Manas National Park is an important birding area supporting populations of some rare and endangered species. This is a
preliminary attempt to compile a checklist of the birds of the Park and provide a start point for updates and corrections.
This checklist of 383 species is restricted to the Indian Manas National Park and does not include birds from the higher elevation Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan. Manas Park in India covers the Himalayan foothills where the maximum elevation is restricted to 180m over msl. The mountains in the Bhutan side rise quickly to 4000m, and this provides a completely different habitat for bird species. As
little is known about the birds occurring on the Bhutan side aside from the limited area covered from the India on day treks, it is considered best to restrict the checklist to Manas National Park in India for sake of accuracy.
Black Francolin
Francolinus francolinus
Swamp Francolin
Francolinus gularis
Rain Quail
Coturnix coromandelica
Blue-breasted Quail
Coturnix chinensis
Manipur Bush Quail
Perdicula manipurensis
Small Buttonquail
Turnix sylvatica
Barred Buttonquail
Turnix suscitator
Red Junglefowl
Gallus gallus
Kalij Pheasant
Lophura leucomelanos
Grey Peacock Pheasant
Polyplectron bicalcaratum
Indian Peafowl
Pavo cristatus
Lesser Whistling-duck
Dendrocygna javanica
Bar-headed Goose
Anser indicus
Ruddy Shelduck
Tadorna ferruginea
White-winged Duck
Cairina scutulata ? (reported by locals)
Cotton Pygmy-goose
Nettapus coromandelianus
Gadwall
Anas strepera
Eurasian Wigeon
Anas penelope
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
Spot-billed Duck
Anas poecilorhyncha
Northern Shoveler
Anas clypeata
Northern Pintail
Anas acuta
Garganey
Anas querquedula
Common Teal
Anas crecca
Red-crested Pochard
Rhodonessa rufina
Common Pochard
Aythya ferina
Common Merganser
Mergus merganser
Eurasian Wryneck
Jynx torquilla
Speckled Piculet
Picumnus innominatus
Rufous Woodpecker
Celeus brachyurus
Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker
Dendrocopos canicapillus
Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos macei
Lesser Yellownape
Picus chlorolophus
Greater Yellownape
Picus flavinucha
Streak-throated Woodpecker
Picus xanthopygaeus
Grey-headed Woodpecker
Picus canus
Himalayan Flameback
Dinopium shorii
Black-rumped Flameback
Dinopium benghalense
Greater Flameback
Chrysocolaptes lucidus
Great Barbet
Megalaima virens
Lineated Barbet
Megalaima lineata
Blue-throated Barbet
Megalaima asiatica
Blue-eared Barbet
Megalaima
australis
Coppersmith Barbet
Megalaima haemacephala
Oriental Pied Hornbill
Anthracoceros albirostris
Great Hornbill
Buceros bicornis
Rufous-necked Hornbill
Aceros nipalensis
Wreathed Hornbill
Aceros undulatus
Common Hoopoe
Upupa epops
Red-headed Trogon
Harpactes erythrocephalus
Indian Roller
Coracias benghalensis
Dollarbird
Eurystomus orientalis
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthis
Stork-billed Kingfisher
Halcyon capensis
Ruddy Kingfisher
Halcyon coromanda
White-throated Kingfisher
Halcyon smyrnensis
Crested Kingfisher
Megaceryle lugubris
Pied Kingfisher
Ceryle rudis
Blue-bearded Bee-eater
Nyctyornis athertoni
Green Bee-eater
Merops orientalis
Blue-tailed Bee-eater
Merops philippinus
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater
Merops leschenaulti
Pied Cuckoo
Clamator jacobinus
Chestnut-winged Cuckoo
Clamator coromandus
Large Hawk Cuckoo
Hierococcyx sparverioides
Common Hawk Cuckoo
Hierococcyx varius
Indian Cuckoo
Cuculus micropterus
Eurasian Cuckoo
Cuculus canorus
Oriental Cuckoo
Cuculus saturatus
Banded Bay Cuckoo
Cacomantis sonneratii
Grey-bellied Cuckoo
Cacomantis passerinus
Plaintive Cuckoo
Cacomantis merulinus
Violet Cuckoo
Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus
Drongo Cuckoo
Surniculus lugubris
Asian Koel
Eudynamys scolopacea
Green-billed Malkoha
Phaenicophaeus tristis
Greater Coucal
Centropus sinensis
Lesser Coucal
Centropus bengalensis
Vernal Hanging Parrot
Loriculus vernalis
Alexandrine Parakeet
Psittacula eupatria
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Psittacula krameri
Slaty-headed Parakeet
Psittacula himalayana
Red-breasted Parakeet
Psittacula alexandri
Himalayan Swiftlet
Collocalia brevirostris
White-throated Needletail
Hirundapus caudacutus
Asian Palm Swift
Cypsiurus balasiensis
Alpine Swift
Tachymarptis melba
Fork-tailed Swift
Apus pacificus
House Swift
Apus affinis
Crested Treeswift
Hemiprocne coronata
Barn Owl
Tyto alba
Grass Owl
Tyto capensis
Mountain Scops Owl
Otus spilocephalus
Rock Eagle Owl
Bubo bengalensis
Spot-bellied Eagle Owl
Bubo nipalensis
Brown Fish Owl
Ketupa zeylonensis
Tawny Fish Owl
Ketupa flavipes
Asian Barred Owlet
Glaucidium cuculoides
Jungle Owlet
Glaucidium radiatum ?
