Bhutan:
The Hidden Kingdom
of the Himalayas

Wildlife & Nature

Bhutan is a living conservation miracle. More than 50% of its land remains forested, and a robust network of protected areas means wildlife genuinely thrives here. During my trip I encountered barking deer, Himalayan striped squirrels, giant flying squirrels, and the endearing Bhutan Takin — the country’s national animal, a wonderfully improbable-looking creature somewhere between a goat and a wildebeest.

For birders, Bhutan is extraordinary. Over 736 species have been recorded here. I tallied 128 during my 17 days, including the dazzling Himalayan Monal Pheasant. The elevation range — from subtropical valleys at 4,000 feet to alpine passes above 13,000 feet — creates a diversity of habitats that keeps the sightings coming around every bend. Notable target species include:

• Black-necked Crane — Phobjikha Valley, November–December
• Himalayan Monal Pheasant — mid-elevation forests year-round
• Satyr Tragopan — spring, at higher elevations
• Beautiful Nuthatch — Eastern Bhutan, Royal Manas National Park area
• Ward’s Trogon — subtropical forests in the east
• White-bellied Heron — one of the world’s rarest herons; Bhutan is a stronghold

This is genuinely one of the most underrated wildlife destinations on earth. The combination of conservation commitment and habitat diversity puts Bhutan in a class by itself for a serious birder or naturalist.