 The most colourful of all is India's National Bird - the Indian Peafowl - symbolising vanity through the ages. Equally spectacular is the Himalayan Monal - the National Bird of Nepal - sometimes called 'the bird of nine colours', a hardy bird that can be seen in the Himalayan Belt at heights of up to 4,500m. Sporting a dazzling yellow are the Orioles, Weavers and the Sunbirds. For the blues and purples look out for the white-throated Kingfisher and the Indian Roller - both stunning in flight. Among moist reeds and grasses in many parts of India is found the Red Munia. Among the reds is also the Scarlet Minivet - found mainly in the Indian hills. The male of this species is spectacular.
Colour isn't the only interesting aspect of birds, many sober coloured birds are equally fascinating and lure us in into their fascinating world.
The Keoladao Ghana National Park - near Delhi- is home to many local as well as migrant birds, among them the Siberian Crane. Also near Delhi is the Sultanpur bird sanctuary. In North India - foothills of the Himalayas as well as the upper regions abound in birds.
The National Parks are rich in birdlife - especially Kaziranga. Of the more than 490 species of birds found in Kaziranga, some are Swamp Francolin, Kalij Pheasant, Emerald Dove. Though walking inside the park is prohibited it is possible to walk in the nearby reserve forest of Panbadi for woodland birds such as Black-rumped Shama, Plum-headed Parakeet, Red-throated Flycatcher. More birding in Hatikhuli Tea Estate, other tea gardens and the surrounding woodlands. |
Still in East India, visit the Nameri National Park. Nearly 400 species of birds can be seen here, the highlights being the Wreathed Hornbill, White Winged Wood Duck, Long-billed Plover and Ibisbill. Not to be missed is the Namdhapa National park - the only National Park in the world where the four big cats - tiger, leopard, snow
