Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 20 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Nepal.
Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis
Great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus
Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
Order: Suliformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae
Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage coloration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white and a few being colorful.
Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
Little cormorant, Microcarbo niger
Order: Suliformes Family: Anhingidae
Darters are often called "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. The males have black and dark-brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape and a larger bill than the female. The females have much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving.
Oriental darter, Anhinga melanogaster
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae
Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes.
Great white pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus (A)
Spot-billed pelican, Pelecanus philippensis
Bitterns, herons and egrets
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills. There are 61 species worldwide and 16 species which occur in Nepal.
Gray heron, Ardea cinerea
White-bellied heron, Ardea insignis
Purple heron, Ardea purpurea
Eastern great egret, Ardea modesta
Intermediate egret, Egretta intermedia
White-faced heron, Egretta novaehollandiae
Little egret, Egretta garzetta
Indian pond heron, Ardeola grayii
Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
Striated heron, Butorides striata
Black-crowned night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
Malayan night heron, Gorsachius melanolophus (A)
Yellow bittern, Ixobrychus sinensis
Cinnamon bittern, Ixobrychus cinnamomeus
Black bittern, Ixobrychus flavicollis
Great bittern, Botaurus stellaris
Ibises and spoonbills
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Threskiornithidae
Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers. There are 36 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Nepal.
Black-headed ibis, Threskiornis melanocephalus
Red-naped ibis, Pseudibis papillosa
Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus (A)
Eurasian spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory.
Painted stork, Mycteria leucocephala
Asian openbill, Anastomus oscitans
Black stork, Ciconia nigra
Woolly-necked stork, Ciconia episcopus
White stork, Ciconia ciconia
Black-necked stork, Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus
Lesser adjutant, Leptoptilos javanicus
Greater adjutant, Leptoptilos dubius
Order: Phoenicopteriformes Family: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down. There are 6 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Nepal.
Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus (A)
Ducks, geese and swans
Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae
Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.
Fulvous whistling duck, Dendrocygna bicolor (A)
Lesser whistling duck, Dendrocygna javanica
Whooper swan, Cygnus cygnus (A)
Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus (A)
Bean goose, Anser fabalis
Graylag goose, Anser anser
Bar-headed goose, Anser indicus
Ruddy shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea
Common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna
Comb duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos
Cotton pygmy goose, Nettapus coromandelianus
Mandarin duck, Aix galericulata (A)
Eurasian wigeon, Anas penelope
Falcated duck, Anas falcata
Gadwall, Anas strepera
Baikal teal, Anas formosa (A)
Eurasian teal, Anas crecca
Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
Spot-billed duck, Anas poecilorhyncha
Northern pintail, Anas acuta
Garganey, Anas querquedula
Northern shoveler, Anas clypeata
Red-crested pochard, Netta rufina
Common pochard, Aythya ferina
Ferruginous pochard, Aythya nyroca
Baer's pochard, Aythya baeri (A)
Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula
Greater scaup, Aythya marila
Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus
Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis (A)
Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula
Smew, Mergellus albellus (A)
Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator (A)
Common merganser, Mergus merganser
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Pandionidae
The Pandionidae family contains only one species, the osprey. The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.
Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
Hawks, kites and eagles
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae
Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight.
Jerdon's baza, Aviceda jerdoni (A)
Black baza, Aviceda leuphotes
Crested honey buzzard, Pernis ptilorhynchus
Black-shouldered kite, Elanus caeruleus
Red kite, Milvus milvus
Black kite, Milvus migrans
Brahminy kite, Haliastur indus
Pallas's fish eagle, Haliaeetus leucoryphus
White-tailed eagle, Haliaeetus albicilla
Lesser fish eagle, Ichthyophaga humilis
Gray-headed fish eagle, Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus
Lammergeier, Gypaetus barbatus
Egyptian vulture, Neophron percnopterus
White-rumped vulture, Gyps bengalensis
Indian vulture, Gyps indicus
Slender-billed vulture, Gyps tenuirostris
Himalayan griffon, Gyps himalayensis
Eurasian griffon, Gyps fulvus
Cinereous vulture, Aegypius monachus
Red-headed vulture, Sarcogyps calvus
Short-toed snake eagle, Circaetus gallicus
Crested serpent eagle, Spilornis cheela
Western marsh-harrier, Circus aeruginosus
Northern harrier, Circus cyaneus
Pallid harrier, Circus macrourus
Pied harrier, Circus melanoleucos
Montagu's harrier, Circus pygargus
Crested goshawk, Accipiter trivirgatus
Shikra, Accipiter badius
Besra, Accipiter virgatus
Eurasian sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus
Northern goshawk, Accipiter gentilis
White-eyed buzzard, Butastur teesa
Himalayan buzzard, Buteo burmanicus
Long-legged buzzard, Buteo rufinus
Upland buzzard, Buteo hemilasius
Black eagle, Ictinaetus malaiensis
Lesser spotted eagle, Clanga pomarina
Indian spotted eagle, Clanga hastata
Greater spotted eagle, Clanga clanga
Tawny eagle, Aquila rapax
Steppe eagle, Aquila nipalensis
Imperial eagle, Aquila heliaca
Golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos
Bonelli's eagle, Aquila fasciata
Rufous-bellied eagle, Lophotriorchis kienerii
Booted eagle, Hieraaetus pennatus
Changeable hawk-eagle, Nisaetus cirrhatus
Flores hawk-eagle, Nisaetus floris
Mountain hawk-eagle, Nisaetus nipalensis
Caracaras and falcons
Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae
Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons. There are 62 species worldwide and 12 species which occur in Nepal.
Collared falconet, Microhierax caerulescens
Lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni
Eurasian kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
Red-necked falcon, Falco chicquera
Amur falcon, Falco amurensis
Merlin, Falco columbarius
Eurasian hobby, Falco subbuteo
Oriental hobby, Falco severus
Laggar falcon, Falco jugger
Saker falcon, Falco cherrug
Barbary falcon, Falco pelegrinoides
Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus
Pheasants and partridges
Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. There are 156 species worldwide and 24 species which occur in Nepal.
