List of birds of Nepal
This is a list of the bird species recorded in Nepal. The avifauna of Nepal include a total of 906 species recorded, of which one is endemic, and one has been introduced by humans. 42 species are globally threatened.
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This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2019 edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced and accidental species are included in the total counts for Nepal.
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. The commonly occurring native species do not fall into any of these categories.
- (A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Nepal
- (E) Endemic - a species endemic to Nepal
- (Ex) Extirpated - a species that no longer occurs in Nepal although populations exist elsewhere
- (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Nepal as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl
Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae
Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.
- Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor (A)
- Lesser whistling-duck, Dendrocygna javanica
- Bar-headed goose, Anser indicus
- Graylag goose, Anser anser
- Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons (A)
- Taiga bean-goose, Anser fabalis (A)
- Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus (A)
- Whooper swan, Cygnus cygnus (A)
- Knob-billed duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos
- Ruddy shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea
- Common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna
- Cotton pygmy-goose, Nettapus coromandelianus
- Mandarin duck, Aix galericulata (A)[1]
- Baikal teal, Sibirionetta formosa (A)[2]
- Garganey, Spatula querquedula
- Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata
- Gadwall, Mareca strepera
- Falcated duck, Mareca falcata
- Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope
- Indian spot-billed duck, Anas poecilorhyncha
- Eastern spot-billed duck, Anas zonorhyncha (A)
- Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
- Northern pintail, Anas acuta
- Green-winged teal, Anas crecca
- Pink-headed duck, Rhodonessa caryophyllacea (A)
- Red-crested pochard, Netta rufina
- Common pochard, Aythya ferina
- Ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca
- Baer's pochard, Aythya baeri (A)
- Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula
- Greater scaup, Aythya marila (A)
- Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus (A)
- Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis (A)
- Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula
- Smew, Mergellus albellus (A)
- Common merganser, Mergus merganser
- Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator (A)
Pheasants, grouse, and allies
Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.
- Hill partridge, Arborophila torqueola
- Rufous-throated partridge, Arborophila rufogularis
- Indian peafowl, Pavo cristatus
- Red spurfowl, Galloperdix spadicea (A)
- Blue-breasted quail, Synoicus chinensis
- Common quail, Coturnix coturnix
- Rain quail, Coturnix coromandelica (A)
- Chukar, Alectoris chukar
- Tibetan snowcock, Tetraogallus tibetanus
- Himalayan snowcock, Tetraogallus himalayensis
- Jungle bush-quail, Perdicula asiatica (A)
- Black francolin, Francolinus francolinus
- Gray francolin, Francolinus pondicerianus
- Swamp francolin, Francolinus gularis
- Red junglefowl, Gallus gallus
- Blood pheasant, Ithaginis cruentus
- Himalayan monal, Lophophorus impejanus
- Snow partridge, Lerwa lerwa
- Satyr tragopan, Tragopan satyra
- Cheer pheasant, Catreus wallichii
- Kalij pheasant, Lophura leucomelanos
- Tibetan partridge, Perdix hodgsoniae
- Koklass pheasant, Pucrasia macrolopha
Flamingos
Order: Phoenicopteriformes Family: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down.
- Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus (A)
Grebes
Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.
- Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis
- Great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus
- Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
Pigeons and doves
Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
- Rock pigeon, Columba livia
- Hill pigeon, Columba rupestris
- Snow pigeon, Columba leuconota
- Common wood-pigeon, Columba palumbus (A)
- Speckled wood-pigeon, Columba hodgsonii
- Ashy wood-pigeon, Columba pulchricollis
- Oriental turtle-dove, Streptopelia orientalis
- Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto
- Red collared-dove, Streptopelia tranquebarica
- Spotted dove, Spilopelia chinensis
- Laughing dove, Spilopelia senegalensis
- Barred cuckoo-dove, Macropygia unchall
- Asian emerald dove, Chalcophaps indica
- Orange-breasted green-pigeon, Treron bicincta
- Ashy-headed green-pigeon, Treron phayrei
- Thick-billed green-pigeon, Treron curvirostra
- Yellow-footed green-pigeon, Treron phoenicoptera
- Pin-tailed green-pigeon, Treron apicauda
- Wedge-tailed green-pigeon, Treron sphenura
- Green imperial-pigeon, Ducula aenea
- Mountain imperial-pigeon, Ducula badia
Bustards
Order: Gruiformes Family: Otididae
Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays.
- Bengal florican, Houbaropsis bengalensis
- Lesser florican, Sypheotides indicus
Cuckoos
Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.
- Greater coucal, Centropus sinensis
- Lesser coucal, Centropus bengalensis
- Sirkeer malkoha, Taccocua leschenaultii
- Green-billed malkoha, Phaenicophaeus tristis
- Chestnut-winged cuckoo, Clamator coromandus
- Pied cuckoo, Clamator jacobinus
- Asian koel, Eudynamys scolopacea
- Asian emerald cuckoo, Chrysococcyx maculatus
- Banded bay cuckoo, Cacomantis sonneratii
- Plaintive cuckoo, Cacomantis merulinus (A)
- Gray-bellied cuckoo, Cacomantis passerinus
- Fork-tailed drongo-cuckoo, Surniculus dicruroides
- Square-tailed drongo-cuckoo, Surniculus lugubris
- Large hawk-cuckoo, Hierococcyx sparverioides
- Common hawk-cuckoo, Hierococcyx varius
- Hodgson's hawk-cuckoo, Hierococcyx nisicolor (A)
- Lesser cuckoo, Cuculus poliocephalus
- Indian cuckoo, Cuculus micropterus
- Himalayan cuckoo, Cuculus saturatus
- Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus
- Oriental cuckoo, Cuculus optatus
Nightjars and allies
Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.
- Gray nightjar, Caprimulgus jotaka
- Sykes's nightjar, Caprimulgus mahrattensis (A)
- Large-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus macrurus
- Indian nightjar, Caprimulgus asiaticus
- Savanna nightjar, Caprimulgus affinis
Swifts
Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae
Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.
- White-rumped needletail, Zoonavena sylvatica
- White-throated needletail, Hirundapus caudacutus
- Silver-backed needletail, Hirundapus cochinchinensis
- Himalayan swiftlet, Aerodramus brevirostris
- Alpine swift, Apus melba
- Common swift, Apus apus
- Pacific swift, Apus pacificus
- Blyth's swift, Apus leuconyx
- Little swift, Apus affinis
- House swift, Apus nipalensis
- Asian palm-swift, Cypsiurus balasiensis
Treeswifts
Order: Apodiformes Family: Hemiprocnidae
The treeswifts, also called crested swifts, are closely related to the true swifts. They differ from the other swifts in that they have crests, long forked tails and softer plumage.
- Crested treeswift, Hemiprocne coronata
Rails, gallinules, and coots
Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.
- Water rail, Rallus aquaticus (A)
- Brown-cheeked rail, Rallus indicus
- Slaty-breasted rail, Lewinia striata (A)
- Spotted crake, Porzana porzana (A)
- Eurasian moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
- Eurasian coot, Fulica atra
- Gray-headed swamphen, Porphyrio poliocephalus
- Watercock, Gallicrex cinerea
- White-breasted waterhen, Amaurornis phoenicurus
- Slaty-legged crake, Rallina eurizonoides (A)
- Ruddy-breasted crake, Zapornia fusca
- Brown crake, Zapornia akool
- Baillon's crake, Zapornia pusilla
- Black-tailed crake, Zapornia bicolor (A)
Cranes
Order: Gruiformes Family: Gruidae
Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".
