Aves, Chitwan National Park, Nepal

A Few Feathered Faces of Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Posted by Zoomology on

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We were only in the national park for a few days, but my camera was firing off shots left right and centre the entire time. Since returning to the UK, we have been crazily busy with ecological surveys, but I (not Emma as she is working away for the week) now have some down time which has enabled me to do some image sifting, culling, editing and posting.

Birds of a Feather

In 2006, the number of different bird species recorded by birdwatchers and conservationists came to 544 in Chitwan National Park. These 544 species include about two-thirds of Nepal’s globally threatened species. Out of all the other protected areas in Nepal, Chiwan National Park has the greatest diversity of bird species.

A Few Feathered Faces

Below are a collection of photographs highlighting the variety of birds we managed to photograph on the trip. This is only a small sample of those we actually came across as many were too speedy or hidden to photograph.

I have done my best to identify each of the birds below. Our wonderful guides identified the majority of them while we were in the field (Note to self: take a pen and paper next time) and our tour operator who also is a local guide (Chandra Mani Gauli) has since helped with some of the identification.

Click to zoom in and take a closer look.

Personal Favourites

Hornbills

I have been lucky enough to photograph Rhinoceros Hornbill while trekking in Endau-Rompin National Park but haven’t had the opportunity to photograph other hornbills until now. Within the first hour of our Jungle experience a great hornbill flew right over the top of our canoe as we made our way down river. And, on the last day an hour before reaching the bus that would take us back to Kathmandu, we stumbled across an oriental-pied hornbill foraging in the trees.

Click to zoom in

Owls

As we were only allowed to trek the jungle during daylight hours (for safety reasons), our expectations for seeing nocturnal bird species were very low. To our surprise (and his), our guide spotted this Indian scops owl basking in the sun just outside of its tree hollow. It’s camouflage was impeccable. Before I could take two steps closer in order to secure better shots, its shimmied back down into the hollow. Later in the day’s walk, I spotted this tiny barred jungle owlet resting high up on a tree branch.

Click to zoom in

Kingfishers

When it comes to kingfishers, I have always been intrigued by their fishing prowess. I have always wanted to photograph the European kingfisher in the UK, but have only seen glimpses of them as they flash past me. Interestingly, I managed to get my first image and good viewing of one on this trip to Nepal. Emma and I have come across white-throated kingfishers and stork-billed kingfishers on previous adventures in Southeast Asia, but seeing pied kingfishers was a first.

Click to zoom in

Asian Paradise Fly-catcher

Perhaps the most intriguing of birds we saw was this male paradise fly-catcher. Again, we had not long been in the canoe when the white bird began flitting from branch to branch with these extremely long streamers flowing in its wake.

Terpsiphone sp [ASIAN PARADISE FLYCATCHER] Chitwan National Park, Nepal 24.04.2018 Zoomology (1)Click to zoom in

‘Eely Hungry’ so I will have ‘Fish for Darters’

Awful dad style titles, I know, but I couldn’t help myself. While making our way down the river we had two encounters with birds fighting with food.

Click to zoom in

Onwards to the UK

With our trip to Nepal now over, it was time to hop on a plane once again and head for London. If anyone has any questions about our wildlife adventure in Nepal please send us a message, or comment below. We would like to thank our guides and United Jungle Guide Service once again for a wonderful trip.

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Our next blog posts will encompass some of our encounters while working in ecology back in England. Stay tuned.

References and Further Reading

Bird Forum Website, Royal Chitwan National Park – https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Royal_Chitwan_National_Park
(Retrieved 17 July, 2018)

Chitwan National Park Website, Biodiversity –https://www.chitwannationalpark.gov.np/index.php/biodiversity
(Retrieved 17 July, 2018)

Wikipedia Website, Chitwan National Park – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chitwan_National_Park
(Retrieved 17 July, 2018)

23 Comments Add yours

  1. Pete Hillman says:
    July 18, 2018 at 6:37 pm

    Wow! Fabulous images and post!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Zoomology says:
      July 18, 2018 at 7:18 pm