Snow partridge, Lerwa lerwa
Tibetan snowcock, Tetraogallus tibetanus
Himalayan snowcock, Tetraogallus himalayensis
Chukar, Alectoris chukar
Black francolin, Francolinus francolinus
Gray francolin, Francolinus pondicerianus
Swamp francolin, Francolinus gularis
Tibetan partridge, Perdix hodgsoniae
Common quail, Coturnix coturnix
Rain quail, Coturnix coromandelica (A)
Blue-breasted quail, Coturnix chinensis
Jungle bush-quail, Perdicula asiatica (A)
Hill partridge, Arborophila torqueola
Rufous-throated partridge, Arborophila rufogularis
Red spurfowl, Galloperdix spadicea
Blood pheasant, Ithaginis cruentus
Western tragopan, Tragopan melanocephalus
Satyr tragopan, Tragopan satyra
Koklass pheasant, Pucrasia macrolopha
Himalayan monal, Lophophorus impejanus
Red junglefowl, Gallus gallus
Kalij pheasant, Lophura leucomelanos
Cheer pheasant, Catreus wallichii
Indian peafowl, Pavo cristatus
Order: Gruiformes Family: Gruidae
Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".
Demoiselle crane, Anthropoides virgo
Sarus crane, Grus antigone
Common crane, Grus grus
Black-necked crane, Grus nigricollis (A)
Rails, crakes, gallinules and coots
Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.
Slaty-legged crake, Rallina eurizonoides
Slaty-breasted rail, Gallirallus striatus (A)
Water rail, Rallus aquaticus (A)
Brown-cheeked rail, Rallus indicus
Brown crake, Amaurornis akool
White-breasted waterhen, Amaurornis phoenicurus
Black-tailed crake, Amaurornis bicolor (A)
Baillon's crake, Porzana pusilla
Spotted crake, Porzana porzana
Ruddy-breasted crake, Porzana fusca
Watercock, Gallicrex cinerea
Grey-headed swamphen, Porphyrio poliocephalus
Common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
Eurasian coot, Fulica atra
Order: Otidiformes Family: Otididae
Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays.
Indian bustard, Ardeotis nigriceps (A)
Bengal florican, Houbaropsis bengalensis
Lesser florican, Sypheotides indicus
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Turnicidae
The buttonquails are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails. The female is the brighter of the sexes and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young.
Small buttonquail, Turnix sylvatica
Yellow-legged buttonquail, Turnix tanki
Barred buttonquail, Turnix suscitator
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Jacanidae
The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found throughout the tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat. There 8 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Nepal.
Pheasant-tailed jacana, Hydrophasianus chirurgus
Bronze-winged jacana, Metopidius indicus
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rostratulidae
Painted-snipe are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly colored. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Nepal.
Greater painted-snipe, Rostratula benghalensis
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are 11 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Nepal.
Eurasian oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus (A)
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Ibidorhynchidae
The ibisbill is related to the waders, but is sufficiently distinctive to be a family unto itself. The adult is gray with a white belly, red legs, a long down curved bill, and a black face and breast band.
Ibisbill, Ibidorhyncha struthersii
Avocets and stilts
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are 9 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Nepal.
Black-winged stilt, Himantopus himantopus
Pied avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Burhinidae
The stone-curlews are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats.
Indian stone-curlew, Burhinus indicus
Great stone-curlew, Esacus recurvirostris
Pratincoles and coursers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Glareolidae
Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long, pointed bills which curve downwards. There are 17 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Nepal.
Indian courser, Cursorius coromandelicus
Collared pratincole, Glareola pratincola (A)
Oriental pratincole, Glareola maldivarum
Small pratincole, Glareola lactea
Plovers and lapwings
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. There are 66 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Nepal.
Northern lapwing, Vanellus vanellus
River lapwing, Vanellus duvaucelii
Yellow-wattled lapwing, Vanellus malabaricus
Gray-headed lapwing, Vanellus cinereus
Red-wattled lapwing, Vanellus indicus
White-tailed lapwing, Vanellus leucurus
Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva
Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola (A)
Long-billed plover, Charadrius placidus
Little ringed plover, Charadrius dubius
Snowy plover, Charadrius alexandrinus
Lesser sandplover, Charadrius mongolus
Greater sandplover, Charadrius leschenaultii (A)
Sandpipers and allies
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae
Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 89 species worldwide and 27 species which occur in Nepal.
Eurasian woodcock, Scolopax rusticola
Jack snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus
Solitary snipe, Gallinago solitaria
Wood snipe, Gallinago nemoricola
Pintail snipe, Gallinago stenura
Swinhoe's snipe, Gallinago megala
Common snipe, Gallinago gallinago
Black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa
Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
Eurasian curlew, Numenius arquata
Spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus
Common redshank, Tringa totanus
Marsh sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis
Common greenshank, Tringa nebularia
Green sandpiper, Tringa ochropus
Wood sandpiper, Tringa glareola
Terek sandpiper, Xenus cinereus
Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres (A)
Sanderling, Calidris alba (A)
Little stint, Calidris minuta
Temminck's stint, Calidris temminckii
Long-toed stint, Calidris subminuta (A)
Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea
Dunlin, Calidris alpina
Ruff, Philomachus pugnax
Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus (A)
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae
Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls and kittiwakes. They are typically gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet.
Common gull, Larus canus (A)
Herring gull, Larus argentatus (A)
Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus (A)
Heuglin's gull, Larus heuglini (A)
Caspian gull, Larus cachinnans (A)
Pallas's gull, Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus
Brown-headed gull, Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus
Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus
Slender-billed gull, Chroicocephalus genei
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Sternidae
Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with gray or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess of 30 years.
Gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica
Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia
River tern, Sterna aurantia
Common tern, Sterna hirundo
Little tern, Sterna albifrons
Black-bellied tern, Sterna acuticauda
Whiskered tern, Chlidonias hybrida
White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rynchopidae
Skimmers are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed by flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Nepal.
Indian skimmer, Rynchops albicollis
Sandgrouse
Order: Pterocliformes Family: Pteroclidae
Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. Their legs are feathered down to the toes. There are 16 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Nepal.
Chestnut-bellied sandgrouse, Pterocles exustus
Black-bellied sandgrouse, Pterocles orientalis
Painted sandgrouse, Pterocles indicus
Pigeons and doves
Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia
Hill pigeon, Columba rupestris
Snow pigeon, Columba leuconota
Common wood-pigeon, Columba palumbus (A)
Speckled wood pigeon, Columba hodgsonii
Ashy wood pigeon, Columba pulchricollis
Oriental turtle dove, Streptopelia orientalis
Eurasian collared dove, Streptopelia decaocto
Red collared-dove, Streptopelia tranquebarica
Spotted dove, Spilopelia chinensis
Laughing dove, Spilopelia senegalensis
Barred cuckoo-dove, Macropygia unchall
Common emerald dove, Chalcophaps indica
Orange-breasted green pigeon, Treron bicincta
Ashy-headed green pigeon, Treron phayrei
Thick-billed green pigeon, Treron curvirostra
Yellow-footed green pigeon, Treron phoenicoptera
Pin-tailed green pigeon, Treron apicauda
Wedge-tailed green pigeon, Treron sphenura
Green imperial pigeon, Ducula aenea
Mountain imperial pigeon, Ducula badia
Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittaculidae
Alexandrine parakeet, Psittacula eupatria
Rose-ringed parakeet, Psittacula krameri (I)
Slaty-headed parakeet, Psittacula himalayana
Gray-headed parakeet, Psittacula finschii
Plum-headed parakeet, Psittacula cyanocephala
Blossom-headed parakeet, Psittacula roseata
Red-breasted parakeet, Psittacula alexandri
Vernal hanging parrot, Loriculus vernalis
Cuckoos and anis
Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.
