Bhutan is home to nearly 50 per cent of the global White-bellied Heron population locally known as Chubja. This heron is classified as Critically Endangered because it has an extremely small and rapidly declining population with fewer than 60 herons left in the world today. The Phochhu and Mochhu river…
Kalij Pheasant
Males are rather variable depending on the subspecies involved, but all have at least partially glossy bluish-black plumage, while females are overall brownish. Both sexes have a bare red face and greyish legs (the latter separating it from the red-legged silver pheasant).
Blood Pheasant
A chunky partridgelike pheasant of montane scrub. Males are silvery gray with extensive pale streaking all over the body and crimson-tinged face, tail, breast, and tail – the namesake “blood” of this species. Female is warm brown with an orange face. Both sexes have a small head with an occasionally…
Himalayan Monal
Bhutan is home to some of the world’s most spectacular pheasants, and the Himalayan Monal is one that stands out on top. The male, decked out in an iridescent rainbow of colors on top contrasting with stark black underparts, is really quite a sight, easily standing out among the subtle…
Horn Bill
This large hornbill, over 1 meter in length, can be found in the hill forests of Bhutan and scattered eastward through appropriate habitat in mainland southeast Asia. Males are striking, with a bright rufous head and neck, while females are black all over. They have a distinctive decurved bill with…
Black Necked Crane
Through the months of November to March, Black-necked Cranes descend from their breeding grounds on the high Tibetan plateaus to the shorelines of lakes and flooded fields. In Bhutan, these large, elegant birds are revered by Buddhist traditions. They are protected throughout the country. Bhutanese people believe that they are…