India boasts an exotic collection of birds and various bird sanctuaries are established in different parts of the country. Irrespective of the mood of a traveler, bird sanctuaries attract almost all kinds of travelers whether it be a layman or an ornithologist. According to the statistics, India is home to almost 1200 species of birds and most of them are found only in these bird sanctuaries. Scroll down the page to check the of some popular bird sanctuaries in India which are known for boasting a thriving population of birds.
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Rajasthan
A perfect place for an avid bird lover, also called as Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is a UNESCO declared world heritage site. On your visit to this huge national park, you will come across at least 360 species of birds. Geese, Ducks, Pelicans, Cranes, Eagles, Stints, Hawks, and Wagtails are the most found birds of this sanctuary. Bharatpur bird sanctuary is also home to various wildlife including Boar, Sambar, Nilgai, and Chital. One can also spot 15 species of snakes, 50 species of fish, 7 turtle species, 7 species of aquatic animals, 5 species of lizards, and 379 floral species. Keoladeo is a beautiful region located in the Indo-Gangetic Plains and is adorned with vivid varieties of microhabitats including dikes, trees, mounds, and submerged or emergent plants. So, if you are a wildlife or a nature lover then add Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in your travel list.
Visiting Time: 8 am to 5 pm
Entrance Fee: INR 50 for Indians and INR 400 for international tourists + INR 100 if you opt for rickshaw rides.
Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary, Odisha
Reckoned as the largest underwater salt lake in Asia, Chilka Bird Sanctuary is adorned with some small islands. This brackish water lake boasts an exotic collection of fauna species and also the aquatic fauna species. Spread over a huge area, the sanctuary serves a habitat to almost 160 species of migratory birds. These birds come from a very far place like the Caspian Sea, Aral Sea, Lake Baikal, and some other remote areas of Central and Southeast Asia, some regions of Russia, Ladakh, and Himalayan ranges. One can also the salt pans and the fisheries around the shores of this underwater pond. Enjoy the beautiful sight of sunrise and sunset from this gorgeous place and collect some more beautiful memories of Odisha.
Visiting Time: 6 am to 7 pm
Entrance Fee: No need to pay any amount. Entry is completely free here.
Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Haryana
Spread over an area of approx. 1.5 km, Sultanpur is a very famous bird sanctuary that is located in the state of Haryana. This admiring bird sanctuary is home to almost 250 species of popular birds including migratory as well as resident birds. A huge number of nomadic bird species come to this place from Eastern Europe, Russia, Siberia, and Turkey during the monsoon months. Black-necked Stork, Laughing Dove Indian Roller, Red-collared Dove, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Little Egret, Red Wattled Lapwing, Common Mynah, and Rock Pigeon are the most common birds one can spot here. Winter season is the most recommendable time to plan your Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary visit as the number of bird species increases with the arrival of migratory birds.
Visiting Time: 6 am to 4:30 pm
Entrance Fee: INR 5 for Indian visitors and INR 40 for international tourists.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Kerala
Nestled on the shores of the gorgeous Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary in Kerala is spread over a huge area of land i.e. almost 14 acres. This hugely spread bird sanctuary is adorned beautifully with lush green valleys and picturesque landscapes. It is home to a wide variety of seasonal as well as migratory birds and is enlisted among top bird sanctuaries in the country. Teals, Herons, Kingfishers, Parrots, Egrets, Golden-Backed woodpeckers, Pheasant Tailed Jacanas, and Paradise Flycatchers are the common species of birds that are found here. Explore the beauty of the pristine Pathiramanal Island where all the migratory birds dwell during the winter months.
Visiting Time: 6 am to 6 pm
Entrance Fee: INR 50 for Indian tourists and INR 100 for foreign tourists.
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
Located in the Kanchipuram district, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is called as the “hamlet of hunters”. This is one of the major attractions of the state and the main reason behind its high tourism rate. According to the statistics, it boasts a total of 4,000 birds amongst which 26 species are hard to find. Besides its huge collection of bird species, it is also famous for its panoramic landscapes. Night Herons, Terns, Paddy Bird, Pintails, Cormorants, Painted Stork, White Stork, etc. are some of the most common and easily found bird species. Likewise, other bird sanctuaries the charm of Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary also gets magnified during the winter months with the arrival of migratory birds from other corners of the world.
