This article lists the species of bird found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 410 species of birds have been sighted on the islands, out of which 28 are endemic to the islands. The state bird of the Andaman and the Nicobar Islands is the Andaman wood pigeon. This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of the IOC World Bird List, version 11.2. This list also uses British English throughout. Any bird names or other wording follows that convention.
There are two birdlife zones in the union territory, as defined by Birdlife International -
Andaman Islands Nicobar Islands
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. The commonly occurring native species do not fit within any of these categories.
(A) Accidental - also known as a rarity, it refers to a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands - typically less than ten confirmed records (I) Introduced - a species introduced to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions. (E) Endemic - a species which is endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Undescribed species In 2012, Rajeshkumar, Rasmussen and Ragunathan described a possibly new species of Rallina crake which they called the Great Nicobar crake. The bird had an entire pale green bill, and orange-red legs, which differed from any known species of bird. However, in 2021, Slaty-legged crakes and Red-legged crakes were found in the Nicobar Islands. This made it possible that the bird was a hybrid. However, neither of the two crakes shared any of the unique features of the Great Nicobar crake.
Endemic species
The following is a list of species endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by region:
Species endemic to the Andaman Islands
Andaman serpent-eagle, Spilornis elgini Andaman crake, Rallina canningi Andaman scops owl, Otus balli Hume's boobook, Ninox obscura Andaman barn-owl, Tyto deroepstorffi Andaman nightjar, Caprimulgus andamanicus Narcondam hornbill, Rhyticeros narcondami Andaman woodpecker, Dryocopus hodgei Andaman drongo, Dicrurus andamanensis Andaman treepie, Dendrocitta bayleyii Andaman shama, Copsychus albiventris Andaman bulbul, Pycnonotus fuscoflavescens Andaman cuckooshrike, Coracina dobsoni Andaman flowerpecker, Dicaeum virescens
Species endemic to the Nicobar Islands
Nicobar imperial-pigeon, Ducula nicobarica South Nicobar serpent eagle, Spilornis klossi Nicobar sparrowhawk, Accipiter butleri Nicobar parakeet, Psittacula caniceps Nicobar bulbul, Ixos nicobariensis Nicobar jungle flycatcher, Cyornis nicobaricus Nicobar scops-owl, Otus alius Nicobar megapode, Megapodius nicobariensis (possibly extirpated over Andaman range)
Species endemic to the two island groups
Andaman woodpigeon, Columba palumboides Andaman green pigeon, Treron chloropterus Andaman cuckoo-dove, Macropygia rufipennis Andaman boobook, Ninox affinis White-headed starling, Sturnia erythropygia
Ducks, geese and swans Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae
Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. There are 15 species which have been recorded on the islands. +Common nameBinomialCommentsLesser whistling duckDendrocygna javanicaKnob-billed duckSarkidiornis melanotos(I)Ruddy shelduckTadorna ferruginea(A)Mandarin duckAix galericulata(A)Cotton pygmy gooseNettapus coromandelianusGarganeySpatula querquedulaNorthern shovelerSpatula clypeata(A)Eurasian wigeonMareca penelopeEastern spot-billed duckAnas zonorhyncha(A)Northern pintailAnas acutaEurasian tealAnas crecca(A)Andaman tealAnas albogularis(E) Near-threatenedRed-crested pochard Netta rufina(A)Ferruginous duckAythya nyroca(A) Near-threatenedTufted duckAythya fuligula(A)
Megapodes Order: Galliformes Family: Megapodiidae
The Megapodiidae are stocky, medium-large chicken-like birds with small heads and large feet. All but the malleefowl occupy jungle habitats and most have brown or black colouring. There is one species within India, which is endemic to the islands. Common nameBinomialCommentsNicobar megapodeMegapodius nicobariensis(E); vulnerable
Pheasants and allies Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowl, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. Seven species have been recorded on the islands. +Common nameBinomialCommentsIndian peafowlPavo cristatus(I)Grey francolinOrtygornis pondicerianus(A)Chinese francolinFrancolinus pintadeanusExtirpatedKing quail Synoicus chinensisCommon quailCoturnix coturnixExtirpatedJungle bush quailPerdicula asiaticaExtirpatedPainted bush quailPerdicula erythrorhynchaExtirpated
