Bird walk at Kaziranga National Park, Assam
- Assam
- 17 October, 2026
- Hunai Tamuli
About Kaziranga National Park
Sprawling across the floodplains of the mighty Brahmaputra River in Assam, Kaziranga National Park covers over 850 square kilometers of dynamic and ever-changing wilderness. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is a mosaic of tall elephant grasslands, marshes, oxbow lakes, and patches of semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests. This rich habitat supports an extraordinary range of flora and fauna, most famously the world’s largest population of the Great One-horned Rhinoceros. Kaziranga is also home to Asian Elephants, Wild Water Buffalo, Swamp Deer, and elusive Bengal Tigers, making it one of India’s most iconic conservation landscapes. Seasonal floods of the Brahmaputra, though dramatic, play a vital ecological role by replenishing nutrients and maintaining the health of its grasslands and wetlands.
For bird lovers, Kaziranga is nothing short of paradise. The park hosts over 500 bird species, including migratory waterfowl, raptors, storks, hornbills, and grassland specialists. Wetlands teem with pelicans, storks, and ducks in winter, while the grasslands echo with the calls of larks, pipits, and floricans. Despite its protected status, Kaziranga faces ongoing challenges such as annual flooding intensified by climate change, habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, and pressure from nearby development. Conservation efforts—including anti-poaching patrols, habitat management, and community involvement—have been crucial in safeguarding its wildlife. Today, Kaziranga stands as a powerful symbol of successful conservation, offering visitors an unforgettable glimpse into one of South Asia’s richest natural treasures.
Partnered with
Bird Guide - Hanui Tamuli
With a strong passion for birding and sharp identification skills, he knows his bird names well and enjoys helping others recognize and learn about different species in the field.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Kaziranga National Park
The wetlands and surrounding woodlands came alive with a vibrant mix of waterbirds, grassland specialists, and melodious songsters, creating a truly immersive birding experience. Elegant Gray-headed Lapwings and Red-wattled Lapwings strode confidently along the muddy edges, while flocks of Cattle Egrets dotted the fields in bright white contrast. Near the water, Little Cormorants perched with wings spread wide to dry, and flashes of electric blue from White-throated Kingfishers and a Common Kingfisher lit up the scene. The sight of towering Woolly-necked Storks and Asian Openbill Storks added grandeur to the wetland panorama, while a graceful White Wagtail and the lively Eastern Yellow Wagtail kept the grasslands animated with constant movement.
In the surrounding trees and scrub, familiar urban adapters like Common Mynas and Asian Pied Starlings shared space with the bold Black Drongo and the ever-watchful Indian Pond Heron. The soft cooing of Spotted Doves blended with the cheerful calls of the Oriental Magpie Robin and the rich tones of the Black-hooded Oriole. A secretive Zitting Cisticola flitted low through the grass, while forest-edge gems like the White-rumped Shama and the striking Black-backed Forktail delighted keen observers. Altogether, this diverse checklist reflects the incredible ecological variety of the habitat, where wetlands, open fields, and wooded patches merge to host an exciting range of birdlife.
Common Myna
Cattle Egret
White-throated Kingfisher
White Wagtail
Little Cormorant
Asian Pied Starling
Black Drongo
Red-wattled Lapwing
Spotted Dove
Woolly-necked Stork
Asian Openbill
Common Kingfisher
Indian Pond Heron
Zitting Cisticola
Oriental Magpie Robin
Black-hooded Oriole
River Tern
White-rumped Shama
Gray-headed Lapwing
Eastern Yellow Wagtail
Summary of Walk
A small and enthusiastic group, including students, joined guide Hunai Tamuli at Teteliguri near the rhino camp at Kaziranga on 17 October for a walk set in one of India’s most celebrated wild landscapes. The group recorded 12 species, a focused list in which every bird counted, and it turned out to be a day for rare finds. The Pacific Golden-Plover, a long-distance traveller that spends its winters in this part of the world, stood out as one of the highlights. But the bird of the morning was the Dusky Eagle-Owl, a magnificent and elusive nocturnal giant that everyone in the group saw for the very first time. Its sheer size, deep, dark eyes and powerful presence left the participants amazed, and the excitement of watching such a rarely seen bird was unforgettable. The guide explained how to look for owls in daylight roosts, how to move quietly around them and why such birds are indicators of healthy forests, and the students listened with great curiosity. In total, the guide noted three rare species in a single morning, a thrilling result for a short walk. The setting itself added to the magic, with the grasslands and woodlands of Kaziranga stretching out around the group and the sense that every bush and tree might hold something wonderful. For many participants, this was a first step into the world of birdwatching, and the Dusky Eagle-Owl will no doubt remain a favourite memory for years to come. It was a morning that proved a handful of species can be more than enough to make a day special.
Number of Participants
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