The state of Jammu and Kashmir is known for its pristine beauty and a rich plant and animal life. A variety of plants and animals are found in Kashmir due to its unique location and climatic conditions. About 555 avian species call this state their home. There are many bird sanctuaries in Jammu and Kashmir, of which Overa Aru, in the Aru Valley near Pahalgam, has recorded 117 bird species. Here, we give you a list of some of the most famous birds of Jammu and Kashmir.
Kashmir Flycatcher
Presently the state bird of Jammu and Kashmir, the Kashmir flycatcher is a small passerine bird that can be found in the Himalayas in the Kashmir region. It is a migratory bird that spends the winters in Sri Lanka and Western Ghats of India. The males have a grey-brown back and an orange-red throat while the females have a brown back and pinkish throat.
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Black Necked Crane
It is whitish grey in colour with a red patch on the crown and a black coloured head, neck, and tail. The black tail makes it distinguishable from the common crane. Largely found on the Tibetan plateau, this bird is also found in Vietnam, Bhutan, and some parts of India. Earlier, it was the state bird of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir, but after the bifurcation, Ladakh declared the black necked crane as its state bird.
Conservation Status: Near Threatened
Himalayan Bulbul
Also known as the white cheeked bulbul, it has a black and white head, throat, and chest and a long, black tail. It can be spotted in forests and parks in the surrounding area in the Himalayas. It is said to be found in Pahalgam.
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Himalayan Monal
The national bird of Nepal and the state bird of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, the Himalayan monal can also be spotted in Kashmir. Males have a metallic green crest and coppery feathers. Females have a white patch on the throat and a white strip on the tail.
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Common Kingfisher
It is the size of a sparrow and has a large head and a long beak. It is strikingly blue and orange in colour and flies speedily. This beautiful bird can be seen in Kashmir.
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Bar-headed Goose
It is pale grey in colour with black bars on its head. It breeds in Central Asia in colonies around mountain lakes and goes to South Asia during the winters. The area around Dal Lake is said to be its only breeding ground outside China. These birds are known for attaining great heights when flying over the Himalayas.
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Kashmir Nuthatch
Grey and red in colour, this bird is found in the Indian subcontinent in the mid-altitudes of the Himalayas. Its global population is not known.
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Snowcock
It has a long neck and a long body, but being bulky, it cannot fly far. These birds are native to different mountain ranges in Asia, including the Himalayas.
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Blue Whistling Thrush
Known for its human-like whistling sound, it is a blue-violet bird with a shiny appearance. These birds are found in Central and Southeast Asia and in China.
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Indian Pond Heron
It is a small heron that breeds in Iran, east to the Indian subcontinent and in Burma and Sri Lanka. Bird watchers have spotted it around Dal Lake. These birds have stocky bodies and a short neck and bill. They are solitary forages that breed at the edge of ponds. They are commonly found in India.
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Other Famous Birds of Jammu and Kashmir
Among the other birds enlisted as birds of Kashmir or birds found in certain regions of this state, such as Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Srinagar, or the Dal Lake include the following:
- Common Moorhen
- Koklass pheasant
- Little Grebe
- Himalayan woodpecker
- Mute swan and Tundra swan
- Griffon Vulture
- House Crow
- Great Tit
- Black Kite
Apart from these, there were reports of a Whooper swan spotted in Kashmir which was killed. Different types of kingfishers are known to be seen in Jammu and Kashmir. Other common birds of Kashmir include the sparrow, the partridge, the blue heron, the parakeet and the mynah.
This diversity in the birds of Kashmir attracts bird watchers and wildlife lovers from around the world to this Indian state. Sanctuaries and National Parks in Jammu and Kashmir have preserved some of the rarest bird populations which is why this state is popular for wildlife tourism.
