Khichan Bird Sanctuary

Khichan Bird Sanctuary is a world-renowned natural sanctuary situated in the Phalodi tehsil of Jodhpur District. Even professional ornithologists often visit this sanctuary to observe, learn and collect details of the birdlife here. The village of Phalodi where the sanctuary is situated is at a distance of 171 kms from the center of the city of Jodhpur. The village is also known as the Demoiselle Crane Village.

The main variety of migratory birds that make this place their temporary homes from October to March are Demoiselle Crains. It was in the 1970s that the first flock of these cranes came to Khichan. They came to the notice of the locals only when the cranes, which was very few in number then, started feeding from the grain bowls the locals had kept for the pigeons. Now, from August to March, the number of Demoiselle cranes that come to this sanctuary is calculated to be around 20,000. These birds weigh from 4 to 6 kilograms and can fly really long distance in very impressive speeds. The cranes enjoy spending time in the sanctuary, by taking baths from the water bodies and feeding on grains from the fields.

There are mainly three types of birds that come migrating to these lands and the locals acknowledge them as Kurjan, Karkara, and Kunch. These birds migrate from South West Europe, Black Sea region, Poland, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, North and South Africa and Mongolia to escape the extremely cold winters of those places.

Khichan Bird Sanctuary is also a place blessed with natural beauty, with the desert of Thar lying vast and wide not too far away. Also, the village of Phalodi offers a chance to explore the rich culture of Rajasthan. Khichan Fort situated nearby is also worth a visit. The main migratory season of the Demoiselle Cranes to the Khichan Bird Sanctuary is from October to February, which makes these months the best time of the year to visit the place.

But Khichan Village located in the deep quarters of Jodhpur welcomes the birds from foreign lands with open hands. There is an interesting story behind it. Let us take you through it. A few years ago when a person was assigned with the task of feeding the pigeons, as soon as he started to put the grains, more birds and squirrels gathered to feed on it. Fascinatingly, a dozen of Demoiselle Cranes also called kurja flocked to feed on the grains. Since then, there has been no turning back and the place has been full of bird flocks.

We have the finest Khichan Bird Sanctuary Safari for you that will acquaint you with the true side of nature and its marvels. Get to meet Mr. Sevaram Mali on this 4 hour tour to the Khichan Bird sanctuary.