Bangladesh’s wetlands, forests and coastal areas host a wide mix of resident and migratory birds, making it a rewarding place for birdwatchers and nature lovers. Seasonal movements and varied habitats mean you can spot everything from familiar calls in backyards to shorebirds along the coast.
There are 49 Birds of Bangladesh, ranging from Asian Koel to Wood Sandpiper. Each entry lists key details so you can compare species at a glance — organized with columns Scientific name,Length (cm),Status — and you’ll find below the full list and quick-reference facts.
How can I use the list to help identify birds in the field?
Start by matching size and habitat from the list (Length (cm) and Status give context), then confirm with the Scientific name or photos from a field guide or app. Pay attention to behavior and calls; combining those clues with the list narrows possibilities quickly.
Where can I learn about conservation status for these species?
Check the Status column for a quick indicator, then consult local conservation groups or the IUCN Red List for detailed threat assessments and protections; protected species often have legal safeguards and local NGOs can point to ongoing monitoring or volunteer opportunities.
Birds of Bangladesh
| Common name | Scientific name | Length (cm) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Egret | Egretta garzetta | 56 | resident |
| Great Egret | Ardea alba | 100 | resident |
| Cattle Egret | Bubulcus ibis | 46 | resident |
| Indian Pond Heron | Ardeola grayii | 45 | resident |
| Grey Heron | Ardea cinerea | 90 | resident |
| Purple Heron | Ardea purpurea | 80 | resident |
| Asian Openbill | Anastomus oscitans | 80 | resident |
| Painted Stork | Mycteria leucocephala | 90 | resident |
| Black-headed Ibis | Threskiornis melanocephalus | 68 | resident |
| Darter | Anhinga melanogaster | 85 | resident |
| Spot-billed Duck | Anas poecilorhyncha | 56 | resident |
| Northern Pintail | Anas acuta | 65 | winter visitor |
| Garganey | Spatula querquedula | 42 | winter visitor |
| Common Coot | Fulica atra | 38 | winter visitor |
| Common Kingfisher | Alcedo atthis | 17 | resident |
| White-throated Kingfisher | Halcyon smyrnensis | 28 | resident |
| Stork-billed Kingfisher | Pelargopsis capensis | 38 | resident |
| Pied Kingfisher | Ceryle rudis | 24 | resident |
| Black-capped Kingfisher | Halcyon pileata | 28 | resident |
| Little Cormorant | Microcarbo niger | 60 | resident |
| Great Cormorant | Phalacrocorax carbo | 90 | winter visitor |
| Eurasian Spoonbill | Platalea leucorodia | 85 | winter visitor |
| Black-winged Stilt | Himantopus himantopus | 36 | winter visitor |
| Red-wattled Lapwing | Vanellus indicus | 29 | resident |
| Kentish Plover | Charadrius alexandrinus | 18 | winter visitor |
| Common Sandpiper | Actitis hypoleucos | 22 | passage |
| Wood Sandpiper | Tringa glareola | 24 | winter visitor |
| Marsh Sandpiper | Tringa stagnatilis | 25 | winter visitor |
| Black-tailed Godwit | Limosa limosa | 42 | winter visitor |
| Eurasian Curlew | Numenius arquata | 60 | winter visitor |
| Barn Swallow | Hirundo rustica | 17 | winter visitor |
| Red-rumped Swallow | Cecropis daurica | 18 | passage |
| House Sparrow | Passer domesticus | 16 | resident |
| Eurasian Tree Sparrow | Passer montanus | 14 | resident |
| Common Myna | Acridotheres tristis | 24 | resident |
| Asian Koel | Eudynamys scolopaceus | 39 | breeding migrant |
| Indian Peafowl | Pavo cristatus | 100 | resident |
| Oriental Magpie-Robin | Copsychus saularis | 19 | resident |
| White-rumped Shama | Copsychus malabaricus | 23 | resident |
| Grey Francolin | Ortygornis pondicerianus | 30 | resident |
| Rain Quail | Coturnix coromandelica | 16 | resident |
| Indian Roller | Coracias benghalensis | 34 | resident |
| Green Bee-eater | Merops orientalis | 20 | resident |
| Blue-throated Bee-eater | Merops viridis | 30 | breeding migrant |
| Sarus Crane | Antigone antigone | 150 | resident |
| Greater Adjutant | Leptoptilos dubius | 145 | rare |
| Bengal Florican | Houbaropsis bengalensis | 60 | rare |
| Oriental Pied Hornbill | Anthracoceros albirostris | 70 | resident |
| Indian Grey Hornbill | Ocyceros birostris | 60 | resident |
Images and Descriptions
Little Egret
Slender white egret with black legs and yellow feet; favours freshwater marshes, rice fields and tidal creeks across Dhaka, Khulna and Barisal. Common and gregarious; adaptable species listed as IUCN LC (Least Concern).
