The Indian region, with more than 1250 of the world's over 10,000 species of birds, is incredibly rich in birdlife. Due to the variety of habitats and climate, these number rises to over 2000 with sub species included. The Indian avifauna is largely oriental with a good mixture of pele-arctic elements. About 150 of the species found in India are endemic to different altitude ranges from sea level to the high Himalayas, rainfall from its lowest in Rajasthan's desert conditions to its highest in Cherapunji in the North east, one of the wettest places in the world. The climate in large parts on India encourages plant growth hence insect activity increases; this provides ample stock and abundant sources for avian nourishment throughout the year.

India is truly a land of contrasts, which never fails to surprise and fascinate the visitor. The birdwatcher will find plenty to search for and study and will realize that more than a few trips are necessary to do justice to the indigenous bird-life.

The most important things to bring with you are an open mind, a sense of humour and a flexible attitude as a trip to India is always an adventure. Your birding and travel experiences will always be successful and enjoyable, if you come armed with these attributes.

Corbett national park is a birdwatcher's paradise. The park, with its rich biographic diversity, is home to more than 600 species of birds - about Half of the total species found in the entire Indian subcontinent. It is considered as one of the true bird parks of the world. Raptors are of infinite variety and occasionally species of hawks and eagles appear. You can see Eagles, Vultures, Buzzards, Parakeets, Owls, Orioles, Drongos, Thrushes, Babblers, Bulbuls, Cuckoos, Doves, Bee-eaters, Rollers, Flycatchers, Warblers, Robins, Chats, Finches, Forktails, Hornbills, Pheasants, Kingfishers and many more. The numerous water bodies provide an ideal habitat for Ducks and Waders which are migratory. The park forms a natural crossroad and meeting ground for avian species from high altitude areas, plains, eastern and western regions. Because of this unique location, the bird population is pretty high throughout the year with winter visitors, summer visitors, altitudinal migrants, passage migrants and local migrants. The park is an avid birdwatcher's destination.

The Mangoli valley, Nainital and Pangot region in the Kumaon are unmistakably the most remarkable areas for higher Himalayan birds. Here is a sampler of what you can see within a few hours. Few commonly found birds species:

»  Ibisbill
»  Pin-tailed green pigeon
»  Long-tailed broadbill
»  Black-throated jay
»  Blue-headed redstart
»  Red-headed thrush
»  White-throated laughing thrushes
»  Grey-winged blackbirds
»  Red-flanked bluetails
»  Streaked laughing-thrush
»  Hill partridge
»  Himalayan woodpecker
»  Rusty-cheeked scimitar babbler
»  Golden bush-robin
»  Scaly-breasted wren-babbler
»  Himalayan griffon vulture
»  Lammergeier
»  Black eagle
»  Koklas pheasant
»  Great hill barbet
»  White-browed shrike-babbler
»  Fire-capped tit