Pench National Park isn’t just home to the legendary tigers—it’s also a paradise for bird lovers. With its mix of forests, rivers, and open grasslands, the park attracts a wide variety of birds, from dazzling kingfishers to mighty eagles. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just love spotting colorful birds, here are some species that make Pench an avian wonderland.
Commonly Found Birds in Pench
Crested Serpent Eagle
Scientific Name: Spilornis cheela
A medium-sized raptor with a striking yellow face and loud whistling calls. Commonly seen perched high, scanning for snakes and lizards.
Indian Peafowl
Scientific Name: Pavo cristatus
India’s national bird, the Indian Peafowl, is a showstopper during the monsoon when males perform elaborate dances to attract mates. They’re commonly seen around villages, fields, and forest edges.
White-eyed Buzzard
Scientific Name: Butastur teesa
A medium raptor with a pale iris and rufous-brown plumage. Often found in dry open areas, hovering or perched on trees in search of prey.
Oriental Honey Buzzard
Scientific Name: Pernis ptilorhynchus
A slender raptor that feeds on bees and wasp larvae. Identified by its small head, long tail, and graceful flight.
White-breasted Waterhen
Scientific Name: Amaurornis phoenicurus
A bold, chicken-sized bird with a white face and underparts. Often seen darting out of reeds near water, making loud, raspy calls.
Spotted Dove
Scientific Name: Spilopelia chinensis
A symbol of peace, the Spotted Dove is commonly seen foraging on the ground in wooded areas. Its soft cooing calls and distinct spotted neck pattern make it easy to recognize.
Painted Francolin
Scientific Name: Francolinus pictus
A shy ground bird with a rich brown and black body, and a bold white throat patch. Found in grasslands and scrub forests, often heard before it’s seen.
Indian Pond Heron
Scientific Name: Ardeola grayii
Often appears dull brown when perched but transforms into striking white during flight. Common near water bodies, hunting frogs and insects.
Additional Common Birds of Pench
- Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus)
- Grey Francolin (Francolinus pondicerianus)
- Indian Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis)
- Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
- Woolly-necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus)
- Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)
- Indian Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros birostris)
- Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus)
- White-browed Fantail (Rhipidura aureola)
- Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia)
- Black-hooded Oriole (Oriolus xanthornus)
- Indian Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi)
- Golden-fronted Leafbird (Chloropsis aurifrons)
- Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis tickelliae)
- Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus)
- Oriental Magpie-Robin (Copsychus saularis)
- Coppersmith Barbet (Psilopogon haemacephalus)
- Brown-headed Barbet (Psilopogon zeylanicus)
- Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)
- Jungle Babbler (Argya striata)
- Indian Robin (Copsychus fulicatus)
- Indian Scops Owl (Otus bakkamoena)
- Mottled Wood Owl (Strix ocellata)
- Jungle Owlet (Glaucidium radiatum)
- Savanna Nightjar (Caprimulgus affinis)
- Rosy Starling (winter visitor) (Pastor roseus)
- Barn Swallow (migrant) (Hirundo rustica)
- Black Redstart (migrant) (Phoenicurus ochruros)
- Common Teal (migrant) (Anas crecca)
- Pied Avocet (migrant) (Recurvirostra avosetta)
Migrant Birds in Pench
Common Teal
Scientific Name: Anas crecca
A small dabbling duck, usually found in large flocks during winter. Males have a chestnut head with a broad green eye patch, while females are mottled brown. Seen in lakes, marshes, and shallow wetlands.
Rosy Starling
Scientific Name: Pastor roseus
This pink and black starling migrates in massive flocks from Central Asia. Found feeding on fruits and insects, especially during summer fruiting seasons. Active, noisy, and often seen in urban areas near forests.
Black Redstart
Scientific Name: Phoenicurus ochruros
A winter visitor from the Himalayas, this small bird prefers open country and rocky areas. Males have a blackish-grey body with an orange-red tail, while females are paler. Often flicks its tail while perching.
Pied Avocet
Scientific Name: Recurvirostra avosetta
A striking wader with black-and-white plumage and a long, upturned bill. Migrates to India in winter and is found in shallow wetlands and salt pans, sweeping its bill side-to-side to catch aquatic insects.
