Winter Wings: Top 10 Indian Bird Sanctuaries To Visit This Winter

OT Staff & Waquar Habib

Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan

UNESCO World Heritage site in Bharatpur hosting over 370 bird species. Siberian cranes, bar-headed geese, Eurasian wigeons arrive from November through February for migration.

A group of great white pelican (one of the largest migratory bird species) on an island at Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur in Rajasthan | Shutterstock

Chilika Lake Bird Sanctuary, Odisha

Asia’s largest brackish lagoon attracts over 900,000 migratory birds annually, including flamingos and herons. Best birdwatching occurs from November to February.

A migratory bird at Chilika Lake, Odisha | Keya Arati/Flickr

Sultanpur National Park, Haryana

About 45 km from Delhi, it offers sightings of flamingos, rosy pelicans, and cranes. Over 250 species appear between October and February.

An egret flies in Sultanpur National Park | Shutterstock

Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat

A massive wetland near Ahmedabad hosting flamingos, pelicans and coots. Migratory numbers peak in winter from October through December.

Birds at Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary | nalsarovar_bird_sanctuary/instagram

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka

Set along the Kaveri River, this sanctuary welcomes painted storks, pelicans and spoonbills from November to March with scenic boat rides.

Birds at Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary | noorphotography_62/instagram

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu

India’s oldest waterbird sanctuary. Winter visitors include ibises, herons and ducks arriving from late October, peaking through December.

Birds inside Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu | balasubramaniangv/instagram

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Kerala

Located on Vembanad Lake, it hosts egrets, cormorants and migratory waterbirds. October through February offers serene houseboat cruises with avian displays.

A view of Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Kerala | missiontraveltours/instagram

Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Delhi/Noida

Urban wetland on the Yamuna River border. October sees early migrants; full winter flocks arrive November-December. Spot ducks, waders, and passerines.

The front end of Okhla Bird Sanctuary | ashuvlog_m/instagram

Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh

Home to many migratory storks, ibis and herons between October and March. Deep freshwater lake habitats support wintering waterbirds.

Inside Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary | neelimabn/instagram

Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary, Kerala

Small mangrove wetland in Kochi hosting approximately 70 resident species. Migrants increase as early as October, continuing through winter.

Inside Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary, Kerala | sathyasaaii_surada/instagram

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A shot of a Cheer pheasant in its habitat | methra_manjunath/instagram
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