If you are a bird watcher, tweeting and chirping surely must be your favourite sounds. Indian bird sanctuaries reverberate copiously with these sounds as it is home to several resident and migratory bird species. After all India’s varied topography, climate and long coastline are perfect for these bird populations. Bird watching in India is therefore the best way to get close to some magnificent avifauna.

Among the most distinguished  reserves in India, the following are the ones that you must visit when you are in India.

Bharapur Bird sanctuary, Rajasthan

Bharatpur sanctuary is a natural reserve for rare avian population in India. Situated in Rajasthan, this wildlife sanctuary is also a World Heritage site. Over 350 species of avifauna have been reported from this 29 Sq Km Park out of which one third are migrants. You will find birds like endangered Siberian Crane (Grus leucogeranus), Pelicans, Larks, Eagles, Geese, Hawks, Shanks, Ducks, Wagtails, Warblers, Stints, Flycatchers, Buntings, Wheatears and Pipits in this bird sanctuary.

National Chambal Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh

National Chambal Sanctuary is a wildlife reserve situated near Etawah in Uttar Pradesh. More than 250 species of avifauna can be seen in this sanctuary. Migratory birds from Siberia form part of the rich avian population here. You will also find the Indian skimmer here which is an endangered bird species. Amongst the winter avian population the Black-bellied Terns, the Red-crested Pochard, the Bar-headed Goose and the Ferruginous Pochard are common.

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka

Touring Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary can be a really exhilarating experience. Situated on the banks of the Kaveri River, this Bird Sanctuary is laden with rare avian species. You will find many migratory birds here like the Open Bill Storks, the Spoonbills, the Darters, the Little Cormorants, the White Ibis, the Egret, the Partridge, the Heron, the River Tern, the Snake Bird, the Stone Plougher and several other exotic bird species which flies all the way from Australia, Siberia and even North America. Take a boats ride along the river for watching birds in this bird sanctuary.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Kerala

The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is spread across 14 acres of land around the Vembanad Lake. The best way to see birds here is to take a ride on a houseboat or motorboat. You can also try to get hold of a local rice boat or fishing boat just in case you want to experience rustic rural touch. This way you can watch the birds at play without disturbing them by the sounds of a motor.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is home to a large number of migratory birds like Flycatcher, Siberian Stork, Parrots and Wood Beetle. Native birds like the Kingfisher, Egret and Cuckoo can also be seen in this sanctuary.

Periyar wildlife sanctuary, Kerala Periyar is a nature reserve in the South Indian state of Kerala. This park is often also called by the name of Thekkady wildlife Sanctuary. 320 different varieties of birds have been counted in Periyar. The bird varieties include Darters, Kingfishers, Cormorants, the great Malabar hornbill and racket-tailed Drongos.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala Wayanad is an animal sanctuary in Wayanad, Kerala. Peacocks, Babblers, Cuckoos, Owls, Woodpeckers, Jungle fowls are some of the various types of birds that you will spot in Wayand wildlife Sanctuary.

So take a birding tour of India next time you think of watching birds. Holidays spent watching birds in the above destinations will forever remain memorable to you.