A rich and varied flora and fauna, coupled with the enchanting scenic beauty has made the Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh one of the most-sought after destinations of nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, from all around the world. Apart from being world renowned as home to a large population of tigers and numerous other animals of the wild, the park is also well known for the various species of birds in Kanha.
One of the best maintained National Parks in Asia, Kanha employs stringent conservation measures to ensure the overall protection of the animals and birds in Kanha.
Recent researches indicate that there are more than 300 species of birds in Kanha National Park. The park offers ample opportunities for bird watchers and ornithologists, who flock to Kanha every year. The hills offer the best spots for bird watching in Kanha. The mixed and bamboo forests and the grassy forest clearings are home to numerous species of birds in Kanha. Water birds can be spotted near the several rivulets within the park and at Sarvantal – a pool frequented by numerous water birds. The area in front of the museum also offers decent opportunities for bird-watching. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best periods to indulge in bird-watching in Kanha National park.
The commonly noticed birds in Kanha include the Black Ibis, Bee-eaters, Cattle Egret, Blossom-Headed Parakeets, Pond Heron, Drongos, Common Teal, Crested Serpent Eagle, Grey Hornbill, Indian roller, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Little Grebes, Lesser Whistling Teal, Minivets, Pied Hornbill, Woodpecker, Pigeon, Paradise Flycatchers, Mynas, Peafowl, Red Jungle Fowl, Red Wattled Lapwing, Steppe Eagle, Tickell's Flycatcher, White-eyed Buzzard, White-breasted Kingfisher, White-browed Fantail Flycatcher, Wood shrikes and Warblers, to name a few.
R=Resident S=Summer W=Winter ( ) = Old Names
|
Common
Name
|
Status
|
Zoological
Name
|
|
ORDER: GALLIFORMES
|
Family: Phasianidae
|
|
Black Francolin (Black Partridge)
|
R
|
Francolinus francolinus
|
|
Painted Francolin (Painted Partridge)
|
R
|
Francolinus pictus
|
|
Grey Francolin (Grey Partridge)
|
R
|
Francolinus pondicerianus
|
|
Rain Quail (Black-breasted Quail)
|
R
|
Coturnix coromandelica
|
|
Blue-breasted Quail
|
R
|
Coturnix chinensis
|
|
Jungle Bush Quail
|
R
|
Perdicula asiatica
|
|
Red Spurfowl
|
R
|
Galloperdix spadicea
|
|
Red Junglefowl
|
R
|
Gallus gallus
|
|
Indian Peafowl (Common Peafowl, Blue Peafowl)
|
R
|
Pavo cristatus
|
|
ORDER: ANSERIFORMES
|
Family: Dendrocygndiae
|
|
Lesser Whistling-duck
(Lesser Whistling-teal, Lesser Treeduck)
|
R
|
Dendrocygna javanica
|
Family: Anatidae
|
|
Anserini
|
|
|
|
Greylag Goose
|
W
|
Anser anser
|
|
Ruddy Shelduck (Ruddy Sheldrake)
|
W
|
Tadorna ferruginea
|
|
Comb Duck
|
R
|
Sarkidiornis melanotos
|
|
Cotton Pygmy-goose (Cotton Teal)
|
R
|
Nettapus coromandelianus
|
|
Anatini
|
|
Eurasian Wigeon (Wigeon)
|
W
|
Anas penelope
|
|
Mallard
|
W
|
Anas platyrhynchos
|
|
Spot-billed Duck (Spotbil Duck, Spotbill)
|
R
|
Anas poecilorhyncha
|
|
Northern Shoveler (Shoveller)
|
W
|
Anas clypeata
|
|
Northern Pintail (Common Pintail, Pintail)
|
W
|
Anas acuta
|
|
Garganey
|
W
|
Anas querquedula
|
|
Common Teal
