Bird watching in Bhutan
Despite its small size, about 667 species of birds have been recorded in Bhutan and the kingdom is recognized as one of the 221 global endemic bird areas. Within the country’s borders are an extraordinary range of habitats, from some of the Himalaya’s most extensive and least disturbed tropical forests to cool broad leaved and towering evergreen forests of fir, hemlock and spruce.
For bird watchers, Bhutan is a dream, with a stunning 667 species found, including many that are globally threatened. The rich diversity of Bhutan’s bird species is mainly due to its moist climate, wide altitude ranging (from 200m in the south to over 7000m in the north), low population density, vast forest cover, and the government’s strict conservation policy. Although the country is only about 100 miles wide by 200 miles long, it is one of the most beautiful and diverse natural regions anywhere in the world, from peaks of perpetual snow to dense tropical jungles. Above all, it is unbelievably green: Some 72% of the land is enveloped by thick forests, lending even more grandeur to the valleys and rugged hillside.
Unlike many part of Asia, one is not obliged to seek out a park or reserve or remnant patch of ‘good looking’ habitat, since at any stop even in the midst of farmland, exciting birds are visible. The mixed broadleaf forests are much richer, and therefore more exciting for birding, than the rather slow growing monotypic stands of blue pine and particularly chir pine.
While the recorded number of bird species in Bhutan is 667, the actual number is expected to be much more. Except for a few amateur field assessments, no serious survey and study on birds in Bhutan has been carried out so far. There are tremendous opportunities for bird watchers to discover more bird species.
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