Kanha's reputation as a prime tiger habitat does not over shadows other forms of life in this magnificent paradise. Keen bird watchers know how rich Kanha habitat is as a birding destination in India.
For bird watchers and photographers, Kanha tours offers scope to study the forest birds and variety of water birds that thrive on wetlands, lakes and river ecosystem. Varied vegetation of Sal (Shorea Robusta) and Mixed forests, Bamboo, Grasslands, altitude variation and numerous river system, wetland and water bodies make this 1945 sq.km reserve a diverse bird habitat immensely suitable to avian fauna.
Nestled in Maikal Hill in Satpura Ranges this Central Indian Highland has approximately 260 bird species. Most bird species at Kanha preserve are resident and local migratory, but large number of migratory birds make Kanha their home in winters.
For birding excursion to water bodies - Sravan Taal (Lake), Saundhar Tank and Bisanpura, the rivers Banjar and Halon and tributaries as Sulkum. These are water bodies, which hold rich avi-fauna and preferred by bird watchers and photographers in bird photography tour.
One can see and checklist Common Teal, Pintails, Gargeny or Blue Winged Teal, Lesser Whistling Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler and Spot bill Duck. Among the common birds sightings but interesting are the Stints, Dabchicks, Sandpipers, Egrets, Cormorant and Jacanas. Purple Heron, Whitenecked storks, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Black Ibis and Black winged Stilts seen near water bodies or streams near Kanha, Kisli and Mukki.
Forest Birds - Safari at reserve gives the tourist idea of amazing echo niches - due to varied topography. In the grassland survey one expects to see Collared and Pied Bush chats, Larks, Black Francolin, Grey Francolin, Painted Sand grouse and Red Munia (Avadavat).
In the densely forested zones the bird number augments. Kanha's prime attraction are the Indian Pitta, Greater Racket Tailed Drongo, Crested Serpent Eagle, Crested Hawk Eagle, Golden Oriole and Black Headed Oriole, Ashy and White Bellied Drongos, Indian Cuckoo, Sirkeer Cuckoo.
More patience is required to sight a White Tailed Shama - an amazing songster, Lesser Golden Backed Wood Pecker and Raptors-some are migrants. Paradise Flycatcher and the Hair Crested Drongo.
Warblers, Leaf Birds, Babblers, Shrikes, the vocal Large Green Barbet the list is endless. Among more fortunate sighting would be the Brown Fish Owl, Orange Headed Ground Thrush, Bronze Winged Dove.
A trip to Bamni Dadar holds few more surprise for the birder, Green Footed Pigeon, Pygmy Woodpecker and Tickell's Blue Flycatcher. Little Minivet, Scarlet Minivet and Long Tailed Minivet can be see at at Parsa Toala grasslands. Resident common raptors as theCrested Serpent Eagle, Crested Hawk Eagle, Crested Honey Buzzard, White Eyed Buzzard, Shikra and Common Kestrel can be sighted hunting and nesting in magnificent, tall trees. Vagrant bird is a surprise for a birder.
Nocturnal birds Nightjars, Collared Scops Owl, Mottled Wood Owl,Indian Eagle Owl and Brown Fish Owl may be heard and indentified by calls. Bird identification by calls needs expertise.
Rare White backed Vulture, Long billed and Egyptian Vultures can be seen on the carcass of carnivore kills. Malabar Pied Hornbills and Grey Horn bills nest in old-growth trees.
This preserve is ideal birding destination tours in India. You can capture excellent bird photos for images gallery here. With good camera and lenses you can get quality bird pictures. For watching avian species good binocular and spotting scope is a must in wild bird expedition.
Read bird books, reference guide on birds and literature on taxonomy, classification and nomenclature before making ornithological trips. Best books for birders are by Dr. Salim Ali, S. Dillon Repiley and guide by Tim & Caroll Inskipp for Indian birds.