|
W
|
Anas crecca
|
|
ORDER: TURNICIFORMES
|
Family: Turnicidae
|
|
Small Buttonquail
(Little Bustardquail, Little Buttonquail)
|
R
|
Turnix sylvatica
|
|
Yellow-legged Buttonquail (Button Quail)
|
R
|
Turnix tanki
|
|
ORDER: PICIFORMES
|
|
Family: Picidae
|
|
Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker
(Brown-crowned Pigmy Woodpecker)
|
R
|
Dendrocopos nanus
|
|
Yellow-crowned Woodpecker
(Yellow-fronted Woodpecker)
|
R
|
Dendrocopos mahrattensis
|
|
Rufus Woodpecker
|
R
|
Celeus brachyurus
|
|
Lesser Yellownape
(Lesser Yellow-naped Woodpecker)
|
R
|
Picus chlorolophus
|
|
Streak-throated Woodpecker
(Little Scaly-bellied Green Woodpecker)
|
R
|
Picus xanthopygaeus
|
|
Black-rumped Flameback
(Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker)
|
R
|
Dinopium benghalense
|
|
Greater Flameback
(Larger Golden-backed Woodpecker)
|
R
|
Chrysocolaptes lucidus
|
|
White-naped Woodpecker
(Black-backed Woodpecker)
|
R
|
Chrysocolaptes festivus
|
|
Heart-spotted Woodpecker
|
R
|
Hemicircus canente
|
Family: Megalaimidae
|
|
Brown-headed Barbet (Green Barbet)
|
R
|
Megalaima zeylanica
|
|
Coppersmith Barbet
(Crimson-breasted Barbet)
|
R
|
Megalaima haemacephala
|
|
ORDER: BUCEROTIFORMES
|
|
Family: Bucerotidae
|
|
Indian Grey Hornbill
(Common Grey Hornbill, Gray Hornbill)
|
R
|
Ocyceros birostris
|
|
Malabar Pied Hornbill
|
R
|
Anthracoceros coronatus
|
|
ORDER: UPUPIFORMES
|
Family: Upupidae
|
|
Common Hoopoe (Hoopoe)
|
R
|
Upupa epops
|
|
ORDER: CORACIIFORMES
|
Family: Coraciidae
|
|
Indian Roller
|
R
|
Coracias benghalensis
|
|
Family: Alcedinidae
|
|
|
|
Common Kingfisher
(Small Blue Kingfisher, Eurasian Kingfisher)
|
R
|
Alcedo atthis
|
Family: Halcyonidae
|
|
Stork-billed Kingfisher
|
R
|
Halcyon capensis
|
|
White-throated Kingfisher
White-breasted Kingfisher, Smyrna Kingfisher)
|
R
|
Halcyon smyrnensis
|
|
Black-capped Kingfisher
(Black-capped Purple Kingfisher)
|
R
|
Halcyon pileata
|
Family: Cerylidae
|
|
Pied Kingfisher
(Lesser Pied Kingfisher, Small-pied Kingfisher)
|
R
|
Ceryle rudis
|
Family: Meropidae
|
|
Blue-bearded Bee-eater
|
R
|
Nyctyornis athertoni
|
|
Green Bee-eater (Little Green Bee-eater)
|
R
|
Merops orientalis
|
|
Blue-tailed Bee-eater
|
R
|
Merops philippinus
|
|
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater
|
R
|
Merops leschenaulti
|
|
ORDER: CUCULIFORMES
|
Family: Cuculidae
|
|
Pied Cuckoo
(Pied Crested Cuckoo, Jacobin Cuckoo)
|
S
|
Clamator jacobinus
|
|
Common Hawk Cuckoo
|
R
|
Hierococcyx varius
|
|
Indian Cuckoo
|
R
|
Cuculus micropterus
|
|
Eurasian Cuckoo
(The Cuckoo, Common Cuckoo)
|
R
|
Cuculus canorus
|
|
Banded Bay Cuckoo
(Indian Banded Bay Cuckoo)
|
R
|
Cacomantis sonneratii
|
|
Grey-bellied Cuckoo
(Indian Plaintive Cuckoo)
|
R
|
Cacomantis passerinus
|
|
Asian Koel (Koel)
|
R
|
Eudynamys scolopacea
|
|
Sirkeer Malkoha (Sirkeer Cuckoo, Sirkeer)
|
R
|
Phaenicophaeus leschenaultii
|
|
Family: Centropodidae
|
|
Greater Coucal (Crow-pheasant)
|
R
|
Centropus sinensis
|
|
ORDER: PSITTACIFORMES
|
|
Family: Psittacidae
|
|
Alexandrine Parakeet (Large Indian Parakeet)
|
R
|
Psittacula eupatria
|
|
Rose-ringed Parakeet
|
R
|
Psittacula krameri
|
|
Plum-headed Parakeet
(Blossom-headed Parakeet)
|
R
|
Psittacula cyanocephala
|
|
ORDER: APODIFORMES
|
