_edited.png)
121 Bird Species Found in Vidarbha’s Forest Sanctuaries
- Pranay Arya
- Mar 20
- 16 min read
Updated: Apr 13
The Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, often characterised by its blistering summer temperatures and its status as the "Tiger Capital of the World," serves as one of the most vital bird corridors in the Indian subcontinent.
Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), Pench Tiger Reserve, Melghat Tiger Reserve, and the Navegaon-Nagzira complex have revealed a staggering diversity of birdlife that reflects the complex health of the Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous ecosystem.
In this article:
Water Birds and Lake Dwellers
The water bodies of Vidarbha, ranging from the expansive Navegaon Lake and the perennial Irai Lake to the riverine ecosystems of the Pench, Wainganga, and Pranhita, are critical hubs for bird activity. These wetlands serve as essential refuelling stations for birds travelling along the Central Asian Flyways.
Ducks and Geese
Lesser Whistling-Duck: This resident duck is famous for its whistling calls and its unusual habit of roosting in trees. It is frequently spotted in the lily-covered marshes of Navegaon and the shallower reaches of Tadoba Lake.
The Bar-Headed Goose Bar-headed Goose: A high-altitude marvel that migrates over the Himalayas, it is often seen wintering in the Barnawapara and Vidarbha wetlands. Recent sightings in January 2026 confirm their continued use of the region’s larger tanks.
Knob-billed Duck: Known for the prominent "comb" or knob on the bills of males, these large ducks are a staple sighting in the 2025 bird counts. They prefer freshwater swamps and are often seen in the Nagzira lakes.
Ruddy Shelduck: Commonly known as the Brahminy Duck, these birds are striking in their orange-brown plumage. They are typically found in pairs along riverbanks and are highly vocal during the winter months.
Cotton Pygmy Goose Cotton Pygmy-Goose: The smallest of India’s waterfowl, it favours vegetation-heavy ponds and is a resident in the Melghat and Navegaon landscapes. Its population remains stable in the 2026 surveys despite increasing urbanisation in surrounding districts.
Northern Shoveler: Recognisable by its oversized, shovel-like bill, this winter visitor has been increasingly recorded in the Jayakwadi and Vidarbha wetlands. It uses its specialised bill to filter microscopic organisms from the water’s surface.
Gadwall: A subtle yet elegant duck, the Gadwall is often observed in the quieter corners of forest lakes during the winter. It is frequently associated with other waterfowl but stays close to the protective cover of reed beds.
Indian Spot-billed Duck: A year-round resident of the Pench River and Tadoba’s waterholes, it is easily identified by the red and yellow spots on its bill. Unlike many other ducks, it is non-migratory and breeds within the sanctuary limits.
Northern Pintail: These slender, elegant ducks are common winter residents. Recent 2025 records show high numbers in the Wadhwana and Vidarbha wetlands, highlighting their preference for large, open water bodies.
Green-winged Teal: A fast-flying, small duck that favours the edges of muddy banks. It is frequently sighted in the Kolsa and Moharli ranges during the "Comfortable Season" from November to February.
Red-crested Pochard: Diving ducks with a vibrant orange crest on the males, they are often seen in the deeper waters of the Totladoh Dam. Their presence indicates healthy aquatic vegetation and deep-water clarity.
Ferruginous Duck: A "Near Threatened" species that favours heavily vegetated wetlands. It remains a prized sighting for conservationists in 2026, with robust numbers recorded in the Kolsa buffer zone.
The Common Pochard Duck (Pic Courtersy: Avibase - The World Bird Database) Common Pochard: Listed as "Vulnerable," this diving duck's presence in Vidarbha indicates the high ecological quality of the region's deeper tanks. It is often found in the Gullarghat Lake of Melghat during peak winter.
Tufted Duck: Notable for the dangling crest on the back of its head, it is a winter visitor recorded in the Melghat reservoirs in early 2025. It is a proficient diver, reaching significant depths to forage on molluscs.