Spotted Owlet
Athene brama
Brown Hawk Owl
Ninox scutulata
Grey Nightjar
Caprimulgus indicus
Large-tailed Nightjar
Caprimulgus macrurus
Savanna Nightjar
Caprimulgus affinis
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
Pale-capped Pigeon
Columba punicea
Oriental Turtle Dove
Streptopelia orientalis
Spotted Dove
Streptopelia chinensis
Red Collared Dove
Streptopelia tranquebarica
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaocto
Emerald Dove
Chalcophaps indica
Orange-breasted Green Pigeon
Treron bicincta
Pompadour Green Pigeon
Treron pompadora
Thick-billed Green Pigeon
Treron curvirostra
Yellow-footed Green Pigeon
Treron phoenicoptera
Pin-tailed Green Pigeon
Treron apicauda
Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon
Treron sphenura
Green Imperial Pigeon
Ducula aenea
Mountain Imperial Pigeon
Ducula badia
Bengal Florican
Houbaropsis bengalensis
Water Rail
Rallus aquaticus
White-breasted Waterhen
Amaurornis phoenicurus
Black-tailed Crake
Porzana bicolor
Ruddy-breasted Crake
Porzana
fusca
Common Moorhen
Gallinula chloropus
Pintail Snipe
Gallinago stenura
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinago
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosa
Eurasian Curlew
Numenius arquata
Common Redshank
Tringa totanus
Common Greenshank
Tringa nebularia
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropus
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucos
Temminck’s Stint
Calidris temminckii
Greater Painted-snipe
Rostratula benghalensis
Pheasant-tailed Jacana
Hydrophasianus chirurgus
Bronze-winged Jacana
Metopidius indicus
Eurasian Thick-knee
Burhinus oedicnemus
Great Thick-knee
Esacus recurvirostris
Ibisbill
Ibidorhyncha struthersii
Pied Avocet
Recurvirostra avosetta
Long-billed Plover
Charadrius placidus
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubius
Kentish Plover
Charadrius alexandrinus
Lesser Sand Plover
Charadrius mongolus
Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
River Lapwing
Vanellus duvaucelii
Grey-headed Lapwing
Vanellus cinereus
Red-wattled Lapwing
Vanellus indicus
Small Pratincole
Glareola lactea
Brown-headed Gull
Larus brunnicephalus
Black-headed Gull
Larus ridibundus
River Tern
Sterna aurantia
Black-bellied Tern
Sterna acuticauda
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
Black Baza
Aviceda leuphotes
Oriental Honey-buzzard
Pernis ptilorhyncus
Black-shouldered Kite
Elanus caeruleus
Black Kite
Milvus migrans
Brahminy Kite
Haliastur indus
Pallas’s Fish Eagle
Haliaeetus leucoryphus
Lesser Fish Eagle
Ichthyophaga humilis
White-rumped Vulture
Gyps bengalensis
Slender-billed Vulture
Gyps tenvirostris
Himalayan Griffon
Gyps himalayensis
Red-headed Vulture
Sarcogyps calvus
Crested Serpent Eagle
Spilornis cheela
Eurasian Marsh Harrier
Circus aeruginosus
Pied Harrier
Circus melanoleucos
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus
Crested Goshawk
Accipiter trivirgatus
Shikra
Accipiter badius
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisus
White-eyed Buzzard
Butastur teesa
Common Buzzard
Buteo buteo
Black Eagle
Ictinaetus malayensis
Greater Spotted Eagle W
Aquila clanga
Steppe Eagle
Aquila nipalensis
Rufous-bellied Eagle
Hieraaetus kienerii
Changeable Hawk Eagle
Spizaetus cirrhatus
Mountain Hawk Eagle
Spizaetus nipalensis
Collared Falconet
Microhierax caerulescens
Pied Falconet
Microhierax melanoleucus ?
