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Oasis for Birding in the Desert State

Rajasthan in Western India is a bird watcher's paradise, with its diverse landscapes providing habitats for over 500 bird species. From the wetlands of Bharatpur, to the community conservation of Khichan, and the desert wilderness of Tal Chappar : Rajasthan offers a unique birding experience that cannot be found anywhere else in India.

You can spot some of the rarest birds like Indian Bustard, Macqueen's Bustard, Lesser Florican, Cinereous Vulture, Demoiselle Cranes, Flamingoes, Indian Spotted Creeper in this state. Birdwatching tours in Rajasthan are popular among wildlife travelers and bird enthusiasts who can enjoy sightings of the Raptors, Wetland Birds, and Cranes. So pack your binoculars, grab your camera, and get ready to discover the amazing diversity of Rajasthan on one of the best birding and wildlife trips in India.

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When is the best time to visit Rajasthan for birding :

  • Winter : October to early March is a great time to visit Rajasthan for bird watching tour.

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What is the type of Safari on the Rajasthan bird tour? :

  • Most excursions are carried out on foot. A vehicle is always available for use, however.

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Birdwatching in Rajasthan, India.
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A Comprehensive Rajasthan Birding Tour 

Bharatpur-Jaipur-Tal Chappar-Jorbeer-Khichan-Desert National Park.

How to Reach
Rajasthan

How to Reach
Rajasthan

  • Fly to New Delhi - well connected around the world and with every Indian city.

  • 04 hour drive from New Delhi Airport

How Many Nights to Spend in Rajasthan for a Birding Tour ?

How Many Nights to Spend in Rajasthan for a Birding Tour ?

  • At least 10 nights, up to 14 nights.

  • Bharatpur : 2 nights

  • Jaipur : 01 night

  • Tal Chappar : 2 nights

  • Jorbeer : 1 night

  • Khichan : 1 night

  • Desert National Park : 3 nights

What are the Types of
Birding Safaris in Rajasthan?

What are the Types of Birding Safaris in Rajasthan?

  • All Birding is done here on foot. However each destination on the tour will be traversed in a car.

Mammals in Rajasthan

Mammal Highlights

  • Indian Desert Gerbil or Indian Desert Jird

  • Hairy footed Gerbil

  • Blackbuck

  • Chinkara or Indian Gazelle

  • Nilgai or Bluebull

  • Desert Fox

  • Desert Cat

  • Desert Hare

  • Indian Hedgehog

  • Striped Hyaena

Reptiles at Rajasthan

Reptile Highlights

  • Laungwala Toad-headed Agama

  • Sindh Awl Headed Snake

  • Desert Monitor Lizard

  • Spiny-tailed Lizard

  • Dwarf Gecko

  • Persian Gecko

  • Jerdon's Snake Eye

  • Indian Fringe-fingered Lizard

  • Leaf-toed Gecko

  • Saw-scaled Viper

  • Indian Rock Python

  • Spectacled Cobra

  • Common Sand Boa

  • Bengal Monitor Lizard

Birds in Rajasthan

Birding Highlights

  • Indian Spotted Creeper

  • Greater Flamingo

  • Demoiselle Crane

  • Sarus Crane

  • Yellow-eyed Pigeon

  • Great Indian Bustard

  • Macqueen's Bustard

  • Demoiselle Crane

  • Yellow-eyed Pigeon

  • Greater Short-toed Lark

  • Bimaculated Lark

  • Trumpeter Finch

  • Cream coloured Courser

  • Indian Courser

  • Siberian Rubythroat

  • Dusky Eagle Owl

  • Marsh Harrier

  • Pallid Harrier

  • Greater Spotted Eagle

  • Imperial Eagle

  • Common Crane

  • Dalmation Pelican

  • Rosy Pelican

  • Great-white Pelican

  • Spot-billed Pelican

10 Night Birding Tour in Rajasthan

Of Falcons, Spiny Tailed Lizards, Indian Spotted Creeper, and Blackbucks

Tal Chappar, once a hunting ground for the Maharaja of Bikaner, is now a must-visit destination for wildlife travelers looking to witness the spectacular raptors of India. This Thorny Desert Scrub is famous for its Acacia trees and short grasses that cover the mostly barren landscape that is teeming with life.