Pied cuckoo, Clamator jacobinus
Chestnut-winged cuckoo, Clamator coromandus
Large hawk-cuckoo, Hierococcyx sparverioides
Common hawk-cuckoo, Hierococcyx varius
Hodgson's hawk-cuckoo, Hierococcyx nisicolor
Indian cuckoo, Cuculus micropterus
Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus
Himalayan cuckoo, Cuculus saturatus
Oriental cuckoo, Cuculus optatus (A)
Lesser cuckoo, Cuculus poliocephalus
Banded bay cuckoo, Cacomantis sonneratii
Plaintive cuckoo, Cacomantis merulinus
Asian emerald cuckoo, Chrysococcyx maculatus
Fork-tailed drongo-cuckoo, Surniculus dicruroides
Asian koel, Eudynamys scolopacea
Green-billed malkoha, Phaenicophaeus tristis
Sirkeer malkoha, Phaenicophaeus leschenaultii
Greater coucal, Centropus sinensis
Madagascar coucal, Centropus toulou
Lesser coucal, Centropus bengalensis
Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae
Barn owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.
Australasian grass owl, Tyto longimembris
Barn owl, Tyto alba
Oriental bay-owl, Phodilus badius
Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae
The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk.
Mountain scops owl, Otus spilocephalus
Indian scops owl, Otus bakkamoena
Collared scops owl, Otus lettia
European scops owl, Otus scops
Oriental scops owl, Otus sunia
Eurasian eagle-owl, Bubo bubo
Rock eagle-owl, Bubo bengalensis
Spot-bellied eagle-owl, Bubo nipalensis
Dusky eagle-owl, Bubo coromandus
Brown fish owl, Ketupa zeylonensis
Tawny fish owl, Ketupa flavipes
Brown wood owl, Strix leptogrammica
Himalayan owl, Strix nivicolum
Collared owlet, Glaucidium brodiei
Asian barred owlet, Glaucidium cuculoides
Jungle owlet, Glaucidium radiatum
Spotted owlet, Athene brama
Little owl, Athene noctua
Brown hawk-owl, Ninox scutulata
Long-eared owl, Asio otus (A)
Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus
Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.
Grey nightjar, Caprimulgus jotaka
Large-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus macrurus
Indian nightjar, Caprimulgus asiaticus
Savanna nightjar, Caprimulgus affinis
Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae
Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. There are 11 species which have been recorded in Nepal.
Himalayan swiftlet, Aerodramus brevirostris
White-rumped needletail, Zoonavena sylvatica
White-throated needletail, Hirundapus caudacutus
Silver-backed needletail, Hirundapus cochinchinensis
Asian palm swift, Cypsiurus balasiensis
Alpine swift, Tachymarptis melba
Common swift, Apus apus
Blyth's swift, Apus leuconyx
Dark-rumped swift, Apus acuticauda (A)
Little swift, Apus affinis
House swift, Apus nipalensis
Order: Apodiformes Family: Hemiprocnidae
The treeswifts, also called crested swifts, are closely related to the true swifts. They differ from the other swifts in that they have crests, long forked tails and softer plumage. There are 4 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Nepal.
Crested treeswift, Hemiprocne coronata
Trogons and quetzals
Order: Trogoniformes Family: Trogonidae
The family Trogonidae includes trogons and quetzals. Found in tropical woodlands worldwide, they feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons have soft, often colorful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage. There are 33 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Nepal.
Red-headed trogon, Harpactes erythrocephalus
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae
Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Nepal.
Blyth's kingfisher, Alcedo hercules (A)
Common kingfisher, Alcedo atthis
Blue-eared kingfisher, Alcedo meninting
Black-backed kingfisher, Ceyx erithacus (A)
Stork-billed kingfisher, Pelargopsis capensis
Ruddy kingfisher, Halcyon coromanda
White-throated kingfisher, Halcyon smyrnensis
Black-capped kingfisher, Halcyon pileata (A)
Crested kingfisher, Megaceryle lugubris
Pied kingfisher, Ceryle rudis
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Meropidae
The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They have richly colored plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colorful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. There are 26 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Nepal.
Blue-bearded bee-eater, Nyctyornis athertoni
Green bee-eater, Merops orientalis
Blue-tailed bee-eater, Merops philippinus
Chestnut-headed bee-eater, Merops leschenaulti
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Coraciidae
Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colorful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not. There are 12 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Nepal.
Indian roller, Coracias benghalensis
Dollarbird, Eurystomus orientalis
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Upupidae
Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink coloring with a large erectile crest on their head. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Nepal.
Hoopoe, Upupa epops
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Bucerotidae
Hornbills are a group of birds whose bill is shaped like a cow's horn, but without a twist, sometimes with a casque on the upper mandible. Frequently, the bill is brightly colored. There are 57 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Nepal.
Indian gray hornbill, Ocyceros birostris
Malabar pied hornbill, Anthracoceros coronatus
Oriental pied hornbill, Anthracoceros albirostris
Great hornbill, Buceros bicornis
Rufous-necked hornbill, Aceros nipalensis
Order: Piciformes Family: Megalaimidae
The barbets are plump birds, with short necks and large heads. They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. Most species are brightly coloured.
Great barbet, Psilopogon virens
Brown-headed barbet, Psilopogon zeylanicus
Lineated barbet, Psilopogon lineatus
Golden-throated barbet, Psilopogon franklinii
Blue-throated barbet, Psilopogon asiaticus
Blue-eared barbet, Psilopogon duvaucelii
Coppersmith barbet, Psilopogon haemacephalus
Order: Piciformes Family: Indicatoridae
Honeyguides are among the few birds that feed on wax. They are named for the greater honeyguide which leads traditional honey-hunters to bees' nests and, after the hunters have harvested the honey, feeds on the remaining contents of the hive. There are 17 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Nepal.
Yellow-rumped honeyguide, Indicator xanthonotus
Woodpeckers and allies
Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae
Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks.