Lesser Kestrel
Falco naumanni
Common Kestrel
Falco tinnunculus
Oriental Hobby
Falco severus
Laggar Falcon
Falco jugger
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollis
Little Cormorant
Phalacrocorax niger
Indian Cormorant
Phalacrocorax fuscicollis
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carbo
Little Egret
Egretta garzetta
Purple Heron
Ardea purpurea
Great Egret
Casmerodius albus
Intermediate Egret
Mesophoyx intermedia
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibis
Indian Pond Heron
Ardeola grayii
Little Heron
Butorides striatus
Black-crowned Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
Cinnamon Bittern
Ixobrychus cinnamomeus
Black Bittern
Dupetor flavicollis
Spot-billed Pelican
Pelecanus philippensis
Asian Openbill
Anastomus oscitans
Black Stork
Ciconia nigra
Woolly-necked Stork
Ciconia episcopus
Black-necked Stork
Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus
Lesser Adjutant
Leptoptilos javanicus
Greater Adjutant
Leptoptilos dubius
Blue-naped Pitta
Pitta nipalensis
Blue Pitta
Pitta cyanea
Hooded Pitta
Pitta sordida
Indian Pitta
Pitta brachyura
Silver-breasted Broadbill
Serilophus lunatus
Long-tailed Broadbill
Psarisomus dalhousiae
Asian Fairy Bluebird
Irena puella
Golden-fronted Leafbird
Chloropsis aurifrons
Orange-bellied Leafbird
Chloropsis hardwickii
Brown Shrike
Lanius cristatus
Long-tailed Shrike
Lanius schach
Grey-backed Shrike
Lanius tephronotus
Common Green Magpie
Cissa chinensis
Rufous Treepie
Dendrocitta vagabunda
Grey Treepie
Dendrocitta formosae
House Crow
Corvus splendens
Large-billed Crow
Corvus macrorhynchos
Ashy Woodswallow
Artamus fuscus
Slender-billed Oriole
Oriolus tenuirostris
Black-naped Oriole
Oriolus chinensis
Black-hooded Oriole
Oriolus xanthornus
Maroon Oriole
Oriolus traillii
Large Cuckooshrike
Coracina macei
Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Coracina melaschistos
Rosy Minivet
Pericrocotus roseus
Long-tailed Minivet
Pericrocotus ethologus
Scarlet Minivet
Pericrocotus flammeus
White-throated Fantail
Rhipidura albicollis
Black Drongo
Dicrurus macrocercus
Ashy Drongo
Dicrurus leucophaeus
Crow-billed Drongo
Dicrurus annectans
Bronzed Drongo
Dicrurus aeneus
Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo
Dicrurus remifer
Spangled Drongo
Dicrurus hottentottus
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo
Dicrurus paradiseus
Black-naped Monarch
Hypothymis azurea
Common Iora
Aegithina tiphia
Large Woodshrike
Tephrodornis gularis
Common Woodshrike
Tephrodornis pondicerianus
Brown Dipper
Cinclus pallasii
Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush
Monticola rufiventris
Blue Rock Thrush
Monticola solitarius
Blue Whistling Thrush
Myophonus caeruleus
Orange-headed Thrush
Zoothera citrina
Scaly Thrush
Zoothera dauma
Tickell’s Thrush
Turdus unicolor
Grey-winged Blackbird
Turdus boulboul
Eyebrowed Thrush
Turdus obscurus
Dark-throated Thrush
Turdus ruficollis
Ferruginous Flycatcher
Muscicapa ferruginea
Slaty-backed Flycatcher
Ficedula hodgsonii
Red-throated Flycatcher
Ficedula albicilla
Snowy-browed Flycatcher
Ficedula hyperythra
Little Pied Flycatcher
Ficedula westermanni
Slaty-blue Flycatcher
Ficedula tricolor
Verditer Flycatcher
Eumyias thalassina
Small Niltava
Niltava macgrigoriae
Rufous-bellied Niltava
Niltava sundara
Pale-chinned Flycatcher
Cyornis poliogenys
Pale Blue Flycatcher
