Lesser-Known Birdwatching Hotspots in Rajasthan
When people think of birdwatching in Rajasthan, places like Keoladeo National Park or Sambhar Lake often come to mind. However, beyond these famous locations, Rajasthan is home to several lesser-known birdwatching hotspots that offer rich biodiversity, fewer crowds, and unique bird species.
From hidden desert oases to wetlands teeming with migratory birds, these locations are perfect for nature lovers and bird photographers looking for offbeat experiences.
Let’s explore some of Rajasthan’s best-kept secrets for birdwatching.
- Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary – The Grassland Paradise
📍 Location: Churu District
🌿 Habitat Type: Semi-arid grasslands
🐦 Famous Birds: Harriers, Steppe Eagles, Demoiselle Cranes
Tal Chhapar is one of the best places in India to see raptors (birds of prey). The open grasslands attract harriers, falcons, and eagles, especially in winter. It is also home to the Demoiselle Crane, which migrates from Mongolia and Central Asia.
🚀 Best Time to Visit: October – March
✔ Great for spotting: Pallid Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, Laggar Falcon
- Kheechan (Khichan) – The Village of Cranes
📍 Location: Jodhpur District
🌿 Habitat Type: Drylands & artificial feeding areas
🐦 Famous Birds: Demoiselle Cranes
Kheechan is famous for its annual gathering of thousands of Demoiselle Cranes. The local community has been feeding and protecting these migratory birds for decades, making it one of the most unique birdwatching destinations in India.
🚀 Best Time to Visit: November – February
✔ Great for spotting: Demoiselle Crane (Kurja)
🚀 Fun Fact: Kheechan hosts one of the largest gatherings of Demoiselle Cranes in the world!
- Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary – The Hidden Gem Near Chittorgarh
📍 Location: Chittorgarh
🌿 Habitat Type: Dry deciduous forests & water bodies
🐦 Famous Birds: Painted Stork, Black Ibis, Oriental Darter
Located near the historic Chittorgarh Fort, Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary is a lesser-known but excellent birdwatching spot. Its mix of forests and small lakes makes it an ideal habitat for wetland and woodland birds.
🚀 Best Time to Visit: October – March
✔ Great for spotting: Grey Heron, Painted Stork, Black Ibis
- Jawai Dam & Leopard Hills – Where Birds Meet Big Cats
📍 Location: Pali District
🌿 Habitat Type: Wetlands & rocky hills
🐦 Famous Birds: Sarus Crane, Bar-Headed Goose, Peregrine Falcon
Jawai is mostly famous for leopards, but it is also a fantastic birdwatching site. The Jawai Dam attracts migratory water birds, while the nearby hills host raptors like eagles and falcons.
🚀 Best Time to Visit: November – February
✔ Great for spotting: Sarus Crane, Osprey, Peregrine Falcon
🚀 Fun Fact: You can see flamingos and leopards in the same area, making Jawai a rare wildlife-watching destination.
- Sorsan Grasslands – The Blackbuck & Bird Haven
📍 Location: Baran District
🌿 Habitat Type: Open grasslands
🐦 Famous Birds: Indian Courser, Greater Short-Toed Lark, Sandgrouse
Sorsan is one of Rajasthan’s last remaining natural grasslands, supporting rare ground birds and raptors. It is also home to the elegant Blackbuck antelope, which shares its habitat with several endangered bird species.
🚀 Best Time to Visit: October – March
✔ Great for spotting: Indian Courser, Painted Sandgrouse, Greater Short-Toed Lark
- Bund Baretha Bird Sanctuary – A Quiet Alternative to Keoladeo
📍 Location: Bharatpur District
🌿 Habitat Type: Wetlands & riverbanks
🐦 Famous Birds: Red-Crested Pochard, Black-Necked Stork, Indian Skimmer
Located just 40 km from Keoladeo National Park, Bund Baretha is a quieter, less-visited alternative for birdwatching. The dam and surrounding wetlands attract thousands of migratory ducks and waders.
🚀 Best Time to Visit: November – February
✔ Great for spotting: Red-Crested Pochard, Black-Necked Stork, Indian Skimmer
🚀 Pro Tip: If Keoladeo is too crowded, visit Bund Baretha for a more peaceful experience.
- Sambhar Lake – Rajasthan’s Largest Saltwater Lake
📍 Location: Near Jaipur
🌿 Habitat Type: Salt flats & shallow wetlands
🐦 Famous Birds: Greater Flamingo, Eurasian Spoonbill, Avocet
Sambhar Lake is India’s largest saltwater lake, attracting flamingos and other migratory waders in winter. The vast open landscapes create stunning reflections, making it a photographer’s paradise.
🚀 Best Time to Visit: November – February
✔ Great for spotting: Greater Flamingo, Eurasian Spoonbill, Avocet
🚀 Fun Fact: The pink flamingos of Sambhar Lake create one of Rajasthan’s most stunning natural spectacles.
- Pachpadra Salt Lake – Lesser-Known Flamingo Heaven
📍 Location: Barmer District
🌿 Habitat Type: Saline wetland
🐦 Famous Birds: Greater & Lesser Flamingos
Pachpadra is less crowded than Sambhar, but equally important for flamingo migration. Every winter, thousands of flamingos arrive here, feeding on the rich salt flats and algae-filled waters.
🚀 Best Time to Visit: December – February
✔ Great for spotting: Lesser Flamingo, Greater Flamingo
- Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary – The Forest Birding Spot
📍 Location: Rajsamand District
🌿 Habitat Type: Dry deciduous forests
🐦 Famous Birds: White-Naped Tit, Jungle Owlet, Indian Pitta
Most people visit Kumbhalgarh for its fort, but the surrounding forest is a hidden birdwatching paradise. It is home to rare forest birds, including the endangered White-Naped Tit.
🚀 Best Time to Visit: October – March
✔ Great for spotting: White-Naped Tit, Indian Pitta, Grey Junglefowl
🚀 Pro Tip: Combine a visit to Kumbhalgarh Fort with a birdwatching trek in the sanctuary!
- Gajner Lake & Sanctuary – A Hidden Wetland Treasure
📍 Location: Bikaner
🌿 Habitat Type: Wetlands & desert scrub
🐦 Famous Birds: Pelicans, Common Crane, Egyptian Vulture
Located near Gajner Palace, this lake is a quiet alternative to busy bird sanctuaries. It attracts large flocks of migratory birds, including pelicans, cranes, and waders.
🚀 Best Time to Visit: November – February
✔ Great for spotting: Pelicans, Egyptian Vulture, Common Crane
🚀 Fun Fact: The former Maharajas of Bikaner used Gajner Lake as a hunting ground, but now it’s a protected sanctuary.
Conclusion: Exploring Rajasthan’s Offbeat Birding Spots
Rajasthan is not just about famous bird sanctuaries—it is filled with hidden gems where birdwatchers can enjoy nature in peace.
✔ Tal Chhapar for raptors
✔ Kheechan for Demoiselle Cranes
✔ Sambhar & Pachpadra for flamingos
✔ Jawai for wetland and hill birds
🌍 Which hidden birdwatching spot in Rajasthan would you love to explore?
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