Bird Guides

Bird Guides of the World: Sanjib Acharya, Nepal

August 12, 2025 by Editor No Comments

What is your favorite bird species?

As a passionate birder, picking just one favorite bird is nearly impossible—but if I had to choose, I’d say owls hold a special fascination for me.

Oriental Scops Owl

What is your name, and where do you live?

My name is Sanjib Acharya from Nepal, a fantastic base for exploring the rich avian diversity of the Himalayas and surrounding regions.

What are the main regions or locations you cover as a bird guide?

I specialize in birding tours across Nepal and India.

Nepal: Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Chitwan National Park, Kathmandu Valley including Phulchowki and Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, and the Annapurna Conservation Area and Langtang regions.
India: Key areas like Corbet National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park, Keoladeo National Park, Ranthambore National Park, Darjeeling, Assam (Kaziranga, Manas), and Uttarakhand (Chopta, Pangot, and Sattal).

Black-breasted Thrush

How long have you been a bird guide?

I’ve been guiding birding tours since 2005, sharing my passion for birds and conservation with enthusiasts from around the world.

Asian Fairy Bluebird

How did you get into bird guiding?

My journey began as a wildlife enthusiast, volunteering in conservation projects. After years of birding and networking with experts, I turned my passion into a profession, helping others discover the incredible birdlife of South Asia.

Bristled Grassbird

What are the aspects of being a bird guide that you like best? Which aspects do you dislike most?

Best: Introducing travelers to rare species and seeing their excitement, especially when spotting a lifer! I also love promoting conservation awareness.

Least: Unpredictable weather and habitat loss due to deforestation, which sometimes makes finding certain species challenging.

Tawny Fish Owl

What are the top 5-10 birds in your region that are the most interesting for visiting birders?

  1. Spiny Babbler (Turdoides nipalensis) – An endemic bird of Nepal
  2. Satyr Tragopan (Tragopan satyra) – A stunning pheasant of the eastern Himalayas
  3. Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) – Critically endangered and a major highlight in grasslands
  4. Ibisbill (Ibidorhyncha struthersii) – A unique wader of Himalayan rivers
  5. Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) – Iconic and majestic.

Satyr Tragopan (photo by Pemba Sherpa)

Can you outline at least one typical birdwatching trip in your area? Please briefly describe the locations, the key birds, and the approximate duration of such a trip

Example: 11-Day Classical Nepal Birding Tour

  • Days 1-3: Kathmandu Valley (Shivapuri Nagarjun NP and Phulchoki Mountain) – Spiny Babbler, Himalayan Cutia, and other sub-tropical broadleaf forest bird species.
  • Days 4-7: Chitwan NP – Great Hornbill, Slender-billed Babbler, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, and other tropical forest bird species.
  • Days 8-11: Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve – Bengal Florican, Swamp Francolin, Indian Courser, Waterfowl, migratory ducks, raptors, Indian Spotted Eagle, and other wetland and grassland species.

Crested Serpent-eagle

Black Baza (photo by Pemba Sherpa)

What other suggestions can you give to birders interested in your area?

  • Seasons: October–April (best weather; winter migrants present)
  • Gear: Binoculars (8×42 or 10×42), field guide (Birds of Nepal or Indian Subcontinent)
  • Layered clothing
  • Etiquette: Respect local communities and minimize disturbance to wildlife

Yellow-wattled Lapwing

If any readers of 10,000 Birds are interested in birding with you, how can they best contact you?

Interested birders can reach me via:

Cheer Pheasant

Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers of 10,000 Birds?

As a passionate birder, bird conservationist, and eBird reviewer for Nepal, I’m excited to showcase this Himalayan wonderland—one of the world’s most rewarding birding destinations! Nepal offers an unmatched avian spectacle. With over 900 species, including the country’s only endemic, the Spiny Babbler, and rare gems like the Bengal Florican, Swamp Francolin, Great Hornbill, Slender-billed Babbler, Danphe (Himalayan Monal), and Satyr Tragopan, every birding expedition here is an adventure.

I’d love to collaborate with global birders, share expert insights on Nepal’s top hotspots, and contribute to meaningful bird conservation. Whether you’re chasing pheasants in the alpine zones or warblers in the subtropical forests, let’s connect—I’d be honored to help you explore Nepal’s avian wonders and document them on eBird. Here’s to unforgettable lifers and thriving bird populations worldwide—happy birding!

Indian Roller