Birdwatching in Andaman (Andaman Endemic Bird Tour)
The Andaman & Nicobar archipelago, located in the Bay of Bengal, represents the highest peaks of an underwater mountain range. It rose from the sea floor 38 million years ago and is considered to be an extension of Myanmar’s Arakan range and Sumantran Barisan range. Its geographical isolation from other landmasses for centuries eventually allowed evolution to take its course. Now these islands play host to an absolute treasure trove of endemic wildlife, with most having a stronger overall affinity for the Malayan sub-region than that of the Indian sub-continent.
Explore the next 6 days of birdwatching in Andaman and witness its unique bird diversity.
Day 1: Arrival and Birdwatching in Chidiyatapu
Arrive at Port Blair Airport. Our representative will transfer you to the hotel. After lunch, travel to Chidiyatapu to spot the endemic birds, namely Andaman Drongo; Andaman Shama; Andaman Bulbul, Andaman Serpent Eagle; Andaman Coucal; White-headed Starling, along with some resident birds that occur only in Andaman, including Plume-toed Swiftlet; White-nest Swiftlet, White-breasted Wood-shallow, and Olive-backed Sunbird.
Stay back after sunset for night birding to search for nocturnal endemics such as the Andaman Nightjar, Andaman Boobook, Hume’s Boobook, and modestus subspecies of Oriental Scops Owl before returning to the hotel.
Day 2: Birdwatching in Andaman (Kalatang & Garacharma)
Start early in the morning to reach Kalatang in time. A tropical evergreen forest located an hour’s drive away. Look for the shy Andaman Crake, Andaman Cuckoodove, Andaman Cuckooshrike, Andaman Treepie, Andaman Flowerpecker, and the elusive Andaman Wood Pigeon. As well as Black Baza, Ruddy Kingfisher, Mangrove Whistler, Forest Wagtail, and Blyth’s Paradise Flycatcher, prior to returning to the hotel for lunch.
Later in the afternoon, visit Garacharma Wetlands to locate the endemic Andaman Teal as well as winter migrants like the Red-throated Pipit, Red-necked Stint, Long-toed Stint, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Chinese Pond Heron, etc.
After sunset, continue with night birding to search for the Andaman Masked Owl and Andaman Scops Owl, and later return to the hotel.
Day 3: Birdwatching in Mt. Harriet National Park & Ograbranj
Again, start early in the morning to reach Mt. Harriet National Park just after sunrise. A tropical evergreen forest with tall canopy, Hike up the forest road to the summit and take a small forest trail on the summit. Search in particular for the elusive Andaman Wood Pigeon, in addition to Andaman Crake, Andaman Serpent Eagle; Andaman Green Pigeon; Long-tailed Parakeet; Violet Cuckoo, Freckle-breasted Woodpecker; Andaman Bulbul. Head back to the hotel for lunch. at the same time, scan the coastline along the way for Black-naped Tern; Pacific Reef Egret; Whimbrel; Collared Kingfisher.
Visit Ograbranj Wetlands in the evening for the endemic Andaman Teal as well as many migratory birds like Broad-billed Sandpiper, Red-necked Stint, Long-toed Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Chinese Pond Heron, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Cinnamon & Yellow Bittern, Western Black-tailed Godwit, and Lesser Whistling Ducks.
Day 4: Birdwatching in Chidiyatapu & Ograbranj
Drive to Chidiyatapu again, searching for the missed endemic likely to be the Andaman Serpent Eagle and Andaman Wood-Pigeon. Searching along the paddy fields for Amur Stonechats and scanning the Rain Trees for migrating Arctic Warbler, Pale-legged and Saklin Leaf Warblers and Greenish warblers
Later in the afternoon, visit Sippighat and Chouldari Wetlands, but in different wetland patches further ahead. Target some of the waders missed in the previous sessions and target warblers like Oriental Reed Warbler, Clamorous Reed Warbler, Black-browed Reed Warbler, and Pallas Grasshopper Warbler. Return to the hotel after sunset.
Day 5: Birdwatching in Andaman (Ferrargunj RF)
On the last day, visit the Ferrargunj RF, a tropical evergreen forest similar to Shoal Bay. Today, target some of the endemics or resident birds missed in the previous days. Later, in the afternoon, visit either a wetland or forest habitat, depending on the targeted species.
Day 6 : End of Andaman Birdwatching Tour (Departure)
Check out of your hotel and have our representative drop you off at the airport. Your birdwatching in Andaman ends here.
Birdwatching in Little Andaman (Nicobar Pigeon & Beach Thick-Knee)
We can run our Andaman Birdwatching tours privately at any time, and we can also arrange custom itineraries to suit your needs!
