10 Rare Birds You Can Only Spot in India’s Protected Areas

OT Staff & eisha g

Himalayan Monal

This state bird of Uttarakhand is native to Himalayan forests and shrublands at elevations of 2,100–4,500 m. You will find it in the Great Himalayan National Park and the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Himalayan monal is the state bird of Uttarakhand | Shutterstock

Malabar Trogon

The Malabar trogon is found in the Western Ghats, hill forests of central India and in parts of the Eastern Ghats. Nagarahole National Park in Karnataka and Kerala’s Thattekad Bird Sanctuary are the best places to spot it.

A male Malabar trogon on a tree branch | Shutterstock

Great Indian Bustard

The critically endangered great Indian bustard lives in the dry grasslands and shrubland of the country. It can be found in the Desert National Park of Rajasthan.

The great Indian bustard is critically endangered | Shutterstock

Indian Pitta

This passerine bird inhabits scrub jungle, deciduous and dense evergreen forest. Jharkhand’s Betla National Park and Satpura National Park in Madhya Pradesh are the top places to see it.

An Indian pitta bringing food to its chicks | Shutterstock

Nilgiri Wood Pigeon

This is a large pigeon that is commonly found in the moist deciduous forests and sholas of the Western Ghats. Visit Nagarahole National Park and Eravikulam National Park in Kerala to see it in action.

The Nilgiri wood pigeon can be spotted in the Western Ghats | Shutterstock

Bugun Liocichla

This passerine bird was first spotted in the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary of Arunachal Pradesh in 1995. It is thought to be an endangered species with a restricted distribution range.

The Bugun liocichla was first spotted in Arunachal Pradesh in 1995 | Wikimedia Commons

Rufous-Necked Hornbill

This striking bird can be found in Bhutan and northeastern India. Nameri National Park in Assam and Sikkim’s Khangchendzonga National Park are the top places to see the rufous-necked hornbill.

A rufous-necked hornbill eats a piece of fruit | Shutterstock

Himalayan Flameback

This woodpecker species is found in the Indian subcontinent, spanning Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar and Nepal. According to reports, it can be spotted in Jim Corbett National Park and Nanda Devi National Park.

The Himalayan flameback is a woodpecker species | Shutterstock

Pallas’s Fish Eagle

Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this bird primarily eats large freshwater fish. Kaziranga National Park in Assam and Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand are the top places to spot it.

The Pallas's fish eagle preys on large freshwater fish | Shutterstock

Indian Peafowl

India’s national bird can be spotted all across the country, including Ranthambore National Park, the Sariska Tiger Reserve and the Viralimalai Bird Sanctuary of Tamil Nadu, among others.

A female Indian peafowl | Shutterstock

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A slaty-legged crake | skanda_sn/Instagram
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