Part of the Thar Desert, Tal Chappar is a flat saline depression locally known as “Tal”. Small lakes attract local and international migrant birds, which provide a stopover for various raptors that visit the sanctuary during migration season.

The State tree of Rajasthan, the “Khejri” Tree (Prosopis cineraria), is home to the very rare Indian Spotted Creeper and Indian Spiny Lizards in the thousands. These herbivorous lizards attract a multitude of birds that surface for food and warmth during the winter sun.

With almost 300 bird species recorded in this unique region, Tal Chappar is a bird watcher's paradise that should not be missed during your next wildlife tour in India.

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When to visit Tal Chappar :

  • Winter : October to mid-March is a great time to visit.

 

Type of Safari at Tal Chappar :

  • A 4x4 can be hired locally to traverse through the landscape.S

  • Walking is permitted as well.

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Tal Chapper in Rajasthan, India.

Mammals at Tal Chappar

Mammal Highlights

  • Indian Desert Gerbil or Indian Desert Jird

  • Blackbuck

  • Chinkara or Indian Gazelle

  • Nilgai or Bluebull

  • Desert Fox

  • Desert Cat

  • Indian Hedgehog

Reptiles at Tal Chappar

Reptile Highlights

  • Spiny-tailed Lizard

  • Jerdon's Snake Eye

  • Indian Fringe-fingered Lizard

  • Leaf-toed Gecko

  • Saw-scaled Viper

  • Indian Rock Python

  • Spectacled Cobra

  • Common Sand Boa

  • Bengal Monitor Lizard

Birds at Tal Chappar

Birding Highlights

  • Indian Spotted Creeper

  • Greater Flamingo

  • Demoiselle Crane

  • Yellow-eyed Pigeon

  • Saker Falcon or Barbary Falcon

  • Laggar Falcon

  • Red-necked Falcon

  • Merlin

  • Sociable Lapwing

  • Red Phalarope

  • Red-tailed Wheatear

  • Desert Wheatear

  • Variable Wheatear

  • Crested Lark

  • Water Pipit

  • Buff-bellied Pipit

  • Stoliczka’s Bushchat

  • Greater Short-toed Lark

  • Bimaculated Lark

  • Indian Eagle Owl

  • White-tailed Eagle

  • Steppe Eagle

  • Bonelli’s Eagle

  • Booted Eagle

  • Eastern Imperial Eagle

  • Tawny Eagle

  • Greater Spotted Eagle

  • Common Buzzard

  • Long-legged Buzzard

  • Eurasian Marsh Harrier

  • Montague’s Harrier

  • Hen Harrier

  • Cinereous Vulture

  • Egyptian Vulture

  • Eurasian Griffon

  • Ruff

  • Black-bellied Sandgrouse

  • Pied Avocet, Common Shelduck, Oriental Skylark, Variable Wheatear, Isabelline Wheater, Lesser Whitethroat, Spanish Sparrow, Punjab Raven, Rain Quail, European Roller, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Lesser Kestrel and many many other species.

The Village of the Demoiselle Cranes

In a world where man's destruction of nature dominates the news, it's heartening to hear stories of positive change. In the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, India, lies the village of Khichan, where an extraordinary conservation effort has made it a haven for migratory Demoiselle Cranes.

It all began with one man, Mr. Ratan Lal Maloo, who started feeding pigeons, sparrows, peacocks, and palm squirrels with grain as a family tradition. In the 1970s, Mr. Maloo spotted a small number of Demoiselle Cranes passing through Khichan on their migratory journey to India. Fascinated by these foreign visitors, he continued feeding them and soon saw their numbers double.

Today, Khichan welcomes 12,000 to 15,000 Demoiselle Cranes every year, thanks to the tireless efforts of Mr. Maloo, the Jain Community of Khichan, and a worldwide support system. It has been declared a Bird Sanctuary and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it a must-visit destination for wildlife and birdwatching enthusiasts. Witnessing the grand spectacle of thousands of cranes being fed lakhs of kilos of grains is a truly awe-inspiring experience that highlights the power of grassroots conservation efforts.