Fulvous Whistling-Duck: A rarer relative of the Lesser Whistling-Duck, it is considered a rare or accidental visitor to certain parts of Maharashtra but has been noted in recent checklist updates.
Storks and Wading Birds
Asian Openbill: These storks have a unique gap in their bills adapted for prying open the shells of snails. They are common sights around the paddy fields bordering sanctuaries like Nagzira-Navegaon.
Black Stork: A shy and solitary winter visitor, often found near the secluded streams of the Melghat and Tadoba buffer zones. Unlike the Painted Stork, it avoids human activity and remains deep within forest enclosures.
Asian Woolly-necked Stork: Named for its white, downy neck, this bird is frequently spotted near water bodies during the winter season. It is known for its elegant flight and its ability to hunt in both wet and dry fields.
The Lesser Adjutant Stork Lesser Adjutant: A large, prehistoric-looking stork listed as "Vulnerable" and occasionally recorded in the deep forests of Melghat. It is often found near drying pools where fish are concentrated.
Painted Stork: With its vibrant pink feathers and yellow bill, it is a flagship species for the region’s wetlands. It attracts birdwatchers to the Ujani backwaters and Vidarbha lakes in high numbers during February.
The Oriental Darter Oriental Darter: Also known as the "Snakebird" for its long neck, this "Near Threatened" species is an expert underwater hunter. It must spread its wings to dry after diving because its feathers are not fully waterproof.
Grey-headed Swamphen: A large, purple bird with a red bill and shield, often seen clumsily walking over lotus leaves in Navegaon. It uses its large feet to distribute its weight across floating vegetation.
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: Known for its extraordinarily long toes that allow it to walk on floating vegetation, it develops a long tail during the breeding season. It is one of the few birds that undergo a dramatic change in appearance between seasons.
Bronze-winged Jacana: A resident of the lily-covered ponds of Nagzira and Bor, identifiable by its dark body and striking white eye-stripe. It is highly territorial and will aggressively defend its lily pad from intruders.
Great Thick-knee: Larger and more aquatic than the Indian Thick-knee, it is often seen on the rocky banks of the Pench River. Its large eyes are an adaptation for foraging during the twilight hours.
Tree-Top Birds and Fruit Eaters
The vertical structure of Vidarbha's forests, dominated by teak, bamboo, and Ficus species, creates multiple layers of habitation. The canopy dwellers are not only visual delights but also the "gardeners of the forest," playing an essential role in seed dispersal and the maintenance of forest density.
Woodpeckers and Hornbills
Malabar Pied Hornbill: A striking black-and-white bird with a large yellow casque, often seen in the forest canopy of Nagzira and Tadoba. It is a key indicator of forest health, requiring old-growth trees for nesting.
Indian Grey Hornbill: A more common resident, known for its unique nesting habit where the male seals the female inside a tree hollow. It is frequently seen in the buffer zones and even in agricultural hedges.
Yellow-crowned Woodpecker: A small woodpecker with a distinct yellow crown on the male, frequently seen probing for insects in bamboo thickets. It plays a role in controlling wood-boring insect populations.
White-Bellied Woodpecker White-bellied Woodpecker: One of the largest woodpeckers in India, it is a rare and majestic inhabitant of the old-growth forests of Melghat. Its loud drumming can be heard from a significant distance.
Lesser Yellownape: A medium-sized green woodpecker with a prominent yellow crest, often found in the moist deciduous patches of Nagzira. It forages both on trees and occasionally on the ground.
Common Flameback: Formerly known as the Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker, it is a stunning bird with a golden-red back. It is often the first woodpecker spotted by beginners in the Tadoba core.
Brown-headed Barbet: Its repetitive "kutroo-kutroo" call is the iconic sound of the Indian summer. It is an industrious bird, spending much of its day excavating nest holes in soft wood.
Coppersmith Barbet: A small, colourful bird named for its call, which sounds like a copper smith hammering metal. It is highly adaptable and found in almost every forest range in Vidarbha.
