Nepal has over 800 species of birds, which are about 8% of the world's recorded bird species. Nepal is endowed with different climatic zones within a span of 200 kilometers.
In Nepal, right from tropical Terai region, through, foothills, lower himalayas and Great himalayan ranges one can come across subtropical zones, temperate zones, cold zones, subarctic-like zones and arctic-like zones. The birds of Nepal also have great diversity in having evolved or adapted to the climatic requirements.
Nineteen species of birds in Nepal are near threatened and 15 species are in the category of restricted range. There are many wintering species and also migratory birds breeding in Nepal or passing over the country. Nepal offers many bird watching spots for the tourists, trekkers and climbers.
The Shivapuri Watershed and Wildlife Reserve, Nagarjun Royal Forest on Jamacho hill, banks of the Manohara river, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Chitwan National Park, Langtang trekking region, Solu Khumbu trekking region and Annapurna trekking region are some of bird watching spots in Nepal.
The spiny babbler (Turdoides nipalensis) belonging to the Leiothrichidae family, is found only in Nepal.
Nepal pictures - Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus)
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1.Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus)
Picture: en.wikipedia.org/H005/public domain |
The Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus) is also known as danphe. The Himalayan monals belong to the pheasant family, Phasianidae. The Himalayan monal is the national bird of Nepal. The Himalayan monal are large birds weighing above two kg. The natural distribution of the Himalayan monal extends from Afghanistan in the west to Myanmar in the east along the Himalayas. It prefers the temperate regions of the mountains and is found in altitudes between 2700 and 3700 meters.
Great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus)
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2.great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus)
Picture: en.wikipedia.org/JJ Harrison/CC BY-SA 3.0 |
The great crested grebes (Podiceps cristatus) belong to the order Podicipediformes and family Podicipedidae. They are small to medium sized birds, seen diving in freshwater bodies. Though there are twenty species of grebes, only three species are found to occur in Nepal. The great crested grebes are the largest of the grebes. The great crested grebes are distributed throughout Europe and Asia.
Nepal pictures - Spot-billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis)
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3.Spot-billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis)
Picture: en.wikipedia.org/Ezhuttukari/CC BY-SA 3.0 |
The spot-billed pelicans (Pelecanus philippensis) also known as grey pelicans belong to the order Pelecaniformes and family Pelecanidae. Of the eight species found worldwide only two pelican species are found in Nepal. Spot-billed pelicans are large water birds, having a pouch under their beak and webbed feet. The spot-billed pelicans are distributed throughout Asia, including Nepal and Indonesia.
Purple heron (Ardea purpurea)
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4.Purple heron (Ardea purpurea)
Picture: en.wikipedia.org/Yathin S Krishnappa/CC BY-SA 3.0 |
The purple herons (Ardea purpurea) belong to the order Ciconiiformes and family Ardeidae. Of the 61 species belonging to the Ardeidae family, 16 species are found to occur in Nepal. The purple herons are large wading birds having long necks and legs. A typical characteristic of the Ardeidae family is that in flight the birds keep their neck retracted. The subspecies, Ardea purpurea manilensis are distributed throughout Southern Asia, including Pakistan, Nepal, Philippines and Indonesia.
Nepal pictures - Painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala)
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5.painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala)
Picture: en.wikipedia.org/JJ Harrison/CC BY-SA 3.0 |
The painted storks (Mycteria leucocephala) belong to the order Ciconiiformes and family Ciconiidae. Of the 19 species of Ciconiidae family worldwide, 8 species occur in Nepal. The painted storks are large wading birds found in the wetlands of Asia and Southeastern Asia including Nepal. The painted storks are not migratory and fly between local water bodies. They have distinctive wing patterns and have pink tertial feathers.
Glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
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6.glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
Picture: en.wikipedia.org/Debivort/CC-BY-SA-2.5 |
The glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) belong to the order Ciconiiformes and family Threskiornithidae. Of the 36 species of Threskiornithidae family worldwide, only four species are known to occur in Nepal. The glossy ibis are large wading birds and strong fliers. The glossy ibis are
distributed throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and Americas. The glossy ibis nest on tall reeds, grasses, low trees or bushes in the wetlands and marshes.
Nepal pictures - Red-crested pochard (Netta rufina)
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7.red-crested pochard (Netta rufina)
Picture: en.wikipedia.org/DAVID ILIFF/CC-BY-SA 3.0 |
The red-crested pochards (Netta rufina) belong to the order Anseriformes and family Anatidae. Worldwide there are 131 species in the Anatidae family and Nepal has 34 species. The red-crested pochards are large diving birds found in marshes and wetlands. The red-crested pochards are distributed throughout southern Europe, Central Asia and Indian Subcontinent. The male red-crested pochards have distinctive rounded orange head, red bill and black breast.
Brahminy kite (Haliastur indus)
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8.brahminy kite (Haliastur indus)
Picture: en.wikipedia.org/Challiyil Eswaramangalath Vipin/CC BY-SA 2.0 |
The brahminy kites (Haliastur indus) belong to the order Falconiformes and family Accipitridae. Worldwide Accipitridae family has 233 species and 50 species of them are found in Nepal. The brahminy kite also known as the red-backed sea-eagle. They are medium sized birds of prey distributed in Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Australia. They are found near coasts and inland water bodies feeding on fish and other small prey.
Nepal pictures - Sarus crane (Grus antigone)
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9.sarus crane (Grus antigone)
Picture: Luc Viatour/www.Lucnix.be/CC BY-SA 3.0 |
The sarus cranes (Grus antigone) belong to the order Gruiformes and family Gruidae. Worldwide Gruidae family comprises of 15 species and four of the species are found in Nepal. The sarus cranes are large non-migratory cranes, usually found near wetlands and marshes. The sarus cranes are the tallest of the flying birds. The sarus cranes are distributed in Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Australia.
Long-tailed broadbill (Psarisomus dalhousiae)
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10.long-tailed broadbill (Psarisomus dalhousiae)
Picture: en.wikipedia.org/JJ Harrison/CC BY-SA 3.0 |
The long-tailed broadbills (Psarisomus dalhousiae) belong to the order Passeriformes and family Eurylaimidae. There are 15 species in the family Eurylaimidae and only two species are present in Nepal.
The long-tailed broadbills are found in the Himalayas. They are small birds with long tail. The long-tailed broadbills inhabit the forests in Himalayas and feed on insects.
8.Picture source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Brahminy_kite.jpg
Current topic in Holiday travel and tourism blog: Pictures of birds of Nepal.
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