      Thank you very much, Pete!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. blhphotoblog says:
    July 18, 2018 at 9:05 pm

    Excellent sightings Tom.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Zoomology says:
      July 19, 2018 at 10:58 pm

      Thank you, Brian! 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  3. exploringcolour says:
    July 18, 2018 at 9:16 pm

    And wow again. Everything. Particularly enjoyed the paradise fly-catcher, the magpie robin, the various kingfishers and who wouldn’t love the oriole. Your adventure was utterly magic!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Zoomology says:
      July 19, 2018 at 11:03 pm

      Aw, thanks so much, Liz! Tom is very happy to hear that you enjoyed sharing in our excitement of seeing all of these amazing species. 🙂 Our Tom takes a pretty decent photo, doesn’t he? 😛 ❤

      -Emma

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. exploringcolour says:
        July 19, 2018 at 11:17 pm

        He takes awesome photos and your blog is very special. I love what you guys do!

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Fotohabitate says:
    July 19, 2018 at 5:21 am

    Great tour! And the flying hornbill is a really highlight!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Zoomology says:
      July 19, 2018 at 11:08 pm

      Thank you, Simone! We felt very lucky to see both of the hornbills. They are magical birds. 🙂

      -Emma

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. Sanna says:
    July 19, 2018 at 10:59 pm

    You just made me travel to Chitwan National Park. Your blog is really nice. I like how you’ve detailed all the beautiful birds you saw. Looking forward to read more of your posts xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Zoomology says:
      July 19, 2018 at 11:18 pm

      Thank you for you kind words, Sanna!

      That’s one of the things I love about blogging. By reading other people’s adventures, I get to enjoy those experiences vicariously through them, too. 🙂 That, and I keep on finding more amazing places to add to my never ending Bucket List! 😛

      We are looking forward to following your wildlife and travel adventures also. ❤ Take care!

      -Emma

      Like

      Reply
  6. Graham says:
    July 20, 2018 at 7:17 pm

    Wow! What a trip that must’ve been. I love the paradise flycatcher.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Zoomology says:
      August 11, 2018 at 4:15 pm

      Hey Graham,

      The paradise flycatcher looks amazing doesn’t it. What a tail!

      -Tom

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. Tamanna Kalam says:
    July 22, 2018 at 2:51 am

    Wow! What beautiful photographs! Makes me want to visit Chitwan!

    Like

    Reply
    1. Zoomology says:
      August 11, 2018 at 4:16 pm

      Hey Tamanna,

      Chitwan is a must. Seems like you need to get the time of year right though. Let us know if you have any questions, or ever plan a trip.

      -Tom

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Tamanna Kalam says:
        August 15, 2018 at 5:26 am

        Absolutely will do Tom. Thank you!

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Birds and Bees Hideout says:
    August 3, 2018 at 3:28 pm

    I really like the first bird. What a long tail!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Zoomology says:
      August 11, 2018 at 4:18 pm

      Hey,

      The paradise flycatcher truly is a remarkable looking bird when in breeding plumage. 😀

      -Tom

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. frejatravels says:
    August 6, 2018 at 10:34 am

    Lovely. I enjoyed CHitwan National Park as well, it was fantastic to see those animal roaming freely

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Zoomology says:
      August 11, 2018 at 4:20 pm

      Hey,

      When did you guys visit? What wildlife did you get to see?

      -Tom

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. frejatravels says:
        August 11, 2018 at 4:29 pm

        oh, last time I went there with a tour, I think it was back in 2009. My sister and I spent 5 days there. We saw a lot of think, from tiger, buffalo, deers, etc, but I do not remember much now since it was long time ago. -Yunni

        Liked by 1 person

  10. tanjabrittonwriter says:
    August 9, 2018 at 10:40 pm

    Amazing to learn that there are over 500 species in this park alone! They are all gorgeous, but the Paradise Flycatcher took my breath away. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Zoomology says:
      August 11, 2018 at 4:22 pm

      Hey Tanja,

      It is such a fantastic place to visit for a wildlife enthusiast, and you are totally right, the paradise flycatcher is one our favourites too.

      -Tom

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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