The union territory of Delhi, India, has 472 bird species within its boundaries.
The official state bird of Delhi is the house sparrow, Passer domesticus.
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.
The following tag has been used to highlight accidental species:
(V) Vagrant - Also known as a rarity, it refers to a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Delhi: typically less than ten confirmed records.
Ducks, geese, and swans
Order: AnseriformesFamily: 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.
Lesser whistling duck, Dendrocygna javanica Bar-headed goose, Anser indicus Greylag goose, Anser anser Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons Lesser white-fronted goose, Anser erythropus (V) Knob-billed duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos Ruddy shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea Common shelduck,Tadorna tadorna Cotton pygmy goose, Nettapus coromandelianus Baikal teal, Sibirionetta formosa (V) Garganey, Spatula querquedula Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata Gadwall, Mareca strepera Falcated duck, Mareca falcata Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope Indian spot-billed duck, Anas poecilorhyncha Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos Northern pintail, Anas acuta Eurasian teal, Anas crecca Marbled duck, Marmaronetta angustirostris Red-crested pochard, Netta rufina Common pochard, Aythya ferina Ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca Baer's pochard, Aythya baeri (V) Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula Greater scaup, Aythya marila Smew, Mergellus albellus (V) Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator (V)
Pheasants and allies
Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.
Black francolin, Francolinus francolinus Grey francolin, Francolinus pondicerianus Common quail, Coturnix coturnix Rain quail, Coturnix coromandelica Jungle bush quail, Perdicula asiatica Rock bush quail, Perdicula argoondah Indian peafowl, Pavo cristatus
Nightjars
Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: 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.
Jungle nightjar, Caprimulgus indicus Sykes's nightjar, Caprimulgus mahrattensis Large-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus macrurus Indian nightjar, Caprimulgus asiaticus Savanna nightjar, Caprimulgus affinis
Treeswifts
Order: ApodiformesFamily: Hemiprocnidae
The treeswifts, also called crested swifts, are closely related to the true swifts. They differ from the other swifts in that they have crests, long forked tails and softer plumage.
Crested treeswift, Hemiprocne coronata
Swifts Order: ApodiformesFamily: 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.
Asian palm swift, Cypsiurus balasiensis Alpine swift, Tachymarptis melba Blyth's swift, Apus leuconyx Little swift, Apus affinis
Bustards Order: OtidiformesFamily: Otididae
Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays.
Lesser florican, Sypheotides indicus
Cuckoos
Order: CuculiformesFamily: 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.
Greater coucal, Centropus sinensis Sirkeer malkoha, Taccocua leschenaultii Jacobin cuckoo, Clamator jacobinus Asian koel, Eudynamys scolopaceus Grey-bellied cuckoo, Cacomantis passerinus Fork-tailed drongo-cuckoo, Surniculus dicruroides (V) Common hawk-cuckoo, Hierococcyx varius Indian cuckoo, Cuculus micropterus Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus
Sandgrouse Order: PterocliformesFamily: Pteroclidae
Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. Their legs are feathered down to the toes.
Chestnut-bellied sandgrouse, Pterocles exustus Painted sandgrouse, Pterocles indicus
Pigeons and doves
Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
Rock dove, Columba livia Oriental turtle dove, Streptopelia orientalis Eurasian collared dove, Streptopelia decaocto Red collared dove, Streptopelia tranquebarica Spotted dove, Spilopelia chinensis Laughing dove, Spilopelia senegalensis Ashy-headed green pigeon, Treron phayrei (V) Yellow-footed green pigeon, Treron phoenicopterus
Rails, crakes, and coots
Order: GruiformesFamily: 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. 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.
Water rail, Rallus aquaticus Spotted crake, Porzana porzana Common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus Eurasian coot, Fulica atra Grey-headed swamphen, Porphyrio poliocephalus Ruddy-breasted crake, Zapornia fusca Brown crake, Zapornia akool Baillon's crake, Zapornia pusilla Watercock, Gallicrex cinerea White-breasted waterhen, Amaurornis phoenicurus
Cranes
Order: GruiformesFamily: Gruidae
Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".
Demoiselle crane, Grus virgo Common crane, Grus grus Sarus crane, Antigone antigone
Grebes
Order: PodicipediformesFamily: 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.
Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus (V) Great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus Black-necked grebe,Podiceps nigricollis
Flamingos
Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down.
Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus Lesser flamingo, Phoenicopterus minor(V)
Buttonquail Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Turnicidae
The buttonquail 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.
Common buttonquail, Turnix sylvaticus Yellow-legged buttonquail, Turnix tanki Barred buttonquail, Turnix suscitator
Stone-curlews and thick-knees
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Burhinidae
The 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.
Indian stone-curlew, Burhinus indicus Great stone-curlew, Esacus recurvirostris
Stilts and avocets
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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.
Black-winged stilt, Himantopus himantopus Pied avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta
Plovers
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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.
River lapwing, Vanellus duvaucelii Yellow-wattled lapwing, Vanellus malabaricus Grey-headed lapwing, Vanellus cinereus Northern lapwing, Vanellus vanellus Red-wattled lapwing, Vanellus indicus Sociable lapwing, Vanellus gregarius White-tailed lapwing, Vanellus leucurus Pacific golden plover, Pluvialis fulva Grey plover, Pluvialis squatarola Caspian plover, Charadrius asiaticus (V) Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula(V) Little ringed plover, Charadrius dubius Kentish plover, Charadrius alexandrinus Lesser sand plover, Charadrius mongolus Greater sand plover, Charadrius leschenaultii (V)
Painted-snipes
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Rostratulidae
Painted-snipes are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured.
Greater painted-snipe, Rostratula benghalensis
Jacanas Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Jacanidae
The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found throughout the tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat.
Pheasant-tailed jacana, Hydrophasianus chirurgus Bronze-winged jacana, Metopidius indicus
Sandpipers and snipes
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae
Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.
Eurasian whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus Eurasian curlew, Numenius arquata Bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica (V) Black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres (V) Ruff, Calidris pugnax Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea Broad-billed sandpiper, Calidris falcinellus(V) Sharp-tailed sandpiper, Calidris acuminata (V) Temminck's stint, Calidris temminckii Dunlin, Calidris alpina Little stint, Calidris minuta Asian dowitcher, Limnodromus semipalmatus (V) Long-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus(V) Jack snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus Pin-tailed snipe, Gallinago stenura Common snipe, Gallinago gallinago Terek sandpiper, Xenus cinereus (V) Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus (V) Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos Green sandpiper, Tringa ochropus Common redshank, Tringa totanus Marsh sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis Wood sandpiper, Tringa glareola Spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus Common greenshank, Tringa nebularia