Endemic Birds of India and Where to find them

India is one of the most unique wildlife landscapes in the world, and it falls under the Oriental Zoogeographical Region. No wonder birdwatchers from all over the world “flock” to India for birding tours.

The Oriental region includes the Indian Subcontinent, Malaysia, Southern China Philippines, and the islands of Indonesia.

The majority of the areas denoted under this region are Tropical Forests, with considerable dry and and partially desert areas in the North-western region where highly specialised adaptions are seen in species.

Species overlap in these regions across various orders and families, yet the taxonomical difference between them is not very dissimilar.

This variety in ecosystems, results in India being one of the Worlds most Important Bird Areas – as is verified in the number of IBA’s & Ramsar Sites designated in India.

Number of Important Bird Areas(IBA's) in India : 467

Number of Ramsar Sites in India : 25

Number of Bird Species in India : Around 1300 bird species – both resident and migrant.

Number of Endemic Birds of India : 53 bird species

The endemic White-bellied Blue Robin(Sholicola albiventris) or Nilgiri Shortwing seen at Erivakulum National Park in Munnar, Kerala.

List of Endemic Bird Species found only in India :

1. Nicobar Scrubfowl - Megapodius nicobariensis 2. Painted Francolin - Francolinus pictus 3. Rock Bush Quail - Perdicula argoondah 4. Painted Bush Quail - Perdicula erythrorhyncha 5. Manipur Bush Quail - Perdicula manipurensis 6. Red Spurfowl - Galloperdix spadicea 7. Painted Spurfowl - Galloperdix lunulata 8. Himalayan Quail - Ophrysia superciliosa 9. Grey Junglefowl - Gallus sonneratii 10. Andaman Woodpecker - Dryocopus hodgei 11. White-cheeked Barbet - Megalaima viridis 12. Malabar Grey Hornbill - Ocyceros griseus 13. Narcondam Hornbill - Aceros narcondami 14. Malabar Parakeet - Psittacula columboides 15. Nicobar Parakeet - Psittacula caniceps 16. Andaman Masked Owl - Tyto deroepstorffi 17. Andaman Scops Owl - Otus balli 18. Mottled Wood Owl - Strix ocellata 19. Forest Owlet - Athene blewitti 20. Andaman Hawk Owl - Ninox affinis 21. Nilgiri Wood Pigeon - Columba elphinstonii 22. Andaman Wood Pigeon - Columba palumboides 23. Andaman Cuckoo Dove - Macropygia rufipennis 24. Andaman Crake - Rallina canningi 25. Jerdon's Courser - Rhinoptilus bitorquatus 26. Nicobar Serpent Eagle - Spilornis minimus 27. Andaman Serpent Eagle - Spilornis elgini 28. Nicobar Sparrowhawk - Accipiter butleri 29. White-bellied Treepie - Dendrocitta leucogastra 30. Andaman Treepie - Dendrocitta bayleyi 31. Malabar Whistling Thrush - Myophonus horsfieldii 32. White-bellied Shortwing - Brachypteryx major 33. Black-and-orange Flycatcher - Ficedula nigrorufa 34. Nilgiri Flycatcher - Eumyias albicaudata 35. White-bellied Blue Flycatcher - Cyornis pallipes 36. White-headed Starling - Sturnus erythropygius 37. White-naped Tit - Parus nuchalis 38. Grey-headed Bulbul - Pycnonotus priocephalus 39. Yellow-throated Bulbul - Pycnonotus xantholaemus 40. Nicobar Bulbul - Hypsipetes nicobariensis 41. Broad-tailed Grassbird - Schoenicola platyura 42. Wynaad Laughingthrush - Garrulax delesserti 43. Nilgiri Laughingthrush - Garrulax cachinnans 44. Kerala Laughingthrush - Garrulax jerdoni 45. Bugun Liocichla - Liocichla bugunorum 46. Marsh Babbler - Pellorneum palustre 47. Tawny-breasted Wren Babbler - Spelaeornis longicaudatus 48. Rufous Babbler - Turdoides subrufus 49. Malabar Lark - Galerida malabarica 50. Sykes’s Lark - Galerida deva 51. Crimson-backed Sunbird - Nectarinia minima 52. Nilgiri Pipit - Anthus nilghiriensis 53. Green Avadavat - Amandava formosa

