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The state of Rajasthan has more than 40 million people and is the largest state in India. Its area is over 34 million hectares; 11% of all India. Its ecosystems face several problems; desertification, deforestation, land degradation, and ravine formation etc. Increasing numbers of people and cattle means increasing pressure on natural resources, often causing conflict between local communities and protection agencies. There is a marked difference in the physiographic features of the state. The Aravallis, one of the oldest mountain systems, divides the state into two unequal parts. A vast expanse of arid and semi-arid tract lies to their west. To the east are fertile fields and stretches of the Vindhyan hill system. The official claim for total forest cover in this desert state is 7-9%. The three National Parks cover 919 sq. km area, 22 Sanctuaries represent 8,389 sq. km, while the Closed Areas (where hunting is prohibited) have an area of 14,865.17 sq. km. The physio-graphy of Rajasthan is the product of long years of erosion and depositional processes. Three major ecosystems can be identified here. The Western Desert Region The Aravalli Hills The Eastern Plains Avifauna Sambhar lake, another Ramsar Site is located west of Jaipur. About 80 species of birds can be sighted here during winter season. It is a haven for waders, flamingos and some ducks. Ranthambhor Tiger Reserve, and Sariska Tiger Reserve, are the other two national parks in Rajasthan. Each has nearly 250 species of birds besides some spectacular mammals in their wilderness, Ranthambhor being noted as a nursery for tigers. Rare Species Common Birds |
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Keoladeo Ghana National Park
WebsiteSatellite View;
The Keoladeo Ghana National Park is one of the best sites in the world for observing large poulations of migratory waterfowl. Migratory waders also arrive in large numbers and the shanks, sandpipers and stints are not hard to find. Three species of cranes (including the endangered Siberian Crane) visit the India wetlands in the winter months, as do several types of stork, herons, egrets and plovers. The two species of jacana - the Bronzewinged and Pheasant-tailed are common residents. [When the monsoon fails there is very little wetland but efforts are made to keep the birds by pumping out groundwater; which was the case during my visit in Spring 2003 - Fatbirder]
Main Birding Areas
The main birding areas are: Keoladeo National Park, Ranthambhor National Park, Sariska Tiger Reserve, Desert National Park, Bund Baretha (Bharatpur); Talab-i-Shahi (Dholpur); Talchhapar Sanctuary (Churu); Sambhar lake and adjoining water bodies (Jaipur); Man Sagar lake (Jaipur); Raj Samand (Rajnagar); Fateh Sagar and Pichhola (Udaipur); Sardar Samand (Jodhpur/Pali); Mt. Abu (Sirohi); Kumbhalgarh (Rajnagar); and numerous grassland habitats, water bodies and river banks. Some of these birding spots are quite close to prominent cities like Jhalana, Arboratem, and Man Sagar (Jaipur); Ana Sagar (Ajmer); Fateh Sagar (Udaipur) etc. It is common to come across 25-35 species within an hour at any place in the state. The desert offers remarkable sights for birds of prey which dot the telephone wires along the road.Harsh Vardhan
(Jaipur)
giisj_jp1@sancharnet.in
* Field Guides & Bird Song
For a comprehensive list of recommended titles covering India as a whole - please see the main India page of FatbirderBirds of Northern India
by Richard Grimmett and Tim Inskipp Helm Field Guides 2003 RRP ?19.99pSee Fatbirder Review
ISBN: 0713651679
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan
B Gopal - Series: RAMSAR SITES IN INDIA 37 pages, col illus, fold-out map. World Wide Fund for Nature IndiaISBN: 53884
Buy this book from NHBS.com
State Bird
Great Indian Bustard Choriotis nigriceps
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
WebsiteSatellite View;
Keoladeo Ghana National Park, one of the most spectacular bird sanctuaries in India, nesting indigenous water- birds as well as migratory water birds and water side birds. It is also inhabited by sambar, chital, nilgai and boar. More than 300 species of birds are found in this small park of 29 sq. km. of which 11 sq. km. are marshes and the rest scrubland and grassland. Keoladeo, the name derives from an ancient Hindu temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, which stands at the centre of the park. Ghana means dense, referring to the thick forest, which used to cover the area. While many of India's parks have been developed from the hunting preserves of princely India, Keoladeo Ghana is perhaps the only case where the habitat has been created by a maharaja. In earlier times, Bharatpur town used to be flooded regularly every monsoon. In 1760, an earthern dam (Ajan Dam) was constructed, to save the town, from this annual vagary of nature.
Desert National Park
WebsiteSatellite View
The Desert National Park is situated in the west Indian state of Rajasthan near Jaisalmer. This is one of the largest national parks, covering an area of 3,100sq. km. The desert sanctuary being a fragile ecosystem has its own flora and fauna. Birdlife in this sandy habitat is vivid & spectacular. The great Indian bustard is another magnificent bird found in relatively fair numbers. It migrates locally in different seasons. The region is a haven for migratory and resident birds of the desert. One can see many eagles, harriers, falcons, buzzards, kestrel and vultures. Short- toed eagles, tawny eagles, spotted eagles, lagger falcons and kestrels are the commonest of these. Sandgrouse are spotted near small ponds or lakes. Sea shells and massive fossilized tree trunks in this park record the geological history of the desert.
