Birds to See in India in December
178 bird species on our list for India are recorded regularly in December
Of these, the most often recorded are Rock Dove, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Little Egret, Barn Swallow and White-cheeked Barbet. New this month: Red-necked Phalarope, Spotted Crake, Goldeneye and Red-breasted Goose and 4 more.
On the move in December
GBIF · DecArriving
At their peak
From India’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 178 birds in December
178 birds
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon31–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.57% in Dec
Rose-ringed ParakeetPsittacula krameriResidentCommon38–42 cmRecorded all year · 1.45% in Dec
Little EgretEgretta garzettaResidentCommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.97% in Dec
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaWinter visitorCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.79% in Dec
White-cheeked BarbetPsilopogon viridisResidentCommon22–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.75% in Dec
Indian RobinCopsychus fulicatusResidentCommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.69% in Dec
Indian PeafowlPavo cristatusResidentCommon86–230 cmRecorded all year · 0.67% in Dec
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in Dec
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in Dec
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 0.61% in Dec
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.59% in Dec
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisResidentCommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.59% in Dec
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucosWinter visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.57% in Dec
Purple HeronArdea purpureaResidentCommon78–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in Dec
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentCommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.47% in Dec
CootFulica atraResidentUncommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in Dec
Scaly-breasted MuniaLonchura punctulataResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in Dec
Wood SandpiperTringa glareolaWinter visitorUncommon19–21 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.41% in Dec
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaWinter visitorUncommon17–20 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.39% in Dec
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentUncommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in Dec
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentUncommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Dec
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusResidentUncommon48–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Dec
HoopoeUpupa epopsResidentUncommon25–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in Dec
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaWinter visitorUncommon17–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Dec
Green SandpiperTringa ochropusWinter visitorUncommon21–24 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.31% in Dec
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusWinter visitorUncommon48–56 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.29% in Dec
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorUncommon44–51 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.28% in Dec
Yellow WagtailMotacilla flavaWinter visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.27% in Dec
Ruddy ShelduckTadorna ferrugineaWinter visitorUncommon58–70 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Dec
Spotted OwletAthene bramaResidentUncommon19–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Dec
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca currucaWinter visitorUncommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Dec
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.25% in Dec
Little Ringed PloverThinornis dubiusResidentUncommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Dec
Oriental Honey-buzzardPernis ptilorhynchusResidentUncommon52–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Dec
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorUncommon34–38 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.21% in Dec
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorUncommon46–56 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.21% in Dec
GreenshankTringa nebulariaWinter visitorUncommon30–35 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.19% in Dec
Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaResidentUncommon80–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Dec
KestrelFalco tinnunculusWinter visitorUncommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Dec
Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochrurosResidentUncommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Dec
Bar-headed GooseAnser indicusWinter visitorUncommon68–78 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.15% in Dec
RedshankTringa totanusWinter visitorUncommon27–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Dec
GarganeySpatula querquedulaWinter visitorUncommon37–41 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.15% in Dec
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxResidentUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Dec
Little StintCalidris minutaWinter visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.14% in Dec
BluethroatLuscinia svecicaWinter visitorUncommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Dec
Booted EagleHieraaetus pennatusWinter visitorUncommon42–51 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.14% in Dec
Greylag GooseAnser anserWinter visitorUncommon75–90 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.14% in Dec
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorUncommon42–51 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.13% in Dec
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoWinter visitorUncommon25–27 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.13% in Dec
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaWinter visitorUncommon10–12 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.13% in Dec
PochardAythya ferinaWinter visitorUncommon42–49 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.12% in Dec
Temminck's StintCalidris temminckiiWinter visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.12% in Dec
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaWinter visitorUncommon40–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Dec
