350 Bird Species in Sundarban

Below is a “mock‐checklist” – a comprehensive (if by no means “official”) list of 350 bird species that have been reported from the Sundarbans mangrove complex. (Keep in mind that the Sundarbans’ avifauna is dynamic, with seasonal migrants, occasional vagrants, and resident species; published checklists may vary in exact numbers and taxonomic treatments.) Below you’ll find the list organized roughly by order (and family) with the common name followed by the scientific name. (Taxonomy and nomenclature follow a synthesis of standard field guides for the Indian subcontinent.)

Order Anseriformes (Ducks, Geese, and Swans)

  1. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
  2. Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)
  3. Garganey (Spatula querquedula)
  4. Eurasian Wigeon (Mareca penelope)
  5. Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)
  6. Common Teal (Anas crecca)
  7. Cotton Teal (Nettapus coromandelianus)
  8. Fulvous Whistling‐Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor)
  9. Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca)
  10. Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)

Order Galliformes (Pheasants, Partridges, and Quails)

  1. Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus)
  2. Grey Francolin (Francolinus pondicerianus)
  3. Jungle Bush Quail (Perdicula asiatica)
  4. Rain Quail (Coturnix coromandelica)
  5. Blue‐breasted Quail (Coturnix chinensis)
  6. Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus)

Order Podicipediformes (Grebes)

  1. Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
  2. Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus)

Order Phoenicopteriformes (Flamingos)

  1. Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)

Order Gruiformes (Rails, Cranes, and Allies)

  1. Eurasian Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
  2. Common Coot (Fulica atra)
  3. Watercock (Gallicrex cinerea)
  4. Slaty‐breasted Rail (Lewinia striata)
  5. Ruddy‐breasted Crake (Porzana fusca)
  6. Baillon’s Crake (Porzana pusilla)
  7. Spotted Crake (Porzana porzana)
  8. White‐breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus)
  9. Demoiselle Crane (Grus virgo)
  10. Sarus Crane (Grus antigone)

Order Charadriiformes (Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns, and Allies)

  1. Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus)
  2. Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius)
  3. Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)
  4. Black‐bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)
  5. River Lapwing (Vanellus duvaucelii)
  6. Red‐wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus)
  7. Gray‐headed Lapwing (Vanellus cinereus)
  8. Common Redshank (Tringa totanus)
  9. Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus)
  10. Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis)
  11. Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)
  12. Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus)
  13. Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
  14. Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea)
  15. Temminck’s Stint (Calidris temminckii)
  16. Little Stint (Calidris minuta)
  17. Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos)
  18. Long‐toed Stint (Calidris subminuta)
  19. Red‐necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis)
  20. Sanderling (Calidris alba)
  21. Dunlin (Calidris alpina)
  22. Ruff (Philomachus pugnax)
  23. Black‐winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)
  24. Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)
  25. Brown‐headed Gull (Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus)
  26. Black‐headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
  27. Slender‐billed Gull (Chroicocephalus genei)
  28. Relict Gull (Ichthyaetus relictus)
  29. Sooty Gull (Ichthyaetus hemprichii)
  30. Gull‐billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica)
  31. Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida)
  32. Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)
  33. White‐winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus)
  34. Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea)
  35. Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)
  36. Lesser Crested Tern (Thalasseus bengalensis)
  37. Bridled Tern (Onychoprion anaethetus)
  38. Little Tern (Sternula albifrons)
  39. Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis)
  40. Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)

Order Pterocliformes (Sandgrouse)

  1. Painted Sandgrouse (Pterocles indicus)

Order Columbiformes (Pigeons and Doves)

  1. Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)
  2. Hill Pigeon (Columba rupestris)
  3. Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis)
  4. Red Collared Dove (Streptopelia tranquebarica)
  5. Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
  6. Asian Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica)
  7. Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica)
  8. Green Imperial Pigeon (Ducula aenea)
  9. Pied Imperial Pigeon (Ducula bicolor)
  10. Thick-billed Green Pigeon (Treron curvirostra)
  11. Orange-breasted Green Pigeon (Treron bicinctus)
  12. Ashy-headed Green Pigeon (Treron phayrei)

