Bihar: Rajgir Welcomes Thousands of Migratory Birds from Siberia and Europe; Eurasian Sparrowhawk Spotted for the First Time

Nalanda, Bihar: Rajgir is emerging not only as a historical and cultural landmark but also as a global hub for rare migratory birds. This winter, the forests, the Rajgir Zoo Safari, and Nature Safari have come alive with the chirping and fluttering of birds visiting from Europe and Russia.

According to bird surveys conducted by the Forest Department, Rajgir has become a new hotspot for migratory species. During this season, the number of migratory birds observed has been higher than ever before. Surveys of the Rajgir hill region confirmed the presence of 109 bird species, including 29 migratory varieties. Notably, sightings included Central Asian migratory warblers such as the Sulphur-bellied Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, and Tickell’s Leaf Warbler. The presence of the Indian Vulture and Griffon Vulture also highlighted Rajgir as a vital sanctuary for endangered species.

First-Ever Eurasian Sparrowhawk Sighting
In December 2025, a total of 135 bird species were recorded in Rajgir, including 33 migratory birds. Among them, the appearance of the Eurasian Sparrowhawk was particularly remarkable, marking the first documented sighting of this species in Nalanda district. This discovery underlines Rajgir’s strategic location along international migratory bird routes connecting Europe and Central Asia to the Indian subcontinent.

Other Notable Migratory Species
Winter visitors also included the Scaly Thrush, Orange-headed Thrush, Tickell’s Thrush, Indian Pitta, Large Hawk-Cuckoo, Siberian Stonechat, Himalayan Buzzard, Bonelli’s Eagle, Black-winged Kite, Crested Hawk Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, and Eurasian Kestrel.

Warblers Galore
The Rajgir region’s wetlands, paddy fields, reed beds, and forest fringes hosted 11 species of warblers, including the Booted Warbler, Paddyfield Warbler, Blyth’s Reed Warbler, Sulphur-bellied Warbler, Dusky Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, Tickell’s Leaf Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Greenish Warbler, Hume’s Warbler, and Clamorous Reed Warbler.

Birds from Siberia and the Tundra
The surveys also confirmed the presence of the Pin-tailed Snipe, a long-distance migratory bird that breeds in northern Russia, Siberia, and the tundra regions, migrating to India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia during winter. Other migratory flycatchers recorded included Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, Indian Paradise Flycatcher, Blue-throated Blue Flycatcher, Taiga Flycatcher, and Red-breasted Flycatcher.

Rajgir’s lush, wet habitats continue to serve as a safe and vital stopover for these international migratory species, cementing its place on the global birdwatching map.