Orange-headed ThrushGeokichla citrinaResidentUncommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Dec
Kentish PloverCharadrius alexandrinusWinter visitorUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Dec
OspreyPandion haliaetusWinter visitorUncommon54–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Dec
Common CraneGrus grusWinter visitorUncommon100–130 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.10% in Dec
RuffCalidris pugnaxWinter visitorUncommon20–32 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.10% in Dec
Red-crested PochardNetta rufinaWinter visitorUncommon53–57 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.09% in Dec
Tree PipitAnthus trivialisWinter visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.09% in Dec
Gull-billed TernGelochelidon niloticaWinter visitorUncommon33–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Dec
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusWinter visitorUncommon38–44 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.08% in Dec
Greater FlamingoPhoenicopterus roseusResidentUncommon120–145 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Dec
Pacific Golden-PloverPluvialis fulvaWinter visitorUncommon23–26 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.08% in Dec
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Red JunglefowlGallus gallusResidentUncommon42–75 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Plumbeous Water-redstartPhoenicurus fuliginosusResidentUncommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaWinter visitorUncommon40–47 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.07% in Dec
Common RosefinchCarpodacus erythrinusResidentUncommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Dec
CurlewNumenius arquataWinter visitorUncommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Dec
Montagu's HarrierCircus pygargusWinter visitorUncommon43–47 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.06% in Dec
Egyptian VultureNeophron percnopterusResidentUncommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Dec
Black EagleIctinaetus malaiensisResidentUncommon65–80 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Dec
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusWinter visitorUncommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Dec
Sarus CraneGrus antigoneResidentUncommon152–156 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.05% in Dec
AvocetRecurvirostra avosettaWinter visitorUncommon42–45 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
Yellow-browed WarblerPhylloscopus inornatusWinter visitorUncommon10–11 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.05% in Dec
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusWinter visitorUncommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
Short-toed LarkCalandrella brachydactylaWinter visitorRare14–17 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.05% in Dec
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusWinter visitorRare46–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
WryneckJynx torquillaWinter visitorUncommon16–18 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.05% in Dec
Great Grey ShrikeLanius excubitorWinter visitorUncommon22–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
Red-billed Blue MagpieUrocissa erythrorynchaResidentUncommon65–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentRare50–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
Blue Rock-thrushMonticola solitariusResidentUncommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
White-crested LaughingthrushGarrulax leucolophusResidentUncommon27–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
Bonelli's EagleAquila fasciataResidentRare65–72 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
Spotted RedshankTringa erythropusWinter visitorRare29–31 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.04% in Dec
Malabar TrogonHarpactes fasciatusResidentUncommon25–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
Little TernSternula albifronsResidentRare21–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Sulphur-bellied WarblerPhylloscopus griseolusWinter visitorRare11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Curlew SandpiperCalidris ferrugineaWinter visitorRare18–23 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.03% in Dec
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorRare27–30 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.03% in Dec
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentRare10–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Alpine SwiftTachymarptis melbaResidentRare20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusWinter visitorRare28–31 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.02% in Dec
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentRare21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Eurasian Tree SparrowPasser montanusResidentUncommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Oriental Scops-owlOtus suniaResidentRare16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Fulvous Whistling-DuckDendrocygna bicolorResidentRare45–53 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Griffon VultureGyps fulvusWinter visitorRare93–122 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.02% in Dec
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorRare16–22 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.02% in Dec
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaWinter visitorRare12–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.02% in Dec
Cinereous VultureAegypius monachusWinter visitorRare98–120 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Dec
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorRare21–24 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.02% in Dec
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentRare32–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentRare9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Common TernSterna hirundoResidentUncommon31–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
SanderlingCalidris albaWinter visitorRare18–20 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.01% in Dec
BuzzardButeo buteoWinter visitorRare51–57 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.01% in Dec
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusWinter visitorRare34–43 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaWinter visitorRare37–41 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.01% in Dec