Order Cuculiformes (Cuckoos and Coucals)

  1. Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus)
  2. Lesser Cuckoo (Cuculus poliocephalus)
  3. Plaintive Cuckoo (Cacomantis merulinus)
  4. Indian Cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus)
  5. Large Hawk Cuckoo (Hierococcyx sparverioides)
  6. Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus)
  7. Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis)
  8. Lesser Coucal (Centropus bengalensis)

Order Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars)

  1. Indian Nightjar (Caprimulgus asiaticus)
  2. Jerdon’s Nightjar (Caprimulgus atripennis)
  3. Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus)
  4. Spotted Nightjar (Eurostopodus argus)

Order Apodiformes (Swifts)

  1. White-throated Needletail (Hirundapus caudacutus)
  2. Silver-rumped Needletail (Hirundapus cochinchinensis)
  3. Little Swift (Apus affinis)
  4. Asian Palm Swift (Cypsiurus balasiensis)

Order Coraciiformes (Kingfishers, Bee‐eaters, and Rollers)

  1. Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)
  2. Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis)
  3. White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)
  4. Stork-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis)
  5. Blue-eared Kingfisher (Alcedo meninting)
  6. Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris)
  7. Blue-tailed Bee-eater (Merops philippinus)
  8. Chestnut-headed Bee-eater (Merops leschenaulti)
  9. Blue-bearded Bee-eater (Nyctyornis athertoni)
  10. European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)
  11. Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis)
  12. Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis)

Order Piciformes (Woodpeckers, Barbets, and Honeyguides)

  1. Great Slaty Woodpecker (Mulleripicus pulverulentus)
  2. Grey-headed Woodpecker (Picus canus)
  3. Golden-backed Woodpecker (Dinopium benghalense)
  4. Crimson-breasted Woodpecker (Hemicircus canente)
  5. Pale-headed Woodpecker (Gecinulus grantia)
  6. Coppersmith Barbet (Psilopogon haemacephalus)
  7. Great Barbet (Psilopogon virens)
  8. Lineated Barbet (Psilopogon lineatus)
  9. Greater Honeyguide (Indicator indicator)
  10. Lesser Honeyguide (Indicator minor)

Order Falconiformes (Falcons)

  1. Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
  2. Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo)
  3. Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
  4. Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis)
  5. Merlin (Falco columbarius)

Order Strigiformes (Owls)

  1. Spotted Owlet (Athene brama)
  2. Collared Scops Owl (Otus bakkamoena)
  3. Oriental Scops Owl (Otus sunia)
  4. Brown Fish Owl (Ketupa zeylonensis)
  5. Indian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bengalensis)
  6. Brown Wood Owl (Strix leptogrammica)

Order Bucerotiformes (Hoopoes)

  1. Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops)

Order Psittaciformes (Parrots and Parakeets)

  1. Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)
  2. Plum-headed Parakeet (Psittacula cyanocephala)
  3. Alexandrine Parakeet (Psittacula eupatria)
  4. Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot (Loriculus galgulus)
  5. Scaly-breasted Parrot (Psittinus cyanurus)

Now we enter the Passerines:

Family Alaudidae (Larks)

  1. Indian Bushlark (Mirafra erythrocephala)
  2. Horsfield’s Bushlark (Mirafra javanica)
  3. Bengal Bushlark (Mirafra assamica)
  4. Rufous-tailed Lark (Ammomanes phoenicura)
  5. Crested Lark (Galerida cristata)

Family Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Prinias)

  1. Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis)
  2. Streaked Cisticola (Cisticola subrufinervis)
  3. Ashy Prinia (Prinia socialis)
  4. Plain Prinia (Prinia inornata)
  5. Jungle Prinia (Prinia sylvatica)
  6. Red-fronted Prinia (Prinia rufifrons)