Family: Apodidae
|
|
White-rumped Needletail
(White-rumped Spinetail)
|
R
|
Zoonavena sylvatica
|
|
House Swift (Little Swift)
|
R
|
Apus affinis
|
|
Family: Hemiprocnidae
|
|
ORDER: STRIGIFORMES
|
|
|
|
Family: Tytonidae
|
|
Barn Owl
|
R
|
Tyto alba
|
|
Family: Strigidae
|
|
Eurasian Scops Owl (European Scops Owl)
|
W
|
Otus scops
|
|
Collared Scops Owl
|
R
|
Otus bakkamoena
|
|
Rock Eagle Owl
|
R
|
Bubo bubo bengalensis
|
|
Spot-bellied Eagle Owl (Forest Eagle Owl)
|
R
|
Bubo nipalensis
|
|
Brown Fish Owl
|
R
|
Ketupa zeylonensis
|
|
Mottled Wood Owl
|
R
|
Strix ocellata
|
|
Jungle Owlet (Barred Jungle Owlet)
|
R
|
Glaucidium radiatum
|
|
Spotted Owlet
|
R
|
Athene brama
|
|
Brown Hawk Owl (Brown Boobook)
|
R
|
Ninox scutulata
|
|
Short-eared Owl
|
W
|
Asio flammeus
|
Family: Caprimulgidae
|
|
Grey Nightjar (Indian Jungle Nightjar)
|
R
|
Caprimulgus indicus
|
|
Indian Nightjar (Common Indian Nightjar)
|
R
|
Caprimulgus asiaticus
|
|
Savanna Nightjar (Franklin's)
|
R
|
Caprimulgus affinis
|
|
ORDER:COLUMBIFORMES
|
Family:Columbidae
|
|
Rock Pigeon (Blue Rock Pigeon)
|
R
|
Columba livia
|
|
Oriental Turtle Dove (Rufous Turtle Dove)
|
R
|
Streptopelia orientalis
|
|
Laughing Dove (Little Brown)
|
R
|
Streptopelia senegalensis
|
|
Spotted Dove
|
R
|
Streptopelia chinensis
|
|
Red Collared Dove (Red Turtle)
|
R
|
Streptopelia tranquebarica
|
|
Eurasian Collared Dove (Indian Ring)
|
R
|
Streptopelia decaocto
|
|
Emerald Dove (Bronze-winged Dove)
|
R
|
Chalcophaps indica
|
|
Yellow-footed Green Pigeon
(Yellow-legged Green or Bengal)
|
R
|
Treron phoenicoptera
|
|
ORDER: GRUIFORMES
|
Family: Otididae
|
|
Lesser Florican (Likh)
|
R
|
Sypheotides indica
|
Family: Gruidae
|
|
Sarus Crane
|
R
|
Grus antigone
|
Family: Rallidae
|
|
Slaty-breasted Rail
(Blue-breasted Banded Rail)
|
R
|
Gallirallus striatus
|
|
Brown Crake
|
R
|
Amaurornis akool
|
|
White-breasted Waterhen
|
R
|
Amaurornis phoenicurus
|
|
Baillon's Crake
|
W
|
Porzana pusilla
|
|
Common Moorhen
(Moorhen, Waterhen, Indian Gallinule)
|
R
|
Gallinula chloropus
|
|
ORDER: CICONIIFORMES
|
Family: Scolopacidae
|
Scolopacinae
|
|
Common Snipe (Fantail Snipe)
|
W
|
Gallinago gallinago
|
|
Tringinae
|
|
Spotted Redshank
|
W
|
Tringa erythropus
|
|
Common Redshank (Redshank)
|
W
|
Tringa totanus
|
|
Marsh Sandpiper
|
W
|
Tringa stagnatilis
|
|
Common Greenshank (Greenshank)
|
W
|
Tringa nebularia
|
|
Green Sandpiper
|
W
|
Tringa ochropus
|
|
Wood Sandpiper
|
W
|
Tringa glareola
|
|
Common Sandpiper
|
W
|
Actitis hypoleucos
|
Family: Rostratulidae
|
|
Greater Painted-snipe
|
R
|
Rostratula benghalensis
|
Family: Jacanidae
|
|
Pheasant-tailed Jacana
|
R
|
Hydrophasianus chirurgus
|
|
Bronze-winged Jacana
|
R
|
Metopidius indicus
|
Family: Burhinidae
|
|
Eurasian Thick-knee
(Stone-curlew, Stone-Plover)
|
R
|
Burhinus oedicnemus
|
|
Great Thick-knee (Great Stone Plover)
|
R
|
Esacus recurvirostris
|
|
Family: Charadriidae
|
|
Black-winged Stilt
|
R
|
Himantopus himantopus
|
Charadriinae
|
|
|
|
Little Ringed Plover
(Little Plover, Little Ring Plover)
|
W
|
Charadrius dubius
|
|
Yellow-wattled Lapwing
|
R
|
Vanellus malarbaricus
|
|
Red-wattled Lapwing
|
R
|
Vanellus indicus
|
Family: Glareolidae
|
Glareolinae
|
|
Small Pratincole
(Small Indian Pratincole, Little Pratincole)
