Sikkim with 11 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) is rich in avifauna and is considered to be a birdwatchers paradise. Its avian population extends to over 550 species. The climate varies between the tropical heat of the valleys and the alpine cold of the snowy regions. The altitudinal zones of vegetation range from tropical, sub tropical, temperate to lpine. In some places only 10 m in a direct line north separate the warm valleys from perpetual snow. The telescoping of terrain has created marked altitudinal zonation in the humidity, rainfall, climate and vegetation. This factor is responsible for the great variety and abundance of the resident bird life, making this area arguably one of the richest areas of its size anywhere in the world.

North Sikkim’s spectacular landscapes are enriched by birds like Ibisbills and many high-altitude breeders like Larks, Pipits and Wagtails. Wetlands and lakes are breeding areas for Brahminy Shelduck and stop-over sites for migrants like Pintails, Coots and many other waterbirds. Forested and alpine areas such as the Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary are home to residents like Tibetan Snowcock, and high-altitude pheasants like Himalayan Monal and Blood Pheasants.





West Sikkim offers great birding opportunities. Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary, located at 3300 m, on the massive Singalila ridge covered with protected forests of Silver Fir, hemlocks, magnolia and Rhododendrons is one of the many birding areas in Sikkim.

Around Pemayangste Monastery and the nearby village of Pelling there are several excellent birding sites and hikes including the upcoming Sidkeong Tulku Bird Park at Rabdentse. Some important species like the Red-faced Liocichla etc are found around these forests. Birds of prey or raptors like Mountain Hawk Eagle, Black Eagle, different cuckoos, Bay Woodpecker, Grey Treepie, White-throated Needletail, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Striated Laughingthrush, Grey-sided Laughingthrush, Hoary-throated and Rusty-fronted Barwing, Cutias, Minlas, Yuhinas, Sibias, White-browed Shrike-Babbler, Bush Warblers, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, and Red-headed Bullfinch are just some birds recorded here by professional birders

The Khecheopheri Lake hosts migrant ducks including some rare species such as Black-necked Crane, Black-tailed Crake, Baer’s Pochard and some stop-over migrants like Common Mergansers.

For those enthusiastic about trekking in the high Himalayas, the best way to see higher altitude birds is to take the 10 day Dzongri Trek into the Khangchendzonga National Park. Some of the birds seen on this trip are Blood Pheasant, Himalayan Monal, Brown Parrotbill, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Cutia, Sapphire flycatcher, White-browed Bush Robin, Grandala,, Rufous-breasted Accentor, White winged and collared Grosbeaks, Spot-winged Rosefinch, ,Crossbills and the very common Yellow-billed Blue Magpies.

East Sikkim boasts of Gangtok itself being part of an IBA with species like Rusty-bellied Shortwings and over 250 species of birds in the Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary. Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary on way to the famous pass Natu La and Tsomgo Lake is home to the State Bird, the Blood Pheasant and many other high altitude birds. You can get spectacular sightings of Fire-tailed Sunbirds sipping nectar from the flamboyantly flowering Rhododendrons.

In South Sikkim are the Kitam and Maenam Wildlife Sanctuaries. The sanctuary starts from 2000m, with a sub-tropical forest, gradually taken over by moist temperate forest at around 2500-3000m and then sub-alpine conifer forests at altitude higher than 3000m. Rabongla to Maenam top is about 12km and a further 1km trek will take one to Bhaledhunga, a cockscomb shaped stone. Important birds in this trek include Satyr Tragopan, Kalij Pheasant, Rusty-bellied Shortwing, Minivets, Yuhinas, flycatchers, and many other birds