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The famed Forest Owlet, endemic to Central India was only rediscovered in 1997. Melghat Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra is the best place to see this amazing bird. Avoid the temptation to play bird calls on a birding tour in India. Photo courtesy : Krishna Khan via Wikipedia.com

Introducing Endemic Birds and

Where to Find Them in India

Here we take a look at the endemic birding opportunities along with some highlight species of birds of India :

1. Bugun Liocichla

Ask any birder in India which their dream destination for bird-watching is, and a unanimous cry will be “Eaglenest”!

Made popular with the discovery of the Bugun Liochichla in 2006 – an endemic bird of Eaglenest aptly named after the local Bugun tribe.

Eaglenest is contiguous with the Pakke Tiger Reserve, Sessa Orchid Sanctuary as well as Nameri Tiger Reserve – and it’s relative isolation and low population distribution has ensured that it remains as one of India’s last large pristine forest stretches, relatively undisturbed as yet by the pressures of human development.

The accessible birding areas lie between 500m – 2800m above sea-level covering a range of habitats from Lowland Evergreen Forest, Temperate broad-leaved Forest, Bamboo, Coniferous and Scrub.

Close to 500 species are recorded here and it has been declared an Important Bird Area(IBA).

Uniquely endemic to one region that is Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh, The Bugun Liocichla really is a bucket list bird of the world. Photo courtesy : Muk.Seh via Wikipedia.com

How to see the Bugin Liocichla on tour :

· At Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, 8.5 hr road journey from Guwahati Airport, Assam – well connected by flight from New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata & Bangalore

· 04 hr road journey from Tezpur Airport – connected by flight from Guwahati 3 times a week. Need to stay overnight at Guwahati to catch the early morning flight to Tezpur(45 min flight)

· 5 hr drive from Nameri National Park & 6 hr drive away from Kaziranga National Park, popular destinations nearby.

Highlight Bird Species at Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary :

· Bugun Liocichla - endemic

· Blyth’s Tragopan

· Temminck’s Tragopan

· Snow Partridge

· Ward’s Trogon

· Fire-tailed Myzornis

· Beautiful Nuthatch

· Grandala

· Hodgson’s Frogmouth

· Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler

Type of Safari at Eaglenest :

· Birding is done here on foot. A vehicle does accompany one while ascending the hills, and as it is an unregulated area – you can easily get off the cars amongst the various birding areas to look for different species.

When to visit Eaglenest for birding :

· November to Mid- April is a great time to visit.

· Summers : Feb to April is when the vegetation is at it’s lowest ebb, with the breeding season of the birds makes it very fruitful.

2. Endemic Species of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a cluster of 300 or so islands located in the Bay of Bengal. It lies in the South-East direction relative to India, to the West of Myanmar.

Though the archipelago has numerous islands, around 90% are uninhabited, and tropical rainforests cover the majority of these areas in addition to the long coastlines – literally a paradise for wildlife.

It is definitely one the most interesting places for birders around the world as it is home to 27 endemic bird species and subspecies along with 250 or so of the remaining species here, providing ample opportunities for an excellent birding itinerary.

Highlight Bird Species of Andaman and Nicobar Islands :

· Narcondam Hornbill

· Nicobar Scrubfowl

· Andaman Woodpecker

· Andaman Hawk Owl

· Andaman Scops Owl

· Great Nicobar Serpent Eagle

· Andaman Wood Pigeon

· Andaman Crake

· Nicobar Drongo

· White-headed Starling x

· Andaman Treepie

· Andaman Coucal or Brown Coucal

How to get Andaman and Nicobar Islands :

· Daily flights to Port Blair from New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata & Chennai.

When to visit Andaman & Nicobar Islands for birding :

· The Winters from October – March end is the best time to be here. Opportunities for winter migrants and pelagic birding also increase during the winters.

· Summers are also pleasant here, though days may be hot and humid.

