Birdwatching in Sikkim: A Paradise Experience for Avian Enthusiasts

You should know, if you love nature and birds, birdwatching in Sikkim will stay in your memory. Sikkim is a small place surrounded by Himalayan mountains in the northeast of India and it has many different kinds of birds. Sikkim, with its dense woods, lakes high up in the mountains, and beautiful valleys provides an ideal place for watching birds.

The Rich Avian Diversity of Sikkim

Sikkim hosts more than 550 kinds of birds, so it is a wonderful place for people who like to watch birds. The state’s special position on the map and different heights add to its wide range of bird types. In Sikkim, there are habitats for birds that go from the forests in low areas to places with a lot of height called alpine zones.

Endemic and Rare Species

Birdwatching in Sikkim gives a chance to see special and unusual kinds. This place has many birds living only here, like Sikkim Wedge-billed Babbler, Sikkim Laughingthrush, and the bird called Sikkim Treecreeper. Birdwatchers really want to see these species because they make birdwatching in Sikkim more thrilling.

Migratory Birds

Besides the local birds, Sikkim welcomes many migratory species in the winter season. The state’s elevated wetlands and lakes are crucial resting places for traveling waterfowl like the Bar-headed Goose, Ruddy Shelduck, and Northern Pintail. Bird watching in Sikkim when it is winter season gives opportunity to see the birds that come from far places.

5 Must-See Birds in Sikkim

When you go birdwatching in Sikkim, there are five special birds you really need to try and see because they make the experience very memorable. These birds are unique to the Himalayan region and looking for them is quite exciting.

• Himalayan Monal, which people also call Impeyan Pheasant, is a beautiful bird that has shiny feathers with many colors. The feathers of the male bird sparkle with colors like blue, green, and a copper type; it is very beautiful to see. The Himalayan Monal holds the title of state bird in Sikkim and you can find it living in forests high up or grasslands on mountains.
• The Fire-tailed Myzornis is a little bird with bright colors that lives only in the east part of the Himalayan mountains. Its body is a bright green color and it has a noticeable red tail, which helps in recognizing it. You can see this pretty bird in the rhododendron woods of Sikkim, especially at the Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary.
• The Satyr Tragopan, also known as the Crimson Horned Pheasant, is a rare bird highly prized by those who enjoy birdwatching. The male bird displays a vivid red hue on its head and neck, with white dots scattered over its back and wings. It makes its home in dense forests situated at higher elevations in the mountains, where this Satyr Tragopan can be observed within Khangchendzonga National Park.
• Ward’s Trogon is a bird of beauty, having a bright red belly and yellow chest, with its back displaying a shining metallic green. The bird is named after the British naturalist Herbert Ward, who collected the first specimen. This beautiful animal can be seen in Sikkim’s dense forests and is often found in the Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary.
• The Rusty-bellied Shortwing is a small and elusive bird that resides in the dense shrubbery of dark forests. The male bird from this kind can be spotted by its blue head and red belly that resembles the color of rust, while the female shows a shade closer to olive-brown. To observe this bird in Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary requires patience and sharp watching abilities.

Birdwatching in Sikkim gives you the opportunity to see amazing birds where they live. If a guide who knows a lot about them helps you and if you are fortunate, then these bird species can be crossed off your list for birdwatching.

Top Birdwatching Destinations in Sikkim

Sikkim offers many places that are good for watching birds, and these destinations should be visited.

Khangchendzonga National Park

Khangchendzonga National Park, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, is an essential place to go if you like birdwatching in Sikkim. This park has many different kinds of birds that live there such as the Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant and also the hard-to-find Satyr Tragopan. The park has many different living places for animals, like warm forests and tall mountain grasslands, where a lot of bird types can be found.

Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary

Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary is situated in the western part of Sikkim and it is a wonderful place for people who enjoy watching birds. This sanctuary has beautiful forests filled with rhododendrons that display bright colors when they flower in the spring time. The sanctuary provides a habitat for many types of birds, among them the Fire-tailed Myzornis, Green-tailed Sunbird and Rufous-vented Tit.

Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary

Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the eastern part of Sikkim, is a great place for watching birds. The thick woods and bamboo areas there offer an ideal environment for many kinds of birds to live. Noteworthy birds here are the Rufous-necked Hornbill, Ward’s Trogon and also the Rufous-throated Partridge.

Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary

Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary in the southern part of Sikkim is a less-known place for observing birds. The untouched forests and highland grasslands there host a variety of bird species, such as the Rusty-bellied Shortwing, Hoary-throated Barwing, and Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush. The sanctuary gives very beautiful sights of the Himalayan mountains, so it is an ideal place to watch birds in Sikkim.

Birdwatching Tips for Sikkim

For better enjoyment when you are birdwatching in Sikkim, please remember these suggestions:

• The best time for watching birds in Sikkim would be from March to May and also from October to December. During these months, the weather turns pleasant and there is a high possibility to observe various species of birds.
• Hire a local guide: If you take someone from the place who has good knowledge about the birds and their habitats, your experience watching birds in Sikkim can improve greatly. They can help you to identify the birds and give useful details about how they behave and their natural habitats.
• Make sure you have the right tools: A good pair of binoculars and a bird identification guidebook are essential for watching birds in Sikkim. A camera equipped with a lens capable of long distances can be helpful for capturing images of memorable sights.
• While observing birds in Sikkim, it’s important to be respectful towards the birds and their natural habitats. Make sure not to disturb the birds or damage their nesting areas. Follow instructions from local authorities and assist in conserving the environment.

Final words

Birdwatching in Sikkim gives a unique feeling. The beautiful scenery, different living places for animals and many types of birds make Sikkim an excellent place for people who like to observe birds. Observing birds in Sikkim, you can see many that live here permanently or others that travel long distances to visit. It is an experience filled with surprise and fascination.

Observing birds in Sikkim goes beyond a simple pastime; it forms a bond with the natural environment, supports preservation activities, and allows one to experience the splendor and variety of bird life. Then, why delay any further? Organize your trip for birdwatching in Sikkim now and experience the wonders of this place in the Himalayas.