|
R
|
Glareola lactea
|
Family: Laridae
|
|
Sternini
|
|
|
|
River Tern
(Indian River Tern)
|
R
|
Sterna aurantia
|
Family: Accipitridae
|
Pandioninae
|
|
|
|
Osprey
|
W
|
Pandion haliaetus
|
Accipitrinae
|
|
Oriental Honey-buzzard
(Crested Honey Buzzard, Honey Kite)
|
R
|
Pernis ptilorhyncus
|
|
Black-shouldered Kite (Black-winged Kite)
|
R
|
Elanus caeruleus
|
|
Black Kite
(Pariah Kite, Dark Kite, Black-eared Kite)
|
R
|
Milvus migrans
|
|
Grey-headed Fish Eagle
(Himalayan, Grey-headed Fishing Eagle)
|
R
|
Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus
|
|
Egyptian Vulture (Small White, Scavenger)
|
R
|
Neophron percnopterus
|
|
White-rumped Vulture
(Indian White-backed Vulture)
|
R
|
Gyps bengalensis
|
|
Indian Vulture
(Indian Long-billed, Indian Griffon)
|
R
|
Gyps indicus
|
|
Red-headed Vulture
(King Vulture, Black Vulture)
|
R
|
Sarcogyps calvus
|
|
Crested Serpent Eagle
|
R
|
Spilornis cheela
|
|
Eurasian Marsh Harrier (Western Marsh Harrier)
|
W
|
Circus aeruginosus
|
|
Pallid Harrier (Pale Harrier)
|
W
|
Circus macrourus
|
|
Pied Harrier
|
W
|
Circus melanoleucos
|
|
Shikra
|
R
|
Accipiter badius
|
|
White-eyed Buzzard
(White-eyed Buzzard Eagle)
|
R
|
Butastur teesa
|
|
Bonelli's Eagle (Bonelli's Hawk Eagle)
|
R
|
Hieraaetus fasciatus
|
|
Booted Eagle (Booed Hawk Eagle)
|
W
|
Hieraaetus pennatus
|
|
Changeable Hawk Eagle
(Crested Hawk Eagle)
|
R
|
Spizaetus cirrhatus
|
Family: Falconidae
|
|
Common Kestrel (Kestrel, Eurasian Kestrel)
|
W
|
Falco tinnunculus
|
|
Laggar Falcon
|
R
|
Falco jugger
|
|
Peregrine Falcon
(Red-capped Falcon, Barbary Falcon)
|
W
|
Falco peregrinus
|
Family: Podicipedidae
|
|
Little Grebe
|
R
|
Tachybaptus ruficollis
|
|
Family: Anhingidae
|
|
|
|
Darter (Indian Darter, Oriental Darter, Snakebird)
|
R
|
Anhinga melanogaster
|
Family: Phalacrocoracidae
|
|
Little Cormorant
|
R
|
Phalacrocorax niger
|
|
Indian Cormorant (Shag)
|
R
|
Phalacrocorax fuscicollis
|
|
Great Cormorant (Cormorant, Large Cormorant)
|
R
|
Phalacrocorax carbo
|
Family: Ardeidae
|
|
Little Egret
|
R
|
Egretta garzetta
|
|
Grey Heron
|
R
|
Ardea cinerea
|
|
Purple Heron
|
R
|
Ardea purpurea
|
|
Great Egret (Large Egret)
|
R
|
Casmerodius albus
|
|
Intermediate Egret (Smaller Egret, Median Egret)
|
R
|
Mesophoyx intermedia
|
|
Cattle Egret
|
R
|
Bubulcus ibis
|
|
Indian Pond Heron
|
R
|
Ardeola grayii
|
|
Little Heron (Little Green Heron, Striated Heron)
|
R
|
Butorides striatus
|
|
Black-crowned Night Heron (Night Heron)
|
R
|
Nycticorax nycticorax
|
Family: Threskiornithidae
|
|
Black-headed Ibis
(White Ibis, Oriental White Ibis)
|
R
|
Threskiornis melanocephalus
|
|
Black Ibis (Red-naped Ibis)
|
R
|
Pseudibis papillosa
|
|
Eurasian Spoonbill (Spoonbill, White Spoonbill)
|
R
|
Platalea leucorodia
|
Family: Ciconiidae
|
|
Painted Stork
|
R
|
Mycteria leucocephala
|
|
Asian Openbill (Open-billed Stork)
|
R
|
Anastomus oscitans
|
|
Black Stork
|
W
|
Ciconia nigra
|
|
Woolly-necked Stork (White-necked)
|
R
|
Ciconia episcopus
|
|
Lesser Adjutant (Lesser Adjutant Stork)
|
R
|
Leptoptilos javanicus
|
|
ORDER: PASSERIFORMES
|
Family: Pittidae
|
|
Indian Pitta
|
S
|
Pitta brachyura
|
Family: Irenidae
|
|
Blue-winged Leafbird
(Gold-mantled /Jerdon's Chloropsis)
|
R
|
Chloropsis cochinchinensis
|
|
| |
