Bird Watching in Ranthambore

Ranthambore National Park is no doubt one of the most famous national parks in India due to its elite tiger reserve, which is home to many internationally famed tigers or you can say celebrity tigers. The safari in the Ranthambore tiger reserve draws hundreds of thousands of wildlife enthusiasts every year. Though the majestic tigers are the prime attraction in the Ranthambhore but birding is also a pulling attraction here for the bird lovers.

Home to around 320 species of birds which includes resident birds and exotic migratory birds, the various spots in the Ranthambore National Park offers you an astounding bird watching opportunity. Some of the prime locations for the birding in the park are Ranthambore Fort, Malik Talao, Padam Talao, Raj Bagh Talao, Jhalra region and the Kachida Valley. Due to the presence of various water bodies which have water all round the year, Ranthambore has an outstanding population of resident and migratory birds.

Some of the main bird species which are found here often are Graylag Goose, Woodpeckers, Common Kingfishers, Indian Gray Hornbills, Bee Eaters, Cuckoos, Asian Palm Swift, Parakeets, Owl, Nightjars, Pigeon, Crakes, Snipes, Dove, Sandpipers, Great Crested Grebe, Eagles, Gulls, Terns, Darters, Herons, Bitterns, Cormorants, Egrets, Pelicans, Storks, Pittas, Flamingos, Ibis, Shrikes, Orioles, Cuckoo-Shrikes, Treepies, Crows, Flycatchers, Ioras, Minivets, Drongos, Sparrows, Finches, Wood Shrikes, Pipits, Bayas, Wagtails, Munias, Mynas, Falcons, Bulbul, etc.

There are some great areas for Bird Watching near by Ranthambore:
Soorwal Lake
Soorwal Lake located around 10 km from Sawai Madhopur. This is a shallow seasonal lake, situated between acres of agricultural fields, which usually dry out by April/May. This is home to a large number of different kinds of migratory birds during the winter. Painted storks, flamingoes, spoonbills, sarus cranes, greylag geese amongst others can be seen in large numbers in between the months of November and March. During this season, the best time to see birds is very early in the morning and serious bird watchers should be at the lake before sunrise.

Mansarover Lake
Mansarovar is largest lake in the area and around 15 kms from Sawai Madhopur. This water bodies on the edge of the park attract thousand of migrating bird during winter and are specially exiting for bird watching. You can see pintail ducks, geese, pelicans and herons in large numbers. Some time in this area we can find some wild animals also, there is fisher men with the boats also we can hire those boats for boating in this lake.

Amli Deh
Amli-Deh is approximately 40 km far from Sawai madhopur. This place is home to different kinds of birds and animals. It is a very quiet and good spot for bird watching, the best place for Indian skimmers and River lapwings. During the drive to Amli-deh you can observe village life and Rajasthani culture. You can enjoy a camel ride in the desert as well as go boating on the Banas River.