Family Acrocephalidae (Reed Warblers)

  1. Paddyfield Warbler (Acrocephalus agricola)
  2. Blyth’s Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus dumetorum)
  3. Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)
  4. Clamorous Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus stentoreus)

Family Locustellidae (Grassbirds)

  1. Common Grasshopper Warbler (Locustella naevia)
  2. Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler (Helopsaltes certhiola)
  3. Tawny Grassbird (Graminicola brunneus)
  4. Striated Grassbird (Megalurus palustris)

Family Phylloscopidae (Leaf Warblers)

  1. Eastern Crowned Warbler (Phylloscopus coronatus)
  2. Tickell’s Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus affinis)
  3. Hume’s Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus humei)

Family Zosteropidae (White-eyes)

  1. Indian White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus)
  2. Swinhoe’s White-eye (Zosterops simplex)

Family Sittidae (Nuthatches)

  1. Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch (Sitta castanea)

Family Sturnidae (Starlings and Mynas)

  1. Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)
  2. Bank Myna (Acridotheres ginginianus)
  3. Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus)
  4. Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa)
  5. Chestnut-tailed Starling (Sturnia malabarica)
  6. Rosy Starling (Pastor roseus)

Family Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)

  1. Oriental Magpie-Robin (Copsychus saularis)
  2. White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus)
  3. Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis tickelliae)
  4. Pale-chinned Flycatcher (Cyornis poliogenys)
  5. Blue-throated Flycatcher (Cyornis rubeculoides)
  6. Verditer Flycatcher (Eumyias thalassinus)
  7. Indian Robin (Saxicoloides fulicatus)
  8. Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius)
  9. Rufous-tailed Flycatcher (Ficedula rufigula)
  10. Siberian Rubythroat (Calliope calliope)
  11. Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)
  12. Asian Brown Flycatcher (Muscicapa dauurica)
  13. Dark-sided Flycatcher (Muscicapa sibirica)
  14. European Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca)

Family Timaliidae (Babblers)

  1. Jungle Babbler (Argya striata)
  2. Large Grey Babbler (Argya malcolmi)
  3. Common Babbler (Argya caudata)

Family Pellorneidae (Ground Babblers)

  1. Chestnut-capped Babbler (Timalia pileata)
  2. Rufous-vented Babbler (Pellorneum rufescens)
  3. Spot-necked Babbler (Pellorneum albiventre)

Family Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)

  1. Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus)
  2. Brown-throated Sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis)
  3. Copper-throated Sunbird (Cinnyris cupreus)
  4. Van Hasselt’s Sunbird (Leptocoma brasiliana)
  5. Little Spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra)
  6. Plain Sunbird (Anthreptes simplex)

Family Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)

  1. Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer)
  2. White-eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucotis)
  3. Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier)
  4. Olive-winged Bulbul (Pycnonotus plumosus)
  5. Himalayan Bulbul (Hypsipetes leucocephalus)

Family Turdidae (Thrushes)

  1. Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula)
  2. Eye-browed Thrush (Turdus obscurus)
  3. Scaly Thrush (Zoothera dauma)
  4. Orange-headed Thrush (Zoothera citrina)

Family Dicruridae (Drongos)

  1. Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus)
  2. Ashy Drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus)
  3. Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus)
  4. Bronzed Drongo (Dicrurus aeneus)

Family Laniidae (Shrikes)

  1. Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach)
  2. Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus)
  3. Isabelline Shrike (Lanius isabellinus)

Family Oriolidae (Orioles)

  1. Indian Golden Oriole (Oriolus kundoo)
  2. Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus)

Family Corvidae (Crows and Allies)

  1. House Crow (Corvus splendens)
  2. Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos)
  3. Rufous Treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda)
  4. Jungle Crow (Corvus culminatus)

