Common garden birds of Delhi
A comprehensive guide to the most common birds that you might see in your garden, street trees or local park… Arranged by size for easy identification.
Small Birds
-
![]()
Red-vented Bulbul - गुलदुम
Pycnonotus cafer
Size: 20-23cm
-
![]()
Red-whiskered Bulbul - सिपाही बुलबुल
Pycnonotus jocosus
Size: 17-23cm
-
![]()
Indian White-eye - बबूना
Zosterops palpebrosus
Size: 10cm
-
![]()
Brahminy Starling - पुहय्या मैना
Sturnia pagodarum
Size: 20cm
-
![]()
Oriental Magpie Robin - दयाल
Copsychus saularis
Size: 19-21cm
-
![]()
Common Tailorbird - दर्जिन
Orthotomus sutorius
Size: 10-14cm
-
![]()
Purple Sunbird - बैंगनी शक्करखोरा
Cinnyris asiaticus
Size: 10-11cm
Note: The male (pictured) and female look different!
-
![]()
House Sparrow - घरेलू गौरैया
Passer domesticus
Size: 14-15cm
Note: The female (left) and male (right) look different!
-
![]()
Indian Robin - कलचुरी
Copsychus fulicatus
Size: 16cm
-
![]()
Pale-billed Flowerpecker - छोटा फूलचुकी
Dicaeum erythrorhynchos
Size: 8cm
Medium-sized Birds
-
![]()
Jungle Babbler - सात भाई
Argya striata
Size: 25cm
-
![]()
Common Myna - मैना
Acridotheres tristis
Size: 23-26cm
-
![]()
Black-rumped Flameback - सुनहरा कठफोड़वा
Dinopium benghalense
Size: 26-29cm
-
![]()
Brown-headed Barbet - बड़ा हरा बसंता
Psilopogon zeylanicus
Size: 27cm
-
![]()
Black Drongo - भुजंगा
Dicrurus macrocercus
Size: 26-28cm
-
![]()
Laughing Dove - छोटा फाख्ता
Spilopelia senegalensis
Size: 27cm
Large Birds
-
![]()
Rose-ringed Parakeet - तोता
Psittacula krameria
Size: 37-43cm
-
![]()
Yellow-footed Green Pigeon - हरियल
Treron phoenicopterus
Size: 33cm
-
![]()
Black Kite - चील
Milvus migrans
Size: 44-66cm
Wingspan: 120-153cm
-
![]()
Rufous Treepie - लाल तरुपिक / टका चोर
Dendrocitta vagabunda
Size: 46-50cm
-
![]()
House Crow - कौआ
Corvus splendens
Size: 40-43cm
-
![]()
Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon - कबूतर
Columba livia
Size: 29-36cm
-
![]()
Asian Koel - कोयल
Eudynamys scolopaceus
Size: 39-46cm
Note: The female (left) and male (right) look very different!
-
![]()
Indian Grey Hornbill - धनेश
Ocyceros birostris
Size: 50cm
Less Commonly Seen Birds…
-
![]()
Plum-headed Parakeet - टूईयां तोता
Psittacula cyanocephala
Size: 33-37cm
Slightly smaller than Rose-ringed Parakeets with a distinctive plum-coloured head, you may see these if you live close to a forested area such as Sanjay Van.
-
![]()
Coppersmith Barbet - ठठेरा बसंता
Psilopogon haemacephalus
Size: 15-17cm
You have probably heard this bird which is named for its loud, repetitive call that mimics the sound of a coppersmith hammering metal. Though common, it is much more likely to be heard than seen.
-
![]()
Rosy Starling - गुलाबी मैना
Pastor roseus
Size: 19-24cm
This medium-sized starling winters in India, remaining until March-April.
-
![]()
White-throated Kingfisher - सफ़ेद छाती किलकिला
Halcyon smyrnensis
Size: 26-29cm
Common in parks and other less inhabited areas, often (but not exclusively!) near water.
-
![]()
Brown Rock Chat - भूरा शैल पिद्दा
Oenanthe fusca
Size: 17cm
Trickier to identify - somewhat similar to a female Indian Robin, though the Brown Rock Chat has a shorter tail and lacks the rufous vent of a Robin. Often seen standing tall and proud on ridges and buildings.
Contact Us
We would love to hear from you! Bird sightings, suggestions for improvements (particularly Hindi names!), knowledge sharing… let’s work together!
Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly.