Bhutan Bird Watching Tour

1. Why take a bird watching tour in Bhutan?

There are quite rich and diverse species of birds to expect from the west to east Bhutan.

Located at the east foot of Himalaya, Bhutan holds some of the special Himalayan birds, such as the Satyr Tragopan, Blyth’s Tragopan, Himalayan Monal, Ward’s Trogon, Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Yellow-vented Warbler, Broad-billed Warbler, Rufous-throated Wren-babbler, Rusty-throated Wren-babbler, Tawny-breasted Wren-babbler, Snowy-throated Babbler, etc.

Bhutan is home to many endangered and rare birds, for example, the Black-necked Crane, Imperial Heron, Baer’s Pochard, Beautiful Nuthatch, Black-necked Stork, Eurasian Peregrine Falcon, Ferruginous Duck, Gray-crowned Prinia, Great Hornbill, Lesser Fish-eagle, Palla’s Fish-eagle, Pallid Harrier, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Rufous-throated Wren-babbler, etc.

Bhutan has dense subtropical forests at its south border towns, so you can find some species like the Silver-eared Mesia, White-rumped Shama and Greater Flameback, etc.

2. What is the best time for bird watching in Bhutan?

Generally speaking, spring and autumn are the best seasons for bird watching in Bhutan. Most of the bird species like Cuckoos, Swifts, Bee-eaters, Warblers and Flycatchers, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, White-bellied Heron, and more can be found from March to May and September to November at the banks of main rivers and around secluded big lakes.

However, the Black-necked Cranes are of an exception. They come to Bhutan’s Phobjikha Valley, Bumthang and Bumdeling in November and return to the Tibetan Plateau in March. That is to say, for birding of the graceful Black-necked Cranes, the best season goes to Winter.

3. Can you organize a Bhutan trip combining bird watching and cultural tourism?

Yes, we can organize a Bhutan bird watching tour combining with essential cultural sightseeing as you wish.

For example, upon your arrival at Paro, after a short rest, you can go to the important cultural landmarks, like Paro Rinpu Dzong and Ta Dzong to pay a visit. When you transfer to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan, you can modify the schedule for simple sightseeing of cultural wonders such as the National Library of Bhutan Changangkha Lhakhang and King's Memorial Chorten if you want. In Punakha, you usually have the chance to visit the most beautiful monastery, Punakha Dzong.

If you go deep into central and eastern Bhutan, for example, Trongsa, you can't miss the impressive Trongsa Dzong. Usually, while your birding adventure in Phobjikha valley, you are available to admire the magnificent Gangtey Gonpa or attend the annual Black-necked Crane Festival to experience the unique culture. When you are birding in Zhemgang, you can join in the Bhutan Birds Festival to enjoy the different artworks by local people.