Heart-spotted Woodpecker: A tiny, distinctive woodpecker with heart-shaped spots on its wings. It is often seen in pairs, moving acrobatically along the underside of branches.
Great Hornbill: While rarer in the dry deciduous tracts of Tadoba, it is a flagship species for the denser, mountainous forests of the Melghat Tiger Reserve.
Pigeons, Doves, and Parrots
Yellow-footed Green-Pigeon: The state bird of Maharashtra (Hariyal), it is a social bird frequently found in Ficus trees. It never touches the ground, preferring to drink water from dew on leaves or the edges of tanks.
Orange-breasted Green-Pigeon: A rarer cousin of the Hariyal, recently recorded during the 2025 Chaprala survey. It prefers the fruiting trees along the Pranhita River.
The Green Imperial Pigeon Green Imperial-Pigeon: A large, canopy-dwelling pigeon with a deep, booming call. It is listed as "Near Threatened" and is often found in the denser forest tracts of the Satpuda range.
Emerald Dove: A ground-dwelling pigeon with iridescent green wings. It is often seen darting through the undergrowth of Melghat at high speeds.
Plum-headed Parakeet: Known for the stunning plum-colored head of the male, these birds are common in the open woodlands. They are often seen in social flocks, feeding on grains and fruits.
Rose-ringed Parakeet: The most common parakeet in the region, highly adaptable to human-modified landscapes. In the forest, they nest in old woodpecker holes or natural cavities.
Alexandrine Parakeet Alexandrine Parakeet: A larger parakeet with a prominent red shoulder patch, currently listed as "Near Threatened." It requires larger tree cavities for nesting, which are often found in the core zones of Tadoba.
Vernal Hanging Parrot: A tiny, green parrot often seen feeding on nectar. A flock of six was notably spotted staying in one area for over three months in 2025.
Rock Pigeon: While common in cities, the wild populations in the rocky outcrops of Melghat and the Narnala Fort maintain their ancestral behaviours. They are the base population from which all domestic pigeons are derived.
Oriental Turtle-Dove: A winter visitor to the region, it is often found in the scrub forests of the Tadoba buffer zones. It is more reclusive than the common collared doves.
Eurasian Collared-Dove: A common resident of the open forest and agricultural fringes. Its "kuk-koo-kook" call is a constant presence in the Vidarbha morning.
Red Collared-Dove: A smaller, more colourful dove that prefers the drier tracts of the Kolsa range. The male has a distinct vinous-red plumage.
Spotted Dove: Easily identified by the white-spotted black "lace" on its neck. It is a ground-feeder, often seen on the safari tracks in the early morning.
Laughing Dove: Named for its call, which sounds like a soft, bubbling laugh. It prefers the drier, thorn-scrub areas bordering the sanctuaries.
A Blue-Faced Malkoha Blue-faced Malkoha: A rare and stunning member of the cuckoo family with a blue patch of skin around the eye. It was recently spotted during a 2024 census in a neighbouring division, emphasising its elusive nature.
Hunter Birds of the Day and Night
The raptor population in Vidarbha is a direct reflection of the abundance of prey, from small rodents in the agricultural "edge" to fish in the perennial rivers. The region also hosts a significant vulture conservation effort, with the BNHS release centre in Tadoba aiming to restore these critical scavengers to the Vidarbha skies.
Eagles, Hawks, and Falcons
Crested Serpent Eagle: The most common raptor of the Vidarbha canopy, often heard making its high-pitched whistling call while soaring. It is a specialised snake-eater, often diving into thick undergrowth to catch its prey.
Oriental Honey Buzzard: A specialised raptor that feeds on the honey, wax, and larvae of bees and wasps. It has scale-like feathers around its eyes to protect it from stings.
White-eyed Buzzard: A medium-sized hawk often seen perched on dry branches in the Tadoba core. It is a generalist predator, feeding on lizards, insects, and small birds.
