck
Ferruginous Duck
Fulvous Whistling Duck
Gadwall
Garganey
Greylag Goose
Indian Spot-billed Duck
Lesser Whistling Duck
Mallard
Marbled Teal
Northern Pintail
Northern Shoveler
Red-crested Pochard
Ruddy Shelduck
Tufted Duck
PASSERIFORMES: Campephagidae
Black-headed Cuckooshrike
Large Cuckooshrike
Long-tailed Minivet
Scarlet Minivet
Short-billed Minivet
Small Minivet
PELECANIFORMES: Ciconiidae
Asian Openbill
Black Stork
Black-necked Stork
European White Stork
Lesser Adjutant
Painted Stork
Woolly-necked Stork
PASSERIFORMES: Pittidae
Indian Pitta
PASSERIFORMES: Vangidae
Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike
Common Woodshrike
PASSERIFORMES: Aegithinidae
Common Iora
PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae
Black-hooded Oriole
Indian Golden Oriole
Maroon Oriole
PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae
Crimson Sunbird
Purple Sunbird
PASSERIFORMES: Rhipiduridae
White-browed Fantail
White-throated Fantail
PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae
Ashy Drongo
Black Drongo
Crow-billed Drongo
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo
Hair-crested Drongo
Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo
White-bellied Drongo
PASSERIFORMES: Dicaeidae
Pale-billed Flowerpecker
Thick-billed Flowerpecker
PASSERIFORMES: Irenidae
Golden-fronted Leafbird
Orange-bellied Leafbird
PASSERIFORMES: Ploceidae
Baya Weaver
Black-breasted Weaver
Streaked Weaver
PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae
House Crow
Large-billed Crow
Rufous Treepie
PASSERIFORMES: Estrildidae
Black-headed Munia
Red Avadavat
Scaly-breasted Munia
PASSERIFORMES: Fringillidae
Common Rosefinch
PASSERIFORMES: Emberizidae
Black-headed Bunting
Chestnut-eared Bunting
Crested Bunting
White-capped Bunting
Yellow-breasted Bunting
PASSERIFORMES: Stenostiridae
Fairy-fantail
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher
PASSERIFORMES: Paridae
Cinereous Tit
Fire-capped Tit
PASSERIFORMES: Cisticolidae
Ashy Prinia
Common Tailorbird
Golden-headed Cisticola
Grey-breasted Prinia
Grey-crowned Prinia
Jungle Prinia
Plain Prinia
Yellow-bellied Prinia
Zitting Cisticola
PASSERIFORMES: Locustellidae
Grasshopper Warbler
Striated Grassbird
PASSERIFORMES: Acrocephalidae
Blyth’s Reed Warbler
Clamorous Reed Warbler
Paddyfield Warbler
PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae
Barn Swallow
Northern House Martin
Pale Martin
Plain Martin
Red-rumped Swallow
Sand Martin
Wire-tailed Swallow
PASSERIFORMES: Zosteropidae
Chestnut-capped Babbler
Oriental White-eye
PASSERIFORMES: Timaliidae
Striped Tit Babbler
Tawny-bellied Babbler
PASSERIFORMES: Pellorneidae
Puff-throated Babbler
Rufous-rumped Grass Babbler
PASSERIFORMES: Scotocercidae
Aberrant Bush Warbler
Grey-bellied Tesia
Grey-sided Bush Warbler
Pale-footed Bush Warbler
PASSERIFORMES: Sylviidae
Yellow-eyed Babbler
PASSERIFORMES: Leiothrichidae
Jungle Babbler
Large Grey Babbler
Scrub Babbler
Striated Babbler
PASSERIFORMES: Certhiidae
Bar-tailed Treecreeper
PASSERIFORMES: Sittidae
Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch
PELECANIFORMES: Pelecanidae
Great White Pelican
Spot-billed Pelican
PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae
Asian Pied Starling
Bank Myna
Brahminy Starling
Chestnut-tailed Starling
Common Myna
Jungle Myna
PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae
Asian Verditer Flycatcher
Black Redstart
Blue Rock Thrush
Blue Whistling Thrush
Bluethroat
Brown Rock Chat
Eastern Stonechat
Grey Bush Chat
Indian Robin
Little Pied Flycatcher
Oriental Magpie Robin
Pied Bush Chat
Plumbeous Water Redstart
Red-breasted Flycatcher
Rufous-gorgetted Flycatcher
Siberian Rubythroat
Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher
Ultramarine Flycatcher
White-capped Water Redstart
White-rumped Shama
White-tailed Rubythroat
White-tailed Stonechat
PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae
Grey-winged Blackbird
Indian Blackbird
Orange-headed Thrush
Red-throated Thrush
PELECANIFORMES: Ardeidae
Black Bittern
Black-crowned Night Heron
Cattle Egret
Cinnamon Bittern
Great Egret
Grey Heron
Indian Pond Heron
Intermediate Egret
Little Egret
Purple Heron
Striated Heron
Yellow Bittern
FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae
Common Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Red-necked Falcon
ACCIPITRIFORMES: Accipitridae
Black Eagle
Black Kite
Black-winged Kite
Bonelli’s Eagle
Booted Eagle
Brahminy Kite
Changeable Hawk Eagle
Crested Serpent Eagle
Egyptian Vulture
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Greater Spotted Eagle
Grey-headed Fish Eagle
Griffon Vulture
Hen Harrier
Indian Spotted Eagle
Indian Vulture
Lesser Fish Eagle
Lesser Spotted Eagle
Oriental Honey Buzzard
Pallas’s Fish Eagle
Pallid Harrier
Pied Harrier
Red-headed Vulture
Shikra
Short-toed Eagle
Steppe Eagle
Tawny Eagle
Western Marsh Harrier
White-eyed Buzzard
White-rumped Vulture
White-tailed Sea Eagle
PASSERIFORMES: Phylloscopidae
Blyth’s Leaf Warbler
Common Chiffchaff
Golden-spectacled Leaf Warbler
Greenish Leaf Warbler
Hume’s Leaf Warbler
Tickell’s Leaf Warbler
Western Crowned Leaf Warbler
Yellow-vented Leaf Warbler
CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae
Black-tailed Godwit
Common Greenshank
Common Redshank
Common Sandpiper
Common Snipe
Green Sandpiper
Jack Snipe
Little Stint
Marsh Sandpiper
Red-necked Phalarope
Ruff
Spotted Redshank
Temminck’s Stint
Terek Sandpiper
Wood Sandpiper
Conclusion
You can use this handy guide on bird watching in Dudhwa National Park for a successful birding trip. You will be rewarded with many wonderful sightings of common and exotic birds in Dudhwa Tiger reserve if you visit during winter months. Do carry telephoto lens for close up shots of birds. Hiring a local guide for birding will help you have a better experience.
The view from my Soul Window is chirpy!
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