- Demoiselle crane, Anthropoides virgo
- Sarus crane, Antigone antigone
- Common crane, Grus grus
- Black-necked crane, Grus nigricollis (A)
Thick-knees
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Burhinidae
The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats.
- Indian thick-knee, Burhinus indicus
- Great thick-knee, Esacus recurvirostris
Stilts and avocets
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.
- Black-winged stilt, Himantopus himantopus
- Pied avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta
Ibisbill
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Ibidorhynchidae
The ibisbill is related to the waders, but is sufficiently distinctive to be a family unto itself. The adult is gray with a white belly, red legs, a long down curved bill, and a black face and breast band.
- Ibisbill, Ibidorhyncha struthersii
Oystercatchers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are 11 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Nepal.
- Eurasian oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus (A)
Plovers and lapwings
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.
- Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola (A)
- Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva
- Northern lapwing, Vanellus vanellus
- River lapwing, Vanellus duvaucelii
- Yellow-wattled lapwing, Vanellus malabaricus
- Gray-headed lapwing, Vanellus cinereus
- Red-wattled lapwing, Vanellus indicus
- White-tailed lapwing, Vanellus leucurus
- Lesser sand-plover, Charadrius mongolus
- Greater sand-plover, Charadrius leschenaultii (A)
- Kentish plover, Charadrius alexandrinus
- Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula (A)
- Long-billed plover, Charadrius placidus
- Little ringed plover, Charadrius dubius
Painted-snipes
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rostratulidae
Painted-snipes are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly colored.
- Greater painted-snipe, Rostratula benghalensis
Jacanas
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Jacanidae
The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found throughout the tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat.
- Pheasant-tailed jacana, Hydrophasianus chirurgus
- Bronze-winged jacana, Metopidius indicus
Sandpipers and allies
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae
Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.
- Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
- Eurasian curlew, Numenius arquata
- Black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa
- Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres (A)
- Ruff, Calidris pugnax
- Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea
- Temminck's stint, Calidris temminckii
- Long-toed stint, Calidris subminuta (A)
- Sanderling, Calidris alba (A)
- Dunlin, Calidris alpina
- Little stint, Calidris minuta
- Jack snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus
- Eurasian woodcock, Scolopax rusticola
- Solitary snipe, Gallinago solitaria
- Wood snipe, Gallinago nemoricola
- Common snipe, Gallinago gallinago
- Pin-tailed snipe, Gallinago stenura
- Swinhoe's snipe, Gallinago megala (A)
- Terek sandpiper, Xenus cinereus (A)
- Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus (A)
- Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
- Green sandpiper, Tringa ochropus
- Spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus
- Common greenshank, Tringa nebularia
- Marsh sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis
- Wood sandpiper, Tringa glareola
- Common redshank, Tringa totanus
Buttonquail
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Turnicidae
The buttonquail are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails. The female is the brighter of the sexes and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young.
- Small buttonquail, Turnix sylvatica
- Yellow-legged buttonquail, Turnix tanki
- Barred buttonquail, Turnix suscitator
Pratincoles and coursers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Glareolidae
Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long, pointed bills which curve downwards.
- Indian courser, Cursorius coromandelicus
- Collared pratincole, Glareola pratincola (A)
- Oriental pratincole, Glareola maldivarum
- Small pratincole, Glareola lactea
Gulls, terns, and skimmers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae
Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls, terns, and skimmers. Gulls are typically gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with gray or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess of 30 years. Skimmers are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed by flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish.
- Slender-billed gull, Chroicocephalus genei
- Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus
- Brown-headed gull, Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus
- Pallas's gull, Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus
- Mew gull, Larus canus (A)
- Herring gull, Larus argentatus (A)
- Caspian gull, Larus cachinnans (A)
- Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus (A)
- Little tern, Sternula albifrons
- Gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica
- Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia
- White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
- Whiskered tern, Chlidonias hybrida
- Common tern, Sterna hirundo
- Black-bellied tern, Sterna acuticauda
- River tern, Sterna aurantia
- Indian skimmer, Rynchops albicollis
Loons
Order: Gaviiformes Family: Gaviidae
Loons, known as divers in Europe, are a group of aquatic birds found in many parts of North America and northern Europe. They are the size of a large duck or small goose, which they somewhat resemble when swimming, but to which they are completely unrelated.
- Red-throated loon, Gavia stellata (A)
Storks
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory.
- Asian openbill, Anastomus oscitans
- Black stork, Ciconia nigra
- Woolly-necked stork, Ciconia episcopus
- White stork, Ciconia ciconia
- Black-necked stork, Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus
- Lesser adjutant, Leptoptilos javanicus
- Greater adjutant, Leptoptilos dubius (A)
- Painted stork, Mycteria leucocephala
Anhingas
Order: Suliformes Family: Anhingidae
Anhingas or darters are often called "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. The males have black and dark-brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape and a larger bill than the female. The females have much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving.
- Oriental darter, Anhinga melanogaster'
Cormorants and shags
Order: Suliformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae
Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage coloration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white and a few being colorful.
- Little cormorant, Microcarbo niger
- Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
- Indian cormorant, Phalacrocorax fuscicollis (A)
Pelicans
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae
Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes.
- Great white pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus (A)
- Spot-billed pelican, Pelecanus philippensis
Herons, egrets, and bitterns
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills.
- Great bittern, Botaurus stellaris
- Yellow bittern, Ixobrychus sinensis
- Little bittern, Ixobrychus minutus
- Cinnamon bittern, Ixobrychus cinnamomeus
- Black bittern, Ixobrychus flavicollis
- Gray heron, Ardea cinerea
- White-bellied heron, Ardea insignis (Ex)
- Purple heron, Ardea purpurea
- Great egret, Ardea alba
- Intermediate egret, Ardea intermedia
- Little egret, Egretta garzetta
- Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
- White-faced heron, Egretta novaehollandiae
- Indian pond-heron, Ardeola grayii
- Striated heron, Butorides striata
- Black-crowned night-heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
- Malayan night-heron, Gorsachius melanolophus (A)
Ibises and spoonbills
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Threskiornithidae
Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers.
- Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus (A)
- Black-headed ibis, Threskiornis melanocephalus
- Red-naped ibis, Pseudibis papillosa
- Eurasian spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia
Osprey
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Pandionidae
The family Pandionidae contains only one species, the osprey. The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.
- Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
Hawks, eagles, and kites
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae
Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight.
