Brilliant birds, striking reptiles, and entrancing mammals, including the mighty Tiger – traveling to India is always a delight for nature lovers, with all the unbelievable natural diversity on display in its own lush natural parks and terrific wildlife reserves. For those interested in seeing birds in addition to among the world’s most legendary big cats, it’s a dream destination, with a variety of bird species as abundant as they are beautiful. Indian iconography is filled with avian vision, bearing witness to the value of the winged creatures in the natural and the human worlds. One only needs to walk through a town or city in the Indian subcontinent to see ongoing evidence of this connection, with parakeets collecting in the trees and peacocks grazing at the side of the street. For those hoping to venture further afield, here are just some of the spectacular species which may be viewed in the wild.
Indian Peafowl
A sign of love in India, the Indian Peafowl is among the nation’s most iconic animals, along with the Bengal Tiger. Travel almost anywhere in the nation and you’ll have the ability to see their brilliant blue-green plumage, whether in populated areas or forests.
Woodpeckers
There are two woodpeckers that come on top of several birders’ lists when traveling in the Indian Subcontinent. One is the White-Naped Woodpecker, which may be viewed in open woods or scrubland – with its red crest and gold wings it’s a striking sight in almost any setting. Another is the Great Slaty Woodpecker; it’s the largest known species of woodpecker and is most frequently found in primary forests, notable for its dark gray plumage, long tail, and the chisel-like end of its beak. To see both, in addition to a possibility of sighting a Tiger, travel to Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve – which, with its extensive grasslands, is normally an excellent area to observe birds.
Fire-Tailed Myzornis
Widely thought of as one of India’s most beautiful birds, the Fire-Tailed Myzornis steps just 12 centimeters and is a treat to behold, flying through the woods in vibrant green flocks with flashing red tail feathers.
Blue-Bearded Bee-Eater
Attractive for both their look and coloring, Blue-Bearded Bee-Eaters are known for their courting rituals and searching methods – the latter involving hammering bees into chasing the birds, then picking them off from the atmosphere. Its feathers range from elegant pale green to olive colors, with a tuft of blue in the throat.
Indian Skimmer
In addition to being a fantastic place to search for the water-loving Bengal Tiger, traveling to areas with pools, rivers or lakes is an excellent way to observe the birdlife that thrives around water. One species that’s always a joy to see is the Indian Skimmer, marked by stark black and white feathers and a bright orange beak, which it uses to skim through the water as it searches.
Marissa Ellis-Snow is a freelance nature writer. If you’re searching for Tiger traveling, Naturetrek specializes in expert-led natural history and wildlife tours globally. Naturetrek brings over 25 years of expertise into wildlife tours to a number of the most spectacular regions on Earth.