Bird watching, also known as birding, is a popular hobby around the world. India, with its incredible diversity of bird species, is a paradise for bird watchers. There are many excellent bird watchers across the country, but a few names stand out as being among the very best.
What makes a great bird watcher?
A great bird watcher needs a combination of skills and traits. Some of the key requirements are:
- Extensive knowledge of birds – their identification, calls, behavior, migration patterns, habitats etc.
- Patience to spend long hours in the field observing and identifying birds.
- Sharp eyesight and hearing abilities.
- Physical fitness for trekking and exploration.
- Passion for ornithology and conservation.
- Photography and documentation skills.
- Communication skills to share knowledge and inspire others.
Leading bird watchers in India
While there are many skilled bird watchers across the country, a few names stand out for their achievements and contribution to Indian ornithology. Here are some of India’s leading bird watchers:
Dr. Salim Ali
Referred to as the “Birdman of India”, Dr. Salim Ali was the country’s foremost ornithologist. He conducted extensive surveys across India and wrote the landmark 10 volume Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan. He researched and documented over 500 bird species found in the subcontinent. Through his books and life’s work, he helped popularize bird watching in India.
Dr. Asad Rahmani
Dr. Asad Rahmani served as Director of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) for 14 years. He pioneered bird migration studies using bird banding and ringing techniques. Over 3 decades, he banded nearly 50,000 birds of over 200 species. He has discovered new migration routes, like Amur Falcons from Siberia migrating to South Africa through India. Dr. Rahmani has authored various books including the Book of Indian Birds.
Dr. Pamela Rasmussen
An American ornithologist, Dr. Pamela Rasmussen was associated with Mumbai University and BNHS for decades. She is a leading expert on birds of prey and has authored Birds of Prey of the Indian Subcontinent. Dr. Rasmussen is credited with the re-discovery of the Forest Owlet thought to be extinct. She has also discovered several new species previously unknown to science.
Dr. Rishad Naoroji
Mumbai-based Dr. Rishad Naoroji has been an active bird watcher since the 1960s. He is an expert on the birds of Maharashtra and author of Birds of Prey of the Indian Subcontinent. He has discovered various new species and tangled with smugglers of rare bird eggs. Dr. Naoroji has helped canonize local and indigenous names of various birds through his books.
Ramki Sreenivasan
Based in Coimbatore, Ramki Sreenivasan is one of South India’s best known birders. He is an expert photographer and author of the field guide Birds of Southern India. Ramki pioneered birdwatching tours in South India and runs a popular website on birds of India. He is also active in conservation education programs for schools and colleges.
Bikram Grewal
Bikram Grewal is a Delhi-based ornithologist and birding tour leader acclaimed for his books and photography. He has authored various field guides including Birds of India, Birds of Northern India and The Birds of Bharatpur. His stock of over 100,000 slides of Indian birds is perhaps the biggest in the country. Bikram is also a pioneering conservationist involved in vulture breeding programs.
J C Daniel
Based in the Nilgiris hills of Tamil Nadu, JC Daniel is one of India’s finest bird illustrators. His paintings and sketches illustrate many leading field guides and scientific journals. He pioneered bird surveys in various parts of peninsular India. JC Daniel has also mentored and trained young illustrators to follow in his footsteps.
Amateur bird watchers of note
Apart from eminent ornithologists, some amateur bird watchers have also contributed significantly to India’s bird knowledge. Some names worth mentioning are:
- Sunjoy Monga – Author, photographer and expert on Delhi birding hotspots.
- Sudhir Vyas – Leading birder of Gujarat, known for Rann of Kutch flamingo festivals.
- Omkar Dharwadkar – Mumbai-based birder, photographer and documentary filmmaker.
- Raju Kasambe – Active community educator on birds near Pune.
- Otto Pfister – German birder and guide based in South India.
Leading birding hotspots in India
India offers a wide range of productive birding habitats ranging from the high Himalayas to tropical rainforests to coastal wetlands. Some of the leading bird watching hotspots loved by leading birders include:
Place | Key Birds |
---|---|
Ranganathittu, Karnataka | Painted Stork, Spoonbill, River Tern |
Great Rann of Kutch | Flamingos, Pelicans, Demoiselle Crane |
Corbett National Park | Peafowl, Hornbills, Eagles |
Kaziranga, Assam | Swamp Francolin, Bengal Florican |
Western Ghats | Malabar Trogon, Nilgiri Woodpigeon |
Tal Chhapar, Rajasthan | Larks, Wheatear, Falcons |
Sattal, Uttarakhand | Ducks, Kingfishers, Thrushes |
Bharatpur, Rajasthan | Siberian Cranes, Sarus Crane |
Chilika Lake, Odisha | Flamingos, Stilts, Geese |
Sultanpur National Park, Haryana | Rose-ringed Parakeet, Collared Pratincole |
Tools used by Indian bird watchers
Some of the key field equipment and tools used by Indian birders are:
- Binoculars – Nikon, Bushnell, Olympus etc. models popular.
- Spotting scopes – Kowa, Vortex, Celestron models common.
- Field guides – Books by Ali, Rasmussen, Grewal, Sreenivasan etc.
- Checklists – Regional bird checklists published by BNHS, ISBC etc.
- Cameras – Advanced DSLRs with telephoto lenses used.
- Sound recorders – To capture and study bird calls.
- GPS devices – Garmin, Magellan models used to map sightings.
- Mobile apps – Apps like eBird, BirdsEye, Merlin widely used.
Technology has opened up new options for Indian birders to identify, capture, study and share bird sightings.
Role of birding associations
There are various state level and national bird watching societies in India. Some leading ones include:
- Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS)
- Deccan Birders
- Delhi Bird Club
- Kerala Birders Network
- Madras Naturalists Society
- Bird Count India
These clubs and networks help promote interest in birding, conduct systematic surveys and census programs, maintain online databases of sightings, publish newsletters and work towards conservation. They provide a platform for birders to meet, share knowledge and organize bird watching trips.
Conservation efforts
Many leading Indian birders are also active in conservation efforts for endangered bird species. Some key initiatives they have contributed to are:
- Campaigns to protect wetlands and stop habitat destruction.
- Vulture breeding programs in Haryana, Assam and West Bengal.
- Monitoring of threatened species like Sociable Lapwing.
- Promoting sustainable bird tourism practices.
- Fighting illegal trapping of songbirds.
- Planting trees and setting up nest boxes.
- Creating awareness on migratory birds among fishermen.
- Pushing for strong wildlife protection laws.
The passion of India’s expert birders has helped protect many endemic and endangered species over the decades.
Conclusion
India has a vibrant birding culture with thousands of enthusiastic bird watchers across the country. While there are many talented birders at the local and regional level, some names stand out at the national stage based on their expertise, body of work and commitment to ornithology.
The pioneering bird watchers like Dr. Salim Ali and Dr. Asad Rahmani helped create the foundation of ornithology in India. Contemporary experts like Bikram Grewal, Ramki Sreenivasan and Rishad Naoroji have helped popularize birding as a hobby and spread awareness. The skills of illustrators like JC Daniel bring birds alive for the average viewer.
Thanks to these stalwarts, India now has a strong community of birders across the country who are continuing the work of documentation of new species, bird census initiatives and conservation education. The culture of bird watching picked up by these early pioneers promises to stay, with even more people taking up birding enthusiastically.