Black-bellied TernSterna acuticaudaPassage migrantRare32–35 cmRegularly Jul–Jan · 0.01% in Dec
Hen HarrierCircus cyaneusWinter visitorRare41–52 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Dec
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaWinter visitorRare58–67 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.01% in Dec
Crag MartinPtyonoprogne rupestrisResidentRare14–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Water PipitAnthus spinolettaWinter visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.01% in Dec
Common MerganserMergus merganserResidentRare58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Moustached WarblerAcrocephalus melanopogonWinter visitorRare12–13 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
MagpiePica picaSummer visitorUncommon44–46 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Red-billed ChoughPyrrhocorax pyrrhocoraxSummer visitorRare39–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
GoldcrestRegulus regulusResidentRare9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Common QuailCoturnix coturnixWinter visitorRare16–18 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.01% in Dec
White-tailed RobinMyiomela leucuraSummer visitorRare16–18 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.01% in Dec
Orange-breasted Green-pigeonTreron bicinctusResidentRare25–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Blue-eared BarbetPsilopogon cyanotisResidentRare20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusWinter visitorRare40–45 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.01% in Dec
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisWinter visitorRare36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Grasshopper WarblerLocustella naeviaWinter visitorRare12–13 cmRegularly Aug–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusWinter visitorRare41–46 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.01% in Dec
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentRare12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
JackdawColoeus monedulaResidentRare34–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusResidentRare27–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
ChukarAlectoris chukarSummer visitorRare32–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Common RavenCorvus coraxSummer visitorRare54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosResidentRare66–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Water RailRallus aquaticusWinter visitorRare23–28 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaWinter visitorRare17–19 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
House MartinDelichon urbicumResidentRare13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsWinter visitorRare64–81 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
Alpine ChoughPyrrhocorax graculusSummer visitorRare36–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Chestnut MuniaLonchura atricapillaResidentRare10–11 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
European Bee-eaterMerops apiasterResidentRare27–29 cmRegularly May–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
Jack SnipeLymnocryptes minimusWinter visitorRare17–19 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
Blossom-headed ParakeetPsittacula roseataWinter visitorRare33–36 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.00% in Dec
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.00% in Dec
Spotted CrakePorzana porzanaWinter visitorRare19–23 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinusPassage migrantRare46–51 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisResidentRare28–34 cmRegularly Nov–Aug · 0.00% in Dec
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorRare24–33 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
Eurasian BitternBotaurus stellarisWinter visitorRare69–81 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
DipperCinclus cinclusSummer visitorRare17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Eurasian WoodcockScolopax rusticolaWinter visitorRare33–38 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.00% in Dec
BramblingFringilla montifringillaWinter visitorRare14–16 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
White-tailed Sea-eagleHaliaeetus albicillaWinter visitorRare66–94 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusWinter visitorRare40–42 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinellaWinter visitorRare16–17 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
Little OwlAthene noctuaSummer visitorRare21–23 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.00% in Dec
White-winged TernChlidonias leucopterusSummer visitorRare20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Cetti's WarblerCettia cettiWinter visitorRare13–14 cmRegularly Dec–Feb · 0.00% in Dec
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorRare39–56 cmRegularly Dec–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraWinter visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.00% in Dec
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsWinter visitorRare14–16 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.00% in Dec
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneSummer visitorRare45–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisSummer visitorRare16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Red-breasted GooseBranta ruficollisWinter visitorRare53–56 cmRegularly Dec–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
Tawny OwlStrix alucoResidentRare37–43 cmRegularly May–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
RookCorvus frugilegusWinter visitorRare45–47 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusPassage migrantRare18–19 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.00% in Dec
Northern GoshawkAstur gentilisWinter visitorRare46–61 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorRare40–51 cmRegularly Dec–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
Red KnotCalidris canutusWinter visitorRare23–26 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
Dusky ThrushTurdus eunomusWinter visitorRare23–25 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
Long-eared OwlAsio otusWinter visitorRare35–40 cmRegularly Dec–Apr · 0.00% in Dec
SmewMergellus albellusWinter visitorRare38–44 cmRegularly Dec–Mar · 0.00% in Dec
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataSummer visitorRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Dec
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made