Nightjars Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. Five species have been recorded on the islands. +Common nameBinomialCommentsJungle nightjarCaprimulgus indicus(A)Grey nightjarCaprimulgus jotakaLarge-tailed nightjarCaprimulgus macrurusAndaman nightjarCaprimulgus andamanicus(E)Savanna nightjarCaprimulgus affinis
Swifts Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae
Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. There are 11 species which have been recorded on the islands. +Common nameBinomialCommentsPlume-toed swiftletCollocalia affinisHimalayan swiftletAerodramus brevirostris(A)Edible-nest swiftletAerodramus fuciphagusWhite-throated needletailHirundapus caudacutusBrown-backed needletailHirundapus giganteusAsian palm swiftCypsiurus balasiensisCommon swiftApus apus(A)Pacific swiftApus pacificus ssp. kurodae(A)Blyth's swiftApus leuconyxDark-rumped swiftApus acuticauda(A) Near-threatenedHouse swiftApus nipalensis
Cuckoos Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. Many are brood parasites. There are 19 species which have been recorded on the islands. Common nameBinomialCommentsLesser coucalCentropus bengalensis(A)Andaman coucalCentropus andamanensisChestnut-winged cuckooClamator coromandusJacobin cuckooClamator jacobinus(A)Asian koelEudynamys scolopaceusAsian emerald cuckooChrysococcyx maculatus(A)Violet cuckooChrysococcyx xanthorhynchusHorsfield's bronze cuckooChrysococcyx basalis(A)Banded bay cuckooCacomantis sonneratii(A)Plaintive cuckooCacomantis merulinusGrey-bellied cuckooCacomantis passerinusSquare-tailed drongo-cuckooSurniculus lugubrisLarge hawk-cuckooHierococcyx sparverioidesCommon hawk-cuckooHierococcyx variusHodgson's hawk-cuckooHierococcyx nisicolorLesser cuckooCuculus poliocephalusIndian cuckooCuculus micropterusHimalayan cuckooCuculus saturatusCommon cuckooCuculus canorus
Pigeons and doves Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. A total of 14 species have been recorded on the islands. +Common nameBinomialCommentsRock doveColumba livia(I)Andaman wood pigeonColumba palumboides(E) Near-threatenedOriental turtle doveStreptopelia orientalisEurasian collared doveStreptopelia decaoctoRed collared doveStreptopelia tranquebaricaSpotted doveSpilopelia chinensisLaughing doveSpilopelia senegalensisExtirpatedAndaman cuckoo-doveMacropygia rufipennis(E)Common emerald doveChalcophaps indicaNicobar pigeonCaloenas nicobaricaNear-threatenedAndaman green pigeonTreron chloropterus(E) Near-threatenedGreen imperial pigeonDucula aeneaNear-threatenedNicobar imperial pigeonDucula nicobarica(E) Near-threatenedPied imperial pigeonDucula bicolor
Rails, crakes, and coots Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe, though some are bold and conspicuous. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers. +Common nameBinomialCommentsCorn crakeCrex crex(A)Slaty-breasted railLewinia striataCommon moorhenGallinula chloropusEurasian cootFulica atraGrey-headed swamphenPorphyrio poliocephalusRuddy-breasted crakeZapornia fuscaBand-bellied crakeZapornia paykullii(A) Near-threatenedBaillon's crakeZapornia pusillaSlaty-legged crakeRallina eurizonoides(A)Andaman crakeRallina canningi(E)Red-legged crakeRallina fasciata(A)White-browed crakePoliolimnas cinereus(A)WatercockGallicrex cinereaWhite-breasted waterhenAmaurornis phoenicurus
Grebes Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. One species, the little grebe is found on the islands. +Common nameBinomialCommentsLittle grebeTachybaptus ruficollis
Buttonquails
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Turnicidae
The buttonquails are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails. The female is the brighter of the sexes and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young. One species, the yellow-legged buttonquail, is found on the islands. +Common nameBinomialCommentsYellow-legged buttonquailTurnix tanki
Stone-curlews and thick-knees Order: Charadriiformes Family: Burhinidae
Stone-curlews are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats. Two species are found on the islands. +Common nameBinomialCommentsGreat stone-curlewEsacus recurvirostrisNear-threatenedBeach stone-curlewEsacus magnirostrisNear-threatened
Stilts and avocets Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There is one species, the black-winged stilt, which has been recorded on the islands. Common nameBinomialCommentsBlack-winged stiltHimantopus himantopus
Plovers Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. There are 13 species which have been recorded on the islands.