Eurasian wryneck, Jynx torquilla
Speckled piculet, Picumnus innominatus
White-browed piculet, Sasia ochracea
Brown-capped pygmy woodpecker, Yungipicus nanus
Grey-capped pygmy woodpecker, Yungipicus canicapillus
Brown-fronted woodpecker, Dendrocoptes auriceps
Fulvous-breasted woodpecker, Dendrocopos macei
Rufous-bellied woodpecker, Dendrocopos hyperythrus
Darjeeling woodpecker, Dendrocopos darjellensis
Himalayan woodpecker, Dendrocopos himalayensis
Yellow-crowned woodpecker, Leiopicus mahrattensis
Crimson-breasted woodpecker, Dryobates cathpharius
Rufous woodpecker, Micropternus brachyurus
Greater yellownape, Chrysophlegma flavinucha
Lesser yellownape, Picus chlorolophus
Streak-throated woodpecker, Picus xanthopygaeus
Scaly-bellied woodpecker, Picus squamatus
Gray-faced woodpecker, Picus canus
Himalayan flameback, Dinopium shorii
Black-rumped flameback, Dinopium benghalense
White-naped woodpecker, Chrysocolaptes festivus
Greater flameback, Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus
Pale-headed woodpecker, Gecinulus grantia
Bay woodpecker, Blythipicus pyrrhotis
Great slaty woodpecker, Mulleripicus pulverulentus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Eurylaimidae
The broadbills are small, brightly colored birds, which feed on fruit and also take insects in flycatcher fashion, snapping their broad bills. Their habitat is canopies of wet forests. There are 15 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Nepal.
Long-tailed broadbill, Psarisomus dalhousiae
Silver-breasted broadbill, Serilophus lunatus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pittidae
Pittas are medium-sized by passerine standards and are stocky, with fairly long, strong legs, short tails and stout bills. Many are brightly colored. They spend the majority of their time on wet forest floors, eating snails, insects and similar invertebrates.
Blue-naped pitta, Hydrornis nipalensis
Hooded pitta, Pitta sordida
Indian pitta, Pitta brachyura
Order: Passeriformes Family: Alaudidae
Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds.
Singing bushlark, Mirafra cantillans (A)
Bengal bushlark, Mirafra assamica
Ashy-crowned sparrow-lark, Eremopterix grisea
Tibetan lark, Melanocorypha maxima
Greater short-toed lark, Calandrella brachydactyla
Mongolian short-toed lark, Calandrella dukhunensis
Hume's short-toed lark, Calandrella acutirostris
Sand lark, Alaudala raytal
Crested lark, Galerida cristata
Oriental skylark, Alauda gulgula
Horned lark, Eremophila alpestris
Swallows and martins
Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae
The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.
Sand martin, Riparia riparia
Pale martin, Riparia diluta
Grey-throated martin, Riparia chinensis
Eurasian crag martin, Ptyonoprogne rupestris
Dusky crag martin, Ptyonoprogne concolor
Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
Wire-tailed swallow, Hirundo smithii
Red-rumped swallow, Cecropis daurica
Streak-throated swallow, Petrochelidon fluvicola
Common house martin, Delichon urbica (A)
Asian house martin, Delichon dasypus
Nepal house martin, Delichon nipalensis
Wagtails and pipits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae
Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country.
Forest wagtail, Dendronanthus indicus (A)
White wagtail, Motacilla alba
Black-backed wagtail, Motacilla lugens
White-browed wagtail, Motacilla maderaspatensis
Citrine wagtail, Motacilla citreola
Yellow wagtail, Motacilla flava (A)
Gray wagtail, Motacilla cinerea
Oriental pipit, Anthus rufulus
Tawny pipit, Anthus campestris (A)
Blyth's pipit, Anthus godlewskii
Long-billed pipit, Anthus similis
Tree pipit, Anthus trivialis
Olive-backed pipit, Anthus hodgsoni
Red-throated pipit, Anthus cervinus
Rosy pipit, Anthus roseatus
Water pipit, Anthus spinoletta
Upland pipit, Anthus sylvanus
American pipit, Anthus rubescens
Order: Passeriformes Family: Campephagidae
The cuckooshrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly grayish with white and black, although some species are brightly colored. There are 82 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Nepal.
Large cuckooshrike, Coracina macei
Black-winged cuckooshrike, Coracina melaschistos
Black-headed cuckooshrike, Coracina melanoptera
Rosy minivet, Pericrocotus roseus
Small minivet, Pericrocotus cinnamomeus
Long-tailed minivet, Pericrocotus ethologus
Short-billed minivet, Pericrocotus brevirostris
Scarlet minivet, Pericrocotus flammeus
Gray-chinned minivet, Pericrocotus solaris
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pycnonotidae
Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colorful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throats or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive-brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests.
Striated bulbul, Pycnonotus striatus
Black-crested bulbul, Pycnonotus flaviventris
Red-whiskered bulbul, Pycnonotus jocosus
White-cheeked bulbul, Pycnonotus leucogenys
Red-vented bulbul, Pycnonotus cafer
White-throated bulbul, Alophoixus flaveolus
Olive bulbul, Iole virescens
Ashy bulbul, Hemixos flavala
Mountain bulbul, Ixos mcclellandii
Black bulbul, Hypsipetes leucocephalus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Regulidae
The kinglets, also called crests, are a small group of birds often included in the Old World warblers, but frequently given family status because they also resemble the titmice. There are 7 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Nepal.
Goldcrest, Regulus regulus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Chloropseidae
The leafbirds are small, bulbul-like birds. The males are brightly plumaged, usually in greens and yellows. There are 8 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Nepal.
Golden-fronted leafbird, Chloropsis aurifrons
Orange-bellied leafbird, Chloropsis hardwickii
Order: Passeriformes Family: Aegithinidae
The ioras are bulbul-like birds of open forest or thorn scrub, but whereas that group tends to be drab in coloration, ioras are sexually dimorphic, with the males being brightly plumaged in yellows and greens. There are 4 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Nepal.
Common iora, Aegithina tiphia
Order: Passeriformes Family: Bombycillidae
The waxwings are a group of birds with soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and cedar waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Nepal.
Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus (A)
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cinclidae
Dippers are a group of perching birds whose habitat includes aquatic environments in the Americas, Europe and Asia. They are named for their bobbing or dipping movements. There are 5 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Nepal.
White-throated dipper, Cinclus cinclus
Brown dipper, Cinclus pallasii
Order: Passeriformes Family: Troglodytidae
The wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous except for their loud songs. These birds have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous. There are 80 species worldwide (of which all but one are New World species) and 1 species which occurs in Nepal.
