India is home to over 1300 species of birds that thrive in the widely diverse habitats of the country. It is one of the 17 megadiverse nations, with 21.71% of the country covered in forests.
The national bird of India is the Indian peafowl, the male of which is one of the most beautiful birds in the world.
List of Common Birds Found in India
Birds of Prey
Himalayan Griffon
Indian Spotted Eagle
Indian Vulture
Oriental Honey-buzzard
White-rumped Vulture
Waterbirds
Indian Cormorant
Indian Darter
Indian Pond-heron
Indian Spot-billed Duck
Little Egret
Sarus Crane
Hill Birds
Himalayan Bulbul
Himalayan Monal
Koklass Pheasant
Long-tailed Broadbill
Rufous-bellied Niltava
Jungle Birds
Asian Fairy-bluebird
Indian Paradise-flycatcher
Indian Peafowl
Indian Pitta
Malabar Trogon
Orange-headed Thrush
Grassland Birds
Indian Bushlark
Indian Courser
Indian Roller
Indian Skimmer
Migratory Birds
Amur Falcon
Bar-headed Goose
Common Crane
Eurasian Wigeon
Northern Pintail
Birds of India by Size
Largest Birds
By Length
By Weight
By Wingspan
1. Indian Peafowl (75-91 in)
1. Great Indian Bustard (22-35 lbs)
1. Sarus Crane (90-98 in)
2. Sarus Crane (61-69 in)
2. Sarus Crane (13-26 lbs)
2. Great Indian Bustard (83-98 in)
3. Great Indian Bustard (35-47 in)
3. Indian Peafowl (8.8-13.2 lbs)
3. Indian Peafowl (77-89 in)
Smallest Birds
By Length
By Weight
By Wingspan
1. Tickell’s Flowerpecker (3.5-4 in)
1. Purple-rumped Sunbird (0.18-0.35 oz)
1. Tickell’s Flowerpecker (5.5-6.3 in)
2. Purple-rumped Sunbird (4-4.7 in)
2. Tickell’s Flowerpecker (0.2-0.3 oz)
2. Purple-rumped Sunbird (5.9-7.9 in)
3. Asian Paradise Flycatcher (7.5-8.7 in)
3. Asian Paradise Flycatcher (0.4-0.5 oz)
3. Asian Paradise Flycatcher (8.7-10.2 in)
Common Indian Birds by Color
White Birds
Asian Openbill
Black-headed Ibis
Great Egret
Indian Cormorant
Indian Pond-heron
Little Egret
Painted Stork
Black Birds
Asian Pied Starling
Black Bittern
Black Drongo
Indian Blackbird
Indian Jungle Crow
Blue Birds
Blue Rock Thrush
Blue-tailed Bee-eater
Common Kingfisher
Indian Blue Robin
Indian Roller
Male Indian Paradise Flycatcher
Male Indian Peafowl
White-throated Kingfisher
Green Birds
Alexandrine Parakeet
Female Indian Peafowl
Green Avadavat
Green Bee-eater
Green Imperial Pigeon
Green Warbler
Indian Ringneck Parakeet
Indian Swiftlet
Plum-headed Parakeet
Red Birds
Indian Pitta
Painted Sandgrouse
Red Avadavat
Red Junglefowl
Red Munia
Yellow Birds
Asian Paradise Flycatcher
Indian Golden Oriole
Indian Robin
Indian Yellow Tit
Brown Birds
Brown Shrike
Indian Eagle-owl
Indian Nightjar
Indian Pitta
Indian Robin
Indian Scops Owl
Indian Silverbill
Orange Birds
Indian Pitta
Male Indian Paradise Flycatcher
Orange-bellied Flowerpecker
Orange-bellied Leafbird
Orange-breasted Green Pigeon
Orange Minivet
Gray Birds
Ashy Prinia
Gray-bellied Cuckoo
Gray Francolin
Gray-headed Canary Flycatcher
Gray-headed Fish Eagle
Gray Heron
Gray Junglefowl
Gray Nightjar
Gray Tit
Indian Gray Hornbill
India is a popular destination for birdwatchers, with even birds coming from Siberia. Some notable birdwatching sites include Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Kaziranga National Park, and the Sundarbans. The best time for birdwatching in India is during the winter months and early spring, from November to March.
FAQs
1. Are there any endemic avian species in India?
There are around 80 endemic birds in India, including the Andaman Woodpecker, the Indian Peafowl, and the Kashmir Flycatcher.
2. Are any birds in India endangered?
Several birds in India may go extinct without adequate protection. These include the Bengal Florican, the Great Indian Bustard, and the Himalayan Quail.
