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Our Science

Coastal Wetland Program

𓅣 Accelerating decline of an important wintering population of the critically endangered Spoon‑billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmaea at Sonadia Island, Bangladesh | Journal of Ornithology 163 (2022): 891–901.

𓅣 Discovery of an important wintering site of the Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmaea in the Meghna Estuary, Bangladesh | Bird Conservation International 28 (2018): 251–262.

𓅣 Globally threatened shorebirds of Nijhum Dwip National Park and management implications | Wader Study 127 (2020): 244–251.

𓅣 A five-year study of over-summering shorebirds on Sonadia Island, Cox’s Bazar district, Bangladesh | Forktail 33 (2017): 120–123.

𓅣 Seasonal occurrence and site use by shorebirds at Sonadia Island, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh | Wader Study 118-2 (2011): 77–81.

𓅣 A survey of the Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus in Bangladesh and key future research and conservation recommendations | Forktail 26 (2010): 1–8.

𓅣 Discovery of a new wintering area for Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis in Bangladesh | BirdingASIA 32 (2019): 99–101.

𓅣 Preliminary survey of shorebird hunting in five villages around Sonadia Island, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh | BirdingASIA 14 (2010): 101–102.

𓅣 A survey of shorebirds in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh | Stilt 66 (2014): 10–13.

𓅣 Connectivity of Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis between Bangladesh and India | BirdingASIA 35 (2021): 83–84.

𓅣 Using community-based interviews to determine population size, distribution and nest site characteristics of Pallas’s fish eagle in north-east Bangladesh | Oryx 56-4 (2022): 627-635. 

𓅣 Population trends and effects of local environmental factors on waterbirds at Tanguar Haor freshwater wetland complex in northeast Bangladesh | Avian Conservation and Ecology 18 (2023).

𓅣 Human-fishing cat conflicts and conservation needs of fishing cats in Bangladesh | Cat News 62 (2015): 4–7.

𓅣 Population status, habitat preference and distribution of Bristled Grassbird Chaetornis striata in Bangladesh | Bird Conservation International 33 (2023): e27.v

𓅣 Surveys of River Lapwings Vanellus duvaucelii in Bangladesh and observations on their nesting ecology | Wader Study 125 (2018): 90–96.

𓅣 A survey for Black-bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda and other riverine birds on the Jamuna and Padma rivers in Bangladesh |  Forktail 30 (2014): 84–89.

𓅣 Birds of the Bangladesh Sundarbans: status, threats and conservation recommendations | Forktail 36 (2020): 35-46. 

𓅣 Nesting Ecology and Habitat Preference of the Masked Finfoot Heliopais personatus in Sundarbans, Bangladesh | Waterbirds 40-4 (2020): 410–416.

𓅣 Observations on the breeding of the Endangered Masked Finfoot Heliopais personatus in Bangladesh | Forktail 30 (2014): 84–89.

𓅣 A survey of shorebirds in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh | Stilt 66 (2014): 10–13.

ð“…£ In progress

𓅣 Insights from citizen science reveal priority areas for conserving biodiversity in Bangladesh | One Earth 6 (2023): 1315-1325. 

𓅣 Accelerating decline of an important wintering population of the critically endangered Spoon‑billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmaea at Sonadia Island, Bangladesh | Journal of Ornithology 163 (2022): 891–901.

𓅣 Discovery of an important wintering site of the Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmaea in the Meghna Estuary, Bangladesh | Bird Conservation International 28 (2018): 251–262.

𓅣 Globally threatened shorebirds of Nijhum Dwip National Park and management implications | Wader Study 127 (2020): 244–251.

𓅣 Seasonal occurrence and site use by shorebirds at Sonadia Island, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh | Wader Study 118-2 (2011): 77–81.

𓅣 A survey of the Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus in Bangladesh and key future research and conservation recommendations | Forktail 26 (2010): 1–8.

𓅣 Discovery of a new wintering area for Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis in Bangladesh | BirdingASIA 32 (2019): 99–101.

𓅣 Preliminary survey of shorebird hunting in five villages around Sonadia Island, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh | BirdingASIA 14 (2010): 101–102.

𓅣 A survey of shorebirds in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh | Stilt 66 (2014): 10–13.

𓅣 Connectivity of Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis between Bangladesh and India | BirdingASIA 35 (2021): 83–84.

𓅣 Using community-based interviews to determine population size, distribution and nest site characteristics of Pallas’s fish eagle in north-east Bangladesh | Oryx 56-4 (2022): 627-635. 

𓅣 Population trends and effects of local environmental factors on waterbirds at Tanguar Haor freshwater wetland complex in northeast Bangladesh | Avian Conservation and Ecology 18 (2023).

𓅣 Human-fishing cat conflicts and conservation needs of fishing cats in Bangladesh | Cat News 62 (2015): 4–7.

𓅣 Population status, habitat preference and distribution of Bristled Grassbird Chaetornis striata in Bangladesh | Bird Conservation International 33 (2023): e27.v

𓅣 Surveys of River Lapwings Vanellus duvaucelii in Bangladesh and observations on their nesting ecology | Wader Study 125 (2018): 90–96.

𓅣 A survey for Black-bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda and other riverine birds on the Jamuna and Padma rivers in Bangladesh |  Forktail 30 (2014): 84–89.

ð“…£ In progress

ð“…£ New estimate of the trend in world population size of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper suggests continuing decline | Wader Study 131-2 (2024):122–131.

ð“…£ Implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the governance of biodiversity conservation | Frontiers in Conservation Science 4 (2023): 989019.

ð“…£ The specter of empty countrysides and wetlands – Impact of hunting take on birds in Indo-Burma | Conservation Science and Practice (2022). e212668.

