Bird-watching around the Kathmandu Valley
Written by Vimal Thapa.

About the Writer: Vimal is an Avid Bird and Nature lover. Vimal has been a passionate Naturalist since 1988. He is also an Executive Member of the Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN)

Birds are one of the greatest gifts of nature that Earth abounds with. Birds are one of the unique lives on Earth due to their wings and ability to fly anywhere. Birds have been associated with humans since immemorial, and their presence around us creates a lively environment.

Nepal is blessed with abundant birdlife with 884 species (Inskipp-Birds of Nepal), some 9% of the world. These beautiful birds mainly include resident and migratory species, among which many are globally threatened, nationally threatened, severely endangered, and passage migratory species. In addition, Nepal has nine species of birds that are strictly under the protection law of the country. Danphe or Himalayan Monal (National bird of Nepal), Satyr Tragopan, Chir Pheasant, Sarus Crane, Great Hornbill, Black Stork, White Stork, Bengal Florican, and Lesser Florican.

Bird watching is becoming a favourite hobby in Nepal for pleasure, recreation, research study, nature exploration, etc. It is also economically beneficial as local and international birders and ornithologists travel to Nepal to watch this area’s birds.

Kathmandu valley also unbelievably has a rich bird diversity of about 500 species. Bird watching can be done in greenery, garden, farmland, open area, or forest and hillside. Among many bird-watching sites, Godawari, Phulchowki, Shivapuri-Nagarjun national parks, Machhegaun, and Tau Dah are some of the best bird-watching areas in the valley. Some common and uncommon species of birds recorded in the valley are- Barbets, Warblers, Babblers, Flycatchers, Laughing thrushes, Tits, Magpie and Treepies, Swallows and Swifts, Ducks and Waders, Raptors, Finches and Spiny Babbler Turdoides Nipalensis only endemic species of birds.

Bird Conservation Nepal, one of the leading bird conservation and information authorities in Nepal with authentic bird records and related data, helps in nature and bird education and preservation.

Bird Conservation and FoB (Friends of bird) organise weekend birding tours in the valley that anyone can join and benefit from. All you need is your keen interest in nature to see and appreciate birds in their natural habitat. A pair of binoculars, a notebook, and Birds of Nepal book are the basics you need to carry.

Check out our Trekking packages for Nepal, Bhutan, India, and Tibet.