Birds of Shey Phoksundo National Park
Discover the Diverse Avian Species of the Himalayas
Explore the vibrant birdlife of Shey Phoksundo National Park, where unique species thrive in the pristine Himalayan landscapes, from colorful songbirds to majestic raptors soaring above rugged peaks.
Male Himalayan Monal in alpine meadows
Himalayan Monal in conifer forest
Nepal's national bird, Danphe
Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus)
The Himalayan Monal, also known as Danphe, is Nepal's national bird, featuring brilliant multicolored plumage in males and brown speckled females. It inhabits conifer forests and alpine meadows.
- Elevation: 2,400–4,000 m
- Habitat: Conifer forests and alpine meadows
- Status: Least Concern (affected by poaching)
Highlights:
- Males have brilliant multicolored plumage
- Nepal's national bird
Satyr Tragopan with mating horns
Satyr Tragopan in rhododendron forest
Vibrant red-and-black pheasant
Satyr Tragopan
A vibrant red-and-black pheasant known for its 'horns' during mating displays, found in dense rhododendron and mixed conifer forests.
- Elevation: 2,300–4,000 m
- Habitat: Dense rhododendron and conifer forests
- Status: Vulnerable (habitat loss and hunting)
Highlights:
- Known for 'horns' in mating displays
Cheer Pheasant in grassy habitats
Cheer Pheasant on forested slope
Long-tailed ground-dwelling pheasant
Cheer Pheasant (Catreus wallichii)
The Cheer Pheasant is a long-tailed, ground-dwelling pheasant found on grassy, forested slopes with scattered shrubs and open ground.
- Elevation: 2,400–3,300 m
- Habitat: Grassy forested slopes
- Status: Vulnerable (hunting and habitat loss)
Highlights:
- Prefers open ground with shrubs
Tibetan Partridge foraging
Tibetan Partridge in alpine shrubland
Ground-dwelling alpine bird
Tibetan Partridge (Perdix hodgsoniae)
The Tibetan Partridge is a ground-dwelling bird common in dry, open alpine zones of Dolpo's shrublands.
- Habitat: Alpine meadows and shrublands
- Status: Least Concern
Highlights:
- Common in Dolpo's dry alpine zones
Male Rosefinch with pink plumage
Rosefinch perched on forest edge
Colorful high-altitude songbirds
Rosefinches
Rosefinches are small, colorful songbirds with bright red or pink plumage in males, seen in shrubs and forest edges, often in mixed flocks. Species include Pink-browed, Great Rosefinch, and Himalayan White-browed Rosefinch.
- Species: Pink-browed, Great, Himalayan White-browed
- Habitat: Shrubs and forest edges
- Status: Least Concern
Highlights:
- Bright red or pink plumage in males
- Often in mixed flocks
Tibetan Snowcock above tree line
Tibetan Snowcock on barren slope
Large high-altitude resident
Tibetan Snowcock (Tetraogallus tibetanus)
The Tibetan Snowcock is a large snowcock found in barren, rocky slopes above 4,000 m, a resident species in Dolpo at higher altitudes.
- Elevation: >4,000 m
- Habitat: Barren rocky slopes
- Status: Least Concern
Highlights:
- Resident in Dolpo's high altitudes
Himalayan Snowcock on rocky terrain
Himalayan Snowcock in alpine habitat
Rocky alpine inhabitant
Himalayan Snowcock (Tetraogallus himalayensis)
Similar to the Tibetan Snowcock, the Himalayan Snowcock is found in rocky alpine habitats above the tree line in Dolpo.
- Habitat: Rocky alpine above tree line
- Status: Least Concern
Highlights:
- Widespread in central and western Himalayas
Lammergeier over high passes
Lammergeier perched on cliff
Iconic bone-eating scavenger
Lammergeier / Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus)
The Lammergeier, or Bearded Vulture, is an iconic scavenger with long wings and a beard-like marking, feeding on bone marrow and common over Dolpo's cliffs.
- Habitat: Cliffs and high passes
- Status: Near Threatened
Highlights:
- Feeds on bone marrow
Griffon Vulture in flight
Griffon Vulture over Dolpo valleys
Large valley glider
Himalayan Griffon Vulture (Gyps himalayensis)
The Himalayan Griffon Vulture is a large raptor frequently seen gliding across valleys in high-altitude areas of Dolpo.
- Habitat: High-altitude valleys
- Status: Near Threatened
Highlights:
- Part of the vulture cleanup crew
Blood Pheasant in rhododendron patch
Blood Pheasant in subalpine scrub
Red-streaked high-altitude pheasant
Blood Pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus)
The Blood Pheasant is a striking high-altitude pheasant with red streaks, found in rhododendron forests and subalpine scrub in Dolpo.
- Habitat: Rhododendron forests and scrub
- Status: Least Concern; protected in Nepal
Highlights:
- Present in higher forest patches
Rare White-throated Tit
White-throated Tit in dry scrub
Rare alpine tit
White-throated Tit (Aegithalos niveogularis)
The White-throated Tit is a tiny, rare species adapted to dry alpine scrub, difficult to spot but known in Dolpo.
- Habitat: Dry alpine scrub
- Status: Near Threatened
Highlights:
- Adapted to high-altitude dry areas
Group of Snowfinches in plateaus
Snowfinch near yak pastures
Group foragers in alpine meadows
Snowfinches
Snowfinches are found in barren alpine meadows and rocky areas, with common species like White-winged and Rufous-necked Snowfinches foraging in groups near yak pastures.
- Species: White-winged, Rufous-necked
- Habitat: Barren alpine and rocky areas
- Status: Least Concern
Highlights:
- Frequently seen in groups
Accentor foraging on ground
Accentor in alpine shrubland
Shy ground-feeders
Accentors
Accentors are shy, ground-feeding birds in alpine shrubland and rocky meadows, with species like Robin Accentor and Brown Accentor common above 3,000 m in Dolpo.
- Elevation: >3,000 m
- Habitat: Shrubland and rocky meadows
- Status: Least Concern
Highlights:
- Regularly spotted in high shrublands
Rosy Pipit in alpine field
Olive-backed Pipit in grassy meadow
Streaky ground walkers
Pipits
Pipits are slender ground birds with streaky brown plumage, known for their walking gait. Rosy Pipit and Olive-backed Pipit are common in Dolpo's grassy alpine meadows.
- Species: Rosy, Olive-backed
- Habitat: Grassy alpine meadows
- Status: Least Concern
Highlights:
- Known for walking gait
Crag Martin near cliffs
Crag Martin on rocky ledge
Aerial cliff nesters
Martins
Martins are aerial insectivores, with the Crag Martin notable for nesting on cliffs, seen flying near gorges and rocky ledges in Dolpo.
- Species: Crag Martin
- Habitat: Cliffs and gorges
- Status: Least Concern
Highlights:
- Expert flight skills
Electric-blue Grandala in summer
Grandala perched on high cliff
Electric-blue alpine flocker
Grandala (Grandala coelicolor)
The Grandala is a brilliant electric-blue bird found above 3,500 m in cliffs and open alpine terrain, seen in flocks around high ridgelines in summer.
- Elevation: >3,500 m
- Habitat: Cliffs and open alpine
- Status: Least Concern; locally protected
Highlights:
- Iconic summer sight
- Seen in flocks
Best Time to Visit
Plan your adventure for Spring (March–May) to enjoy blooming rhododendrons and clear skies, or Autumn (September–November) for stable weather and stunning views. Winter (December–February) brings harsh, snowy conditions, making trekking challenging. Monsoon (June–August) has less rain due to the rain-shadow effect, but trails can still be difficult.