Birds to See in India in October
166 bird species on our list for India are recorded regularly in October
Of these, the most often recorded are Rock Dove, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Indian Peafowl, Little Egret and House Sparrow. New this month: Northern Pintail, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon and Pochard and 18 more.
On the move in October
GBIF · OctArriving
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 166 birds in October
166 birds
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon31–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.91% in Oct
Rose-ringed ParakeetPsittacula krameriResidentCommon38–42 cmRecorded all year · 1.72% in Oct
Indian PeafowlPavo cristatusResidentCommon86–230 cmRecorded all year · 0.98% in Oct
Little EgretEgretta garzettaResidentCommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.88% in Oct
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.82% in Oct
Scaly-breasted MuniaLonchura punctulataResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.77% in Oct
Indian RobinCopsychus fulicatusResidentCommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.77% in Oct
White-cheeked BarbetPsilopogon viridisResidentCommon22–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.73% in Oct
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in Oct
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaWinter visitorCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in Oct
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in Oct
Purple HeronArdea purpureaResidentCommon78–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.50% in Oct
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucosWinter visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.47% in Oct
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 0.43% in Oct
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisResidentCommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.43% in Oct
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaWinter visitorUncommon17–20 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.42% in Oct
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentCommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Oct
Spotted OwletAthene bramaResidentUncommon19–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Oct
HoopoeUpupa epopsResidentUncommon25–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Oct
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusResidentUncommon48–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Oct
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentUncommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Oct
CootFulica atraResidentUncommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Oct
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaWinter visitorUncommon17–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Oct
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentUncommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Oct
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxResidentUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Oct
Wood SandpiperTringa glareolaWinter visitorUncommon19–21 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.27% in Oct
Green SandpiperTringa ochropusWinter visitorUncommon21–24 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.24% in Oct
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca currucaWinter visitorUncommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Oct
Oriental Honey-buzzardPernis ptilorhynchusResidentUncommon52–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Oct
Yellow WagtailMotacilla flavaWinter visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.18% in Oct
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusWinter visitorUncommon48–56 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.18% in Oct
Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochrurosResidentUncommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Oct
Little Ringed PloverThinornis dubiusResidentUncommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Oct
KestrelFalco tinnunculusWinter visitorUncommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Oct
GreenshankTringa nebulariaWinter visitorUncommon30–35 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.12% in Oct
Booted EagleHieraaetus pennatusWinter visitorUncommon42–51 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.12% in Oct
RedshankTringa totanusWinter visitorUncommon27–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Oct
Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaResidentUncommon80–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Oct
Little StintCalidris minutaWinter visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.10% in Oct
GarganeySpatula querquedulaWinter visitorUncommon37–41 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.09% in Oct
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorUncommon44–51 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.09% in Oct
CuckooCuculus canorusSummer visitorUncommon32–34 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.09% in Oct
Temminck's StintCalidris temminckiiWinter visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.08% in Oct
Pacific Golden-PloverPluvialis fulvaWinter visitorUncommon23–26 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.08% in Oct
Kentish PloverCharadrius alexandrinusWinter visitorUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Oct
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaWinter visitorUncommon10–12 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.08% in Oct
Orange-headed ThrushGeokichla citrinaResidentUncommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Oct
WryneckJynx torquillaWinter visitorUncommon16–18 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.07% in Oct
Red JunglefowlGallus gallusResidentUncommon42–75 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Oct
RuffCalidris pugnaxWinter visitorUncommon20–32 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.07% in Oct
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Oct
Tree PipitAnthus trivialisWinter visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.07% in Oct
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaWinter visitorUncommon40–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Oct
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusWinter visitorUncommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Oct
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.06% in Oct
OspreyPandion haliaetusWinter visitorUncommon54–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Oct
Egyptian VultureNeophron percnopterusResidentUncommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Oct
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoWinter visitorUncommon25–27 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.06% in Oct
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorUncommon34–38 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.06% in Oct
Gull-billed TernGelochelidon niloticaWinter visitorUncommon33–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Oct
Black EagleIctinaetus malaiensisResidentUncommon65–80 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Oct
CurlewNumenius arquataWinter visitorUncommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Oct
Blue Rock-thrushMonticola solitariusResidentUncommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Oct
Plumbeous Water-redstartPhoenicurus fuliginosusResidentUncommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Oct
Great Grey ShrikeLanius excubitorWinter visitorUncommon22–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Oct
BluethroatLuscinia svecicaWinter visitorUncommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Oct
HobbyFalco subbuteoSummer visitorRare28–35 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.05% in Oct
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusWinter visitorUncommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Oct
Montagu's HarrierCircus pygargusWinter visitorUncommon43–47 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.05% in Oct
Red-billed Blue MagpieUrocissa erythrorynchaResidentUncommon65–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Oct
Bonelli's EagleAquila fasciataResidentRare65–72 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Oct
Sarus CraneGrus antigoneResidentUncommon152–156 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Oct
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.04% in Oct
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorUncommon46–56 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.04% in Oct
Eurasian Tree SparrowPasser montanusResidentUncommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Oct
Common RosefinchCarpodacus erythrinusResidentUncommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Oct
Greater FlamingoPhoenicopterus roseusResidentUncommon120–145 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Oct
White-crested LaughingthrushGarrulax leucolophusResidentUncommon27–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Oct
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorRare21–24 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.03% in Oct
SanderlingCalidris albaWinter visitorRare18–20 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.03% in Oct
Curlew SandpiperCalidris ferrugineaWinter visitorRare18–23 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.03% in Oct