Mr.Maloo is no more today, however, he has left a lasting legacy on the world by leaving it in a better place.

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When is the best time to visit Khichan to see the Demoiselle Cranes :

  • Though the Demoiselle Cranes have begun visiting from August itself, the largest congregations are seen from the beginning of December to March.

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How to get to Khichan in Rajasthan :

  • 3 hour drive from Jodhpur Airport in Jodhpur City – well connected by flight from New Delhi, Jaipur & Mumbai.

  • 2.5 hour drive from Bikaner city – famous tourist destination

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Khichan in Rajasthan, India.

Birds at Khichan

Birding Highlights

  • Demoiselle Crane

  • Desert Wheatear

  • Variable Wheater

  • Isabelline Wheatear

  • Ruff

  • Lesser Whitethroat

  • Crested Lark

  • Greater Short-toed Lark

  • Laggar Falcon

  • Greater Spotted Eagle

  • Tawny Eagle

  • Long-legged Buzzard

  • Steppe Eagle

  • Northern Shoveler

  • Knob-billed Duck or Comb Duck

  • Common Shelduck

  • Bar-headed Goose

Land of the Bustards

The Desert National Park is a unique and fascinating ecosystem, showcasing the incredible adaptability of plants and animals to survive in some of the world's harshest conditions.

Despite the harsh conditions, the park supports a rich variety of wildlife, including mammals such as desert foxes, blackbucks, and chinkara. Reptiles such as the spiny-tailed lizard and the monitor lizard are also found here. In addition, the park is a haven for bird species, with over 250 species recorded here. Some of the most notable avian inhabitants of the park include the Great Indian Bustard, the Indian Courser, and the Demoiselle Crane.

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Desert National Park is situated in the Thar Desert, which is one of the world's most arid regions. As such, the park's habitat is predominantly characterized by sandy dunes, rocks, and sparse vegetation. The park is home to a range of plant species that have adapted to survive in this harsh environment, including cacti, shrubs, and thorny trees.

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When to visit Desert National Park :

  • Winter : November to February is the best time to visit Desert National Park

 

Type of Safari at Desert National Park :

  • A 4x4 can be hired locally to traverse through the landscape.

  • Walking is permitted as well.

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Desert National Park in Rajasthan, India.