Changeable Hawk Eagle: Found in both pale and dark forms, it is a versatile predator of the dense teak forests. It is known for its ability to wait patiently in the canopy before launching a sudden attack.
Shikra: The most common hawk in the region, often seen in buffer zones and near forest rest houses. It is a fearless hunter, often taking on prey larger than itself.
Peregrine Falcon: The fastest bird in the world, an exciting find for birdwatchers in the marshy lands of Pench. It uses a high-speed dive, or "stoop," to strike its prey mid-air.
Common Kestrel: A small falcon known for its ability to hover in one spot while searching for mice in the grasslands. It is a frequent visitor to the Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary.
Osprey: A specialist fish-eater often seen hovering over the Pench River or Tadoba Lake. It has specialised talons and reversible outer toes to grip slippery fish.
Grey-Headed Fish Eagle Grey-headed Fish Eagle: A majestic raptor frequently sighted near the Bijamata and Jhandimata lakes. It is listed as "Near Threatened", and its presence indicates a healthy fish population.
Eurasian Marsh Harrier: A winter visitor that gracefully glides over the reed beds of Vidarbha’s wetlands. It is a passage migrant that lingers in the region during the peak winter months.
Montagu's Harrier: A slender, long-winged harrier that visits the dry grasslands during winter. Recent 2025 records show it is a regular winter resident in the open fallow lands of Chandrapur.
Black Kite: Highly adaptable, it is found in both the forest fringes and the villages bordering the sanctuaries. It is a proficient scavenger, often seen wheeling over village markets.
Brahminy Kite: Recognisable by its white head and chest with a chestnut-colored body. It is more common near water bodies like the Irai Lake and Navegaon.
White-bellied Sea-Eagle: A rare visitor to the inland reservoirs, but occasionally recorded in the massive backwaters of the Pench dams.
Indian Spotted Eagle Indian Spotted Eagle: A "Vulnerable" species that has been recorded nesting in the region. It is often seen in the open grasslands where it hunts for small mammals.
Owls and Nightjars
Barn Owl: The classic heart-faced owl, found roosting in old buildings and hollow trees. It is a critical "farmer's friend," consuming thousands of rodents per year.
Indian Scops Owl: A master of camouflage that hides in tree hollows during the day. Its rhythmic hooting is a characteristic sound of the Tadoba night.
Mottled Wood Owl: A large, beautiful owl with intricate barring, often found in the shaded groves of Tadoba and Pench. It is frequently sighted by photographers during evening safaris.
Spotted Owlet: A small, diurnal owl frequently seen perched on safari gates or electric lines. It is surprisingly bold and often ignores passing safari vehicles.
Jungle Owlet: A prized sighting for birders, this tiny owl is often active during the day. It can be found by listening for its distinct, escalating hooting call.
Brown Fish Owl: A large owl with prominent ear tufts, usually found near forest streams. It has unfeathered legs, an adaptation for catching fish and crabs in the water.
Eurasian Eagle-Owl: One of the largest owls in India, found in the rocky outcrops and ravines of the Melghat Tiger Reserve.
The Indian Nightjar Indian Nightjar: Known for its "chuck-chuck-chuck" call that sounds like a stone skipping on ice. It rests on the forest floor during the day, perfectly camouflaged among the leaf litter.
Jungle Nightjar: A larger nightjar species that prefers the denser forest tracts of the Satpuda range. It is distinguished by its slower, more rhythmic call.
Savanna Nightjar: Often found in the open scrub and agricultural fringes. It is especially active at dusk, hunting for moths and other flying insects.
Ground Birds and Grassland Residents
The grasslands and forest floors of Vidarbha are home to some of the subcontinent's most threatened species. The interplay between forest reserves and the agricultural mosaic in Chandrapur and Akola districts creates a vital habitat for terrestrial birds.
Peacocks, Junglefowl, and Quails
Indian Peafowl: The national bird of India is a common resident of all Vidarbha sanctuaries. In 1963, it was declared the national bird, and it remains one of the largest and most striking flying birds in the world.
