While it is common for us to see various exotic migratory birds coming down to India and settling in various parts of the country during their migratory season, not many of us are aware of the many exotic bird species present on our own soil.
Scroll down to know more about 5 rare birds you can find in India and also where to spot them.
Himalayan Quail
The Himalayan Quail is a rare bird species native to India. The scientific name of this species of bird is Ophrysia Superciliosa. According to the WWF India website, the population of the Himalayan Quail is estimated to be less than 50. It is marked critically endangered on the IUCN RED List and is also one of the rarest birds found on planet Earth.
Image Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Ophrysia_superciliosa.jpg
Malabar Parakeet
Another rare species of bird and native to India is the Malabar Parakeet. The scientific name of the Malabar Parakeet is Psittacula Columboides. They are found commonly in the Southwest India, the Western Ghat region and other surrounding regions including north of Kerala. They are known to make their homes atop deciduous and evergreen forests. The Malabar Parakeets are supposed to be quite a noisy species of birds and are hence first heard and then seen.
Image Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f9/Malabar_Parkeet_by_Joseph_Lazer.jpg
Himalayan Monal
The Himalayan Monal is a beautiful and colourful bird found in the Himalayan regions (eastern Afghanistan to Bhutan, southern Tibet as well as Northeastern parts of India). The scientific name of this bird species is Lophophorus Impejanus. The male birds of this species have a characteristic green-head crest that is not seen in other Monal species. The Himalayan Monal species are high-altitude birds and are seen usually at a height of 2100 to 4500 metres above sea level.
Image Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/Himalayan_Monal_Pheasant_7.jpg
White-bellied Blue Robin
A species of birds, classified endangered mostly due to the depleting levels of natural habitat, the White-bellied Blue Robin is scientifically named Myiomela Albiventris. They are predominantly found in the Shola forests of the higher hills of southern India and spotted at heights above 1200m in altitude. The male white-bellied blue robins are slaty blue in colour.
Image Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/White-bellied_Blue_Robin_by_N.A._Nazeer.jpg
Nilgiri Flycatcher
For those of you who didn’t know, the Nilgiri Flycatcher is scientifically known as Eumyias Albicaudatus. The Nilgiri Flycatcher birds are commonly found in the Nilgiris, Biligirirangana Hills(B R Hills), Bababudan hills, as well as the Shola forests of the Western Ghats which are at a high altitude.
Image Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/Nilgiri_Flycatcher_by_Dharani_Prakash.jpg
Feel free to add on more points about the birds we have mentioned or even suggest more such rare bird species you have probably spotted someplace.