Cyornis unicolor
Blue-throated Flycatcher
Cyornis rubeculoides
Pygmy Blue Flycatcher
Muscicapella hodgsoni
Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher
Culicicapa ceylonensis
Siberian Rubythroat
Luscinia calliope
White-tailed Rubythroat
Luscinia pectoralis
Bluethroat
Luscinia svecica
Oriental Magpie Robin
Copsychus saularis
White-rumped Shama
Copsychus malabaricus
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochruros
Hodgson’s Redstart
Phoenicurus hodgsoni
Daurian Redstart
Phoenicurus auroreus
White-capped Water Redstart
Chaimarrornis leucocephalus
Plumbeous Water Redstart
Rhyacornis fuliginosus
Black-backed Forktail
Enicurus immaculatus
Slaty-backed Forktail
Enicurus schistaceus
Hodgson’s Bushchat
Saxicola insignis
Common Stonechat
Saxicola torquata
Jerdon’s Bushchat
Saxicola jerdoni
Grey Bushchat
Saxicola ferrea
Spot-winged Starling
Saroglossa spiloptera
Chestnut-tailed Starling
Sturnus malabaricus
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
Asian Pied Starling
Sturnus contra
Common Myna
Acridotheres tristis
Jungle Myna
Acridotheres fuscus
White-Vented Myna
Acridotheres cinereus
Common Hill Myna
Gracula religiosa
Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch
Sitta castanea
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch
Sitta frontalis
Wallcreeper
Tichodroma muraria
Great Tit
Parus major
Sultan Tit
Melanochlora sultanea
Sand Martin
Riparia riparia
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
Wire-tailed Swallow
Hirundo smithii
Nepal House Martin
Delichon nipalensis
Black-crested Bulbul
Pycnonotus melanicterus
Red-whiskered Bulbul
Pycnonotus jocosus
Red-vented Bulbul
Pycnonotus cafer
White-throated Bulbul
Alophoixus flaveolus
Mountain Bulbul Hypsipetes mcclellandii
Ashy Bulbul
Hemixos flavala
Black Bulbul
Hypsipetes leucocephalus
Zitting Cisticola
Cisticola juncidis
Bright-headed Cisticola
Cisticola exilis
Rufous-vented Prinia
Prinia burnesii
Grey-crowned Prinia
Prinia cinereocapilla
Grey-breasted Prinia
Prinia hodgsonii
Ashy Prinia
Prinia socialis
Plain Prinia
Prinia inornata
Oriental White-eye
Zosterops palpebrosus
Pale-footed Bush Warbler
Cettia pallidipes
Blunt-winged Warbler
Acrocephalus concinens
Blyth’s Reed Warbler
Acrocephalus dumetorum
Clamorous Reed Warbler
Acrocephalus stentoreus
Thick-billed Warbler
Acrocephalus aedon
Common Tailorbird
Orthotomus sutorius
Tickell’s Leaf Warbler
Phylloscopus affinis
Hume’s Warbler
Phylloscopus humei
Greenish Warbler
Phylloscopus trochiloides
Large-billed Leaf Warbler
Phylloscopus magnirostris
Blyth’s Leaf Warbler
Phylloscopus reguloides
Yellow-vented Warbler
Phylloscopus cantator
Grey-hooded Warbler
Seicercus xanthoschistos
Chestnut-crowned Warbler
Seicercus castaniceps
Yellow-bellied Warbler
Abroscopus superciliaris
Striated Grassbird
Megalurus palustris
Rufous-rumped Grassbird
Graminicola bengalensis
Bristled Grassbird
Chaetornis striatus
White-crested Laughingthrush
Garrulax leucolophus
Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush
Garrulax pectoralis
Striated Laughingthrush
Garrulax striatus
Rufous-necked Laughingthrush
Garrulax ruficollis
Abbott’s Babbler
Malacocincla abbotti
Puff-throated Babbler
Pellorneum ruficeps
Marsh Babbler
Pellorneum palustre
White-browed Scimitar Babbler
Pomatorhinus schisticeps
Grey-throated Babbler
Stachyris nigriceps
Striped Tit Babbler