Eurasian wren, Troglodytes troglodytes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Prunellidae
The accentors are in the only bird family, Prunellidae, which is completely endemic to the Palearctic. They are small, fairly drab species superficially similar to sparrows. There are 13 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Nepal.
Alpine accentor, Prunella collaris
Himalayan accentor, Prunella himalayana
Robin accentor, Prunella rubeculoides
Rufous-breasted accentor, Prunella strophiata
Brown accentor, Prunella fulvescens
Black-throated accentor, Prunella atrogularis
Maroon-backed accentor, Prunella immaculata
Thrushes and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae
The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs.
Pied thrush, Geokichla wardii
Orange-headed thrush, Geokichla citrina
Alpine thrush, Zoothera mollissima
Himalayan thrush, Zoothera salimalii
Long-tailed thrush, Zoothera dixoni
Scaly thrush, Zoothera dauma
Long-billed thrush, Zoothera monticola
Dark-sided thrush, Zoothera marginata
Tickell's thrush, Turdus unicolor
White-collared blackbird, Turdus albocinctus
Gray-winged blackbird, Turdus boulboul
Eurasian blackbird, Turdus merula (A)
Tibetan blackbird, Turdus maximus
Chestnut thrush, Turdus rubrocanus
White-backed thrush, Turdus kessleri
Eyebrowed thrush, Turdus obscurus
Dark-throated thrush, Turdus ruficollis
Dusky thrush, Turdus naumanni
Mistle thrush, Turdus viscivorus
Grey-sided thrush, Turdus feae
Grandala, Grandala coelicolor
Cisticolas and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cisticolidae
The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or gray appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub.
Zitting cisticola, Cisticola juncidis
Golden-headed cisticola, Cisticola exilis
Striated prinia, Prinia criniger
Black-throated prinia, Prinia atrogularis
Gray-crowned prinia, Prinia cinereocapilla
Rufescent prinia, Prinia rufescens (A)
Gray-breasted prinia, Prinia hodgsonii
Graceful prinia, Prinia gracilis
Jungle prinia, Prinia sylvatica
Yellow-bellied prinia, Prinia flaviventris
Ashy prinia, Prinia socialis
Plain prinia, Prinia inornata
Common tailorbird, Orthotomus sutorius
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cettiidae
Slaty-bellied tesia, Tesia olivea
Gray-bellied tesia, Tesia cyaniventer
Asian stubtail, Urosphena squameiceps
Pale-footed bush warbler, Urosphena pallidipes
Brown-flanked bush warbler, Horornis fortipes
Aberrant bush warbler, Horornis flavolivacea
Hume's bush warbler, Horornis brunnescens
Chestnut-headed tesia, Cettia castaneocoronata
Chestnut-crowned bush warbler, Cettia major
Gray-sided bush warbler, Cettia brunnifrons
Mountain tailorbird, Phyllergates cuculatus
Rufous-faced warbler, Abroscopus albogularis
Yellow-bellied warbler, Abroscopus superciliaris
Black-faced warbler, Abroscopus schisticeps
Broad-billed warbler, Tickellia hodgsoni
Order: Passeriformes Family: Locustellidae
Spotted bush warbler, Locustella thoracica
Chinese bush warbler, Locustella tacsanowskia
Russet bush warbler, Locustella seebohmi
Lanceolated warbler, Locustella lanceolata (A)
Common grasshopper warbler, Locustella naevia (A)
Pallas's grasshopper warbler, Locustella certhiola (A)
Striated grassbird, Megalurus palustris
Bristled grassbird, Chaetornis striatus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Acrocephalidae
Black-browed reed warbler, Acrocephalus bistrigiceps (A)
Paddyfield warbler, Acrocephalus agricola
Blunt-winged warbler, Acrocephalus concinens (A)
Blyth's reed warbler, Acrocephalus dumetorum
Great reed warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus
Oriental reed warbler, Acrocephalus orientalis (A)
Clamorous reed warbler, Acrocephalus stentoreus
Thick-billed warbler, Iduna aedon
Booted warbler, Iduna caligata
Order: Passeriformes Family: Phylloscopidae
Common chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita
Mountain chiffchaff, Phylloscopus sindianus
Dusky warbler, Phylloscopus fuscatus
Smoky warbler, Phylloscopus fuligiventer
Tickell's leaf warbler, Phylloscopus affinis
Buff-throated warbler, Phylloscopus subaffinis
Sulphur-bellied warbler, Phylloscopus griseolus
Radde's warbler, Phylloscopus schwarzi (A)
Buff-barred warbler, Phylloscopus pulcher
Ashy-throated warbler, Phylloscopus maculipennis
Lemon-rumped warbler, Phylloscopus proregulus
Pale-rumped warbler, Phylloscopus chloronotus
Yellow-browed warbler, Phylloscopus inornatus
Hume's leaf warbler, Phylloscopus humei
Greenish warbler, Phylloscopus trochiloides
Large-billed leaf warbler, Phylloscopus magnirostris
Tytler's leaf warbler, Phylloscopus tytleri (A)
Western crowned leaf warbler, Phylloscopus occipitalis
Blyth's leaf warbler, Phylloscopus reguloides
Yellow-vented warbler, Phylloscopus cantator
Green-crowned warbler, Seicercus burkii
Gray-hooded warbler, Seicercus xanthoschistos
White-spectacled warbler, Seicercus affinis
Gray-cheeked warbler, Seicercus poliogenys
Chestnut-crowned warbler, Seicercus castaniceps
Whistler's warbler, Seicercus whistleri
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae
The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. They mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent, Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs.
Lesser whitethroat, Sylvia curruca
Eastern Orphean warbler, Sylvia crassirostris (A)
Yellow-eyed babbler, Chrysomma sinense
Jerdon's babbler, Chrysomma altirostre
Fire-tailed myzornis, Myzornis pyrrhoura
Golden-breasted fulvetta, Lioparus chrysotis
White-browed fulvetta, Fulvetta vinipectus
Great parrotbill, Conostoma aemodium
Brown parrotbill, Cholornis unicolor
Grey-headed parrotbill, Psittiparus gularis
White-breasted parrotbill, Psittiparus ruficeps
Black-breasted parrotbill, Paradoxornis flavirostris
Fulvous parrotbill, Suthora fulvifrons
Black-throated parrotbill, Suthora nipalensis
Order: Passeriformes Family: Muscicapidae
Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is highly varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls.
