Nestled amidst the towering peaks of the Himalayas, Spiti Valley, a high-altitude desert in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, beckons birding enthusiasts to embark on a captivating journey into the heart of avian wonders.
This arid landscape, dotted with monasteries and framed by dramatic snow-capped mountains, is a haven for birdwatchers seeking an extraordinary blend of rugged terrain and diverse bird species. In our blog on birding in Spiti Valley, we unravel the untold tales of the sky, where elusive Himalayan species thrive against a backdrop of surreal landscapes.
Join Spiti Sojourn as we explore the birds of Spiti Valley. Whether you're a seasoned birder or a novice nature enthusiast, birding in Spiti is a new way to experience the richness of its diversity. Here is a list compiled by Abid Javed and Dr Ritika Singh along with photos captured by birders we have hosted and learnt from at our homestay.
1. Himalayan Vulture: Large vulture, wingspan around 250 cm. Moderately difficult to spot due to its large range. Resident and one of the largest birds of Spiti Valley.
2. Himalayan Griffon Vulture: Large vulture, wingspan around 260 cm. Moderately easy to spot soaring in the sky, especially near carrion.
3. Lammergeier/Bearded Vulture: Difficult to spot, known for its scavenging habits. Large vulture, wingspan around 260 cm. A resident bird of Spiti Valley, mosty spotted near Kunzum Pass.
4. Golden Eagle: Moderately difficult to spot due to its wide-ranging habitat. Large eagle, wingspan around 190–230 cm. Always found above the tree line.
5. Himalayan Snowcock: Medium-sized game bird, about 55–75 cm. Difficult to spot due to its elusive nature and preference for high-altitude rocky terrain.
6. Tibetan Snowfinch: Small finch, about 14–16 cm. Moderately easy to spot, often seen in open areas and rocky terrain.
7. Rufous-necked Snowfinch: Difficult to spot due to its preference for high-altitude regions. Small snowfinch, about 14–16 cm. Resident bird of Spiti.
8. White-rumped Snowfinch: Small snowfinch, about 15–18 cm. Moderately difficult to spot in high-altitude regions. A snowfinch species adapted to cold and snowy environments.
9. Plain Mountainfinch: A resident bird of Spiti Valley. Moderately difficult to spot. Breeds on alpine slopes near Chicham and Kibber. Grows up to 15cm.
10. European Goldfinch: Resident bird. Easily spotted near upland cultivation, shrubberies, and open forests of Langza and Komic. Up to 13-15cm.
11. Common Rosefinch: Summer visitor. Breeds in high altitude shrubberies and open forests. Difficult to spot in cultivation with bushes. Grows up to 14-15cm.
12. Snow Partridge: Difficult to spot, as it camouflages well in rocky areas. Medium-sized partridge, about 35–40 cm.
13. Chukar Partridge: Moderately easy to spot in rocky slopes and grassy areas. Medium-sized partridge, about 32–35 cm.
14. Tibetan Partridge: Medium-sized partridge, about 33–38 cm. Moderately difficult to spot in high-altitude environments. A partridge species adapted to the challenges of the Tibetan Plateau.
15. Fire-fronted Serin: Moderately difficult to spot due to its alpine habitat. Small songbird, about 11–12 cm.
16. Black Redstart: Moderately easy to spot in a variety of habitats. Small bird, about 14–16 cm.
17. White-capped Redstart: Moderately easy to spot near fast-flowing streams. Small redstart, about 17–19 cm.
18. Common Rosefinch: Small finch, about 14–16 cm. Moderately easy to spot in shrubby areas. A small finch species with colourful plumage.
19. Great Rosefinch: Medium-sized finch, about 16–18 cm. Moderately difficult to spot in mountainous regions. A finch species with vibrant plumage.
20. Eurasian Wren: Small wren, about 9–10 cm. Moderately difficult to spot due to its secretive behaviour. Resident bird of Spiti Valley.
21. Blue Rock Thrush: Summer visitor to Spiti Valley. Moderately easy to spot perched on rocks. Medium-sized thrush, about 20–22 cm.
22. Black-throated Thrush: Moderately easy to spot in a variety of habitats. Medium-sized thrush, about 22–24 cm. Winter visitor to Spiti valley.
23. Rosy Pipit: Moderately easy to spot in open areas. Small pipit, about 15–17 cm. Summer visitor to Spiti Valley.
24. Water Pipit: Moderately easy to spot near water bodies. Small pipit, about 15–17 cm. Most likely to be found in autumn or spring.
25. Black-winged Stilt: Easy to spot around water bodies. Large wader, about 33–36 cm. Can be spotted during autumn and spring.
26. Northern Lapwing: Moderately easy to spot in open habitats. Medium-sized wader, about 28–33 cm. Open and marshy habitats.
27. Ibisbill: Medium-sized bird, about 40–45 cm. Difficult to spot due to its preference for rocky riverbeds. Resident bird of Spiti Valley.
28. Great Crested Grebe: Moderately easy to spot in lakes. Large grebe, about 46–51 cm. Mostly a summer visitor to Chandratal.
29. Black-necked Grebe: Small grebe, about 28–34 cm. Moderately difficult to spot in lakes and ponds. A grebe species often found in water bodies on the plateau.
30. Red-billed Chough: Medium-sized corvid, about 37–41 cm. Moderately easy to spot in mountainous areas. Resident bird of Spit Valley.
31. Yellow-billed Chough: Moderately easy to spot in alpine regions. Medium-sized corvid, about 38–40 cm.
32. Upland Buzzard: Medium to large raptor, about 65–70 cm. Moderately easy to spot soaring in mountainous regions. Summer visitor to Spiti, resident of middle-Himalayas.
