Nepal receives over 150 species of migratory birds each year, thanks to its rich ecological diversity. The birds travel from China, Mongolia, Korea, the Siberian region of Russia, China, Sri Lanka, India, Korea and some parts of Europe and Central Asia to avoid cold as well as for breeding.

Birds usually migrate to Nepal during winter and summer seasons. Winter migratory birds start to migrate from mid-September to the end of November. Similarly, summer migratory birds start arriving here from March to the mid of June.

Unlike other sub-tropical countries, Nepal has long summer days, giving the birds up to 14 hours a day to forage for food, a luxury they do not find in their native countries.

Birds usually migrate to Nepal during winter and summer seasons. Winter migratory birds start to migrate from mid-September to the end of November. Similarly, summer migratory birds start arriving here from March to the mid of June.

Most of the winter migratory birds that migrate to Nepal belong to duck species like mallards, ruddy shelduck, gadwall, common teal, northern Pintail, woods and piper, Greenshank, thrushes, leaf warblers, Eurasian Teal, flycatcher and the booted eagle among others. According to Krishna Bushal, Vulture Conservation Program Officer for Birds Conservation Nepal, some of these birds fly up to 9,375 meters and weigh up to 2.5 kg. These migratory birds stay in wetlands and other favorable regions across the country. They stay mainly in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Bishajari Taal, and Ghoda Ghodi Taal. Similarly, they also nestle in Koshi and Narayani river belt and Kaligadi corridor.

Some species of the birds, migrate from the Himalayan region to the lowlands within the country during the winter season.

Bulks are various species of cuckoos, such as pied cuckoos, Eurasian cuckoos, and oriental cuckoos, Chestnut-headed bee-eater and Asian paradise flycatchers that migrate to Nepal belong to the summer migratory birds. These birds migrate to Nepal in search of food, according to Bushal. These birds need easily accessible food, good weather, and less competition during the breeding season. Unlike, winter migratory birds, they come here for breeding too. They are found in the forest, farmlands and some of them use others’ nest for shelter. In summer, at least 62 species of birds migrate to Nepal. Likewise, 50 species of birds migrate from Nepal to India during the winter seasons.

Some species of the birds, migrate from the Himalayan region to the lowlands within the country during the winter season. In recent years, due to growing urbanization, deforestation, and ecological degradation, the number of migratory birds has declined, according to Bushal. Similarly, hunting and forest fire in the summer season also adversely affects the life pattern of birds in Nepal.