· The monsoon from June – September on the islands is awash with rain with restricted flight operations and storm warnings.

Safari at Andaman & Nicobar Island :

· All birding here is done along walking trails. Vehicles can be taken in between destinations or to traverse between birding hotspots. Most productive birding here is done on walking trails or waiting at strategic points.

3. Endemic Bird Species of South India :

In Peninsular India, primarily comprising of the Southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala & Tamil Nadu lie the Western Ghats – India’s oldest mountain range and one of the most biogeographically rich places in the world. It’s biomass goes toe to toe with that of the Amazon and species diversity is similar.

Demarcated by the Deccan plateau of Central India on its Northern Side, the habitat of the Western Ghats consists of Tropical Rainforests, Deciduous Forests, Shola Grasslands, Scrub Forests as well as Montane Forests.

Why are the Western Ghats and the Nilgiri Hills so important?

• It houses 3500 Plant species, of out which 1500 species are endemic to the area

• 75% of all Amphibians of India occur here.

• More than 50% of all Reptiles of India are found here

• More than 300 species of Butterflies of India occur here

• Over 100 species of Mammals

• Almost 600 bird species of India out of which 28 species are endemic to the area.

The Rufuous Babbler is endemic to the Western Ghats in India. They usually congregate like their close cousins, the Jungle Babbler. This small flock was seen at Masinagudi, Karnataka.

Highlight Bird Species of South India :

· Sri Lanka Frogmouth (nocturnal bird which roosts during the day, though it maybe tempting, a call to request you to not spend more than a minute at the sighting, photographing the bird, as it roosts in the lower canopy – and is prone to disturbance)

· Great-eared Nightjar

· Waynaad Laughingthrush

· White-bellied Treepie

· Heart-spotted Woodpecker

· White-bellied Woodpecker

· Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher

· Malabar Trogon

· Nilgiri Wood Pigeon

· Nilgiri Flycatcher

· Malabar Parakeet

· Malabar Grey Hornbill

· Grey Junglefowl

· Grey Hornbill

· Blue-throated Blue Flycatcher

· Yellow-browed Bulbul

· Flame-throated Bulbul

· White-browed Bulbul

· Grey-headed Bulbul

· Malabar Lark

· Blyth’s Starling or Malabar Starling

· Rufous Babbler

· Crimson-backed Sunbird

· Orange Minivet

· White-cheeked Barbet

· Malabar Whistling Thrush

· Southern Hill Myna

When to visit South India for birding :

· Anytime from November to the mid-May is a good time to visit the Western Ghats.

Key places for Birding in South India :

Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary - Goa

An IBA(Important Bird Area), it is covered with Tropical Evergreen Forest, Semi-evergreen Forest & Moist Deciduous Forest. The habitat is hilly with several rivulets which occur in the Sanctuary.

It is located in Southern Goa and is the 2nd largest wildlife sanctuary of Goa.

How to get to Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary :

· 02 hour drive away from Dabolim International Airport Goa – well connected by flight from New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai & other metropolitan cities.

· 1.5 hour drive from Colva Beach in South Goa – a popular tourist destination

· 40 minute drive from Palolem Beach in South Goa – a popular tourist destination

Nagarhole National Park – Karnataka

· Probably most visited National Parks of South India, Nagarhole National Park is part of the Nagarhole Tiger Reserve as well as a part of the larger Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

· These Moist and Dry Deciduous forests are home to large mammals such as the Indian Elephant, Gaur, Royal Bengal Tiger & Indian Wild Dogs. More recently, people from all over the world flock here in the summer for photographing a rather bold male Melanistic or Black Leopard.

· Nagarhole is also an IBA – Important Bird Area and over 300 bird species are recorded here including some of the endemics of South India.

How to get to Nagarhole :

· 4.5 hour drive from Bangalore International Airport – well connected internationally as well as domestically from most major airports in India.

