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Bird Watching in Bangladesh

Between the natural and human problems of Bangladesh, it’s difficult to imagine that the country can boast of being the habitat to more than 650 species of birds, almost half of those found on the entire subcontinent.

Tucked in between the Indian subcontinent and the Malayan peninsulas, Bangladesh attracts both the Indian species in the west and north of the country, and the Malayan species in the east and south-east.

It is also conveniently located for the migrant heading south towards Malaysia and Indonesia, and those which are moving south-west to India and Sri Lanka. In addition, there are a number of Himalayan and Burmese hill species which move into the lowlands during the winter. Despite the fact that many of these species are rare or localized and that the overall number of birds has declined in the past two decades, bird-watching in Bangladesh can be rewarding.

Within the Dhaka Division, the Madhupur Forest, south-west of Mymensingh, is an extremely important habitat worthy of national protection. This area is great for a variety of owls, including the popular and rare brown wood owl, wintering thrushes and a number of raptors, to mention a few. The Jamuna River floods regularly, and from December to February provides winter habitats for waterfowl, waders and the occasional black stork.
 "Doel" National Bird of Bangladesh
Lying close to the Himalaya, the Sylhet area has extensive natural haors in this low-lying basin and during the winter season is home to huge flocks of wildfowl. Outstanding species include the rare Baer’s pochard and Pallas’ fishing eagle, along with a great number of ducks and skulkers. Also important habitats are the remaining fragments of evergreen and teak forest, especially along the Indian border near the Srimangal area. The blue-bearded bee-eater, red-breasted trogan and a wode variety of forest birds, including rare visitors, are regularly seen in these forests. Preservation of these forest and haors is critical for sustaining the variety and rarity of this wildlife.

One of two important coastal zones is the noakhali region, with emphasis on the islands near Hatiya, where migratory species and a variety of wintering waders find suitable refuges. These include large number of the rare spoon billed sandpiper, Nordman’s greenshank and flocks of Indian skimmers.

The Sundarbans, the second important coastal zone, is the richest for all kinds of wildlife, and the most difficult to penetrate. With its miles of marshy shorelines and brackish creeks, it supports a great number of wetland and forest species, along with large populations of gull and terns along the brown-winged, white-collared, black-capped and the rare ruddy kingfisher.

Overall the most exciting time of year for bird-watching is during the winter from November to March. See the Books section in the Facts for the Visitor chapter for a list of field guides.