Dudhwa National Park
WebsiteSatellite View
This tiger reserve is located in the Terai bordering Nepal. The park covers 498.29 sq. km. and has fine sal forests and extensive grasslands. The tall coarse grass, swampy depressions and lakes characterise the wetlands of the Park. these are the habitat of large numbers of barasingha, the magnificent swamp deer. These in turn support the predators - the tiger and leopard.
Keoladeo Ghana National Park
WebsiteSatellite View;
The park is now home to more than 370 species of birds...
Keoladeo Ghana National Park
WebsiteSatellite View;
This former duck-hunting reserve of the Maharajas remains one of the major wintering areas for large numbers of aquatic birds from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, China and Siberia. Some 364 species of birds, including the rare Siberian crane, have been recorded in the Park.
National Chambal Sanctuary
WebsiteSatellite View
This stretch of the river passes through Agra and Etawah districts of Uttar Pradesh, Morina & Bhind districts of Madhya Pradesh, and Kota, Sawaimadhopur, and Dholpur districts of Rajasthan. The river forms a natural state boundary between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The Chambal Safari accesses the Sanctuary from Uttar Pradesh, at Nalgaon in Agra district...
Ranthambhor National Park
WebsiteSatellite View;
Ranthambore National Park is one of the biggest and most renowned national park in Northern India. The park is located in the Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan, which is about 130 km from Jaipur. Being considered as one of the famous and former hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur, today the Ranthambore National Park terrain is major wildlife tourist attraction spot that has pulled the attention of many wildlife photographers and lovers in this destination....
Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve
WebsiteSatellite View;
Ranthambhore is also very rich in bird life with around 300 species of birds. Infact for a keen bird-watcher Ranthambhore and the surrounding area is paradise. Some of the more interesting resident species of birds are large Comorant, Painted Spurfowl, Sarus Crane, Bronze winged Jacana, Sandpiper (5 species); Kingfisher(4 species); Nightjar (2 species); Painted Sandgrouse, Great Horned Owl, Brown Fish Owl and the Bluejay (or Indian roller). Birds like Greylag geese, Bar headed geese, Painted stork, Brahminy duck, Gadwall, Mallard, Tawny Eagle, Greater and Lesser Eagle, the very rare Black Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Osprey, Flamingoes and many more are regular winter migrants which come from their nesting grounds north of Himalayas to Ranthambhore and surrounding areas.
Sambhar Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
WebsiteSatellite View
Sambhar Lake is the biggest saline lake of India, 190 sq-KMS in size at complete capability and set about 60 KMS western side of Jaipur, merely exterior prosaically called as Salt Lake City. This huge area of hostile salty is on standard only 0.6 cm deep and in no way over 3 m yet the monsoon is just finished. Sambhar Lake extends in length approximately 22.5 KMS, the width of the Sambar defers somewhere 3 to 11 KMS. Numerous seasonal streams of the freshwater, 02 of the main are Mendha River and Rupangarh River which feed Sambar Lake...
Sariska National Park
WebsiteSatellite View
Sariska is located in the sharp cliffs of hills and narrow valleys of the Aravallis some 200km from Delhi. The forests are dry and deciduous. Within the sanctuary there are the ruins of medieval buildings. There is a 17th century castle on a sharp hilltop at Kankwari, which provides a panoramic view of flying Egyptian vultures and eagles...
Sariska Tiger Reserve
WebsiteSatellite View
The reserve supports over 100 species of avifauna and has the largest population of peafowl in the entire country. Leopards, Caracals, Sambar, Nilgai, Chital, Wild boar are also found here. A rare feature of the fauna is the four horned antelope.
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2001 [January] - Bill & Doreen Stair
ReportBharatpur is indeed, as Wheatley says, a birdwatcher's paradise. In fact we had so much fun birding there that our notes suffered, and what follows is condensed for reasons of time. One day I hope to get around to uploading more extensive notes...
2001 [January] - Stephen Mawby
Reportmore a list than a report...
2002 [January] - Simon Woolley - Northern India
ReportWe left Ranthambore and headed out across agricultural plains on the lengthy journey to Bharatpur...
2003 [March] - Fatbirder - 'Birding For All' Trip
Report...We also had Collared Scops Owl. Most took a break for lunch at the hotel while Steve located the Coursers. Some managed the walk to a dry area and they located Indian Courser and the passing Sociable Plover along with many Red-wattled and White-tailed Plovers...
2005 [December] - Stuart White
ReportThe main aim of this trip was to see a tiger, which luckily we did. Also to look for some of the harder to see species of birds in Rajasthan...
2005 [February] - Jerzy Dyczkowski
ReportThe respectable total of 445 bird species includes Great Indian Bustard, Houbara Bustard, White-naped Tit, Grey Hypocolius, Stoliczka’s Bushchat, Syke’s Nightjar, Grey-headed and Sociable Lapwing, Indian Skimmer, Black-bellied Tern, Scarlet Finch, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Koklass Pheasant, Hodgon’s Bushchat and Tawny Fish Owl...
