The geographical location is ideal as it is on the main
North - South avian route of India. Although small in size,
29 sq. km. only, it boasts to house more than 375 species of
beautiful birds. More than 132 of them breed inside the
National Park and nearly every year new ones are added to
the list. The sanctuary not only attracts birds from India
but also from places like Europe, Siberia, China and Tibet.
Before
the monsoon hundreds of these exotic birds roost and nest
building activities start on the babool and kadam trees of
the park. Water coming through the Ajan Bandh starts filling
the various ponds and lakes of the Park.
When
assured of enough food, hundreds of large, medium and little
cormorant, darter, purple and Grey heron, various species of
egret, painted, open-billed, white necked and black necked
stork, white ibis, spoonbill, night heron and other birds
get busy in courting and mating. The trees are over flowed
with nests, one can observe a tree housing nests upto
fifties and sixties in number belonging to different species
of birds looking after their young.Gracious Saras cranes,
the tallest flying birds nest in exposed and open area, both
partners share the duty of incubating the eggs. They perform
beautiful displays - coming together they raise their
neckand give out shrill trumpetic calls in unison and at the
same time fan their feathers. The newly born chicks are only
10 cm. in size but grows upto one meter in height within a
year.
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As
the monsoons arrive birds from every part of the country
start pouring into the park. Migratory water-fowls,
including the pride of Keoladeo Siberian Cranes form the
indispensable part of Park. The water-fowls visit the
park in millions during the month of October. The most
noticeable water-fowl coming to the park are barheaded
and greyley geese. |
Ducks
include ruddy shelduck, redcrested pochard, spot-billed
duck, comb duck, garganey etc. Predatory birds like
imperial eagle, steppe and tawny eagle spotted eagle,
marsh harrier and laggar falcon are attracted towards
the park completing the avian food chain of the
ecosystem. Some of them like short-toed eagle, lesser
spotted eagle and shikra are the residents of Park. |
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About
11 sq. km. area of the park is covered with water, but
there are wooded areas and extensive grassland in
winter. Other species include Kingfisher, Red Vented and
white cheeked Bulbuls, Babblers, Quails, Partridges,
Sunbirds, Sparrows and Parakeets which live in bushes
and burrows. The amazing diversity of birds attracts
ornithologists from all over the world. |
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everal
species of mammals can also be seen. These include the
Black Buck, Sambhar, Spotted deer, and Nigais - the
largest Indian Antelope. Pythons can also be observed at
some places lazing in the sun.
Vehicles are only
permitted upto Shanti Kutir inside the park. The Electra
Van of the forest department can be engaged in the
sanctuary, although the best way to explore the park is
on foot or bicycles which are available on hire. Cycle
rickshaws can also be hired, alongwith numerous guides
who have excellent bird identification and observation
skills.
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