Visiting Time: 6 am to 6 pm
Entrance Fee: INR for children and INR 25 for adult travelers.
Mayani Bird Sanctuary, Maharashtra
A wetland ecosystem established in the Vaduj region of Maharashtra, Mayani Bird Sanctuary is pretty rich in biodiversity. This local waterbody is located in the region which is quite prone to drought and due to the local water body, the region is liable for the growth of forests and the scatters forest areas. Mayani Bird Sanctuary houses almost 400 migratory birds which are mostly found during the winter months commencing from November to January. Kingfishers, Spoonbills, Painted Storks, Flamingos, Brahminy Ducks, and Kingfishers are easily found birds here.
Visiting Time: From Dusk to Dawn
Entrance Fee: No charge at Mayani Bird Sanctuary
Kutch Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary, Gujarat
One of the most famous bird sanctuaries in India, Kutch Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary is home to a wide variety of bird species. Majority of the bird species which are found here is Great Indian Bustard which is popular for its appearance. It has long legs like Ostrich and also a long-neck and Great Indian Bustard is called as a neutral-colored ground-dwelling bird species. Chinkaras, Nilgais, Jungle Cats, Desert Cats, Houbara Bustards, Macqueen’s Bustards, Florican Bustards, and eagles are the birds which are mostly found here.
Visiting Time: Dawn to Dusk
Entrance Fee: No need to pay any charge for the entry but if you hire a guide then that is chargeable.
Suggested Tour:
- Gujarat Tour Packages
- Dwarka Somnath Tour Package
- Rann Utsav Packages
- Dwarka Somnath Diu Gir Tour Package
- Statue of Unity Package
- Ahmedabad Sightseeing Package
Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat
Situated almost 60 kilometers ahead of Ahmedabad, Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary is established. Spread over a huge area of approx. 120 sq. km, Nal Sarovar is one of the largest bird sanctuaries established in India. It is a habitat to almost 200 species of birds and the number increases during the winter months as many migratory birds also come to this place and dwell. So, if you are also planning a tour to all the popular bird sanctuaries in India then select winter as your perfect time as you can spot migratory birds too. The best thing about this bird sanctuary is that it also offers its visitors with boat ride facility and horse ride is also available. Geese, Spoonbills, Flamingoes, eagles, and Pelicans are the birds that are mostly found here.
Visiting Time: 6 am to 6 pm
Entrance Fee: No entry fee but if you are opting for any ride then for that you need to pay. For example, if you are opting for the boat ride then you will have to pay 150 per head.
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Goa
One of the most frequented and popular bird sanctuaries in India, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary in Goa is easily reachable via regular ferry ride services. This famous place has been named after Salim Moizuddin Abdul Ali who was a great ornithologist. Here you don’t only witness the beauty of bird species but also various fauna species including marsh crocodile, foxes, mudskipper fish, and Jackals. Purple Herons, Woodpeckers, Drongos, Malabar Trogons, Mynahs, White Egrets, sandpipers, cormorants, and kites are the birds that are commonly found at Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.
Visiting Time: 6 am to 6 pm
Entrance Fee: INR 10 for Indian tourists and INR 100 for international tourists.
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka
Located in the Mandya district in Karnataka, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is reckoned as the largest bird sanctuary in the state which is spread over an area of almost 40 acres of land and houses almost 170 bird species. If you are looking for a destination where you can spend your Birdwatching holiday then Ranganathittu is the perfect place. It has few small islands that serve as a habitat to various small mammals including Indian Grey Mongoose, Bonnet Macaque, Common Palm Civet, the monitor lizard, and the flying fox. According to Indian statistics, Ranganathittu is home to the highest number of crocodiles and Marsh Crocodiles are also found here. Indian Shags, Streak Throated Swallows, Stork Billed Kingfishers, and Oriental Darters are the birds that are mostly found here. Besides bird species, the sanctuary is also popular for being home to various animal species.
Visiting Time: 9 am to 6 pm
Entrance Fee: INR 50 for Indian tourists and INR 300 for foreigners