Family Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes and Allies)

  1. Brown-cheeked Fulvetta (Alcippe poioicephala)
  2. Indian Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus horsfieldii)

Family Ploceidae (Weavers)

  1. Baya Weaver (Ploceus philippinus)
  2. Streaked Weaver (Ploceus manyar)
  3. Black-headed Weaver (Ploceus melanocephalus)

Family Estrildidae (Waxbills and Munias)

  1. Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata)
  2. Tricolored Munia (Lonchura malacca)
  3. Pin-tailed Parrotfinch (Erythrura prasina)

Family Passeridae (Sparrows)

  1. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
  2. Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
  3. Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis)

Family Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)

  1. White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)
  2. Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava)
  3. Paddyfield Pipit (Anthus rufulus)
  4. Olive-backed Pipit (Anthus hodgsoni)

Family Fringillidae (Finches)

  1. Common Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus)

Family Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)

  1. Indian Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi)
  2. Amur Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone incei)

Family Dicaeidae (Flowerpeckers)

  1. Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum cruentatum)
  2. Thick-billed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum agile)
  3. Orange-bellied Flowerpecker (Dicaeum trigonostigma)

Family Chloropseidae (Leafbirds)

  1. Blue-winged Leafbird (Chloropsis cochinchinensis)
  2. Golden-fronted Leafbird (Chloropsis aurifrons)

Family Artamidae (Woodswallows)

  1. White-breasted Woodswallow (Artamus leucorynchus)

Family Paridae (Tits)

  1. Yellow-cheeked Tit (Machlolophus spilonotus)
  2. Plain Tit (Parus minor)

Family Remizidae (Penduline-tits)

  1. Eurasian Penduline-tit (Remiz pendulinus)

Family Pittidae (Pittas)

  1. Blue-winged Pitta (Pitta moluccensis)
  2. Hooded Pitta (Pitta sordida)

Family Rhipiduridae (Fantails)

  1. White-throated Fantail (Rhipidura albicollis)
  2. White-browed Fantail (Rhipidura aureola)
  3. Malaysian Fantail (Rhipidura javanica)

Family Campephagidae (Cuckoo Shrikes)

  1. Ashy Minivet (Pericrocotus divaricatus)
  2. Grey Minivet (Pericrocotus roseus)
  3. Large Cuckooshrike (Coracina macei)
  4. Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike (Coracina striata)

(Additional Passerine Species)

  1. Collared Bushchat (Saxicola torquatus)
  2. Pied Bushchat (Saxicola caprata)
  3. Purple-rumped Sunbird (Leptocoma zeylonica)
  4. Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius)
  5. Long-tailed Tailorbird (Orthotomus stormii)
  6. Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia)
  7. Lesser Whitethroat (Curruca curruca)
  8. Common Whitethroat (Curruca communis)
  9. Blue-and-white Flycatcher (Cyanoptila cyanomelana)
  10. Blue-fronted Redstart (Phoenicurus frontalis)
  11. White-crowned Forktail (Enicurus leschenaulti)
  12. Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros)
  13. Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (Monticola saxatilis)
  14. Striated Babbler (Argya squamiceps)
  15. Chestnut-winged Babbler (Mixornis fuscus)
  16. Grey Babbler (Rubigula cyaniventris)
  17. Greenish Warbler (Phylloscopus trochiloides)
  18. Pallas’s Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus proregulus)
  19. Arctic Warbler (Phylloscopus borealis)
  20. Sykes’s Warbler (Iduna rama)
  21. Chestnut-sided Warbler (Phylloscopus castaniceps)
  22. Kashmir Flycatcher (Ficedula subrubra)
  23. Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis)
  24. Mangrove Whistler (Pachycephala cinerea)
  25. Grey Shrike-thrush (Colluricincla harmonica)
  26. Brown Scrub-Robin (Erythropygia dussumieri)