Ruddy ShelduckTadorna ferrugineaWinter visitorUncommon58–70 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Oct
Yellow-browed WarblerPhylloscopus inornatusWinter visitorUncommon10–11 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.03% in Oct
Malabar TrogonHarpactes fasciatusResidentUncommon25–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Oct
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentRare32–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Oct
AvocetRecurvirostra avosettaWinter visitorUncommon42–45 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Oct
Common TernSterna hirundoResidentUncommon31–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Oct
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorRare27–30 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.02% in Oct
Short-toed LarkCalandrella brachydactylaWinter visitorRare14–17 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.02% in Oct
Little TernSternula albifronsResidentRare21–25 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Oct
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentRare10–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Oct
Sulphur-bellied WarblerPhylloscopus griseolusWinter visitorRare11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Oct
Common CraneGrus grusWinter visitorUncommon100–130 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.02% in Oct
Oriental Scops-owlOtus suniaResidentRare16–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Oct
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusWinter visitorUncommon38–44 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.02% in Oct
Spotted RedshankTringa erythropusWinter visitorRare29–31 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.02% in Oct
PochardAythya ferinaWinter visitorUncommon42–49 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.02% in Oct
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorUncommon42–51 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Oct
Alpine SwiftTachymarptis melbaResidentRare20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Oct
Fulvous Whistling-DuckDendrocygna bicolorResidentRare45–53 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Oct
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentRare21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaWinter visitorRare37–41 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.01% in Oct
Red-billed ChoughPyrrhocorax pyrrhocoraxSummer visitorRare39–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorRare16–22 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.01% in Oct
MagpiePica picaSummer visitorUncommon44–46 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaWinter visitorUncommon40–47 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Oct
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusWinter visitorRare41–46 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.01% in Oct
BuzzardButeo buteoWinter visitorRare51–57 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.01% in Oct
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentRare50–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusWinter visitorRare40–45 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.01% in Oct
Chestnut MuniaLonchura atricapillaResidentRare10–11 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
European Bee-eaterMerops apiasterResidentRare27–29 cmRegularly May–Mar · 0.01% in Oct
Alpine ChoughPyrrhocorax graculusSummer visitorRare36–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusWinter visitorRare46–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
Black-bellied TernSterna acuticaudaPassage migrantRare32–35 cmRegularly Jul–Jan · 0.01% in Oct
ChukarAlectoris chukarSummer visitorRare32–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striataPassage migrantUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.01% in Oct
Blue-eared BarbetPsilopogon cyanotisResidentRare20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
Common RavenCorvus coraxSummer visitorRare54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosResidentRare66–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.01% in Oct
Common QuailCoturnix coturnixWinter visitorRare16–18 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.01% in Oct
Griffon VultureGyps fulvusWinter visitorRare93–122 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in Oct
Blossom-headed ParakeetPsittacula roseataWinter visitorRare33–36 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.01% in Oct
JackdawColoeus monedulaResidentRare34–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Oct
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaWinter visitorRare12–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.00% in Oct
Crag MartinPtyonoprogne rupestrisResidentRare14–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Oct
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusPassage migrantRare18–19 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.00% in Oct
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentRare9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Oct
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisWinter visitorRare36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Oct
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentRare12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Oct
Orange-breasted Green-pigeonTreron bicinctusResidentRare25–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Oct
White-tailed RobinMyiomela leucuraSummer visitorRare16–18 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.00% in Oct
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusResidentRare27–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Oct
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneSummer visitorRare45–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Oct
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusWinter visitorRare34–43 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.00% in Oct
Eurasian Scops-owlOtus scopsPassage migrantRare19–21 cmRegularly Oct · 0.00% in Oct
Hen HarrierCircus cyaneusWinter visitorRare41–52 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Oct
Moustached WarblerAcrocephalus melanopogonWinter visitorRare12–13 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.00% in Oct
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraWinter visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.00% in Oct
Grasshopper WarblerLocustella naeviaWinter visitorRare12–13 cmRegularly Aug–Mar · 0.00% in Oct
House MartinDelichon urbicumResidentRare13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Oct
Common MerganserMergus merganserResidentRare58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Oct
GoldcrestRegulus regulusResidentRare9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Oct
Cinereous VultureAegypius monachusWinter visitorRare98–120 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Oct
Little BitternIxobrychus minutusSummer visitorRare33–38 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.00% in Oct
White-winged TernChlidonias leucopterusSummer visitorRare20–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Oct
DipperCinclus cinclusSummer visitorRare17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Oct
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaWinter visitorRare17–19 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Oct
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusWinter visitorRare40–42 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Oct
Red KnotCalidris canutusWinter visitorRare23–26 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Oct
Water PipitAnthus spinolettaWinter visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.00% in Oct
Jack SnipeLymnocryptes minimusWinter visitorRare17–19 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Oct
Little OwlAthene noctuaSummer visitorRare21–23 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.00% in Oct
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisSummer visitorRare16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Oct
NightjarCaprimulgus europaeusPassage migrantRare24–28 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.00% in Oct
Tawny OwlStrix alucoResidentRare37–43 cmRegularly May–Mar · 0.00% in Oct
Rufous-tailed Rock-thrushMonticola saxatilisPassage migrantRare16–19 cmRegularly Aug–Nov · 0.00% in Oct
Water RailRallus aquaticusWinter visitorRare23–28 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.00% in Oct
Eurasian WoodcockScolopax rusticolaWinter visitorRare33–38 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.00% in Oct
Spotted CrakePorzana porzanaWinter visitorRare19–23 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.00% in Oct
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorRare24–33 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Oct
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsWinter visitorRare14–16 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.00% in Oct
WheatearOenanthe oenantheSummer visitorRare15–16 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in Oct
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataSummer visitorRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Oct
Northern GoshawkAstur gentilisWinter visitorRare46–61 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Oct
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