Blue-capped rock thrush, Monticola cinclorhynchus
Chestnut-bellied rock thrush, Monticola rufiventris
Blue rock thrush, Monticola solitarius
Blue whistling thrush, Myophonus caeruleus
Gould's shortwing, Brachypteryx stellata
Lesser shortwing, Brachypteryx leucophrys
White-browed shortwing, Brachypteryx montana
Siberian flycatcher, Muscicapa sibirica
Asian brown flycatcher, Muscicapa dauurica
Ferruginous flycatcher, Muscicapa ferruginea
Rusty-tailed flycatcher, Ficedula ruficauda
Slaty-backed flycatcher, Ficedula hodgsonii
Rufous-gorgeted flycatcher, Ficedula strophiata
Taiga flycatcher, Ficedula albicilla
Kashmir flycatcher, Ficedula subrubra
Snowy-browed flycatcher, Ficedula hyperythra
Little pied flycatcher, Ficedula westermanni
Ultramarine flycatcher, Ficedula superciliaris
Slaty-blue flycatcher, Ficedula tricolor
Sapphire flycatcher, Ficedula sapphira
White-gorgeted flycatcher, Anthipes monileger
Verditer flycatcher, Eumyias thalassina
Large niltava, Niltava grandis
Small niltava, Niltava macgrigoriae
Rufous-bellied niltava, Niltava sundara
Pale-chinned blue-flycatcher, Cyornis poliogenys
Pale blue-flycatcher, Cyornis unicolor
Blue-throated flycatcher, Cyornis rubeculoides
Hill blue flycatcher, Cyornis banyumas (A)
Large blue flycatcher, Cyornis magnirostris
Tickell's blue flycatcher, Cyornis tickelliae
Pygmy blue flycatcher, Muscicapella hodgsoni
Siberian rubythroat, Luscinia calliope
White-tailed rubythroat, Luscinia pectoralis
Bluethroat, Luscinia svecica
Indian blue robin, Luscinia brunnea
White-bellied redstart, Luscinia phaenicuroides
Siberian blue robin, Luscinia cyane
Red-flanked bluetail, Tarsiger cyanurus
Himalayan bluetail, Tarsiger rufilatus
Golden bush robin, Tarsiger chrysaeus
White-browed bush robin, Tarsiger indicus
Rufous-breasted bush robin, Tarsiger hyperythrus
Oriental magpie-robin, Copsychus saularis
White-rumped shama, Copsychus malabaricus
Indian robin, Saxicoloides fulicata
Rufous-backed redstart, Phoenicurus erythronota
Blue-capped redstart, Phoenicurus caeruleocephalus
Black redstart, Phoenicurus ochruros
Hodgson's redstart, Phoenicurus hodgsoni
White-throated redstart, Phoenicurus schisticeps
White-winged redstart, Phoenicurus erythrogaster
Blue-fronted redstart, Phoenicurus frontalis
White-capped redstart, Chaimarrornis leucocephalus
Plumbeous redstart, Rhyacornis fuliginosus
White-tailed robin, Cinclidium leucurum
Blue-fronted robin, Cinclidium frontale
Little forktail, Enicurus scouleri
Black-backed forktail, Enicurus immaculatus
Slaty-backed forktail, Enicurus schistaceus
Spotted forktail, Enicurus maculatus
Purple cochoa, Cochoa purpurea
Green cochoa, Cochoa viridis
Siberian stonechat, Saxicola maurus
Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra
White-throated bushchat, Saxicola insignis
White-tailed stonechat, Saxicola leucurus
Pied bushchat, Saxicola caprata
Jerdon's bushchat, Saxicola jerdoni (A)
Gray bushchat, Saxicola ferreus
Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe (A)
Variable wheatear, Oenanthe picata
Pied wheatear, Oenanthe pleschanka
Desert wheatear, Oenanthe deserti
Isabelline wheatear, Oenanthe isabellina
Brown rock chat, Cercomela fusca
Order: Passeriformes Family: Rhipiduridae
The fantails are small insectivorous birds which are specialist aerial feeders.
White-throated fantail, Rhipidura albicollis
White-browed fantail, Rhipidura aureola
Order: Passeriformes Family: Stenostiridae
Yellow-bellied fantail, Chelidorhynx hypoxantha
Grey-headed canary flycatcher, Culicicapa ceylonensis
Order: Passeriformes Family: Monarchidae
The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines which hunt by flycatching. There are 99 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Nepal.
Black-naped monarch, Hypothymis azurea
Indian paradise flycatcher, Terpsiphone paradisi
Order: Passeriformes Family: Leiothrichidae
White-throated laughingthrush, Garrulax albogularis
White-crested laughingthrush, Garrulax leucolophus
Lesser necklaced laughingthrush, Garrulax monileger
Greater necklaced laughingthrush, Garrulax pectoralis
Striated laughingthrush, Garrulax striatus
Rufous-necked laughingthrush, Garrulax ruficollis
Rufous-chinned laughingthrush, Garrulax rufogularis
Spotted laughingthrush, Garrulax ocellatus
Gray-sided laughingthrush, Garrulax caerulatus
Streaked laughingthrush, Garrulax lineatus
Scaly laughingthrush, Garrulax subunicolor
Blue-winged laughingthrush, Garrulax squamatus
Variegated laughingthrush, Garrulax variegatus
Black-faced laughingthrush, Garrulax affinis
Chestnut-crowned laughingthrush, Garrulax erythrocephalus
Red-faced liocichla, Liocichla phoenicea
Spiny babbler, Turdoides nipalensis (E)
Common babbler, Turdoides caudatus
Striated babbler, Turdoides earlei
Slender-billed babbler, Turdoides longirostris
Large gray babbler, Turdoides malcolmi
Jungle babbler, Turdoides striatus
Silver-eared mesia, Leiothrix argentauris
Red-billed leiothrix, Leiothrix lutea
Himalayan cutia, Cutia nipalensis
Rusty-fronted barwing, Actinodura egertoni
Hoary-throated barwing, Actinodura nipalensis
Blue-winged minla, Minla cyanouroptera
Chestnut-tailed minla, Minla strigula
Red-tailed minla, Minla ignotincta
Rufous-backed sibia, Heterophasia annectens
Rufous sibia, Heterophasia capistrata
Long-tailed sibia, Heterophasia picaoides
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pellorneidae
Indian grassbird, Graminicola bengalensis
Abbott's babbler, Malacocincla abbotti
Puff-throated babbler, Pellorneum ruficeps
Long-billed wren-babbler, Rimator malacoptilus
White-hooded babbler, Gampsorhynchus rufulus
Yellow-throated fulvetta, Alcippe cinerea
Rufous-winged fulvetta, Alcippe castaneceps
Nepal fulvetta, Alcippe nipalensis
Order: Passeriformes Family: Timaliidae
The babblers, or timaliids, are somewhat diverse in size and coloration, but have soft fluffy plumage.
