Various Birds of Bangladesh

Bangladeshi birds are coded for abundance, breeding,  wintering, migration, endemic, rare, etc.; Two thousands pages on birds, nature, bird seeing, where to go birding, birds and nature images, nature conservation, equipment, bird feeding, etc. 

This country is the home to a huge number of species of birds that vary from residents, that stay total year around, to breeding birds, that spend a well part of the growing season in Bangladesh to raise their young, migrants who pass through Bangladesh with the seasons, to wintering birds who like to spend most part of the winter in Bangladesh to escape colder conditions up north. While many kinds of birds are relatively common such they are part of the ecosystems of the country, it is always a thrill to stumble upon a rare bird or vagrant, that does not really form part of any the Bangladesh ecosystems. Maybe it got lost during its travels between its summer and winter residence or it got displaced by bad weather.

The national bird of Bangladesh

Among the kinds of the checklist of the birds of this country you can search  waterfowl and wading birds, a huge suite of song birds, raptors, game birds, swifts and nighthawks, etc., many of which occupy several ecosystems simultaneously, as they fly to and from forests, meadows, shorelines of waters, cities and and urban green spaces. At Birdlist, we have developed a coding system that can help you predict when you may expect a certain species, with a code for seasonality, such as resident, nesting, wintering, etc. A code for abundance will give you a clue on the likelihood that you may actually see a certain species of bird. As we progressed with the coding, we realized that there should be a differentiation in the coding for "common", such as less common, common and very common birds. However, this would require reliable quantative data, which for most states, are not revealed by the commission of bird records. We hope to provide those in the future. In the meantime, enjoy the current checklist of the birds of Bangladesh.

There are different types of birds in our country. They are different in colour , size and habit. They eat different kinds of food. Some birds eat fish and flesh, some live on warms and insects, some on fruits and grains some on filth and grains, some on filth and garbage’s . birds are divided into many classes. They are teasing birds, song birds, rapacious birds. Game birds, migratory birds and tailor birds.

There are some great locations for bird watching in Bangladesh: forests, mountains, and even choice areas in and around most of the lakes. However, if you don't know what you're looking for then you might as well sleep in or go searching for Bengal Tigers.

The Doel or the magpie robin is the national bird of Bangladesh. One of the more familiar birds about towns and villages. Shy, silent and unobtrusive during non-breeding season, but known to pull a complete change of character that more often than not sees it skulking about in the bushes and trees, subtly cooing in hopes of attracting a mate.

Conspicuous during breeding season when the male Doel sings lustily (chirping the bird equivalent of Barry White) from its favorite treetop or post, specifically during early mornings and late afternoons. The doel's chirping is accentuated by upward jerks of its white fringed tail. The Doel also happens to be a very good mimic of other birds' calls (which is a good trick to know when you're out searching for a mate). It jealously guards its breeding territory, and intruding males are regaled with all sorts of bird machismo including a puffed out chest, strutting about a general display of arrogance (much like you would expect to find in Naples, Italy - only there we're not talking about birds).

The Shalik or myna bird is a very common bird species in Bangladesh. A common myna is about the size of an American robin. Its colors range from rich wine-brown on the lower breast to deep black on the head, neck, and upper breast. It has a splash of white on the lower edge of its wings, and its bill and legs are a bright yellow. This myna feeds on plants, insects, and worms. It often builds its nest in crevices of buildings. It is a noisy bird that is common about yards and buildings. Thus, you don't need to travel far to find a myna staring back at you within your binoculars range of vision. It is often seen among chickens or perched on the backs of cattle.

Just like back in the United States, mynas are easily taught to imitate the human voice and can talk, sing, and whistle.

Meanwhile, the Machhhranga or the kingfisher is very common in the Bangladesh river delta. Twelve varieties of kingfishers have been recorded in Bang including the brown-winged, white-collard, black-capped and the rare ruddy kingfisher.

The Kaththokra or the woodpecker boasts an incredible 22 different in the country, especially in the Sundarbans.

And finally, the red-cockaded woodpecker is becoming rarer and identified as a vulnerable species in Bang, its classification being listed just under endangered.

It doesn't take much too really get sucked into the joy of bird watching. A field guide, a sturdy pair of binoculars and a little patience. Check out the Travel link on Bangladesh.com for reliable points-of-contact for tour agencies that can provide transport to the best bird watching areas in the region.

The Doel or the magpie robin is the national bird of Bangladesh. One of the more familiar birds about towns and villages. Shy, silent and unobtrusive during non-breeding season, then skulking in shrubbery and only uttering plaintive swee-ee and harsh chur-r. Conspicuous during breeding season when male sings lustily from favourite tree-top or post, chiefly early mornings and late afternoons. Song punctuated by upward jerks of white fringed tail. Also very good mimic of other birds' calls. Breeding territories jealously guarded, and intruding males defied with puffing- out, strutting and much show of pugnacity.

The Machhhranga or the kingfisher is very common in riverine Bangladesh. Twelve varieties of kingfishers have been recorded here including the brown-winged, white-collard, black-capped and the rare ruddy kingfisher.

Kingfisher on Action

The Shalik (myna) is a very common bird in Bangladesh. The common myna is about the size of an American robin. Its colors range from rich wine-brown on the lower breast to deep black on the head, neck, and upper breast. It has a splash of white on the lower edge of its wings, and its bill and legs are a bright yellow. This myna feeds on plants, insects, and worms. It often builds its nest in crevices of buildings. It is a noisy bird that is common about yards and buildings. It is often seen among chickens or perched on the backs of cattle. People have released the common myna into the wild in many tropical Pacific islands, including Hawaii, where the bird is now abundant. Talking mynas are sometimes kept as pets. Many imitate the human voice and can talk, sing, and whistle.

Herons are carnivorous and largely eat fishes and frogs. Usually the birds stand still in or near the water or on some objects floating or emergent in the water, and suddenly strike at the passing prey either impaling or killing it instantly. Cattle Egrets often follow grazing cattle and catch insects, frogs and small reptiles disturbed by them.

Herons bird of Bangladesh

Common Bangladeshi herons are Pond Heron or Paddybird (Kani or Kana Bok), Ardeola grayii; Cattle Egret (Go-bok), Bubulcus ibis; Little Egret (Choto Sada Bok), Egretta garzetta; Median/Intermediate Egret (Majhari Sada Bok), Egretta (new name: Mesophyox) intermedia; Large Egret (Bora or Jathua Bok), Egretta alba (new name: Casmerodius albus); Grey Heron (Dhushar Bok), Ardea cinerea; Purple Heron (Beguni Bok), Ardea purpurea; Giant or Goliath Heron (Brihat or Mohakai Bok), Ardea goliath; Black-crowned Night Heron (Wak or Nishi Bok), Nycticorax nycticorax and Tiger Bittern (Bagha Bok), Gorsachius melanolopus. All but the night and tiger herons are diurnal while these two species are nocturnal or crepuscular. Goliath Heron is either migratory or vagrant in the country and there have been only a few records of sightings during past few decades. Pond Heron, Little Egret and Cattle Egret are the most common and widespread herons in the country. Tiger Bittern is less common and secretive than the Night Heron.