Feathered Paradises: Exploring the Best Bird Sanctuaries in the World

Someone has rightly said that ‘ A World Without Flora And Fauna Is A World Without Us’, and this notion rings absolutely true. Flora and Fauna are the essence of life on Earth, and without them, there would be no life. In order to protect the fauna and flora, especially the birds, almost every country in the world has established Bird Sanctuaries. Bird Sanctuaries are havens for birds all around the world; it gives them protection and appropriate surroundings for them to thrive and flourish. From Africa to Asia and from America to the farthest corners of Australia, there are a plethora of famous bird sanctuaries in the world, which all kinds of birds call their home. 

Well, in this blog, we’re going to dive deep into the best and the most famous bird sanctuaries in the world and the unique species of birds which call these bird sanctuaries their home. So without further ado, get ready to scroll through and find out about the best bird sanctuaries in the world. 

25 Best Bird Sanctuaries In The World

1. Kumarakoram Bird Sanctuary, Kerala

The first bird sanctuary in this list of best bird sanctuaries in the world is the Kumarakoram Bird Sanctuary, located in the down south state of the country; Kerala. Located in the Kottyam district of the state, this bird sanctuary is home to over 180 species of migratory and resident birds. 

The most prominent resident birds include the names of birds like Little Cormorant, Indian Shag, Night Heron, Indian Pond Heron, and Cattle Egret among other bird species. Whereas, the migrant species include birds like Siberian Stork, Greater Flamingo and Osprey. The migratory birds can be seen in this bird sanctuary from the months of November till end of February. 

Besides bird watching, visitors at Kumarakoram Bird Sanctuary besides bird watching, can also take part in a myriad of activities like boating and trekking. Making it the perfect bird sanctuary for those looking to get a glimpse of their favourite birds along with getting a taste of adventure.

2. Djoudj Bird Sanctuary, Senegal River

Next up in our list of famous bird sanctuaries in the world is the one which is also a UNESCO Heritage Site; the Djoudj Bird Sanctuary, spread over 16,000 hectares of land is abode to over 400 species of birds of which, several are migratory birds.

This bird sanctuary is located in the Senegal River delta, which lies between the countries of Mauritania and Senegal, and is home to birds like the Pelican, Egret, Heron, and the Greater Flamingo among other species of birds. The list of migratory birds include names like the Eurasian Spoonbill and the Northern Shoveler. 

The best time to visit this bird sanctuary is between the months of November to February, this is when one can watch the majority of the prominent birds, and also take part in the many activities like boating, photography, trekking and more.

3. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Rajasthan

Now known as Keoladeo National Park, the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is one of India’s most famous bird sanctuaries. This bird sanctuary has been named as one of UNESCO’s world heritage sites and is home to over 360 bird species. 

Some of the most renowned and prominent animals which can be found at the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary are Nilgai, Sambar, Boar and Chital, among others. Animal and nature enthusiasts will find bliss at the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. 

4. Weltvogel Walsrode, Walsrode, Germany

Next up on the list is the world’s largest bird sanctuary which is located in Walsrode, Germany and goes by the name of Weltvogel Walsrode Bird Sanctuary. Well, the best part about this sanctuary is that you’ll be able to spot those birds which you won’t find anywhere else. 

Kids have the time of their lives in this bird sanctuary, as there is a giant garden where they are encouraged to play. 

5. Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Haryana

Located in the city of Gurugram in the state of Haryana, Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is the world’s largest bird reserve which becomes home to over 90 species of birds that migrate to the park. 

The park has four watchtowers in order to have a glimpse of the beautiful birds, moreover, the park has all the necessary facilities, too, like an adequate parking space, clean washrooms, and clean drinking water.

6. Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat

Now enter the Bird Sanctuary which is located in the beautiful state of Gujarat on a lake which literally translates to the word ‘ tap lake’. The Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary covers an area of 120 square kilometers and is abode to over thousands of waterbirds. 

A plethora of wet land birds spend the summer and the winter months in this bird sanctuary. Moreover, the bird sanctuary also has a myriad of picnic spots, perfect for those who are looking to spend some time in the grasslands. 

7. Chillika Lake Bird Sanctuary, Orissa

The largest brackish water lake in the country is also abode to a bird sanctuary which is abode to over 260 migratory birds during the off-season as they come here for breeding and is also an amazing fishing spot as one can easily find saltpans near the shores. 

8. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka

The Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, located in the down south of Karnataka is one of the oldest bird sanctuaries in India which was established in the 1940s. Some of the most common animals which over the years have made this bird sanctuary their home are otters, crocodiles, and the Gray Indian Mongoose among other creatures. 

9. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Goa

An estuarine habitat that has been designated as a bird sanctuary, the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is located on the westernmost point of the island Choro, and is named after the renowned ornithologist Salim Ali. A plethora of birds and animals like crocodiles and mudskipper fish find their home in this bird sanctuary.

10. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu

The Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is one of the smallest bird sanctuaries in India. Also known as the hamlet of hunters, this bird sanctuary is spread over an area of 30 acres and is abode to over 26 resident bird sanctuaries and over 40,000 migratory birds. 

This bird sanctuary is one of the first and the oldest bird sanctuaries in the country and is home to birds like Gret Wagtails, Spoonbills and Blue-Winged Teals. Travellers visiting this bird sanctuary will need to pay an entry fee of INR 5 to INR 25. 

11. Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary, Bac Lieu, Vietnam

Travelling to Vietnam with one of the many Vietnam tour packages? If yes, then you just cannot miss visiting this bird sanctuary, which is home to over 45 species of birds and a plethora of other animals from the families of reptiles and mammals. This bird sanctuary is the epitome of ecological balance.