Spot-breasted scimitar babbler, Pomatorhinus erythrocnemis
Rusty-cheeked scimitar babbler, Pomatorhinus erythrogenys
White-browed scimitar babbler, Pomatorhinus schisticeps
Streak-breasted scimitar babbler, Pomatorhinus ruficollis
Coral-billed scimitar babbler, Pomatorhinus ferruginosus
Slender-billed scimitar babbler, Pomatorhinus superciliaris
Rufous-throated wren-babbler, Spelaeornis caudatus
Rufous-capped babbler, Stachyridopsis ruficeps
Black-chinned babbler, Stachyridopsis pyrrhops
Golden babbler, Stachyridopsis chrysaea
Gray-throated babbler, Stachyris nigriceps
Tawny-bellied babbler, Dumetia hyperythra
Pin-striped tit-babbler, Macronus gularis
Chestnut-capped babbler, Timalia pileata
Sikkim wedge-billed babbler, Sphenocichla humei
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pnoepygidae
Scaly-breasted wren-babbler, Pnoepyga albiventer
Immaculate wren-babbler, Pnoepyga immaculata (E)
Pygmy wren-babbler, Pnoepyga pusilla
Order: Passeriformes Family: Vireonidae
Black-headed shrike-babbler, Pteruthius rufiventer
Himalayan shrike-babbler, Pteruthius flaviscapis
Green shrike-babbler, Pteruthius xanthochlorus
Black-eared shrike-babbler, Pteruthius melanotis
White-bellied erpornis, Erpornis zantholeuca
Order: Passeriformes Family: Elachuridae
Spotted elachura, Elachura formosa
Order: Passeriformes Family: Aegithalidae
Long-tailed tits are a group of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They make woven bag nests in trees. Most eat a mixed diet which includes insects.
White-browed tit-warbler, Leptopoecile sophiae
Black-throated tit, Aegithalos concinnus
White-throated tit, Aegithalos niveogularis
Black-browed tit, Aegithalos iouschistos
Chickadees and titmice
Order: Passeriformes Family: Paridae
The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects.
Coal tit, Periparus ater
Black-breasted tit, Periparus rufonuchalis
Rufous-vented tit, Periparus rubidiventris
Black-crested tit, Periparus melanolophus
Gray-crested tit, Lophophanes dichrous
Cinereous tit, Parus cinereus
Green-backed tit, Parus monticolus
Black-lored tit, Parus xanthogenys
Yellow-cheeked tit, Parus spilonotus
Yellow-browed tit, Sylviparus modestus
Sultan tit, Melanochlora sultanea
Ground tit, Pseudopodoces humilis
Fire-capped tit, Cephalopyrus flammiceps
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sittidae
Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails and powerful bills and feet.
Chestnut-bellied nuthatch, Sitta castanea
Indian nuthatch, Sitta castanea
Kashmir nuthatch, Sitta cashmirensis
White-tailed nuthatch, Sitta himalayensis
White-cheeked nuthatch, Sitta leucopsis
Velvet-fronted nuthatch, Sitta frontalis
Order: Passeriformes Family: Tichodromidae
The wallcreeper is a small bird related to the nuthatch family, which has stunning crimson, gray and black plumage.
Wallcreeper, Tichodroma muraria
Order: Passeriformes Family: Certhiidae
Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees.
Hodgson's treecreeper, Certhia hodgsoni
Bar-tailed treecreeper, Certhia himalayana
Rusty-flanked treecreeper, Certhia nipalensis
Sikkim treecreeper, Certhia discolor
Sunbirds and spiderhunters
Order: Passeriformes Family: Nectariniidae
The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed. There are 131 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Nepal.
Ruby-cheeked sunbird, Chalcoparia singalensis
Purple sunbird, Cinnyris asiaticus
Gould's sunbird, Aethopyga gouldiae
Green-tailed sunbird, Aethopyga nipalensis
Black-throated sunbird, Aethopyga saturata
Crimson sunbird, Aethopyga siparaja
Fire-tailed sunbird, Aethopyga ignicauda
Little spiderhunter, Arachnothera longirostra
Streaked spiderhunter, Arachnothera magna
Order: Passeriformes Family: Dicaeidae
The flowerpeckers are very small, stout, often brightly colored birds, with short tails, short thick curved bills and tubular tongues.
Thick-billed flowerpecker, Dicaeum agile
Yellow-vented flowerpecker, Dicaeum chrysorrheum
Yellow-bellied flowerpecker, Dicaeum melanoxanthum
Pale-billed flowerpecker, Dicaeum erythrorhynchos
Plain flowerpecker, Dicaeum minullum
Fire-breasted flowerpecker, Dicaeum ignipectus
Scarlet-backed flowerpecker, Dicaeum cruentatum
Order: Passeriformes Family: Zosteropidae
The white-eyes are small and mostly undistinguished, their plumage above being generally some dull color like greenish-olive, but some species have a white or bright yellow throat, breast or lower parts, and several have buff flanks. As their name suggests, many species have a white ring around each eye.
Oriental white-eye, Zosterops palpebrosus
White-naped yuhina, Yuhina bakeri
Whiskered yuhina, Yuhina flavicollis
Stripe-throated yuhina, Yuhina gularis
Rufous-vented yuhina, Yuhina occipitalis
Black-chinned yuhina, Yuhina nigrimenta
Order: Passeriformes Family: Oriolidae
The Old World orioles are colorful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles.
Indian golden oriole, Oriolus kundoo
Black-naped oriole, Oriolus chinensis
Slender-billed oriole, Oriolus tenuirostris
Black-hooded oriole, Oriolus xanthornus
Maroon oriole, Oriolus traillii
Order: Passeriformes Family: Irenidae
The fairy-bluebirds are bulbul-like birds of open forest or thorn scrub. The males are dark-blue and the females a duller green. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Nepal.
Asian fairy-bluebird, Irena puella
Order: Passeriformes Family: Laniidae
Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey.
Isabelline shrike, Lanius isabellinus (A)
Red-tailed shrike, Lanius phoenicuroides
Brown shrike, Lanius cristatus
Bay-backed shrike, Lanius vittatus
Long-tailed shrike, Lanius schach
Gray-backed shrike, Lanius tephronotus
Northern shrike, Lanius excubitor
Southern gray shrike, Lanius meridionalis
Order: Passeriformes Family: Tephrodornithidae
Large woodshrike, Tephrodornis gularis
Common woodshrike, Tephrodornis pondicerianus
Bar-winged flycatcher-shrike, Hemipus picatus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Dicruridae
The drongos are mostly black or dark gray in color, sometimes with metallic tints. They have long forked tails, and some Asian species have elaborate tail decorations. They have short legs and sit very upright when perched, like a shrike. They flycatch or take prey from the ground. There are 24 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Nepal.
