Bird Walk at Horhap Forest, Mahilong , Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Jharkhand
- 6 September, 2026
- Amresh Kumar
About Horhap Forest
Tucked within the rich natural landscapes of Jharkhand, Horhap Forest is a tranquil stretch of woodland where dense greenery, undulating terrain, and seasonal streams come together to create a thriving ecosystem. Dominated by tropical dry and moist deciduous forests, the area is home to native trees such as sal, mahua, and bamboo, forming a layered habitat that supports a wide variety of life. The forest floor buzzes with insects, reptiles bask in sunlit clearings, and small mammals move quietly through the undergrowth—making Horhap a dynamic and living landscape that shifts beautifully with the seasons.
For birders, Horhap Forest offers an immersive experience into eastern India’s woodland biodiversity. The canopy resonates with calls of barbets, drongos, woodpeckers, and flycatchers, while patient observers may encounter hornbills and raptors gliding above the treetops. Early mornings here are especially rewarding, with golden light filtering through the forest and birds actively foraging. However, like many forest ecosystems, Horhap faces increasing pressures from deforestation, mining activities, habitat fragmentation, and human disturbance. Conserving such forests is crucial, not only to protect wildlife but also to preserve the ecological balance and cultural connection these landscapes hold, ensuring Horhap remains a refuge for biodiversity and a haven for nature lovers.
Bird Guide: Amresh Kumar
A Ranchi-based birdwatcher and ecologist with a Zoology background and 2 years of experience, actively engaged in bird monitoring, community outreach, and citizen science initiatives.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Horhap Forest
The birdlife of Horhap Forest is a lively blend of colour, calls, and hidden movement, reflecting the richness of its woodland habitat. The deep, resonant calls of the Greater Coucal echo through the undergrowth, while the iconic Red Junglefowl adds a truly wild presence to the forest floor. Bright flashes of colour come from species like the Asian Green Bee-eater and the ever-striking White-throated Kingfisher, while canopy dwellers such as the Coppersmith Barbet and Black-rumped Flameback add rhythm to the forest with their calls and drumming. The elegance of the Indian Paradise Flycatcher and the chatter of Rufous Treepie further enrich this vibrant soundscape.
Amid the trees and open patches, parakeets such as the Rose-ringed Parakeet, Alexandrine Parakeet, and Plum-headed Parakeet move in lively flocks, while smaller birds like the Ashy Prinia, Purple Sunbird, and Oriental Magpie Robin bring constant motion to the understory. Familiar species like the Red-vented Bulbul, Red-whiskered Bulbul, and the ever-alert Black Drongo complete this diverse avian community. Together, these birds make Horhap Forest a rewarding destination where every walk reveals a new layer of life and sound.
Greater Coucal
Red Junglefowl
Common Hawk-cuckoo
Indian Pond Heron
Asian Green Bee-eater
White-throated Kingfisher
Coppersmith Barbet
Black-rumped Flameback
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Alexandrine Parakeet
Plum-headed Parakeet
Rufous Treepie
Purple Sunbird
Oriental Magpie Robin
Red-vented Bulbul
Red-whiskered Bulbul
Ashy Prinia
Indian Paradise Flycatcher
Black Drongo
Jungle Owlet
Summary of Walk
On 6 September 2026, more than ten participants — mostly fresh to birdwatching — joined guide Amresh Kumar for a walk through Horhap Forest in Mahilong, Ranchi, conducted in collaboration with the Ataavi Bird Foundation. The Ataavi app’s checklist and “Ataavi Moments” features were used throughout the walk, giving newcomers an interactive way to log and remember their first birding experience together. The group recorded more than 20 species during the outing, moving through the forest’s varied wooded terrain and undergrowth. The forest’s dense understorey and varied terrain gave newcomers a genuine sense of adventure as they moved through it alongside more familiar faces from the Ataavi Bird Foundation team.
Highlights included the Indian Golden Oriole, Scaly-breasted Munia, and Black Drongo, along with a sighting of the delicate Pale-billed Flowerpecker. For a group largely new to the hobby, the combination of Amresh’s patient guidance and the app’s interactive features made the walk both accessible and genuinely exciting. The collaboration with the Ataavi Bird Foundation added further meaning to the outing, introducing fresh participants to the joys of birdwatching at Horhap Forest. Amresh’s patient, encouraging style helped first-time birders feel comfortable using binoculars and the app’s identification tools from the very first sighting. Several participants said the walk had sparked a genuine new interest in exploring the forests around Ranchi, and many are already looking forward to the next outing.
Number of Participants
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