33. Oriental Turtle Dove: Summer visitor to Spiti Valley. Easy to spot in a variety of habitats. Medium-sized dove, about 23–26 cm.
34. Brown Accentor: Moderately difficult to spot in rocky habitats. Small accentor, about 13–15 cm. A small bird adapted to rocky and scrubby areas.
35. Robin Accentor: Resident bird of Spiti. Mostly found in dwarf scrub and sedge clumps around upland villages. 16-17cm.
36. Alpine Accentor: Moderately difficult to spot. Breeds in alpine zone, rocky pastures near upland villages. Resident bird of Spiti. 15-17cm.
37. Northern Raven: Resident bird of the high-Himalayas. Very agile in flight, can soar and glide well and perform impressive aerobatics. Dry rocky areas above tree line. Can get up to 70cm.
38. Bar-headed Goose: Medium to large goose, about 71–76 cm. Relatively easy to spot, especially during migration. Recognized for its long migration flights across the Himalayas.
39. Ruddy Shelduck: Medium-sized duck, about 58–68 cm. Moderately easy to spot near rivers and lakes. A common waterfowl species in the region. A summer visitor to Spiti Valley.
40. Northern Shoveler: Relatively easy to spot bird in Chandratal during autumn and spring. A large duck, 45-55cm.
41. Brown-headed Gull: Medium-sized gull, about 35–40 cm. Moderately easy to spot around Chandratal. A gull species often seen near lakes and rivers. Summer visitor to Spiti Valley.
42. Snow Pigeon: Medium-sized pigeon, about 30–36 cm. Moderately difficult to spot in rocky areas. -Pigeon species adapted to cold, mountainous regions.
43. Hill Pigeon: Resident bird of Spiti Valley. Can be found near cliffs and gorges especially near Sumdo. Grows up to 34cm.
44. Horned Lark: Small bird, about 17–19 cm. Moderately easy to spot in open alpine regions. A small lark species adapted to open habitats. Resident bird of Spiti.
45. Tibetan Lark: Medium-sized lark, about 19–21 cm. Moderately difficult to spot in open grasslands. A lark species found in the open grassy areas of the plateau. Summer visitor to higher areas of Spiti.
46. Common Stonechat: A summer visitor to Spiti Valley. Moderately difficult to spot in open country with bushes including high altitude semi-desert.
47. Brandt’s Mountain Finch: Medium-sized finch, about 15–17 cm. Moderately difficult to spot in mountainous habitats. A finch species adapted to mountainous environments.
48. Lesser Sand Plover: Summer visitor to Spiti Valley. Breeds on Tibetan plateau. A sand plover growing up to 19-21cm.
49. Dessert Wheatear: Summer visitor to Spiti Valley. Breeds on barren plateau in high altitude semi desert areas. Moderately difficult to spot. Can grow up to 15-16cm.
50. House Sparrow: Summer visitor. Very easy to spot. Breeds in habitation and cultivation near villages. About 15cm.
51. White-tailed Rubythroat: Moderately difficult to find. A summer visitor to Spiti Valley. Breeds in sub alpine scrubs. Winters in marshy grasslands near Gramphu.
52. Bluethroat: Spring and summer visitor. Coomonly found in schrubs along streams and lakes. Grows up to 15 cm.
53. Mountain Chiffchaff: Very difficult to spot. A summer visitor in Spiti. Breeds in bushes and trees along riverine. 11cm.
54. Common House Martin: Summer visitor to Spiti, mainly passage migrant. Found in mountain valleys, cliffs, and gorges close to terraced cultivation and villages. Grows up to 13cm.
55. Eurasian Crag Martin: Summer visitor to Spiti. Can be found near rocky cliffs and gorges. Grows to 15cm.
56. Citrine Wagtail: Summer visitor to Spiti Valley. Breeds in high-altitude wet grassland. Can be spotted near freshwater wetlands during summer. Grows up to 19 cm.
57. White Wagtail: Summer visitor. Can be found near running water in open country and mountains. Most common around Chandratal and Kunzum. Grows up to 19 cm.
58. Eurasion Cuckoo: A summer visitor to Spiti. Often perches conspicuously in the open when calling in the breeding season. Often calls at night. Grows up to 32-24cm.
59. Common Hoopoe: Summer visitor. Often found in open country near cultivation and villages. Most common in lower villages around Rangrik. Grows upto 31cm.
60. Long-tailed Shrike: Summer visitor to Spiti. Can easily be spotted in bushes around cultivation, open forests, and gardens.
61. Solitary Snipe: Resident bird of Spiti Valley. Found near high altitude marshes and streams. Grows up to 31cm.
62. Green Sandpiper: Spring/autumn visitor, migratory birds. Maily found near freshwater wetlands. 21-24cm.
63. Eurasian Eagleowl: Resident bird of Spiti Valley. Very large with pronounced upright ear tufts. Grows up to 65cm. Can be found on cliffs and open rocky areas.
64. Sulphur-bellied Warbler: Summer visitor to the valley. Difficult to spot. Breeds on stone bushy slopes, spotted near rocky areas and old building. Has a distinctive habit of climbing rocks and wall faces. Grows up to 11cm.
65. Rock Bunting: Summer visitor to the valley. Fairly easy to spot. Breeds on dry, grassy, and rocky slopes. Can be spotted in lowland villages around Rangrik at cultivation in village edges.
Please note that the ease of spotting these birds can vary depending on factors such as season, weather conditions, and specific locations within the valley. For an experience of birding in Spiti, you may contact us.
Comments