12. Kaundinya Bird Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh

Located 86 kilometers away from the Horsley Hills of Andhra Pradesh, the Kaundinya Bird Sanctuary is a paradise on Earth for nature lovers. 

The Kaundinya Bird Sanctuary is known for its diversity of plants and animals. A plethora of birds and animals like Roseate Pelicans, Pumas, monitor lizards and porcupines can be spotted in this bird sanctuary.

13. Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary, West Bengal

Next up in this best bird sanctuary hunt is the Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary which is located outside Kolkata and is the perfect setting to unwind and for spotting birds like Black headed Bulbul, small spider hunter and fish eagle. 

14. Mayani Bird Sanctuary, Maharashtra

The Mayani Bird Sanctuary in Maharashtra is abode to more than 400 bird species and sees hundreds and thousands of visitors every month from all over the world. 

During the period of annual migration bird enthusiasts can watch the Siberian Flamingos floating down the Chandi River. One can also spot birds like the coot, Brahmin duck, black ibis and the painted duck among other rare species of birds. 

15. Jurong Bird Park, Singapore

Now enter the bird sanctuary which is home to probably the most diverse bird species with over 3,000 birds of over 500 species, the Jurong Bird Park is the largest bird park in Asia. 

This bird park allows visitors to engage with the birds like handling and feeding them, making it the perfect place for avian enthusiasts. 

16. Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Noida

Also known as the Shaheed Chander Shekhar Azad Park, the Okla Bird Sanctuary is located at the Okhla barrage over the Yamuna River. The bird sanctuary is abode to over 400 bird species within a radius of 4 Kilometers and is also home to over 1,00,000 species of birds. 

17. Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, Malaysia

On number seventeen in this list of famous bird sanctuaries is the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, located in the beautiful country of Malaysia. The bird sanctuary is abode to over 200 different species of birds both native and migratory. 

The bird park is divided into four zones, out of which zone 1 and zone 2 are flight-free zones, whereas zone 3 is the Hornbill Park, and Zone 4 is where the birds are housed.

18. Kutch Great Indian Bustard Sancturary, Gujarat

Now time to enter the Kutch region of Gujarat, the Kutch Great Indian Bird Sanctuary, as the name suggests is abode to a ground dwelling bird species with longs necks and long legs which usually looks like an ostrich. 

The bird sanctuary is also home to other animals like nilgai, chinkaras, desert cats and jungle cats, making it a bliss for animal and nature enthusiasts. 

19. Harry Gibbons Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Nunavut, Canada

This bird sanctuary was created by the Canadian Wildlife Service because it was turning out to be a famous breeding ground for Snow Geese. This bird sanctuary is one of the largest bird sanctuaries in the world spread over an area of five kilometers wide and 13 kilometers long and is abode to a plethora of creatures like Tundra Swans, King Eider, Atlantic Brant and many more. 

This bird sanctuary is covered in a few water patches, besides them the land is meadow and is filled with vegetation. 

20. Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, Ladakh

Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best bird sanctuaries in Ladakh, and is a famous addition to almost all Ladakh tour packages. This sanctuary is located at an altitude of over 3,000 metres above sea level and has over 89 named mountain peaks. The park spans over 1600 square kilometers and is one of the essential places to visit in Ladakh. One of the most iconic features of the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary is the lake Tso Moriri which is one of the most beautiful lakes in Ladakh, well, not just in Ladakh but the entire world.  

The Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary is abode to the elusive snow leopard and the Tibetan wild ass among other rare creatures which can be found only at an altitude like the one the sanctuary is located at. The wildlife sanctuary is also home to some of the best trekking spots in Ladakh like the Tso Miori trail, Rumtse to Tso Kar, Tso Kar to Karzok, and more. 

The Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best places to visit in Ladakh which for sure will leave a lasting impression on your mind, body and soul. 

21. Great Salt Lake Bird Refuge, Utah, USA

The Great Salt Lake, which covers an area of approximately 1,700 square miles, is one of Utah’s natural wonders. The lake is the Western Hemisphere’s largest saltwater lake and the world’s eighth largest terminal lake. The Great Salt Lake Bird Refuge is a 28,000 acre protected area within the lake that provides important habitat for several bird species.

The Great Salt Lake Bird Refuge is home to over 250 different bird species, making it an ideal destination for both bird enthusiasts and ornithologists. Pelicans, terns, gulls, herons, and egrets are among the most common birds found in the refuge. The refuge is also home to several rare and endangered bird species, including the Western Snowy Plover and the California Gull.

22. Hulla Valley Bird Sanctuary, Israel

The Hula Valley Bird Sanctuary is established in northern Israel and covers approximately 1,000 hectares. The sanctuary is abode to over 200 bird species and is one of the most important bird watching sites in the world. The sanctuary serves as an important resting and feeding stop for migratory birds travelling between Europe and Africa.

The Bird Sanctuary is abode to bird species like the White Pelican and the Glossy Ibis among other rare species of birds. 

23. Mar Chiquita Reserve

Well, it’s now time to enter the largest bird sanctuary in the world which is spread over an area of over 5,000 square kilometers. Visitors get many opportunities to discover the area’s natural beauty and glimpse the variety of birds at the Mar Chiquita Reserve. 

Numerous hiking trails in the reserve offer fantastic chances for bird watching and photography. Moreover, there are educational programmes and guided tours available to visitors all year long.

Well, with this, we come to the end of the blog about the most famous bird sanctuaries in the world, from the snow capped mountains of the Himalayas to the lush tropical forests of South America, the world is home to a plethora of sanctuaries which are perfect for avian enthusiasts. So bird sanctuaries are you putting up on your travel bucket list?

Frequently Asked Questions About Famous Bird Sanctuaries Around The World