The northeast Indian state of Sikkim is home to more than 550 terrestrial bird species. At this part of the Himalayan region, the stakeholders of tourism and the ornithologists are pulling up their socks to make bird watching a vital element of tourism in Sikkim. The species of terrestrial birds in Sikkim amounts to the second highest density in the world following Andes in South America. The high density of birds in Sikkim is due to the region’s various climatic zones ranging from tropical to that of the alpine type.

The Sikkim Ornithologist Society (SOS) and the Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS) has drawn on two basic objectives to help the locals realize the enormous bio-diversity of the region and in turn promote bird watching tourism in Sikkim, which still remains unexplored.

A tourism plan drawn upon bird watching in Sikkim is thrilling and there are high chances for it to be a prosperous one. It has been recorded that in and around Gangtok (capital of Sikkim), 127 bird species are found. The authorities of SOS has pointed out that the population of the species of birds has risen exponentially in the past few decades. The tourists visiting Sikkim are fortunate to see at least 40 bird species within a short span and every bird watcher can return from Sikkim with satisfaction. Moreover, in a move to educate the youths about birds of the state, TAAS has incorporated bird watching lessons in its training circular.

The training program frequently organizes bird watching field trips around the forest areas in and around Gangtok as well as in the other parts of the state. In Sikkim the most commonly noticed birds are the Large hawk cuckoo, Black Drungo, White-throated fantail, Blue-winged Mingla, Red-billed Leyothix, White-tailed Robin, Golden-throated Barbete, Rufus Sibia, Oriental-white eye, Grey-headed canary flycatcher and Blue-whistling Thrust.

In addition to this, rare species of Birds like the Rufus Breasted Bush Robin and Blue Fretted Blue Robin that are very rare are also found in large numbers in the state. Bird watching is a precious part of tourism in Sikkim that has remained unexplored. However, nowadays the activity of bird watching in Sikkim is setting off in high spirits.