Great Egret
Large white heron with long neck and yellow bill seen in wetlands, rivers and Sundarbans (Khulna), haors in Sylhet and floodplain lakes around Mymensingh. Widespread but sensitive to wetland loss; IUCN LC.
Cattle Egret
Small chunky white heron often with buff breeding plumage, seen in fields, freshwater marshes and near livestock across Bangladesh including Dhaka and Rajshahi. Very common and cosmopolitan; IUCN LC.
Indian Pond Heron
Stocky, buff-brown heron that freezes motionless at water edges; common in paddy fields, ponds and haors across Dhaka, Sylhet and Barisal. Frequent and adaptable; IUCN LC.
Grey Heron
Large grey heron with black head stripe, common along rivers, lakes and coastal creeks in Dhaka, Khulna and Chittagong. Solitary feeder on fish; widespread and listed as IUCN LC.
Purple Heron
Tall, streaked heron with chestnut neck and purple back; skulks in reedbeds, marshes and mangroves, notably Sundarbans and haors (Khulna, Sylhet). Secretive but locally common; IUCN LC.
Asian Openbill
Stork with gap between bill tips for feeding on snails; breeds in wetland colonies across central and southern Bangladesh (Dhaka, Khulna). Favors flooded rice fields and marshes; IUCN LC.
Painted Stork
Large pink-tinged stork with yellow bill tip; frequents rivers, ponds and Sundarbans fringe (Khulna) and northwestern wetlands. Colonial nester; declining locally so IUCN NT (Near Threatened).
Black-headed Ibis
White ibis with bare black head and downcurved bill, found in marshes, paddy fields and wetlands in Khulna, Rajshahi and Sylhet. Local declines from wetland loss; IUCN NT.
Darter
Dark, long-necked waterbird often seen drying wings on logs; fishes in rivers, oxbows and Sundarbans (Khulna) throughout Bangladesh. Stealthy diver; globally IUCN LC.
Spot-billed Duck
Medium duck with distinctive yellow-tipped bill and spotted face; common on freshwater lakes, haors and irrigation tanks across Dhaka, Mymensingh and Sylhet. Resident and widespread; IUCN LC.
Northern Pintail
Slim, long-tailed duck with elegant profile; winters on marshes, large rivers and coastal lagoons in Khulna and Barisal. Seasonal visitor in flocks; IUCN LC.
Garganey
Small dabbling duck with striking male head pattern; winters on shallow wetlands and haors across Sylhet and northern floodplains. Common winter migrant; IUCN LC.
Common Coot
Black waterbird with white forehead shield seen on lakes, haors and reservoirs in Sylhet and Mymensingh during winter. Gregarious on open water; IUCN LC.
Common Kingfisher
Small bright blue-and-orange kingfisher nesting in riverbanks and canals across Dhaka, Khulna and Chittagong. Perches over streams for fish; widespread and IUCN LC.
White-throated Kingfisher
Large, bright blue kingfisher with white throat and red bill; common in fields, ponds and towns across all divisions. Bold and conspicuous; IUCN LC.
Stork-billed Kingfisher
Large kingfisher with heavy bill and pale throat, inhabits rivers, mangroves and forested coasts particularly Sundarbans and Chittagong. Strong fisher; IUCN LC.
Pied Kingfisher
Black-and-white hovering kingfisher found over rivers, estuaries and rice fields across Bangladesh. Distinctive hovering fishing technique; common and IUCN LC.
Black-capped Kingfisher
Striking coastal and mangrove kingfisher with dark cap and rufous belly; seen around Sundarbans, coast and estuaries (Khulna, Barisal). Localized and sensitive to habitat loss; IUCN LC.
Little Cormorant
Small dark cormorant often seen perched on posts and trees near ponds, rivers and haors across Bangladesh. Sociable and fishes in shallow water; IUCN LC.
Great Cormorant
Large black cormorant that winters on coasts, large rivers and tidal creeks including Sundarbans and coastal Barisal. Gathers in small flocks; IUCN LC.
Eurasian Spoonbill
White spoonbill with spatulate bill frequenting shallow marshes, mudflats and estuaries in Khulna and Barisal during winter. Gathers in flocks; IUCN LC.
Black-winged Stilt
Long-legged, thin-billed wader with black wings and white body seen on mudflats, oxbow lakes and saline flats in Khulna and coastal Barisal. Graceful and conspicuous; IUCN LC.
Red-wattled Lapwing
Bold lapwing with red eye-wattles and loud call found on fields, wetlands and village ponds across Bangladesh including Dhaka and Rajshahi. Common ground-nester; IUCN LC.