- Black-winged kite, Elanus caeruleus
- Bearded vulture, Gypaetus barbatus
- Egyptian vulture, Neophron percnopterus
- Oriental honey-buzzard, Pernis ptilorhynchus
- Jerdon's baza, Aviceda jerdoni (A)
- Black baza, Aviceda leuphotes
- Red-headed vulture, Sarcogyps calvus
- Cinereous vulture, Aegypius monachus
- White-rumped vulture, Gyps bengalensis
- Indian vulture, Gyps indicus (A)
- Slender-billed vulture, Gyps tenuirostris
- Himalayan griffon, Gyps himalayensis
- Eurasian griffon, Gyps fulvus
- Crested serpent-eagle, Spilornis cheela
- Short-toed snake-eagle, Circaetus gallicus
- Changeable hawk-eagle, Nisaetus cirrhatus
- Mountain hawk-eagle, Nisaetus nipalensis
- Rufous-bellied eagle, Lophotriorchis kienerii
- Black eagle, Ictinaetus malaiensis
- Indian spotted eagle, Clanga hastata
- Greater spotted eagle, Clanga clanga
- Booted eagle, Hieraaetus pennatus
- Tawny eagle, Aquila rapax
- Steppe eagle, Aquila nipalensis
- Imperial eagle, Aquila heliaca
- Golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos
- Bonelli's eagle, Aquila fasciata
- White-eyed buzzard, Butastur teesa
- Eurasian marsh-harrier, Circus aeruginosus
- Hen harrier, Circus cyaneus
- Pallid harrier, Circus macrourus
- Pied harrier, Circus melanoleucos
- Montagu's harrier, Circus pygargus
- Crested goshawk, Accipiter trivirgatus
- Shikra, Accipiter badius
- Besra, Accipiter virgatus
- Eurasian sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus
- Northern goshawk, Accipiter gentilis
- Red kite, Milvus milvus (A)
- Black kite, Milvus migrans
- Brahminy kite, Haliastur indus
- White-tailed eagle, Haliaeetus albicilla
- Pallas's fish-eagle, Haliaeetus leucoryphus
- Lesser fish-eagle, Ichthyophaga humilis
- Gray-headed fish-eagle, Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus
- Common buzzard, Buteo buteo
- Himalayan buzzard, Buteo refectus
- Eastern buzzard, Buteo japonicus
- Long-legged buzzard, Buteo rufinus
- Upland buzzard, Buteo hemilasius
Barn owls
Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae
Barn owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.
- Australasian grass-owl, Tyto longimembris
- Barn owl, Tyto alba
Owls
Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae
The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk.
- Mountain scops-owl, Otus spilocephalus
- Indian scops-owl, Otus bakkamoena
- Collared scops-owl, Otus lettia
- Oriental scops-owl, Otus sunia
- Eurasian eagle-owl, Bubo bubo
- Rock eagle-owl, Bubo bengalensis
- Spot-bellied eagle-owl, Bubo nipalensis
- Dusky eagle-owl, Bubo coromandus
- Brown fish-owl, Ketupa zeylonensis
- Tawny fish-owl, Ketupa flavipes
- Collared owlet, Glaucidium brodiei
- Asian barred owlet, Glaucidium cuculoides
- Jungle owlet, Glaucidium radiatum
- Spotted owlet, Athene brama
- Little owl, Athene noctua
- Brown wood-owl, Strix leptogrammica
- Tawny owl, Strix aluco
- Himalayan owl, Strix nivicolum
- Long-eared owl, Asio otus (A)
- Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus
- Brown boobook, Ninox scutulata
Trogons
Order: Trogoniformes Family: Trogonidae
The family Trogonidae includes trogons and quetzals. Found in tropical woodlands worldwide, they feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons have soft, often colorful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage.
- Red-headed trogon, Harpactes erythrocephalus
Hoopoes
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Upupidae
Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink coloring with a large erectile crest on their head.
- Eurasian hoopoe, Upupa epops
Hornbills
Order: Bucerotiformes Family: Bucerotidae
Hornbills are a group of birds whose bill is shaped like a cow's horn, but without a twist, sometimes with a casque on the upper mandible. Frequently, the bill is brightly colored.
- Great hornbill, Buceros bicornis
- Indian gray hornbill, Ocyceros birostris
- Oriental pied hornbill, Anthracoceros albirostris
- Rufous-necked hornbill, Aceros nipalensis (Ex)
Kingfishers
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae
Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails.
- Blyth's kingfisher, Alcedo hercules (A)
- Common kingfisher, Alcedo atthis
- Blue-eared kingfisher, Alcedo meninting
- Black-backed kingfisher, Ceyx erithacus (A)
- Stork-billed kingfisher, Pelargopsis capensis
- Ruddy kingfisher, Halcyon coromanda
- White-throated kingfisher, Halcyon smyrnensis
- Black-capped kingfisher, Halcyon pileata (A)
- Crested kingfisher, Megaceryle lugubris
- Pied kingfisher, Ceryle rudis
Bee-eaters
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Meropidae
The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They have richly colored plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colorful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar.
- Blue-bearded bee-eater, Nyctyornis athertoni
- Green bee-eater, Merops orientalis
- Blue-tailed bee-eater, Merops philippinus
- Chestnut-headed bee-eater, Merops leschenaulti
Rollers
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Coraciidae
Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colorful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not.
- Indian roller, Coracias benghalensis
- Indochinese roller, Coracias affinis
- Dollarbird, Eurystomus orientalis
Asian barbets
Order: Piciformes Family: Megalaimidae
The Asian barbets are plump birds, with short necks and large heads. They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. Most species are brightly coloured.
- Coppersmith barbet, Psilopogon haemacephalus
- Blue-eared barbet, Psilopogon duvaucelii
- Great barbet, Psilopogon virens
- Lineated barbet, Psilopogon lineatus
- Brown-headed barbet, Psilopogon zeylanicus
- Golden-throated barbet, Psilopogon franklinii
- Blue-throated barbet, Psilopogon asiaticus
Honeyguides
Order: Piciformes Family: Indicatoridae
Honeyguides are among the few birds that feed on wax. They are named for the greater honeyguide which leads traditional honey-hunters to bees' nests and, after the hunters have harvested the honey, feeds on the remaining contents of the hive.
- Yellow-rumped honeyguide, Indicator xanthonotus
Woodpeckers
Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae
Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks.
- Eurasian wryneck, Jynx torquilla
- Speckled piculet, Picumnus innominatus
- White-browed piculet, Sasia ochracea
- Brown-capped woodpecker, Yungipicus nanus
- Gray-capped woodpecker, Yungipicus canicapillus
- Yellow-crowned woodpecker, Leiopicus mahrattensis
- Brown-fronted woodpecker, Dendrocoptes auriceps
- Rufous-bellied woodpecker, Dendrocopos hyperythrus
- Fulvous-breasted woodpecker, Dendrocopos macei
- Darjeeling woodpecker, Dendrocopos darjellensis
- Himalayan woodpecker, Dendrocopos himalayensis
- Crimson-breasted woodpecker, Dryobates cathpharius
- Bay woodpecker, Blythipicus pyrrhotis
- Greater flameback, Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus
- White-naped woodpecker, Chrysocolaptes festivus
- Rufous woodpecker, Micropternus brachyurus
- Pale-headed woodpecker, Gecinulus grantia
- Himalayan flameback, Dinopium shorii
- Black-rumped flameback, Dinopium benghalense
- Lesser yellownape, Picus chlorolophus
- Streak-throated woodpecker, Picus xanthopygaeus
- Scaly-bellied woodpecker, Picus squamatus
- Gray-headed woodpecker, Picus canus
- Greater yellownape, Chrysophlegma flavinucha
- Great slaty woodpecker, Mulleripicus pulverulentus
Falcons and caracaras
Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae
Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.
