Bird Walk at Rongtong, Darjeeling, WB
- Darjeeling
- 9 August, 2026
- Abhay Kewat
About Rongtong
Situated on the lower slopes of the eastern Himalayas between Siliguri and Darjeeling, Rongtong is a picturesque birding destination renowned for its evergreen forests, bamboo groves, river valleys, and mist-covered hillsides. The area’s dramatic change in elevation creates a wide variety of habitats that support an extraordinary diversity of Himalayan birds. Dense subtropical forests, forest edges, and nearby streams provide ideal conditions for hornbills, barbets, woodpeckers, cuckoos, raptors, and numerous forest passerines.
The monsoon months transform the landscape into a lush green paradise, while spring and autumn offer excellent opportunities to observe breeding birds and migrants. Rongtong is especially popular among birdwatchers for its intact forest cover and the chance to encounter many sought-after eastern Himalayan species in a relatively accessible setting. Every trail through the forests reveals new calls, colours, and behaviour, making Rongtong one of the most rewarding birding destinations in the Darjeeling region.
Bird Guide: Abhay Kewat
He is a passionate birder from Pune with over 15 years of birding experience, actively observing and documenting India's avian diversity since 2011. With photographic records of more than 1,006 Indian bird species, he combines extensive field experience with a deep commitment to bird conservation, documentation, and sharing his knowledge with fellow nature enthusiasts.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Rongtong
Rongtong is celebrated for its remarkable diversity of eastern Himalayan forest birds. Spectacular species such as Great Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Great Barbet, Blue-throated Barbet, and Greater Flameback highlight the rich forests. Raptors including Jerdon’s Baza, Black Baza, Black Eagle, Crested Serpent-Eagle, Crested Goshawk, Shikra, and Eurasian Sparrowhawk patrol the canopy, while Asian Barred Owlet is often heard at dawn and dusk. The forests also support Green-billed Malkoha, Asian Emerald Cuckoo, Banded Bay Cuckoo, Himalayan Cuckoo, Himalayan Swiftlet, House Swift, Asian Palm Swift, and several species of green pigeons including Pin-tailed, Wedge-tailed, and Mountain Imperial-Pigeon. Woodpeckers such as Speckled Piculet and Gray-capped Pygmy Woodpecker add to the diversity, making Rongtong an exceptional destination for birders seeking both Himalayan specialties and tropical forest birds.
Great Hornbill
Oriental Pied Hornbill
Black Eagle
Crested Serpent-Eagle
Shikra
Blue-bearded Bee-eater
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater
Great Barbet
Blue-throated Barbet
Gray-capped Pygmy Woodpecker
Greater Flameback
White-throated Kingfisher
Dollarbird
House Swift
Himalayan Swiftlet
Asian Emerald Cuckoo
Green-billed Malkoha
Banded Bay Cuckoo
Asian Barred Owlet
Black Baza
Summary of Walk
On 9th August 2026, a bird walk was organised at Rongtong in Darjeeling, West Bengal, guided by Abhay Kewat, with 5 participants joining the session. Rongtong lies amid the lush hills and forested slopes of the Darjeeling region, an area celebrated among birders for its exceptional diversity of Himalayan foothill species, from colourful sunbirds and laughingthrushes to elusive forest specialists. Walks through this terrain typically offer a rewarding mix of misty mountain scenery and rich birdlife, making it a favourite destination for both seasoned birders and newcomers eager to explore the eastern Himalayan foothills.
Participants on such walks through Rongtong’s forested trails can expect to encounter a wide variety of birds moving through the canopy and undergrowth, along with opportunities to learn about the region’s unique ecology and montane habitats. Guided walks in this area continue to foster an appreciation for the Darjeeling hills’ remarkable biodiversity, encouraging participants to slow down and observe the subtle details of forest life. The session added to the growing enthusiasm for birdwatching in the region, reflecting the enduring appeal of Rongtong as one of Darjeeling’s cherished birding trails.
Number of Participants
0
