An Exotic Sensation: Bird Watching in Bhutan

Bird watching in Bhutan is an amazing experience since there are so many species of birds that live in the country. It is one of the few places in the world that still has about seventy percent of the land covered with forests so that they species can thrive in the environment. In addition, there is a huge altitudinal spread in the country so there is a very diverse environment that is conducive to many different species. There are over four hundred species of birds that call it home, in addition to over two hundred more species that are migratory through the area. Bird watching in Bhutan can take weeks and even months to explore and discover all that Bhutan has to offer.

Types of Birds

Migrant bird watching in Bhutan would include about fifty species of birds that migrate during the winter months. There are many different species in this category of birds in Bhutan, including wading birds, birds of prey, finches, thrushes, ducks and buntings. There are other birds that come only for the summer months and then leave to go to warmer climates. These birds include cuckoos, which are popular birds to watch in Bhutan, as well as swifts, flycatchers, bee-eaters and warblers.

The bird species that are native to Bhutan and do not migrate, of which there are over four hundred, only migrate to higher and lower altitudes in the country depending on the season. Since there is such diversity in altitude and a huge range of forest in all altitudes, it makes it possible for that many species of birds to continue to call Bhutan home in all seasons of the year. There are almost twenty species of birds for bird watching in Bhutan that are endangered, yet make Bhutan home and breed there. These birds are threatened on an international basis, making Bhutan important in the preservation of these species. The Dark Rumped Swift, Blyth's King Fisher, the rumped Honey Guide and the Purple Cochoa are just a few of the endangered species of birds for bird watching in Bhutan.

The Shemgang district of Bhutan is one of the most sought out areas of Bhutan for bird watching since it is the place where all the rivers meet up. The forest here is lush and harbors many different species of birds including the Blue-bearded Bee-eater, the Barred Cuckoo-dove, and the White-bellied Heron. In addition to birds, there are many other species of rare animals in this area, making it a wonderful place to visit for bird watching in Bhutan and for other animals.