2006 [January] - Paul Bamford & Amano Tracy
ReportThe primary purpose of the trip was to visit the Desert National Park (DNP) near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. We hired a car and driver for 12 days to cover the 3,000km round trip from Delhi to Jaisalmer, stopping off at Samode, Tal-Chhapar, Gajner and Kheechan on the way...
2008 [February] - Bill Blake
ReportArriving in Bharatpur, we stopped for some birding along a rather dry canal. Our target species here was Greater Painted-snipe and we all had excellent views of three birds here plus Black-winged Stilt, Common Redshank, Common Greenshank, Marsh, Green, Wood and Common Sandpipers, two Temminck’s Stints, Common Snipe and Ruff...
2009 [December] - Ian Merrill - Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra
ReportOur 2009 North West India trip was largely inspired by the travels of our good friends Rob Hutchinson and James Eaton (www.birdtourasia.com), who had followed a similar route the previous winter. The main constraint of our trip was the two-week window of travel time available, which meant that we could not follow Rob and James’ full circuit; this is where the logistical planning became interesting, in deciding which of the mouth-watering selection of birds and mammals we could afford to omit....
This section sponsored by:
All India Birding Tours
Tour OperatorYour Birding itinerary depends upon your interests, the duration of the planned trip, and other matters such as your budget...
Anytime Tours - 12-Days Birding in Rajasthan
Tour OperatorThis tour is designed for bird watchers interested in species of the desert areas such as Indian Bustard, Cream-coloured Courser, White-naped Tit and very large congregation of birds in different habitats. Optional stops: Tal Chappar for Yellow-eyed Pigeon, Bharatpur, Ranthambhor, Chambal, Agra. The best time to bird here is between November & March...
Anytime Tours - 14 Days Birding North India
TourCorbett National Park, Pangot (Nainital), Sat Tal, Chambal, Bharatpur, Ranthambhor NP - This tour is designed for fast pace birding in northern region of India. This has proven to be an extremely productive tour. This tour can be customized. Best time: November to April...
Birding Pal
InformationLocal birders willing to show visiting birders around their area...
Jungle Lore
Tour OperatorOur tours will appeal to the serious birder as well as to the beginner or intermediate bird watcher and some are suitable for the non-birding spouse. A spectacular variety of Himalayan birds and wildlife is spotted in some of these most exotic locales. The itinerary focuses on the Central Himalayas at Binsar, Nainital, Betalghat and Corbett National Park.
Rajasthan Wildlife Tours
Tour OperatorSome of the migratory birds flocking into this region during winters are - common crane, ducks, coots, pelicans and the rare Siberian cranes, imperial sand grouse, falcons, buzzards...
Birders Inn
AccommodationLocated a mere stones throw from the entrance to the Keoladeo National Park, The Birder`s Inn is a quiet, peaceful haven for visitors to the area. Offering gracious hospitality and comfortable lodgings, the Inn is run by an avid birder and naturalist of considerabe repute, who grew up in the area and still makes his home there. The beautiful little lodge is the ideal place for the keen bird-watcher, offering the very best services in terms of naturalists and guides to share their experience and insight to make visits to the Park truly worthwhile. The Inn hosts ten well-appointed rooms with all the modern comforts one would expect, including air-conditioning and hot and cold running water. birders_inn@hotmail.com
Laxmi Vilas Palace - Keoladeo Ghana National Park
AccommodationAt the Laxmi Vilas Palace, heritage hospitality goes beyond the narrow parameters of well appointed rooms, period décor, antique furniture and the best of creature comforts. Our style is equally distinguished by homely warmth, personnel involvement and unfailing attention to various intangibles that define the rich and varied heritage of Rajasthan in general and Bharatpur in particular.
Tiger Den Resort - Ranthambhor National Park
AccommodationTiger Den Resort is a mile from Ranthambhore National Park. Cottages with gently sloped roofs give you all the modern amenities you need.
Udai Bilas Palace - Dungarpur
AccommodationNearly 200 specices of birds have been sighted in Durgarpur. See listing on the website. Nestled in idyllic splendour, with the blue waters of Gaibsagar lake on one side and a cove of private reserve forest on the other, Udai Bilas Palace is the embodiment of the old world charm of princely India. It offers a scenic location for rest and recreation. This is an ideal paradise of unhurried hospitality from where to explore birdlife and tribal life.
delhiBird
Mailing ListMailing Group – Discussion Group a group of nature lovers who meet at different locales for birding in Delhi.
RajNat - Rajasthan Naturalists
Mailing ListTo post to list:rajnat@yahoogroups.com
List contact:rajnat-owner@yahoogroups.com
To subscribe to list:rajnat-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
This group covers natural history (including birds) of Rajasthan...
delhibird - The Northern India Bird Network
WebsiteSite guide, recent sightings, photo gallery, checklists and more...
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This site was last updated on Monday, 30th January 2012.
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