- Collared falconet, Microhierax caerulescens
- Lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni
- Eurasian kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
- Red-necked falcon, Falco chicquera
- Amur falcon, Falco amurensis
- Merlin, Falco columbarius
- Eurasian hobby, Falco subbuteo
- Oriental hobby, Falco severus
- Laggar falcon, Falco jugger
- Saker falcon, Falco cherrug
- Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus
Old World parrots
Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittaculidae
Characteristic features of parrots include a strong curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed zygodactyl feet. Many parrots are vividly coloured, and some are multi-coloured. In size they range from 8 cm (3.1 in) to 1 m (3.3 ft) in length. Old World parrots are found from Africa east across south and southeast Asia and Oceania to Australia and New Zealand.
- Alexandrine parakeet, Psittacula eupatria
- Rose-ringed parakeet, Psittacula krameri (I)
- Slaty-headed parakeet, Psittacula himalayana
- Gray-headed parakeet, Psittacula finschii (A)
- Plum-headed parakeet, Psittacula cyanocephala
- Blossom-headed parakeet, Psittacula roseata
- Red-breasted parakeet, Psittacula alexandri
- Vernal hanging-parrot, Loriculus vernalis
Asian and Grauer’s broadbills
Order: Passeriformes Family: Eurylaimidae
The broadbills are small, brightly colored birds, which feed on fruit and also take insects in flycatcher fashion, snapping their broad bills. Their habitat is canopies of wet forests.
- Long-tailed broadbill, Psarisomus dalhousiae
- Silver-breasted broadbill, Serilophus lunatus
Pittas
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pittidae
Pittas are medium-sized by passerine standards and are stocky, with fairly long, strong legs, short tails and stout bills. Many are brightly colored. They spend the majority of their time on wet forest floors, eating snails, insects and similar invertebrates.
- Blue-naped pitta, Hydrornis nipalensis
- Indian pitta, Pitta brachyura
- Hooded pitta, Pitta sordida
Cuckooshrikes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Campephagidae
The cuckooshrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly grayish with white and black, although some species are brightly colored.
- White-bellied minivet, Pericrocotus erythropygius (A)
- Small minivet, Pericrocotus cinnamomeus
- Gray-chinned minivet, Pericrocotus solaris
- Short-billed minivet, Pericrocotus brevirostris
- Long-tailed minivet, Pericrocotus ethologus
- Scarlet minivet, Pericrocotus flammeus
- Ashy minivet, Pericrocotus divaricatus (A)
- Rosy minivet, Pericrocotus roseus
- Large cuckooshrike, Coracina macei
- Black-winged cuckooshrike, Lalage melaschistos
- Black-headed cuckooshrike, Lalage melanoptera
Vireos, shrike-babblers, and erpornis
Order: Passeriformes Family: Vireonidae
Most of the members of this family are found in the New World. However, the shrike-babblers and erpornis, which only slightly resemble the "true" vireos and greenlets, are found in South East Asia.
- Black-headed shrike-babbler, Pteruthius rufiventer
- Himalayan shrike-babbler, Pteruthius flaviscapis
- Blyth's shrike-babbler, Pteruthius aeralatus
- Green shrike-babbler, Pteruthius xanthochlorus
- Black-eared shrike-babbler, Pteruthius melanotis
- White-bellied erpornis, Erpornis zantholeuca
Old World orioles
Order: Passeriformes Family: Oriolidae
The Old World orioles are colorful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles.
- Indian golden oriole, Oriolus kundoo
- Black-naped oriole, Oriolus chinensis (A)
- Slender-billed oriole, Oriolus tenuirostris
- Black-hooded oriole, Oriolus xanthornus
- Maroon oriole, Oriolus traillii
Woodswallows, bellmagpies, and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Artamidae
The woodswallows are soft-plumaged, somber-colored passerine birds. They are smooth, agile flyers with moderately large, semi-triangular wings.
- Ashy woodswallow, Artamus fuscus
Vangas, helmetshrikes, and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Vangidae
The family Vangidae is highly variable, though most members of it resemble true shrikes to some degree.
- Large woodshrike, Tephrodornis gularis
- Common woodshrike, Tephrodornis pondicerianus
- Bar-winged flycatcher-shrike, Hemipus picatus
Ioras
Order: Passeriformes Family: Aegithinidae
The ioras are bulbul-like birds of open forest or thorn scrub, but whereas that group tends to be drab in coloration, ioras are sexually dimorphic, with the males being brightly plumaged in yellows and greens.
- Common iora, Aegithina tiphia
Fantails
Order: Passeriformes Family: Rhipiduridae
The fantails are small insectivorous birds which are specialist aerial feeders.
- White-throated fantail, Rhipidura albicollis
- White-browed fantail, Rhipidura aureola
Drongos
Order: Passeriformes Family: Dicruridae
The drongos are mostly black or dark gray in color, sometimes with metallic tints. They have long forked tails, and some Asian species have elaborate tail decorations. They have short legs and sit very upright when perched, like a shrike. They flycatch or take prey from the ground.
- Black drongo, Dicrurus macrocercus
- Ashy drongo, Dicrurus leucophaeus
- White-bellied drongo, Dicrurus caerulescens
- Crow-billed drongo, Dicrurus annectens
- Bronzed drongo, Dicrurus aeneus
- Lesser racket-tailed drongo, Dicrurus remifer
- Hair-crested drongo, Dicrurus hottentottus
- Greater racket-tailed drongo, Dicrurus paradiseus
Monarch flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Monarchidae
The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines which hunt by flycatching.
- Black-naped monarch, Hypothymis azurea
- Blyth's paradise-flycatcher, Terpsiphone affinis
- Indian paradise-flycatcher, Terpsiphone paradisi
Shrikes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Laniidae
Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey.
- Red-backed shrike, Lanius collurio (A)
- Isabelline shrike, Lanius isabellinus (A)
- Brown shrike, Lanius cristatus
- Bay-backed shrike, Lanius vittatus
- Long-tailed shrike, Lanius schach
- Gray-backed shrike, Lanius tephronotus
- Great gray shrike, Lanius excubitor
Crows, jays, and magpies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae
The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence.
- Eurasian jay, Garrulus glandarius
- Black-headed jay, Garrulus lanceolatus
- Yellow-billed blue-magpie, Urocissa flavirostris
- Red-billed blue-magpie, Urocissa erythrorhyncha
- Common green-magpie, Cissa chinensis
- Rufous treepie, Dendrocitta vagabunda
- Gray treepie, Dendrocitta formosae
- Eurasian magpie, Pica pica
- Eurasian nutcracker, Nucifraga caryocatactes
- Red-billed chough, Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
- Yellow-billed chough, Pyrrhocorax graculus
- Eurasian jackdaw, Corvus monedula (A)
- House crow, Corvus splendens
- Large-billed crow, Corvus macrorhynchos
- Common raven, Corvus corax
Fairy flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Stenostiridae
Most of the species of this small family are found in Africa, though a few inhabit tropical Asia. They are not closely related to other birds called "flycatchers".
- Yellow-bellied fairy-fantail, Chelidorhynx hypoxanthus
- Gray-headed canary-flycatcher, Culicicapa ceylonensis
Tits, chickadees, and titmice
Order: Passeriformes Family: Paridae
The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects.
- Fire-capped tit, Cephalopyrus flammiceps
- Yellow-browed tit, Sylviparus modestus
- Sultan tit, Melanochlora sultanea
- Coal tit, Periparus ater
- Rufous-naped tit, Periparus rufonuchalis
- Rufous-vented tit, Periparus rubidiventris
- Gray-crested tit, Lophophanes dichrous
- White-browed tit, Poecile superciliosus (A)
- Ground tit, Pseudopodoces humilis
- Green-backed tit, Parus monticolus
- Cinereous tit, Parus cinereus
- Himalayan black-lored tit, Parus xanthogenys
- Yellow-cheeked tit, Parus spilonotus
Larks
Order: Passeriformes Family: Alaudidae
Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds.
