Uttarakhand, located in the northern part of India, is home to a wide variety of birds due to its diverse habitats ranging from the Himalayan peaks to the plains. With over 600 recorded species, Uttarakhand attracts birders and ornithologists from across the globe. Some key facts about the birds of Uttarakhand:
- Over 600 species recorded in the state
- Home to many Himalayan endemics and near-endemics
- Important stopover site for migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway
- Key habitats include alpine meadows, temperate forests, subtropical forests, wetlands, rivers, and agricultural areas
- Some threatened species like the cheer pheasant, Satyr tragopan, and white-bellied heron occur here
The rich avifauna of the state includes pheasants, partridges, barbets, hornbills, bulbuls, thrushes, warblers, finches, buntings, and many more. Both resident and migratory species are found here.
Major Bird Habitats in Uttarakhand
The major habitats that support avian diversity in Uttarakhand include:
Alpine Meadows
The alpine meadows above the treeline in the higher Himalayas provide habitat for specialized high-altitude bird species. Some species found here are:
- Himalayan monal
- Snow partridge
- Snow pigeon
- White-winged grosbeak
- Plain mountain finch
- Yellow-billed blue magpie
Temperate Coniferous Forests
The temperate coniferous forests predominately composed of oak, pine, deodar, and rhododendron trees are home to various pheasants, laughingthrushes, nuthatches, woodpeckers, flycatchers, tits, rosefinches, and forktails. Some species found here include:
- Koklass pheasant
- Kalij pheasant
- Rufous-bellied woodpecker
- Black-throated tit
- Spotted forktail
Subtropical Broadleaf Forests
The sal and teak dominated subtropical forests support an array of bulbuls, babblers, minivets, pigeons, hornbills, barbets, and parakeets. Some notable species include:
- Asian paradise flycatcher
- Red-whiskered bulbul
- Green-billed malkoha
- Blue-bearded bee-eater
- Alexandrine parakeet
Wetlands
The rivers, lakes, and marshes of Uttarakhand provide ideal habitat for resident and migratory waterbirds. Some key wetland species are:
- River lapwing
- River tern
- Ferruginous duck
- Greylag goose
- Great cormorant
Agricultural Areas
Farmlands, orchards, and grasslands provide habitat for open-country birds like larks, pipits, wagtails, munias, and rosefinches. Species adapted to these man-modified habitats include:
- Paddyfield pipit
- Plain prinia
- Black drongo
- Red avadavat
- Indian silverbill
Endangered Birds of Uttarakhand
Some threatened and endangered birds found in Uttarakhand include:
Cheer pheasant
- IUCN status – Vulnerable
- Endemic to the western Himalayas
- Found in oak and rhododendron forests
- Less than 10,000 individuals estimated in the wild
White-bellied heron
- IUCN status – Critically Endangered
- Fewer than 250 individuals estimated globally
- Nests in forested valleys and forages in rivers
- Threatened by habitat loss and disturbance
Tibetan Snowcock
- IUCN status – Vulnerable
- Found in alpine habitats above 4,500 m
- Threatened by grazing pressure and climate change
- Globally declining population of 4,000-6,000 individuals
Seasonality and Migration
Most resident birds breed during spring and summer in Uttarakhand. The alpine species breed in summer while the forest species breed April-June after insects and fruit become abundant.
Many long-distance migratory birds from Central Asia use Uttarakhand as a stopover site along the Central Asian Flyway in spring and autumn. Some migratory species that pass through the state are:
- Ducks and geese such as the bar-headed goose, ruddy shelduck, common teal
- Waders like the black-tailed godwit, ruff, common redshank
- Raptors including the steppe eagle, pallas’s fish eagle, saker falcon
The best time to observe migratory birds in Uttarakhand is October-November in autumn, and March-April in spring. Resident breeding activity peaks April-June.
Major Birding Hotspots in Uttarakhand
Some top sites for birding in Uttarakhand include:
| Site | Key Species |
|---|---|
| Asan Barrage Waterbird Reserve | River tern, great cormorant, sarus crane |
| Bakhira Tal | Brown-headed gull, great crested grebe, red-necked grebe |
| Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary | Mountain hawk eagle, lammergeier, koklass pheasant |
| Chaurangikhal | Cheer pheasant, kalij pheasant, white-throated laughingthrush |
| Corbett National Park | Great hornbill, pallas’s fish eagle, crested kingfisher |
Prominent Bird Species in Uttarakhand
Resident Birds
- Koklass pheasant – Found in oak forests, makes loud chuckling call
- White-crested laughingthrush – Loud ringing calls in mountain forests
- Lammergeier – Large endangered vulture with diamond-shaped tail
- Great hornbill – State bird of Uttarakhand, has large yellow beak
- Black francolin – Commonly heard calling “koree-kikkor” in agricultural areas
Migratory Birds
- Black-tailed godwit – Wader seen near wetlands on migration
- Osprey – Fish-eating raptor often seen near rivers in winter
- Pallas’s gull – Heavily streaked gull visiting lakes in winter
- Common crane – Tall grey crane in large flocks near wetlands
- Red-breasted flycatcher – Brightly-colored small passerine in forests
Endangered Birds
- Cheer pheasant – Endemic and threatened pheasant seen in west Himalayas
- White-bellied heron – World’s rarest heron, found along forest streams
- Oriental white-backed vulture – Critically endangered vulture now very rare
- White-rumped vulture – Small vulture suffering severe decline across India
- Bengal florican – Critically endangered bustard, now localized in India
Threats and Conservation
Some major threats to birds in Uttarakhand include:
- Habitat loss due to agriculture, dams, unsustainable development
- Increased disturbance in natural areas from tourism and pilgrimages
- Climate change impacting alpine species and migratory birds
- Poaching and hunting especially of pheasants
- Decline in prey populations affecting predatory birds
Key conservation actions needed:
- Protection of remaining old-growth forests in the state
- Monitoring of threatened species and their habitats
- Regulating tourism activities near sensitive bird areas
- Raising awareness on vultures and limiting diclofenac use
- Community-based conservation programs for alleviating poverty
The rich diversity of birds in Uttarakhand needs protected areas as well as landscape-level approaches to conservation outside protected areas. Strengthening local community stewardship of birds and their habitats is also vital for the long-term preservation of birds in the region.
Conclusion
Uttarakhand is a birding hotspot, hosting over 600 species across various habitats ranging from alpine meadows to subtropical forests. The state harbors several Himalayan endemics as well as endangered species, but expanding threats require stronger conservation action. Community support and sustainable ecotourism can aid conservation efforts by generating livelihoods for locals. Protection of remaining old-growth forests and building ecological awareness is also crucial for the survival of Uttarakhand’s exceptional birds. With targeted conservation measures, the amazing avifauna of the region can be preserved for future generations.