Macronous gularis
Chestnut-capped Babbler
Timalia pileata
Yellow-eyed Babbler
Chrysomma sinense
Jerdon’s Babbler
Chrysomma altirostre
Striated Babbler
Turdoides earlei
Slender-billed Babbler
Turdoides longirostris
Jungle Babbler
Turdoides striatus
Red-tailed Minla
Minla ignotincta
Black-breasted Parrotbill
Paradoxornis flavirostris
Bengal Bushlark
Mirafra assamica
Thick-billed Flowerpecker
Dicaeum agile
Yellow-vented Flowerpecker
Dicaeum chrysorrheum
Pale-billed Flowerpecker
Dicaeum erythrorhynchos
Plain Flowerpecker
Dicaeum concolor
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker
Dicaeum cruentatum
Ruby-cheeked Sunbird
Anthreptes singalensis
Purple Sunbird
Nectarinia asiatica
Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird
Aethopyga gouldiae
Black-throated Sunbird
Aethopyga saturata
Crimson Sunbird
Aethopyga siparaja
Streaked Spiderhunter
Arachnothera magna
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
Russet Sparrow
Passer rutilans
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Passer montanus
White Wagtail
Motacilla alba
White-browed Wagtail
Motacilla maderaspatensis
Citrine Wagtail
Motacilla citreola
Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flava
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinerea
Paddyfield Pipit
Anthus rufulus
Tree Pipit
Anthus trivialis
Olive-backed Pipit
Anthus hodgsoni
Rosy Pipit
Anthus roseatus
Baya Weaver
Ploceus philippinus
Finn’s Weaver
Ploceus megarhynchus
Indian Silverbill
Lonchura malabarica
Scaly-breasted Munia
Lonchura punctulata
Black-headed Munia
Lonchura malacca
Common Rosefinch
Carpodacus erythrinus
Crested Bunting
Melophus lathami
Chestnut-eared Bunting
Emberiza fucata
Chestnut Bunting
Emberiza rutila
[Birds in red require confirmation/re-confirmation]
The following higher elevation using species have been reported from Manas. The observations were, perhaps, from the Bhutan side. It is likely that some of these birds may stray down to the Manas area and such records/observations can then included in the main list.
Ashy Wood Pigeon
Columba pulchricollis
Barred Cuckoo Dove
Macropygia unchall
Dark-sided Flycatcher
Muscicapa sibirica
Spotted Forktail
Enicurus maculatus
White-tailed Nuthatch
Sitta himalayensis
Yellow-cheeked Tit
Parus spilonotus
Black-throated Tit
Aegithalos concinnus
Himalayan Bulbul
Pycnonotus leucogenys
Buff-barred Warbler
Phylloscopus pulcher
Ashy-throated Warbler
Phylloscopus maculipennis
Lemon-rumped Warbler
Phylloscopus chloronotus
Broad-billed Warbler
Tickellia hodgsoni
White-throated Laughingthrush
Garrulax albogularis
Rufous-vented Laughingthrush
Garrulax gularis
Scaly Laughingthrush
Garrulax subunicolor
Rusty-fronted Barwing
Actinodura egertoni
Black-chinned Yuhina
Yuhina nigrimenta
Rufous Sibia
Heterophasia capistrata
Green-tailed Sunbird
Aethopyga nipalensis
References and sources:
-
A Field Guide to the Birds of India – Krys Kazmierczak et al
A Birdwatcher’s Guide to India – Krys Kazmierczak et al
Checklist of birds recorded by Manoj Nair between 9/4/05 – 17/4/05 (pers. comm.)
Trip Report by Mike Waite 11/12/04 – 12/12/04 covering Mothanguri area
Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan (Vol. I-X) - S. Ali & S. D. Ripley
Birdlife International Manas National Park page
Manas website
Trip report from eastern Manas (Nov 2005) by B. Grewal, S. Chatterjee & S. Sen