- Rufous-tailed lark, Ammomanes phoenicura (A)
- Ashy-crowned sparrow-lark, Eremopterix grisea
- Singing bushlark, Mirafra cantillans (A)
- Bengal bushlark, Mirafra assamica
- Horned lark, Eremophila alpestris
- Sykes's short-toed lark, Calandrella dukhunensis
- Hume's lark, Calandrella acutirostris
- Tibetan lark, Melanocorypha maxima (A)
- Sand lark, Alaudala raytal
- Oriental skylark, Alauda gulgula
- Crested lark, Galerida cristata
Cisticolas and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cisticolidae
The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or gray appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub.
- Common tailorbird, Orthotomus sutorius
- Striated prinia, Prinia criniger
- Black-throated prinia, Prinia atrogularis
- Gray-crowned prinia, Prinia cinereocapilla
- Gray-breasted prinia, Prinia hodgsonii
- Graceful prinia, Prinia gracilis
- Jungle prinia, Prinia sylvatica
- Yellow-bellied prinia, Prinia flaviventris
- Ashy prinia, Prinia socialis
- Plain prinia, Prinia inornata
- Zitting cisticola, Cisticola juncidis
- Golden-headed cisticola, Cisticola exilis
Reed warblers and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Acrocephalidae
The members of this family are usually rather large for "warblers". Most are rather plain olivaceous brown above with much yellow to beige below. They are usually found in open woodland, reedbeds, or tall grass. The family occurs mostly in southern to western Eurasia and surroundings, but it also ranges far into the Pacific, with some species in Africa.
- Thick-billed warbler, Arundinax aedon
- Booted warbler, Iduna caligata
- Black-browed reed warbler, Acrocephalus bistrigiceps (A)
- Paddyfield warbler, Acrocephalus agricola
- Blunt-winged warbler, Acrocephalus concinens (A)
- Blyth's reed warbler, Acrocephalus dumetorum
- Oriental reed warbler, Acrocephalus orientalis (A)
- Clamorous reed warbler, Acrocephalus stentoreus
Grassbirds and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Locustellidae
Locustellidae are a family of small insectivorous songbirds found mainly in Eurasia, Africa, and the Australian region. They are smallish birds with tails that are usually long and pointed, and tend to be drab brownish or buffy all over.
- Striated grassbird, Megalurus palustris
- Pallas's grasshopper-warbler, Locustella certhiola (A)
- Lanceolated warbler, Locustella lanceolata (A)
- Brown bush warbler, Locustella luteoventris (Ex)
- Chinese bush warbler, Locustella tacsanowskia
- Common grasshopper-warbler, Locustella naevia (A)
- Baikal bush warbler, Locustella davidi (A)
- West Himalayan bush warbler, Locustella kashmirensis (A)
- Spotted bush warbler, Locustella thoracica
- Russet bush warbler, Locustella mandelli
- Bristled grassbird, Chaetornis striatus
Cupwings
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pnoepygidae
The members of this small family are found in mountainous parts of South and South East Asia.
- Scaly-breasted cupwing, Pnoepyga albiventer
- Immaculate cupwing, Pnoepyga immaculata (E)
- Pygmy cupwing, Pnoepyga pusilla
Swallows
Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae
The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.
- Gray-throated martin, Riparia chinensis
- Bank swallow, Riparia riparia
- Pale sand martin, Riparia diluta
- Eurasian crag-martin, Ptyonoprogne rupestris
- Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
- Wire-tailed swallow, Hirundo smithii
- Red-rumped swallow, Cecropis daurica
- Streak-throated swallow, Petrochelidon fluvicola
- Common house-martin, Delichon urbica (A)
- Asian house-martin, Delichon dasypus
- Nepal house-martin, Delichon nipalensis
Bulbuls
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pycnonotidae
Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colorful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throats or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive-brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests.
- Black-crested bulbul, Rubigula flaviventris
- Striated bulbul, Pycnonotus striatus
- Red-vented bulbul, Pycnonotus cafer
- Red-whiskered bulbul, Pycnonotus jocosus
- Himalayan bulbul, Pycnonotus leucogenys
- White-throated bulbul, Alophoixus flaveolus
- Black bulbul, Hypsipetes leucocephalus
- Ashy bulbul, Hemixos flavala
- Mountain bulbul, Ixos mcclellandii
Leaf warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Phylloscopidae
Leaf warblers are a family of small insectivorous birds found mostly in Eurasia and ranging into Wallacea and Africa. The species are of various sizes, often green-plumaged above and yellow below, or more subdued with greyish-green to greyish-brown colours.
- Ashy-throated warbler, Phylloscopus maculipennis
- Buff-barred warbler, Phylloscopus pulcher
- Yellow-browed warbler, Phylloscopus inornatus
- Hume's warbler, Phylloscopus humei
- Pallas's leaf warbler, Phylloscopus proregulus
- Lemon-rumped warbler, Phylloscopus proregulus
- Tytler's leaf warbler, Phylloscopus tytleri (A)
- Radde's warbler, Phylloscopus schwarzi (A)
- Sulphur-bellied warbler, Phylloscopus griseolus
- Tickell's leaf warbler, Phylloscopus affinis
- Dusky warbler, Phylloscopus fuscatus
- Smoky warbler, Phylloscopus fuligiventer
- Buff-throated warbler, Phylloscopus subaffinis
- Mountain chiffchaff, Phylloscopus sindianus
- Common chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita
- Eastern crowned warbler, Phylloscopus coronatus
- Gray-cheeked warbler, Phylloscopus poliogenys
- Green-crowned warbler, Phylloscopus burkii
- Whistler's warbler, Phylloscopus whistleri
- Green warbler, Phylloscopus nitidus
- Greenish warbler, Phylloscopus trochiloides
- Large-billed leaf warbler, Phylloscopus magnirostris
- Chestnut-crowned warbler, Phylloscopus castaniceps
- Yellow-vented warbler, Phylloscopus cantator
- Western crowned warbler, Phylloscopus occipitalis
- Blyth's leaf warbler, Phylloscopus reguloides
- Gray-hooded warbler, Phylloscopus xanthoschistos
Bush warblers and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Scotocercidae
The members of this family are found throughout Africa, Asia, and Polynesia. Their taxonomy is in flux, and some authorities place some genera in other families.[3]
- Pale-footed bush warbler, Urosphena pallidipes
- Asian stubtail, Urosphena squameiceps (A)
- Gray-bellied tesia, Tesia cyaniventer
- Slaty-bellied tesia, Tesia olivea
- Chestnut-crowned bush warbler, Cettia major
- Gray-sided bush warbler, Cettia brunnifrons
- Chestnut-headed tesia, Cettia castaneocoronata
- Yellow-bellied warbler, Abroscopus superciliaris
- Rufous-faced warbler, Abroscopus albogularis
- Black-faced warbler, Abroscopus schisticeps
- Broad-billed warbler, Tickellia hodgsoni
- Brownish-flanked bush warbler, Horornis fortipes
- Hume's bush warbler, Horornis brunnescens
- Aberrant bush warbler, Horornis flavolivacea
Long-tailed tits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Aegithalidae
Long-tailed tits are a group of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They make woven bag nests in trees. Most eat a mixed diet which includes insects.