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary – Karnataka

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is a reservoir comprising of 06 Islands and 06 islets on the banks of the river Cauvery. This catchment area has been created due to damming of the river. This has resulted in the creation of habitat for the birds which reside in the area as well as the migratory birds which find solace in winter with the relative abundance of food here. The nearby agricultural areas also provide breeding grounds for insects to which the farmers allow a lending hand to the insecrivorous birds of the area. It is an important birding location of Asia and is mooted to become a Ramsar Wetland as well.

Championed by legendary ornithologist Dr.Salim Ali with over 220 bird species recorded, and multiple water birds nesting here – Ranganathittu is a must visit birding site in India.

How to get to Ranganathittu :

· 3.5 hour drive from Bangalore International Airport – well connected internationally as well as domestically from most major airports in India.

· 30 minute drive from popular city Mysore.

Thattekad / Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary – Kerala

· These fragmented Southern Indian Moist Deciduous and Tropical Evergreen Forests of the Western Ghats close to sea-level, are rich in biodiversity and the Sanctuary is one of the best places for birding in India.

· It is bordered by the Periyar River on the South-western side and its tributary the Pooyamkutty river on its Northern front.

· Within the confines, rich ecological diversity exists and treasures waiting to be seen enthrall you.

How to get to Thattekad :

· 1.5 hrs by road from Cochin International Airport – connected well by flights domestically from New Dellhi, Mumbai, Chennai & Bangalore

Erivakulum National Park – Munnar, Kerala

Nestled at 2000m above sea-level in the Western Ghats mountains, is Erivakulum National Park – covered in the remaining high elevation Shola grasslands interspersed amongst the Montane forests of South India.

Over 200 species of birds exist here with interesting butterflies, mammals, amphibians as well as reptiles.

A famous tourist spot, is Munnar, and there are chances of influx of people at times as well. However, the entire landscape is rather forested with a several large tea-estates, hence birding can be done almost anywhere in the area.

How to get to Erivakulum :

· 04 hrs by road from Cochin International Airport – connected well by flights domestically from New Dellhi, Mumbai, Chennai & Bangalore.

· 4.5 hrs by road from Coimbatore International Airport – connected well by flights domestically from New Dellhi, Mumbai, Chennai & Bangalore.

Valparai – Tamil Nadu

An absorbing view of gentle green hills, low-hanging clouds, and a silence broken by the echoing song of the Malabar Whistling Thrush, Valparai Plateau is one of the most beautiful travel spots in South India.

The Anamalai hills are heavily fragmented with Tea and Coffee estates, yet the landscape teems with wildlife of all kinds. Gentle but beastly Gaur greet you in the tea-estates as you drive in and great birding hotspots can be located in and amongst these inhabited areas across Valparai.

The altitude ranges from 1200m to 2600m, and the forest type here is Moist Deciduous to Evergreen Forests. There are Shola forests visible from here at the higher reaches where elephants and tigers dwell.

How to get to Valparai :

· 02 hour drive from Coimbatore International Airport – connected well by flights domestically from New Dellhi, Mumbai, Chennai & Bangalore.

· 04 hrs by road from Cochin International Airport – connected well by flights domestically from New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai & Bangalore.

Ooty, Kotagiri & Coonoor – Tamil Nadu

Ooty is known as the “Queen of Hills”, nestled right in the Nilgiris. It is a rather popular tourist destination, however the biodiversity hotspots are there to find and it’s birds galore in these Evergreen forests.

Ooty and its nearby areas have a lot of birding to offer.

Shola forests and grassland are to be seen but never touched as they remain strictly protected owing to their limited availability.

Located around 40km from Mudumulai National Park, the extensions of the Park are to be felt in this paradise.

The highest peak is called Dodda Better which is situated at an altitude of 2600m from sea level.

The Nilgiri Biosphere has around 3300 plant species of which 132 are endemic to the area, and 08 out of 175 orchid species are endemic as well.

How to get to Ooty :

· 03 hour drive from Coimbatore International Airport – connected well by flights domestically from New Dellhi, Mumbai, Chennai & Bangalore.

The Kerala Laughingthrush(Montecincla fairbanki) aka Palani Laughingthrush aka Grey-breasted Laughingthrush is one of 3 endemic Laughinthrush species' of the biodiverse Western Ghats.

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