Red Junglefowl: The wild ancestor of the domestic chicken, these birds are shy and best seen at dawn on the forest tracks of Melghat. They are attracted to areas with ripe fruits and seeds.
Grey Junglefowl: Endemic to Peninsular India, they are distinguished by the "waxy" spots on the neck feathers of the male. Their loud, raucous calls are a hallmark of the Pench mornings.
Red Spurfowl Red Spurfowl: A shy, partridge-like bird often seen scurrying into bamboo thickets. Unlike junglefowl, they have spurs on their legs used for territory defence.
Painted Spurfowl: Identifiable by the bold white spots on its plumage. It prefers rocky, scrubby areas and is notably shy by nature.
Grey Francolin: A common ground bird of the dry scrub and agricultural fields. It is highly vocal, especially at dawn, with a ringing, rhythmic call.
Painted Francolin: More colourful than its grey cousin, it prefers taller grasses and is often heard calling from atop boulders or termite mounds.
Common Quail: A winter visitor that is often difficult to spot as it stays hidden in the deep grass of the Vidarbha plains.
Rain Quail: A seasonal visitor that arrives with the monsoon to breed in the lush grasslands. It has a distinct, three-note whistling call.
Jungle Bush-Quail: Small, round birds that move in coveys. They often stay perfectly still until nearly stepped on, then "explode" into the air in a sudden blur of wings.
Rock Bush-Quail: Endemic to the region, it prefers the more arid, rocky hillsides of the Melghat and Satpuda ranges.
Painted Bush-Quail: Known for its striking red bill and colourful plumage, it is found in the hilly tracts and is a prize sighting for bird photographers.
Rare Grassland Specialities
Great Indian Bustard: A "Critically Endangered" species. Recent 2025 sightings in the grasslands near Warora assume great importance, as the global population is estimated to be as low as 500.
Lesser Florican Bird Lesser Florican: Another "Critically Endangered" bird that visits the soyabean and paddy fields of Chandrapur during the breeding season. It is known for the male's spectacular jumping displays.
Yellow-wattled Lapwing: A resident of dry, open fallow lands. It is easily identified by its bright yellow skin flaps and its preference for dry, sun-baked ground.
Red-wattled Lapwing: Famous for its "Did-he-do-it?" call. It is the most common sentinel of the Indian forest, sounding the alarm for every passing predator.
River Lapwing: A "Near Threatened" riverine specialist recently recorded along the Pranhita River. It requires undisturbed sandy or shingly banks for nesting.
Indian Thick-knee: A nocturnal ground bird with large yellow eyes. It remains perfectly still during the day, relying on its cryptic plumage to blend with the dry grass.
Barred Buttonquail: Small, reclusive birds where the female is more brightly colored and takes the lead in courtship. They are often found in Jowar and Bajra crops.
Small Buttonquail: Even more elusive than the barred variety, it is occasionally recorded in the drier scrub of the Tadoba buffer zones.
Indian Courser: A ground bird of the dry, open country. It is a fast runner, often seen darting across the dry soil of the Vidarbha plains.
Sarus Crane: The tallest flying bird in the world, occasionally recorded in the agricultural wetlands of eastern Vidarbha. It is often seen in pairs, as they are famous for mating for life.
Common Crane: A migratory visitor that prefers Toor and Chana (chickpea) crops for feeding during the winter months.
Painted Sandgrouse Painted Sandgrouse: An exquisitely patterned bird of the dry scrub. They travel long distances to waterholes at dusk, carrying water in their specialised breast feathers to their chicks.
Striated Grassbird: A significant 2025 range extension record for Maharashtra. It was documented in the tall grass along the Pranhita River in Chaprala.
Songbirds and Colourful Tiny Residents
The small, vibrant birds of Vidarbha provide a "symphony of wings" that brings the forest to life. From the iconic Indian Pitta to the rare Striated Grassbird, these birds are the most numerous and behaviorally diverse group in the sanctuaries.
