Table of Contents
- Rufous Necked Hornbill
- Himalayan Monal
- Blood Pheasant
- Ward’s Trogon
- Fire-Tailed Myzornis
Place to Watch Birds in Sikkim
- Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary
- Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary
- Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kitam Bird Sanctuary
- Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary
Why Go Birdwatching in Sikkim?
Sikkim is situated in the Himalayas and features high elevation terrain, including most of the Kanchejunga range. This mountainous state has varying degrees of elevations and climate ranging from sub-tropical to temperate to tundra type in the North. It has thick forests, lush valleys, rivers, and glacial lakes. The geography of Sikkim makes it a biodiversity hotspot for various species of avifauna to thrive. Sikkim is an ideal habitat for endemic species and exotic ones.
Due to the numerous variety of birds and nature’s spots, many birdwatchers, nature lovers, and photographers get attracted to Sikkim. The clear skies, pleasant weather, and beautiful natural landscapes makes it an amazing place to explore and enjoy birdwatching.
What Bird Species Can be Spotted in Sikkim
There are many variety of bird species that are found in Sikkim, some of the most intriguing ones are:
1. Rufous Necked Hornbill
An elusive and vulnerable bird, Rufous Necked Hornbill is found in Sikkim as well as Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh, and West Bengal. A male rufous necked hornbill has its head, neck, and lower body covered in red hues while the female bird is black except its tail which is white in colour. They are listed as vulnerable in the Wildlife Protection Act.
2. Himalayan Monal
A beautiful bird with hues of orange, black, turquoise, and blue, Himalayan Monal has a metallic green coloured crest (kalgee). This large pheasant is found in Sikkim’s Lungthung region and outskirts of zuluk. November to April is an ideal time to spot the bird.
3. Blood Pheasant
Locally known as Chilime, Blood Pheasant is the state bird of Sikkim worthy of everyone’s appreciation. They are found in scrub areas and coniferous forests and are known to be quite shy hence they travel in flock.
4. Ward’s Trogon
Found in the high altitude temperate forests of East Sikkim, Ward’s Trogon is an elusive bird with a near-threatened status. It’s very rare to see them nowadays. Most of the ward’s trogon are shy and are found sitting quietly on low-to-mid-level perches within the dense forest canopy.
5. Fire-Tailed Myzornis
Just like its name – Fire-Tailed Myzornis has a red flame coloured tail with a beautiful green colour and black beak. They are found in the high altitude thickets of Sikkim, especially in East Sikkim, mostly residing in Pangolkha Wildlife Sanctuary and Dzuluk. They prefer to stay in small groups and are found sitting on bamboo or rhododendron trees.
Places to Go Birdwatching in Sikkim
Wildlife sanctuaries and high-altitude villages are some of the best places to visit and to witness the beautiful birds in Sikkim. Take your pair of binoculars, hiking shoes, a stick, and get ready for a birding tour at the following places:
1. Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary
Situated around the Lake Tsomogo area, Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary is considered a part of the revered Himalayan scenery. The place is picturesque and quite popular amongst photographers, hikers, and botanists who study about Himalayan flora. Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary is also an ideal spot for birdwatching. One can find a beautiful Himalayan Monal at this sanctuary.
Timings: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Entry: Free
2. Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary
Located along Singaila Ridge, Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary is known for its easy hiking trails, rhododendron, pine and oak trees. Birdwatchers can see a variety of avifauna like Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Yellow-bellied Fairy-Fantail, Fire-tailed sunbirds and many more incredible birds.
Timings: 5:30 am to 10:00 pm
Entry Fee: Rs 100 and Camera/DSLR is Rs.200
3. Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the west of Gangtok, Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary one can find different ecoregions and a variety of biomes. One can find a wide variety of avifauna for birdwatching, which includes bar-throated minla, red-tailed minla, black-eared shrike babbler, scaly laughingthrush, red-headed bullfinch, crimson-browed finch, rufous headed hornbill and many more beautiful birds.
Timings: 8 am to 3 pm
4. Kitam Bird Sanctuary
Kitam Bird Sanctuary is a paradise for birdwatchers where they can find a remarkable variety of birds and butterflies. The most easily spotted birds with a pair of binoculars or even with naked eyes are oriental white-eye, kalij, Indian peafowl, red junglefowl, scarlet minivet, green magpie, and Himalayan flameback amongst many others.
Timings: 8 am to 6 pm
5. Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary
Located near Namchi, Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its medicinal plants and herbs. Many botanists, photographers, birdwatchers, and hikers visit this sanctuary to study and explore. One can find Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Common Hill Partridge, Red-breasted Hill-Partridge flying around from one tree to another.
Timings: Open 24 hours
These were the best places to watch birds in Sikkim. If you’re planning to explore the region, choosing well-curated Sikkim tour packages can make your journey more seamless and rewarding.