Mammals
Desert National Park

Mammal Highlights

  • Indian Desert Gerbil or Indian Desert Jird

  • Hairy footed Gerbil

  • Blackbuck

  • Chinkara or Indian Gazelle

  • Nilgai or Bluebull

  • Desert Fox

  • Desert Cat

  • Desert Hare

  • Indian Hedgehog

Reptiles
​Desert National Park

Reptile Highlights

  • Laungwala Toad-headed Agama

  • Sindh Awl Headed Snake

  • Desert Monitor Lizard

  • Spiny-tailed Lizard

  • Dwarf Gecko

  • Persian Gecko

  • Jerdon's Snake Eye

  • Indian Fringe-fingered Lizard

  • Leaf-toed Gecko

  • Saw-scaled Viper

  • Indian Rock Python

  • Spectacled Cobra

  • Common Sand Boa

  • Bengal Monitor Lizard

Birds
​Desert National Park

Birding Highlights

  • Great Indian Bustard

  • Macqueen's Bustard

  • Demoiselle Crane

  • Yellow-eyed Pigeon

  • Greater Short-toed Lark

  • Bimaculated Lark

  • Trumpeter Finch

  • Cream coloured Courser

  • Saker Falcon or Barbary Falcon

  • Laggar Falcon

  • Red-necked Falcon

  • Merlin

  • Red-tailed Wheatear

  • Desert Wheatear

  • Variable Wheatear

  • Crested Lark

  • Water Pipit

  • Buff-bellied Pipit

  • Stoliczka’s Bushchat

  • Indian Eagle Owl

  • White-tailed Eagle

  • Steppe Eagle

  • Bonelli’s Eagle

  • Booted Eagle

  • Eastern Imperial Eagle

  • Tawny Eagle

  • Greater Spotted Eagle

  • Common Buzzard

  • Long-legged Buzzard

  • Eurasian Marsh Harrier

  • Pallid Harrier

  • Cinereous Vulture

  • Egyptian Vulture

  • Eurasian Griffon

  • Ruff

  • Black-bellied Sandgrouse

  • Pied Avocet, Common Shelduck, Oriental Skylark, Variable Wheatear, Isabelline Wheater, Lesser Whitethroat, Spanish Sparrow, Punjab Raven, Rain Quail, European Roller, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Lesser Kestrel and many many other species.

India's Wetland Dream for Birding

India’s most famous bird watching site has been Keoladeo – Ghana National Park or Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.

This small wetland of 29 sq.km provides feeding and nesting grounds to over 400 bird species, and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ramsar Site as well as an IBA(Important Bird Area).

This former hunting ground and now protected habitat consists of Scrub forest, Savanna grassland and large Wetlands with naturally constructed earthen mounds to provide perching spots for the thousands of birds which feed on the varieties of fish, invertebrates and aquatic plant species in the rain and Yamuna river-fed waters of the wetlands.

The misty winters and the breaking sunlight are a birdwatcher and photographer’s dream and lacs of birders and photography enthusiasts visit the birdwatching shrine that is Bharatpur each year .

An array of waterbirds, waders, ground birds and raptors – Bharatpur has something for every nature lover.

 

When to visit Bharatpur for birdwatching:

  • An ideal time is peak winter from December to the end of February for that is when the winter migrants visit the Sanctuary.

  • The Sanctuary is open throughout the year – with resident birds nesting when the monsoon hits from July – September.

  • The waters of the wetland almost completely dry out in May-June.

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Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary, India.

Mammals at Bharatpur

Mammal Highlights

  • Nilgai or Blue Bull

  • Indian Golden Jackal

  • Spotted Deer

  • Fishing Cat

  • Bengal Fox

Reptiles at Bharatpur

Reptile Highlights

  • Crowned River Turtle

  • Three-striped Roofed Turtle

  • Indian Roofed Turtle

  • Black Pond Turtle

  • Indian Tent Turtle

  • Indian Flapshell Turtle

  • Peacock Softshell Turtle

  • Ganges Softshell Turtle

  • Indian Narrow-headed Turtle

  • Indian Python

  • Bengal Monitor Lizard

  • Banded Krait

  • Green Rat Snake

Birds at Bharatpur

Birding Highlights

  • Sarus Crane

  • Indian Courser

  • Siberian Rubythroat

  • Demoiselle Crane

  • Dusky Eagle Owl

  • Marsh Harrier

  • Pallid Harrier

  • Greater Spotted Eagle

  • Imperial Eagle

  • Common Crane

  • Dalmation Pelican

  • Rosy Pelican

  • Great-white Pelican

  • Spot-billed Pelican

  • Greater-painted Snipe

  • Black Bittern

  • Painted Stork

  • Woolly-necked Stork

  • Eurasian Spoonbill

  • Glossy Ibis

  • Bar-headed Goose

  • Comb Duck or Knob-billed Duck

  • Tufted Duck

  • Ferruginous Duck

  • Black-tailed Godwit

  • Ruff

  • Pheasant-tailed Jacana

  • Bronze-winged Jacana

  • Brown Crake

  • White-tailed Lapwing

  • Marshall’s Iora

  • Large-tailed Nightjar

  • Collared Scops Owl

  • Lesser Whitethroat, Brooke’s Leaf Warbler, Black-headed Ibis, Egyptian Vulture, Red-headed Vulture, Purple Swamphen, Common Snipe, Indian Spot-billed Duck, Mallard, Lesser Whistling-Duck, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Oriental Darter, Little Cormorant amongst many many other bird species.

Related Tours

There's plenty of interesting places to travel to in India, if you're interested in the wildlife of Rajasthan.

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