Grey Wagtail
Scientific Name: Motacilla cinerea
Despite the name, this migrant has a bright yellow belly and long tail. Frequently seen near streams and rivers, wagging its tail as it walks. Arrives in winter from the Himalayas and Central Asia.
Verditer Flycatcher
Scientific Name: Eumyias thalassinus
A small, vibrant turquoise-blue bird, found in forest clearings and near water. Migrates from the Himalayan foothills and adds a splash of color to Pench during the winter months.
Barn Swallow
Scientific Name: Hirundo rustica
A familiar and graceful migrant with a deeply forked tail and glossy blue upperparts. Breeds in the Northern Hemisphere and winters in India. Often seen flying low, catching insects on the wing.
Brown Shrike
Scientific Name: Lanius cristatus
A winter migrant known for its hooked beak and distinctive black eye-mask. Perches conspicuously while scanning for insects and small prey. Found in open scrub, forest edges, and gardens.
More List of Migrant Birds of Pench
- White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)
- Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus)
- Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis)
- Eurasian Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
- Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)
- Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca)
- Garganey (Spatula querquedula)
- Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)
- Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus)
- Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)
- Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)
- Indian Pitta – short-distance migrant (Pitta brachyura)
- Blyth’s Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus dumetorum)
- Greenish Warbler (Phylloscopus trochiloides)
- Western Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava)
- White-tailed Lapwing (Vanellus leucurus)
- Black-winged Pratincole (Glareola nordmanni)
- Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva)
Rarely Found Birds in Pench
Malabar Pied Hornbill
Scientific Name: Anthracoceros coronatus
A striking black-and-white hornbill with a massive yellow-and-black casque-topped bill. Prefers dense forests and large fruiting trees. Rarely seen in Pench, but occasionally spotted in undisturbed forest patches.
Lesser Adjutant Stork
Scientific Name: Leptoptilos javanicus
A tall, bald-headed stork with a heavy yellow bill. Often mistaken for its larger cousin, the Greater Adjutant. Prefers secluded wetlands and is a shy, solitary feeder—rare in Pench and considered near-threatened.
Grey-headed Fish Eagle
Scientific Name: Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus
A powerful raptor with a grey head, white belly, and broad wings. It is elusive and mostly seen near large water bodies, where it preys on fish. Listed as near-threatened and spotted only occasionally in Pench.
Ruddy Shelduck
Scientific Name: Tadorna ferruginea
Also called the Brahminy Duck, this large, orange-brown duck is a winter visitor. Seen in pairs, often near lakes and wetlands. Its loud honking calls are distinct, but sightings in Pench are not frequent.
Jerdon’s Leafbird
Scientific Name: Chloropsis jerdoni
A bright green bird with a bluish throat (in males), often blending into foliage. Prefers dense forest canopies and is much rarer than the Golden-fronted Leafbird in Pench. Hard to spot due to its excellent camouflage.
Black-capped Kingfisher
Scientific Name: Halcyon pileata
One of the most colorful and elusive kingfishers—deep blue back, white collar, chestnut belly, and a black cap. A shy winter visitor found near quiet wetlands and forest pools, though rarely seen.
More List of Rarely Found Birds of Pench
- White-naped Woodpecker (Chrysocolaptes festivus)
- Sirkeer Malkoha (Taccocua leschenaultii)
- White-bellied Minivet (Pericrocotus erythropygius)
- Indian Courser (Cursorius coromandelicus)
- Painted Sandgrouse (Pterocles indicus)
- Yellow-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus malabaricus)
- Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)
- Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca)
- Indian Pitta (Pitta brachyura)
- Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus)
- Eurasian Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
- Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis)
- Blyth’s Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus dumetorum)
- Black Stork (Ciconia nigra)
- Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis)
Pench National Park is more than just a tiger reserve—it’s a thriving ecosystem where birds add color, movement, and melody to the wilderness. From the dazzling Indian Roller to the stealthy Thick-knee, every bird has a role to play. So, the next time you’re in Pench, keep your binoculars ready and your ears open—you never know which feathered wonder you’ll spot next!