- White-browed tit-warbler, Leptopoecile sophiae
- Black-throated tit, Aegithalos concinnus
- White-throated tit, Aegithalos niveogularis
- Black-browed tit, Aegithalos iouschistos
Sylviid warblers, parrotbills, and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae
The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. They mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent, Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs.
- Lesser whitethroat, Sylvia curruca
- Eastern Orphean warbler, Sylvia crassirostris (A)
- Fire-tailed myzornis, Myzornis pyrrhoura
- Golden-breasted fulvetta, Lioparus chrysotis
- Yellow-eyed babbler, Chrysomma sinense
- Jerdon's babbler, Chrysomma altirostre
- White-browed fulvetta, Fulvetta vinipectus
- Great parrotbill, Conostoma aemodium
- Brown parrotbill, Cholornis unicolor
- Gray-headed parrotbill, Psittiparus gularis (A)
- Black-breasted parrotbill, Paradoxornis flavirostris (Ex)
- Fulvous parrotbill, Suthora fulvifrons
- Black-throated parrotbill, Suthora nipalensis
White-eyes, yuhinas, and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Zosteropidae
The white-eyes are small and mostly undistinguished, their plumage above being generally some dull color like greenish-olive, but some species have a white or bright yellow throat, breast or lower parts, and several have buff flanks. As their name suggests, many species have a white ring around each eye.
- White-naped yuhina, Yuhina bakeri
- Whiskered yuhina, Yuhina flavicollis
- Stripe-throated yuhina, Yuhina gularis
- Rufous-vented yuhina, Yuhina occipitalis
- Black-chinned yuhina, Yuhina nigrimenta
- Indian white-eye, Zosterops palpebrosus
Tree-babblers, scimitar-babblers, and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Timaliidae
The babblers, or timaliids, are somewhat diverse in size and coloration, but have soft fluffy plumage.
- Chestnut-capped babbler, Timalia pileata
- Pin-striped tit-babbler, Mixornis gularis
- Tawny-bellied babbler, Dumetia hyperythra
- Golden babbler, Cyanoderma chrysaeum
- Black-chinned babbler, Cyanoderma pyrrhops
- Rufous-capped babbler, Cyanoderma ruficeps
- Rufous-throated wren-babbler, Spelaeornis caudatus
- Coral-billed scimitar-babbler, Pomatorhinus ferruginosus
- Slender-billed scimitar-babbler, Pomatorhinus superciliaris
- Streak-breasted scimitar-babbler, Pomatorhinus ruficollis
- White-browed scimitar-babbler, Pomatorhinus schisticeps
- Rusty-cheeked scimitar-babbler, Pomatorhinus erythrogenys
- Gray-throated babbler, Stachyris nigriceps
Ground babblers and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pellorneidae
These small to medium-sized songbirds have soft fluffy plumage but are otherwise rather diverse. Members of the genus Illadopsis are found in forests, but some other genera are birds of scrublands.
- White-hooded babbler, Gampsorhynchus rufulus
- Rufous-winged fulvetta, Schoeniparus castaneceps
- Rufous-vented grass babbler, Laticilla burnesii
- Puff-throated babbler, Pellorneum ruficeps
- Abbott's babbler, Turdinus abbotti
- Indian grassbird, Graminicola bengalensis
Laughingthrushes and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Leiothrichidae
The members of this family are diverse in size and colouration, though those of genus Turdoides tend to be brown or greyish. The family is found in Africa, India, and southeast Asia.
- Nepal fulvetta, Alcippe nipalensis
- Striated laughingthrush, Grammatoptila striata
- Himalayan cutia, Cutia nipalensis
- Spiny babbler, Turdoides nipalensis (E)
- Common babbler, Turdoides caudatus
- Striated babbler, Turdoides earlei
- Slender-billed babbler, Turdoides longirostris
- Large gray babbler, Turdoides malcolmi
- Jungle babbler, Turdoides striatus
- White-crested laughingthrush, Garrulax leucolophus
- Lesser necklaced laughingthrush, Garrulax monileger
- Rufous-chinned laughingthrush, Ianthocincla rufogularis
- Spotted laughingthrush, Ianthocincla ocellata
- Greater necklaced laughingthrush, Ianthocincla pectoralis
- White-throated laughingthrush, Ianthocincla albogularis
- Rufous-necked laughingthrush, Ianthocincla ruficollis
- Gray-sided laughingthrush, Ianthocincla caerulata
- Streaked laughingthrush, Trochalopteron lineatum
- Bhutan laughingthrush, Trochalopteron imbricatum
- Scaly laughingthrush, Trochalopteron subunicolor
- Blue-winged laughingthrush, Trochalopteron squamatum
- Variegated laughingthrush, Trochalopteron variegatum
- Black-faced laughingthrush, Trochalopteron affine
- Chestnut-crowned laughingthrush, Trochalopteron erythrocephalum
- Rufous sibia, Heterophasia capistrata
- Long-tailed sibia, Heterophasia picaoides
- Silver-eared mesia, Leiothrix argentauris
- Red-billed leiothrix, Leiothrix lutea
- Red-tailed minla, Minla ignotincta
- Rufous-backed sibia, Minla annectens
- Red-faced liocichla, Liocichla phoenicea
- Hoary-throated barwing, Actinodura nipalensis
- Rusty-fronted barwing, Actinodura egertoni
- Blue-winged minla, Actinodura cyanouroptera
- Chestnut-tailed minla, Actinodura strigula
Kinglets
Order: Passeriformes Family: Regulidae
The kinglets, also called crests, are a small group of birds often included in the Old World warblers, but frequently given family status because they also resemble the titmice.
- Goldcrest, Regulus regulus
Wallcreeper
Order: Passeriformes Family: Tichodromidae
The wallcreeper is a small bird related to the nuthatch family, which has stunning crimson, gray and black plumage.
- Wallcreeper, Tichodroma muraria
Nuthatches
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sittidae
Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails and powerful bills and feet.
- Indian nuthatch, Sitta castanea
- Chestnut-bellied nuthatch, Sitta castanea
- Kashmir nuthatch, Sitta cashmirensis
- White-tailed nuthatch, Sitta himalayensis
- White-cheeked nuthatch, Sitta leucopsis
- Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Sitta frontalis
Treecreepers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Certhiidae
Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees.
- Hodgson's treecreeper, Certhia hodgsoni
- Bar-tailed treecreeper, Certhia himalayana
- Rusty-flanked treecreeper, Certhia nipalensis
- Sikkim treecreeper, Certhia discolor
Wrens
Order: Passeriformes Family: Troglodytidae
The wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous except for their loud songs. These birds have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous.
- Eurasian wren, Troglodytes troglodytes
Spotted elachura
Order: Passeriformes Family: Elachuridae
This species, the only one in its family, inhabits forest undergrowth throughout South East Asia.
- Spotted elachura, Elachura formosa
Dippers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cinclidae
Dippers are a group of perching birds whose habitat includes aquatic environments in the Americas, Europe and Asia. They are named for their bobbing or dipping movements.
- White-throated dipper, Cinclus cinclus
- Brown dipper, Cinclus pallasii
Starlings
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae
Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen.