Kentish Plover
Small pale plover seen on sandy beaches, mudflats and salterns along the coast (Khulna, Barisal). Wary and solitary; winters in small numbers and IUCN LC.
Common Sandpiper
Brown-backed wader with white underparts and teetering gait, occurs on rivers, ponds and coasts across Bangladesh during passage and winter. Widespread migrant; IUCN LC.
Wood Sandpiper
Delicate dark-legged sandpiper frequenting marshes, flooded fields and haors in Sylhet and Mymensingh during winter. Often solitary; IUCN LC.
Marsh Sandpiper
Slender, long-legged wader with fine bill seen in shallow freshwater marshes and rice paddies across Bangladesh in winter. Skittish and widespread migrant; IUCN LC.
Black-tailed Godwit
Large, long-legged wader with long straight bill; winters on mudflats, estuaries and inland wetlands in Khulna and Barisal. Global declines make it IUCN NT (Near Threatened).
Eurasian Curlew
Very large curlew with long decurved bill; visits coastal mudflats, estuaries and river mouths in winter, notably Sundarbans and coastal Barisal. Declining species; IUCN NT.
Barn Swallow
Glossy blue swallow with forked tail; common migrant roosting in towns, fields and wetlands across Bangladesh during winter. Familiar aerial insectivore; IUCN LC.
Red-rumped Swallow
Small swallow with rufous rump and shallowly forked tail, seen over fields and water during migration in central and northern Bangladesh. Local and migratory; IUCN LC.
House Sparrow
Familiar small brown sparrow of towns and villages across Bangladesh; stout bill and cheery chirping. Synanthropic and common despite local declines in some cities; IUCN LC.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Small, chestnut-capped sparrow abundant in rural and urban areas across Bangladesh; frequent feeder on seeds and insects. Very common and IUCN LC.
Common Myna
Bold brown starling with black head and yellow bare eye patch; ubiquitous in towns, paddy fields and villages across all divisions. Adaptable and IUCN LC.
Asian Koel
Large cuckoo with glossy black (male) or streaked brown (female); vocal in summer, found in gardens, groves and forests across Bangladesh. Widespread breeder; IUCN LC.
Indian Peafowl
Showy, large pheasant with iridescent male train seen in forest edges, temple grounds and farmland in Rajshahi, Dhaka and Chittagong. Iconic species usually LC.
Oriental Magpie-Robin
Black-and-white songster of gardens, parks and forest edges across Bangladesh; melodious singer and tame around humans. Common and listed as IUCN LC.
White-rumped Shama
Glossy black male with long tail and white rump inhabits forests and dense scrub in Chittagong Hill Tracts and Sylhet. Renowned singer; IUCN LC.
Grey Francolin
Stocky, mottled brown gamebird of scrub and cultivation across the plains including Rajshahi and Dhaka. Ground-dwelling and noisy; widespread and IUCN LC.
Rain Quail
Small brown-buff quail often flushed from grasslands and paddy bunds in Rajshahi, Rangpur and central Bangladesh. Elusive but locally common; IUCN LC.
Indian Roller
Vibrant blue-and-brown bird often perched conspicuously on wires and trees in open country across Bangladesh. Striking in flight; common and IUCN LC.
Green Bee-eater
Slender green bird with black eye stripe and long central tail streamers, found in open farmland and scrub across Bangladesh, especially central and northern districts. Agile insectivore; IUCN LC.
Blue-throated Bee-eater
Colorful bee-eater with blue throat and chestnut nape; breeds in riverbanks and coastal areas, notably Sundarbans fringe and SE Bangladesh. Localized breeder; IUCN LC.
Sarus Crane
Tall grey crane with red head and long legs inhabiting marshes, floodplain grasslands and wetlands in northern and central Bangladesh (Rajshahi, Rangpur). Cultural icon but declining; IUCN VU (Vulnerable).
Greater Adjutant
Massive stork with bare head and bill, historically widespread but now rare in Bangladesh; found near wetlands and garbage dumps in localized areas (northern and central). Highly threatened; IUCN EN (Endangered).
Bengal Florican
Sparrow-sized bustard with black-and-white male plumage in spring, endemic to tall grasslands and floodplain meadows in northern Bangladesh (Rajshahi). Critically endangered, very rare; IUCN CR.
Oriental Pied Hornbill
Black hornbill with pale bill patch and white tail band, inhabits riverine forest and degraded woodland in Chittagong Hill Tracts and Sundarbans fringe. Important seed disperser; IUCN LC.
Indian Grey Hornbill
Medium grey-brown hornbill common in towns, dry forests and parkland across central Bangladesh, recognized by curved bill and casque. Resident and conspicuous; IUCN LC.
