Himalayan Avifauna
Birds of Naukuchiatal
Naukuchiatal's unique combination of a deep freshwater lake, marshy shorelines, and dense oak-pine hillsides supports a magnificent diversity of bird species. Explore our detailed ecological logs.
Black-throated Bushtit
Aegithalos concinnus
An exceptionally tiny, social passerine with a striking black throat and warm rufous crown, active in fast canopy flocks.
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Red-billed Blue Magpie
Urocissa erythroryncha
A gorgeous, large corvid with an extraordinarily long tail, bright red bill, and highly social, intelligent behavior.
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Red-vented Bulbul
Pycnonotus cafer
A bold, noisy garden bird with a blackish crested head, scaly brown body, white rump and a crimson patch under the tail.
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Grey Bushchat
Saxicola ferreus
A handsome, active flycatcher-like chat, often seen perched conspicuously atop exposed branches and fence posts.
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Flycatchers
Eumyias thalassinus, Ficedula spp.
Summertime gems of the hills: Verditer, Ultramarine and Slaty-blue Flycatchers, hunting insects from exposed perches.
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Grey-breasted Prinia
Prinia hodgsonii
A small, active warbler with a distinct grey breast band, frequently seen flitting through thick shrubbery and low hedges.
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White-throated & Common Kingfishers
Halcyon smyrnensis & Alcedo atthis
Two lakeside hunters: the large White-throated Kingfisher with its crimson bill, and the small blue-and-orange Common Kingfisher.
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Slaty-headed Parakeet
Psittacula himalayana
A graceful, swift parakeet of the hill forests, recognized by its slate-grey head and long, elegant yellow-tipped tail.
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White-capped Redstart
Phoenicurus leucocephalus
A charismatic stream bird. The male has a white crown, blue-black back and chestnut belly and tail, and constantly bobs and fans its tail on rocks.
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Rufous Sibia
Heterophasia capistrata
An abundant, noisy canopy dweller with a sleek black crest, warm rufous body, and lovely musical ringing call notes.
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Crimson Sunbird
Aethopyga siparaja
A tiny, brilliantly colored nectar feeder. The male sports a deep crimson chest, metallic green crown, and long tail plumes.
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White-breasted Waterhen
Amaurornis phoenicurus
A slate-grey marsh bird with a clean white face and chest, frequently spotted skulking around the lake's reed beds.
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Lesser Yellownape
Picus chlorolophus
A striking woodpecker of broadleaf forests, featuring olive-green wings and a brilliant yellow crest and nape.
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Oriental Magpie-Robin
Copsychus saularis
A striking black-and-white songbird with a beautiful melodic voice, often seen perched alertly or foraging on the ground near garden shores.
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Himalayan Black-lored Tit
Machlolophus xanthogenys
A handsome, active tit featuring a prominent black crest, bright yellow cheeks and underparts, and a bold black stripe running down its center breast.
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