- Common hill myna, Gracula religiosa
- European starling, Sturnus vulgaris
- Rosy starling, Pastor roseus (A)
- Daurian starling, Agropsar sturninus (A)
- Asian pied starling, Gracupica contra
- Brahminy starling, Sturnia pagodarum
- Chestnut-tailed starling, Sturnia malabarica
- Common myna, Acridotheres tristis
- Bank myna, Acridotheres ginginianus
- Jungle myna, Acridotheres fuscus
- Spot-winged starling, Saroglossa spilopterus
Thrushes and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae
The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs.
- Grandala, Grandala coelicolor
- Long-tailed thrush, Zoothera dixoni
- Alpine thrush, Zoothera mollissima
- Himalayan thrush, Zoothera salimalii
- Dark-sided thrush, Zoothera marginata
- Long-billed thrush, Zoothera monticola
- Scaly thrush, Zoothera dauma
- Purple cochoa, Cochoa purpurea
- Green cochoa, Cochoa viridis (A)
- Pied thrush, Geokichla wardii
- Orange-headed thrush, Geokichla citrina
- Mistle thrush, Turdus viscivorus
- Eurasian blackbird, Turdus merula (A)
- Gray-winged blackbird, Turdus boulboul
- Indian blackbird, Turdus simillimus
- Tickell's thrush, Turdus unicolor
- Gray-sided thrush, Turdus feae (A)
- Eyebrowed thrush, Turdus obscurus
- White-backed thrush, Turdus kessleri
- Tibetan blackbird, Turdus maximus
- White-collared blackbird, Turdus albocinctus
- Chestnut thrush, Turdus rubrocanus
- Black-throated thrush, Turdus atrogularis
- Red-throated thrush, Turdus ruficollis
- Dusky thrush, Turdus eunomus
Old World flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Muscicapidae
Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is highly varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls.
- Dark-sided flycatcher, Muscicapa sibirica
- Ferruginous flycatcher, Muscicapa ferruginea
- Asian brown flycatcher, Muscicapa dauurica
- Brown-breasted flycatcher, Muscicapa muttui (A)
- Indian robin, Copsychus fulicatus
- Oriental magpie-robin, Copsychus saularis
- White-rumped shama, Copsychus malabaricus
- White-gorgeted flycatcher, Anthipes monileger
- Pale-chinned blue flycatcher, Cyornis poliogenys
- Pale blue flycatcher, Cyornis unicolor
- Blue-throated flycatcher, Cyornis rubeculoides
- Large blue flycatcher, Cyornis magnirostris
- Tickell's blue flycatcher, Cyornis tickelliae
- Large niltava, Niltava grandis
- Small niltava, Niltava macgrigoriae
- Rufous-bellied niltava, Niltava sundara
- Verditer flycatcher, Eumyias thalassinus
- Gould's shortwing, Brachypteryx stellata
- Lesser shortwing, Brachypteryx leucophrys
- Himalayan shortwing, Brachypteryx cruralis
- Indian blue robin, Larvivora brunnea
- Siberian blue robin, Larvivora cyane (A)
- White-bellied redstart, Luscinia phaenicuroides
- Bluethroat, Luscinia svecica
- Blue whistling-thrush, Myophonus caeruleus
- Little forktail, Enicurus scouleri
- Spotted forktail, Enicurus maculatus
- Black-backed forktail, Enicurus immaculatus
- Slaty-backed forktail, Enicurus schistaceus
- Siberian rubythroat, Calliope calliope
- Himalayan rubythroat, Calliope pectoralis
- Chinese rubythroat, Calliope tschebaiewi
- White-tailed robin, Myiomela leucura
- Himalayan bluetail, Tarsiger rufilatus
- Rufous-breasted bush-robin, Tarsiger hyperythrus
- White-browed bush-robin, Tarsiger indicus
- Golden bush-robin, Tarsiger chrysaeus
- Slaty-backed flycatcher, Ficedula erithacus
- Slaty-blue flycatcher, Ficedula tricolor
- Snowy-browed flycatcher, Ficedula hyperythra
- Pygmy flycatcher, Ficedula hodgsoni
- Rufous-gorgeted flycatcher, Ficedula strophiata
- Sapphire flycatcher, Ficedula sapphira
- Little pied flycatcher, Ficedula westermanni
- Ultramarine flycatcher, Ficedula superciliaris
- Rusty-tailed flycatcher, Ficedula ruficauda
- Taiga flycatcher, Ficedula albicilla
- Red-breasted flycatcher, Ficedula parva (A)
- Blue-fronted redstart, Phoenicurus frontalis
- Plumbeous redstart, Phoenicurus fuliginosus
- Rufous-backed redstart, Phoenicurus erythronota
- White-capped redstart, Phoenicurus leucocephalus
- Blue-capped redstart, Phoenicurus caeruleocephalus
- Hodgson's redstart, Phoenicurus hodgsoni
- White-throated redstart, Phoenicurus schisticeps
- White-winged redstart, Phoenicurus erythrogaster
- Black redstart, Phoenicurus ochruros
- Daurian redstart, Phoenicurus auroreus (A)
- Chestnut-bellied rock-thrush, Monticola rufiventris
- Blue-capped rock-thrush, Monticola cinclorhyncha
- Rufous-tailed rock-thrush, Monticola saxatilis (A)
- Blue rock-thrush, Monticola solitarius
- White-throated bushchat, Saxicola insignis
- Siberian stonechat, Saxicola maurus
- White-tailed stonechat, Saxicola leucurus
- Pied bushchat, Saxicola caprata
- Gray bushchat, Saxicola ferreus
- Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe (A)
- Isabelline wheatear, Oenanthe isabellina
- Desert wheatear, Oenanthe deserti
- Pied wheatear, Oenanthe pleschanka
- Brown rock chat, Oenanthe fusca
- Variable wheatear, Oenanthe picata
- Persian wheatear, Oenanthe chrysopygia (A)
Waxwings
Order: Passeriformes Family: Bombycillidae
The waxwings are a group of birds with soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and cedar waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter.
- Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus (A)
Flowerpeckers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Dicaeidae
The flowerpeckers are very small, stout, often brightly colored birds, with short tails, short thick curved bills and tubular tongues.
- Thick-billed flowerpecker, Dicaeum agile
- Yellow-vented flowerpecker, Dicaeum chrysorrheum
- Yellow-bellied flowerpecker, Dicaeum melanozanthum
- Pale-billed flowerpecker, Dicaeum erythrorhynchos
- Plain flowerpecker, Dicaeum minullum
- Fire-breasted flowerpecker, Dicaeum ignipectus
- Scarlet-backed flowerpecker, Dicaeum cruentatum
Sunbirds and spiderhunters
Order: Passeriformes Family: Nectariniidae
The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed.
- Ruby-cheeked sunbird, Chalcoparia singalensis
- Purple sunbird, Cinnyris asiaticus
- Fire-tailed sunbird, Aethopyga ignicauda
- Black-throated sunbird, Aethopyga saturata
- Mrs. Gould's sunbird, Aethopyga gouldiae
- Green-tailed sunbird, Aethopyga nipalensis
- Crimson sunbird, Aethopyga siparaja
- Little spiderhunter, Arachnothera longirostra
- Streaked spiderhunter, Arachnothera magna
Fairy-bluebirds
Order: Passeriformes Family: Irenidae
The fairy-bluebirds are bulbul-like birds of open forest or thorn scrub. The males are dark-blue and the females a duller green.
