Iconic bird of Nepal

Common Birds of Nepal

Nepal's dramatic altitudinal range — from Terai plains to 8,848 m Everest — creates habitats for 900+ species, the highest species count relative to size of any mountainous country.

900+
Total species
1
Endemics
35
Threatened
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Best months
🐦
1. Satyr TragopanNear Threatened
Tragopan satyra

The male's crimson-spotted plumage and vivid blue facial skin make it one of Asia's most stunning pheasants — best found on ridges above 2,500 m in April when displaying.

📍 Langtang, Phulchoki, Annapurna above 1,800m🗓 Apr–May
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2. Himalayan MonalLeast Concern
Lophophorus impejanus

Nepal's national bird — the male's iridescent blue, green, and copper plumage in direct sunlight is one of Asia's greatest sights; found above treeline foraging on open slopes.

📍 Langtang, Gosaikund, Sagarmatha, Helambu🗓 Apr–Jun
🐦
3. Spiny BabblerLeast Concern
Turdoides nipalensis

Nepal's only true endemic species — a secretive babbler of scrubby hillsides restricted entirely to the Nepal midlands, best found by its distinctive rattling call.

📍 Chitwan, Nagarjun, Shivapuri🗓 Mar–May
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4. IbisbillLeast Concern
Ibidorhyncha struthersii

One of the world's most distinctive shorebirds — its curved red bill and bold black face mask are unmistakable on the shingle banks of Nepal's major river systems.

📍 Kali Gandaki, Arun Valley shingle rivers🗓 Dec–Apr
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5. Beautiful NuthatchVulnerable
Sitta formosa

Arguably the world's most beautiful nuthatch — vivid blue, orange, and white patterning covers what is otherwise a familiar stocky nuthatch body shape; extremely rare.

📍 Eastern Nepal forests (Koshi area)🗓 Mar–May
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6. Blood PheasantLeast Concern
Ithaginis cruentus

Named for the blood-red streaking on the male's breast — found in small groups in subalpine rhododendron scrub, scratching through snow near the treeline in Nepal's north.

📍 Langtang, Sagarmatha, Makalu subalpine🗓 May–Jun
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7. White-rumped VultureCritically Endangered
Gyps bengalensis

Crashed by over 99% from diclofenac poisoning in the 1990s — Nepal's Chitwan and Bardia are now among the last places where small numbers can be reliably found.

📍 Chitwan, Bardia, Koshi marshland🗓 Nov–Mar
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8. Ward's TrogonNear Threatened
Harpactes wardi

One of Asia's rarest nest-confirmed trogons — a large raspberry and silver bird of temperate forest above 1,800 m in eastern Nepal's least-visited birding wilderness.

📍 Far eastern Nepal, Kanchenjunga area🗓 Apr–May

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Common Birds of Nepal | AvianScope