Black drongo, Dicrurus macrocercus
Ashy drongo, Dicrurus leucophaeus
White-bellied drongo, Dicrurus caerulescens
Crow-billed drongo, Dicrurus annectans
Bronzed drongo, Dicrurus aeneus
Lesser racket-tailed drongo, Dicrurus remifer
Hair-crested drongo, Dicrurus hottentottus
Greater racket-tailed drongo, Dicrurus paradiseus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Artamidae
The woodswallows are soft-plumaged, somber-colored passerine birds. They are smooth, agile flyers with moderately large, semi-triangular wings. There are 11 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Nepal.
Ashy woodswallow, Artamus fuscus
Crows, jays, ravens and magpies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae
The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence. There are 120 species worldwide and 16 species which occur in Nepal.
Eurasian jay, Garrulus glandarius
Black-headed jay, Garrulus lanceolatus
Gold-billed magpie, Urocissa flavirostris
Blue magpie, Urocissa erythrorhyncha
Green magpie, Cissa chinensis
Rufous treepie, Dendrocitta vagabunda
Gray treepie, Dendrocitta formosae
Collared treepie, Dendrocitta frontalis
Eurasian nutcracker, Nucifraga caryocatactes
Red-billed chough, Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
Yellow-billed chough, Pyrrhocorax graculus
Eurasian jackdaw, Corvus monedula
Daurian jackdaw, Corvus dauuricus
House crow, Corvus splendens
Large-billed crow, Corvus macrorhynchos
Common raven, Corvus corax
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae
Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen.
Spot-winged starling, Saroglossa spiloptera
Common hill myna, Gracula religiosa
Jungle myna, Acridotheres fuscus
Bank myna, Acridotheres ginginianus
Common myna, Acridotheres tristis
Pied myna, Gracupica contra
Daurian starling, Agropsar sturninus (A)
Chestnut-tailed starling, Sturnia malabarica
Brahminy starling, Sturnia pagodarum
Rosy starling, Pastor roseus (A)
European starling, Sturnus vulgaris
Weavers and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Ploceidae
The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finches. They are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The males of many species are brightly colored, usually in red or yellow and black, some species show variation in color only in the breeding season. There are 116 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Nepal.
Streaked weaver, Ploceus manyar
Baya weaver, Ploceus philippinus
Yellow weaver, Ploceus megarhynchus (A)
Bengal weaver, Ploceus benghalensis
Waxbills and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Estrildidae
The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have wide variation in plumage colors and patterns.
Red avadavat, Amandava amandava
White-throated munia, Euodice malabarica
White-rumped munia, Lonchura striata
Nutmeg mannikin, Lonchura punctulata
Tricoloured munia, Lonchura malacca
Chestnut munia, Lonchura atricapilla
Buntings, sparrows, seedeaters and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Emberizidae
The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. In Europe, most species are called buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns. There are 275 species worldwide and 16 species which occur in Nepal.
Crested bunting, Melophus lathami
Yellowhammer, Emberiza citrinella
Pine bunting, Emberiza leucocephalos
Rock bunting, Emberiza cia
Godlewski's bunting, Emberiza godlewskii
Chestnut-breasted bunting, Emberiza stewarti (A)
Chestnut-eared bunting, Emberiza fucata
Little bunting, Emberiza pusilla
Rustic bunting, Emberiza rustica (A)
Yellow-breasted bunting, Emberiza aureola
Chestnut bunting, Emberiza rutila (A)
Black-headed bunting, Emberiza melanocephala (A)
Red-headed bunting, Emberiza bruniceps (A)
Black-faced bunting, Emberiza spodocephala
Pallas's bunting, Emberiza pallasi (A)
Reed bunting, Emberiza schoeniclus (A)
Siskins, crossbills and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae
Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. There are 37 species which have been recorded in Nepal.
Common chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs
Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla
Plain mountain-finch, Leucosticte nemoricola
Black-headed mountain-finch, Leucosticte brandti
Crimson-browed finch, Pinicola subhimachalus
Blanford's rosefinch, Carpodacus rubescens
Dark-breasted rosefinch, Carpodacus nipalensis
Common rosefinch, Carpodacus erythrinus
Beautiful rosefinch, Carpodacus pulcherrimus
Pink-browed rosefinch, Carpodacus rhodochrous
Vinaceous rosefinch, Carpodacus vinaceus
Dark-rumped rosefinch, Carpodacus edwardsii
Three-banded rosefinch, Carpodacus trifasciatus
Spot-winged rosefinch, Carpodacus rhodopeplus
White-browed rosefinch, Carpodacus thura
Streaked rosefinch, Carpodacus rubicilloides
Great rosefinch, Carpodacus rubicilla
Red-fronted rosefinch, Carpodacus puniceus
Red crossbill, Loxia curvirostra
Yellow-breasted greenfinch, Chloris spinoides
Eurasian siskin, Spinus spinus (A)
Tibetan serin, Spinus thibetanus
European goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis
Twite, Linaria flavirostris
Common linnet, Linaria cannabina (A)
Fire-fronted serin, Serinus pusillus
Brown bullfinch, Pyrrhula nipalensis
Red-headed bullfinch, Pyrrhula erythrocephala
Gray-headed bullfinch, Pyrrhula erythaca
Black-and-yellow grosbeak, Mycerobas icterioides
Collared grosbeak, Mycerobas affinis
Spot-winged grosbeak, Mycerobas melanozanthos
White-winged grosbeak, Mycerobas carnipes
Golden-naped finch, Pyrrhoplectes epauletta
Spectacled finch, Callacanthis burtoni
Mongolian finch, Rhodopechys mongolica (A)
Scarlet finch, Haematospiza sipahi
Order: Passeriformes Family: Passeridae
Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or gray birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects. There are 35 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Nepal.
House sparrow, Passer domesticus
Spanish sparrow, Passer hispaniolensis (A)
Russet sparrow, Passer rutilans (A)
Eurasian tree sparrow, Passer montanus
Chestnut-shouldered petronia, Petronia xanthocollis
Black-winged snowfinch, Montifringilla adamsi
White-rumped snowfinch, Montifringilla taczanowskii
Rufous-necked snowfinch, Montifringilla ruficollis
Blanford's snowfinch, Montifringilla blanfordi