Flycatchers and Friends
Indian Pitta: Locally called "Navrang" (nine colours), it is a summer migrant to Vidarbha. It is a delight for photographers, easily detected by its two-note whistle during the pre-monsoon heat.
Asian Paradise Flycatcher: The male, with its long white streaming tail, is the state bird of Madhya Pradesh but a common sight in Pench (Maharashtra). It is famous for its elegant, fluttering flight.
Black-naped Monarch: A tiny, azure-blue bird with a black patch on its nape. It is highly active, often seen in the shaded understory of the teak forests.
Tickell's Blue Flycatcher: A stunning blue bird with an orange throat and breast. It is common in the bamboo thickets of Tadoba and Nagzira.
Asian Brown Flycatcher: A quiet, unobtrusive winter visitor. It is often seen perched on a low branch, darting out to catch insects and returning to the same spot.
Red-breasted Flycatcher: A common winter visitor to the region. The male has a bright orange-red patch on its breast during the late winter months.
Verditer Flycatcher: Notable for its uniform turquoise-blue plumage. It is a winter visitor that prefers the more open forest edges and gardens.
Drongos, Minivets, and Canopy Jewels
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo: Known for the two long, racket-like feathers in its tail. It is a master mimic, capable of imitating the calls of shikras and other birds to steal their food.
Black Drongo: The "King Crow," known for its fearless nature. It is often seen perched on the backs of grazing cattle to catch disturbed insects.
Small Minivet: The males are orange and black, while the females are yellow and grey. They move through the canopy like flickering sparks of fire.
Scarlet Minivet Scarlet Minivet: Larger and more vibrant than the small minivet. It is a spectacular sight in the moist forests of Nagzira and Melghat.
Common Iora: A small, bright yellow bird known for its wide variety of whistles. During the breeding season, the male performs a spectacular "parachute" display.
Indian Roller: The beauty of the Indian Roller is captivating, revealing brilliant blue wings in flight. It is a common sight in the grasslands, often perched on power lines.
Purple Sunbird: The male has a dazzling iridescent purple-black plumage during the breeding season. It is often seen hovering at the orange blooms of the Flame-of-the-Forest tree.
Babblers and Wagtails
Jungle Babbler: Known as the "Seven Sisters," they are always found in noisy social groups. They are highly cooperative, helping each other with foraging and predator detection.
Oriental Magpie Robin: A black-and-white songbird often found near forest rest houses. It is a melodious singer, often performing at dawn and dusk.
Forest Wagtail: Unlike other wagtails, it wags its tail from side to side. It was recently sighted in the Chaprala sanctuary during the 2025 survey.
Yellow Wagtail: A common winter visitor found in damp grasslands. It is often seen following herds of gaur or deer to catch insects.
Baya Weaver: Famous for its intricate hanging nests. In Vidarbha, these nests are often found in trees overhanging forest tanks or in sugarcane fields.
Red Avadavat: A tiny, bright red finch with white spots. It is a popular sight in the tall grasses along the Andhari River.
Pin-Striped Tit Babbler Pin-striped Tit-Babbler: A significant 2025 record for Chaprala. It is a shy, reclusive bird of the dense undergrowth, making its documentation a highlight of recent surveys.
These 121 species highlight Vidarbha as a critical "refuelling station" on the international flyway. The 2025-2026 findings, particularly the range extension of the Striated Grassbird and the healthy presence of the Oriental Darter, suggest that despite industrialisation in districts like Chandrapur, the sanctuary cores remain robust.
The future of Vidarbha's avian heritage depends on the continued "green oasis" effect of these tiger reserves and the preservation of the surrounding agricultural-forest mosaic.
The safari seasons continue to offer a "thrilling treasure hunt" for birders, where the prize is not just a glimpse of a tiger, but the sighting of a "winged jewel" in its natural habitat. For the professional ornithologist and the casual traveller alike, Vidarbha's sanctuaries remain one of the world's premier destinations for avian study and appreciation.
Related Articles:
Comments