- Asian fairy-bluebird, Irena puella
Leafbirds
Order: Passeriformes Family: Chloropseidae
The leafbirds are small, bulbul-like birds. The males are brightly plumaged, usually in greens and yellows.
- Golden-fronted leafbird, Chloropsis aurifrons
- Orange-bellied leafbird, Chloropsis hardwickii
Weavers and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Ploceidae
The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finches. They are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The males of many species are brightly colored, usually in red or yellow and black, some species show variation in color only in the breeding season.
- Streaked weaver, Ploceus manyar
- Baya weaver, Ploceus philippinus
- Finn's weaver, Ploceus megarhynchus (A)
- Black-breasted weaver, Ploceus benghalensis
Waxbills and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Estrildidae
The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have wide variation in plumage colors and patterns.
- Red avadavat, Amandava amandava
- Indian silverbill, Euodice malabarica
- White-rumped munia, Lonchura striata
- Scaly-breasted munia, Lonchura punctulata
- Tricolored munia, Lonchura malacca
- Chestnut munia, Lonchura atricapilla
Accentors
Order: Passeriformes Family: Prunellidae
The accentors are in the only bird family, Prunellidae, which is completely endemic to the Palearctic. They are small, fairly drab species superficially similar to sparrows.
- Alpine accentor, Prunella collaris
- Altai accentor, Prunella himalayana
- Robin accentor, Prunella rubeculoides
- Rufous-breasted accentor, Prunella strophiata
- Brown accentor, Prunella fulvescens
- Black-throated accentor, Prunella atrogularis
- Maroon-backed accentor, Prunella immaculata
Old World sparrows
Order: Passeriformes Family: Passeridae
Old World sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or gray birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects.
- House sparrow, Passer domesticus
- Spanish sparrow, Passer hispaniolensis (A)
- Russet sparrow, Passer cinnamomeus (A)
- Eurasian tree sparrow, Passer montanus
- Yellow-throated sparrow, Gymnornis xanthocollis
- Black-winged snowfinch, Montifringilla adamsi
- White-rumped snowfinch, Montifringilla taczanowskii
- Rufous-necked snowfinch, Montifringilla ruficollis
- Blanford's snowfinch, Montifringilla blanfordi
Wagtails and pipits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae
Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country.
- Forest wagtail, Dendronanthus indicus (A)
- Gray wagtail, Motacilla cinerea
- Western yellow wagtail, Motacilla flava
- Eastern yellow wagtail, Motacilla tschutschensis (A)
- Citrine wagtail, Motacilla citreola
- White-browed wagtail, Motacilla maderaspatensis
- White wagtail, Motacilla alba
- Richard's pipit, Anthus richardi
- Paddyfield pipit, Anthus rufulus
- Long-billed pipit, Anthus similis
- Blyth's pipit, Anthus godlewskii
- Tawny pipit, Anthus campestris (A)
- Upland pipit, Anthus sylvanus
- Rosy pipit, Anthus roseatus
- Tree pipit, Anthus trivialis
- Olive-backed pipit, Anthus hodgsoni
- Red-throated pipit, Anthus cervinus
- American pipit, Anthus rubescens
Finches, euphonias, and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae
Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.
- Common chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs
- Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla
- Black-and-yellow grosbeak, Mycerobas icterioides
- Collared grosbeak, Mycerobas affinis
- Spot-winged grosbeak, Mycerobas melanozanthos
- White-winged grosbeak, Mycerobas carnipes
- Common rosefinch, Carpodacus erythrinus
- Scarlet finch, Carpodacus sipahi
- Himalayan beautiful rosefinch, Carpodacus pulcherrimus
- Dark-rumped rosefinch, Carpodacus edwardsii
- Pink-browed rosefinch, Carpodacus rhodochrous
- Spot-winged rosefinch, Carpodacus rhodopeplus
- Vinaceous rosefinch, Carpodacus vinaceus
- Streaked rosefinch, Carpodacus rubicilloides
- Great rosefinch, Carpodacus rubicilla
- Red-fronted rosefinch, Carpodacus puniceus
- Crimson-browed finch, Carpodacus subhimachalus
- Three-banded rosefinch, Carpodacus trifasciatus (A)
- Himalayan white-browed rosefinch, Carpodacus thura
- Brown bullfinch, Pyrrhula nipalensis
- Red-headed bullfinch, Pyrrhula erythrocephala
- Gray-headed bullfinch, Pyrrhula erythaca (A)
- Mongolian finch, Bucanetes mongolicus (A)
- Blanford's rosefinch, Agraphospiza rubescens
- Golden-naped finch, Pyrrhoplectes epauletta
- Spectacled finch, Callacanthis burtoni
- Dark-breasted rosefinch, Procarduelis nipalensis
- Plain mountain-finch, Leucosticte nemoricola
- Black-headed mountain-finch, Leucosticte brandti
- Yellow-breasted greenfinch, Chloris spinoides
- Twite, Linaria flavirostris
- Eurasian linnet, Linaria cannabina (A)
- Red crossbill, Loxia curvirostra
- European goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis
- Fire-fronted serin, Serinus pusillus
- Tibetan serin, Serinus thibetanus
- Eurasian siskin, Spinus spinus (A)
Old World buntings
Order: Passeriformes Family: Emberizidae
The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns.
- Crested bunting, Emberiza lathami
- Black-headed bunting, Emberiza melanocephala (A)
- Red-headed bunting, Emberiza bruniceps (A)
- Chestnut-eared bunting, Emberiza fucata
- Rock bunting, Emberiza cia
- Godlewski's bunting, Emberiza godlewskii
- White-capped bunting, Emberiza stewarti (A)
- Yellowhammer, Emberiza citrinella
- Pine bunting, Emberiza leucocephalos
- Reed bunting, Emberiza schoeniclus (A)
- Yellow-breasted bunting, Emberiza aureola
- Little bunting, Emberiza pusilla
- Rustic bunting, Emberiza rustica (A)
- Black-faced bunting, Emberiza spodocephala
- Chestnut bunting, Emberiza rutila (A)
See also
References
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-11-25. Retrieved 2012-11-28.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-09-25. Retrieved 2013-07-07.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- Gill, F. and D. Donsker (Eds). 2019. IOC World Bird List (v 9.2). Doi 10.14344/IOC.ML.9.2. http://www.worldbirdnames.org/ retrieved 22 June 2019
- Lepage, Denis. "Checklist of birds of Nepal". Bird Checklists of the World. Avibase. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
- Clements, James F. (2000). Birds of the World: a Checklist. Cornell University Press. p. 880. ISBN 0-934797-16-1.
- Inskipp, Carol & Inskipp, Tim (1985). A guide to the birds of Nepal. Christopher Helm.
- Rand AL & RL Fleming (1957). "Birds from Nepal". Fieldiana Zoology. 41 (1).
- Fleming RL; AL Rand & MA Traylor (1961). "Notes on Nepal birds". Fieldiana Zoology. 35 (8).
- Fleming, RL & MA Traylor (1964). "Further notes on Nepal birds". Fieldiana Zoology. 35 (9).
- Fleming, RL, MA Traylor (1968). "Distributional notes on Nepal birds". Fieldiana Zoology. 53 (3).CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)