ð“…£ The status and distribution of the Masked Finfoot – Asia’s next avian extinction? | Forktail 36 (2020): 16–24.

ð“…£ The state of migratory landbirds in the East Asian Flyway: Distributions, threats, and conservation needs | Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution (2021) 9: 100. 

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Birds of Bangladesh

Download Birds of Bangladesh checklist - May 2025

To date, 731 bird species have been recorded in Bangladesh, reflecting the country’s remarkable diversity of habitats – from coastal mudflats and mangroves to wetlands, forests, and grasslands. Of these, 312 species are resident, breeding regularly within the country across different seasons. A further 402 species are migratory, including winter visitors, summer visitors, passage migrants, and occasional vagrants that stop over while traveling along the Central Asian and East Asian–Australasian Flyways.

In addition, 17 species are considered extirpated, meaning they no longer occur in Bangladesh despite being historically present. Notable examples include the Pink-headed Duck (Rhodonessa caryophyllacea), once widespread in wetlands across the region, and the Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis), a grassland specialist that has vanished due to habitat loss.

 

Birding in Bangladesh

Bangladesh, nestled between South and Southeast Asia, offers surprisingly rich birdwatching opportunities despite being densely populated. With diverse ecosystems ranging from mangroves to haors (seasonal freshwater wetland) and hill forests, over 720 bird species have been recorded here. Below is a region-wise guide to the best birding spots and their standout avifauna.

 

Central Bangladesh

National Botanical Garden (Dhaka) | eBird hotspot 
Located in Mirpur, this urban park has groves, lakes, and bamboo patches. Key species include Orange-headed Thrush, Forest Wagtail, Indian Blue Robin.

Jahangirnagar University (Savar) | eBird hotspot 
About an hour west of Dhaka. Rich in lakes and woods. Regular sightings include Grey-headed Fish-eagle, Brown Fish-owl, Stork-billed Kingfisher.

Bhawal National Park (Gazipur) | eBird hotspot 
North of Dhaka, with sal forests and paddyfields. Notable birds are White-eyed Buzzard, Indian Spotted Eagle, Orange-headed Thrush, Indian Pitta.

Modhupur National Park (Tangail/Mymensingh) | eBird hotspot 
3–4 hours north of Dhaka. Despite deforestation, it’s good for owls, thrushes, flycatchers, and Yellow-wattled Lapwing.

North-East Bangladesh

Lawachara National Park (Srimangal) | eBird hotspot 
One of the best evergreen forests in the country. Species include Red-headed Trogon, Blue-naped Pitta, Kalij Pheasant, Olive Bulbul.

Hail Haor & Baikka Beel (near Srimangal) | eBird hotspot 
Large wetland with swamp vegetation. Home to Fulvous Whistling-duck, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Pallas’s Fish-eagle, Large-billed Reed-warbler.

Satchari National Park | eBird hotspot 
Small forest (420 ha) with around 200 species. Look for Cachar Bulbul, Blossom-headed Parakeet, Vernal Hanging-parrot, Siberian Blue Robin, Hill Blue-flycatcher. Well known for the assemblage of birds that gather at an Indian Coral Tree (Erythrina variegata) next to a watchtower in late February when the flowers bloom. 

Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary | eBird hotspot 
Extensive forest with a vulture feeding zone. Species include White-rumped Vulture, and a wide range of evergreen forest birds.

Hakaluki Haor (Moulvibazar) | eBird hotspot 
Vast seasonal wetland. Regular sightings of Baer’s Pochard, Falcated Duck, and large flocks of other waterbirds.

Tanguar Haor (Sunamganj) | eBird hotspot 
One of Bangladesh’s two Ramsar sites. Notable for Red-crested Pochard, Baer’s Pochard, Falcated Duck, Firethroat, Pallas’s Fish-eagle.

South-East Bangladesh

Kaptai National Park (Rangamati, Chittagong Hill Tracts) | eBird hotspot 
Evergreen forests supporting Great Slaty Woodpecker, Malay Night-heron, Grey Peacock-pheasant.

Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary (north of Chattogram) | eBird hotspot 
Rich in forest birds with over 180 species, many typical of eastern forests.

Medakacchapia NP & Fashiakhali Wildlife Sanctuary (Cox’s Bazar area)  | eBird hotspot 
Accessible forests with Great Slaty Woodpecker and other specialties.

Sonadia Island (near Cox’s Bazar) | eBird hotspot 
Mudflats and dunes hosting Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Spotted Greenshank, Great Knot.

Himchari NP, Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary, St. Martin’s Island  | eBird hotspot 
Coastal and degraded forests, with long bird lists, though impacted by deforestation and refugees.

Central Coast

Nijhum Dwip National Park (Noakhali District) | eBird hotspot 
Accessible via Hatiya Island. Great for waterbirds including Indian Skimmer, particularly at Domar Char. Shorebird diversity peaks in early spring.

South-West Bangladesh

Sundarbans (Khulna Division) | eBird hotspot 
The best mangrove birding in the country. Look for Mangrove Pitta, Ruddy Kingfisher, Masked Finfoot, Brown-winged Kingfisher, Streak-breasted Woodpecker.

North-West Bangladesh

Rajshahi Chars (Ganges River) | eBird hotspot 
Sandy islands good for Bristled Grassbird, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Sykes’s Nightjar, Painted Stork, Black Stork, Asian Woollyneck.

Brahmaputra River (Kurigram & Gaibandha Districts)
Riverine islands with similar birds to Rajshahi, but species like Black-bellied Tern are now rare.

Tetulia Area (Panchagarh District) | eBird hotspot 
Unique for its small population of Black Francolin. Crested Bunting and other winter visitors may also occur.