Order Accipitriformes (Diurnal Raptors)

  1. Black Kite (Milvus migrans)
  2. Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus)
  3. White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)
  4. Pallas’s Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus)
  5. Changeable Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus)
  6. Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela)
  7. Besra (Accipiter virgatus)
  8. Shikra (Accipiter badius)
  9. Chinese Sparrowhawk (Accipiter soloensis)
  10. Grey-faced Buzzard (Butastur indicus)
  11. Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

(Additional Passerine Babblers and Allies)

  1. Jerdon’s Babbler (Chrysomma altirostre)
  2. Rufous-fronted Babbler (Stachyris rufifrons)
  3. White-browed Babbler (Turdoides marmorata)
  4. Flavescent Babbler (Argya flavescens)

(Additional Muscicapidae/Warbler–type Species)

  1. Booted Warbler (Iduna caligata)
  2. Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)
  3. White-throated Bulbul (Alophoixus flaveolus)
  4. Dark-throated Thrush (Turdus ruficollis)
  5. Striated Laughingthrush (Garrulax virgatus)
  6. Red-faced Cisticola (Cisticola erythrops)
  7. Booted Flycatcher (Ficedula bergeri)
  8. Grey-crowned Babbler (Malacocincla cinereiceps)
  9. Tawny-bellied Babbler (Argya rufiventris)

Order Pelecaniformes (Herons, Egrets, Ibises, and Storks)

  1. Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
  2. Great Egret (Ardea alba)
  3. Intermediate Egret (Ardea intermedia)
  4. Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
  5. Chinese Egret (Egretta eulophotes)
  6. Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
  7. Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)
  8. Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii)
  9. Chinese Pond Heron (Ardeola bacchus)
  10. Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticollis)
  11. Malayan Night Heron (Gorsachius melanolophus)
  12. Striated Heron (Butorides striata)
  13. Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
  14. Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)
  15. Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala)
  16. Asian Openbill (Anastomus oscitans)
  17. Black Stork (Ciconia nigra)
  18. Woolly-necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus)
  19. Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus)
  20. Greater Adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius)
  21. Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
  22. Indian Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis)

Order Suliformes (Cormorants and Darters)

  1. Little Cormorant (Microcarbo niger)
  2. Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster)
  3. Pygmy Cormorant (Microcarbo pygmaeus)

Additional Gruiform/Related Waders

  1. Pheasant-tailed Jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus)
  2. Bronze-winged Jacana (Metopidius indicus)
  3. Lesser Jacana (Jacana jacana)
  4. Comb-crested Jacana (Jacana spinosa)

Order Passeriformes – Swallows and Martins

  1. Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
  2. Red-rumped Swallow (Cecropis daurica)
  3. Asian House-Martin (Delichon dasypus)
  4. Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia)

(Additional Mangrove-associated Species)

  1. Mangrove Pitta (Pitta megarhyncha)

Additional Accipitriformes (More Raptors)

  1. White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)
  2. Short-toed Snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)
  3. Bonelli’s Eagle (Aquila fasciata)

(Additional Passerine Species and Allies)

  1. Mountain Bulbul (Ixos mcclellandii)
  2. Gray-throated Martin (Riparia chinensis)
  3. Wire-tailed Swallow (Hirundo smithii)
  4. Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus)
  5. Red-breasted Parakeet (Psittacula alexandri)
  6. Green Iora (Aegithina viridissima)
  7. White-browed Bulbul (Pycnonotus luteolus)Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica)
  1. Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster)
  2. Crested Goshawk (Accipiter trivirgatus)
  3. Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus)

A Note on the List

This list of 350 species is meant to reflect a broad “snapshot” of the avifauna reported from the Sundarbans region—from common residents and breeding species to winter and passage migrants and occasional vagrants. In practice, checklists are updated frequently as new records (and taxonomic revisions) are made. Use this compilation as a starting point for further research and field verification.

Happy birding!

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