About Gilgit-Baltistan
Region Brief
Gilgit-Baltistan, covers approximately 72,500 square kilometers in northern Pakistan bordering China, Afghanistan and India. The region is located between 35-37 N and 72-75 E, divided into 3 divisions (Baltistan, Diamer and Gilgit) and 10 districts. Most of the area consists of rugged mountains, the higher elevations remaining snow covered throughout the year. The area constitutes an important segment of South Asia, covering the intersection zone of three majestic mountain ranges - Himalaya, Karakorum and Hindukush. Among these mountain ranges Gilgit-Baltistan has some of the world’s most massive glaciers, magnificent rivers, splendid valleys and unique ecological zones. This ecological backdrop is home to some unique the floral and faunal species, adapted to rugged environments and high mountains. Overall Gilgit-Baltistan has about 4% land under forest or tree cover (including farm forests and plantations), with 14.5% of the land comprising of alpine and winter pastures. Only 0.64% of the land is used for agricultural and settlement purposes in the province, whereas more than 80% of the remaining land area is either barren or permanently snow covered.Avian Diversity
About 362 bird species are found in Gilgit-Baltistan, more than half, about 200 among these are Passeriformes (perching birds), ranging from small birds like Goldcrest (Regulus regulus) to Common Raven (Corvus corax). A significant number of warblers, finches, buntings, redstarts, larks and pipits are also included in this group. The region is also home to a great variety of waterfowl, especially during spring and autumn passage, with no less than 17 ducks & geese species, 33 waders, 10 gulls & terns, with more than 26 species of crakes, grebes, egrets and herons. In terms of predatory birds there are up to 19 hawks & eagles, 5 vultures, 9 owls and 6 falcon species in the region. Other birds in the region include 9 pheasant and 11 pigeon & dove species, with some woodpeckers, swifts and bee-eaters.
Other: 28
Pheasants: 9
Raptors & Owls: 39
Water Birds: 86
Perching Birds: 200
Generally highest avian diversity is observed in the low-lying conifer forests, rivers and settlements in the south-western
areas of Diamer, Gilgit and Ghizer. Whereas eastern region of Kharmang, Ghanche and Shigar, mostly barren or high altitude
snow-covered terrain has lowest avian diversity. Number of species in Gilgit-Baltistan also very seasonally, with highest influx of
migratory birds during the autumn passage in Sept and Oct, with more than 250 species present in the region. During winters the avian
diversity dips below 150, with only about 100 resident and few wintering birds. Except winters the region is home to around 200
species at any given month. Most of the bird found below 3,500m with few venturing to higher altitudes in summers.
Some significant species in the region are Himalayan Snowcock, Himalayan Monal, Snow Partridge, Lammergeier, Himalayan Griffon, Golden Eagle, Snow Pigeon, Eurasian Scops-Owl, Eurasian Eagle-Owl, European Bee-eater, Peregrine Falcon, Kashmir Nutcracker, Horned Lark, Hodgson's Treecreeper, Brooks's Leaf Warbler, White-winged Redstart, Northern Wheatear, Robin Accentor, Crimson-winged Finch and White-winged Grosbeak.
Some significant species in the region are Himalayan Snowcock, Himalayan Monal, Snow Partridge, Lammergeier, Himalayan Griffon, Golden Eagle, Snow Pigeon, Eurasian Scops-Owl, Eurasian Eagle-Owl, European Bee-eater, Peregrine Falcon, Kashmir Nutcracker, Horned Lark, Hodgson's Treecreeper, Brooks's Leaf Warbler, White-winged Redstart, Northern Wheatear, Robin Accentor, Crimson-winged Finch and White-winged Grosbeak.
Climate
Due to its location in the Trans-Himalayan region climatic conditions are extreme. The climate of Gilgit-Baltistan varies from region to region, surrounding mountain ranges creates sharp variations in weather. The eastern part has the moist zone of the western Himalayas, but going toward Karakoram and Hindukush, the climate dries considerably. The climate in Gilgit, Diamer and Ghizer is not too cold, but the summer is hot owing to radiation from the Rocky Mountains. In Baltistan, Astor, Hunza-Nagar and Yasin the climate is extremely harsh. It is very cold in winters and relatively dry in summers.Eco Zones
In general Gilgit-Baltistan can be defined by 5 ecological zones; 1) Dry Alpine zones & Permanent Snowfields with glaciers, boulder fields and sheer cliffs at higher elevations in the northern parts of Hunza, Nagar and Baltistan. 2) Alpine Meadows and Alpine Scrub of wildflowers, grasses and sedges dispersed through the region between high valleys and permanent snowfields around 3,000-3,800m. 3) Sub-Alpine Scrub mostly in the south and western parts in Gilgit, Skardu, Ghizer and Astore, consists of small deciduous plant species. 4) Dry Temperate Coniferous Forest on inner slops of Himalaya between 1,500-3,400m in the central and southern parts of Gilgit-Baltistan. 5) Dry Temperate Evergreen Oak Scrub lying between 1,500-2,500m in the southern parts of Astore and Diamer.Biodiversity
The mountain ecosystems tend to be relatively unstable, not resilient and of low inherent productivity, the region has a diverse range of vegetation and ecological zones to support a rich faunal and floral diversity, including more than 50 species of mammals, 360 species of birds and 17 fish species. The Gilgit-Baltistan has quite diverse avifauna for the mountain regions, but unfortunately little information is available on the distribution, status and ecology of many of the bird species. Based on currently available literature the area is home to some 100 resident bird species, with some 120 passage migrants, 100 summer visitors and 25 winter visitors. Additionally some 25 vagrant bird species have been recorded in the area.Birds Checklist for Gilgit-Baltistan
Anseriformes (Ducks and Geese)
Galliformes (Pheasants and Allies)
Podicipediformes (Grebes)
Ciconiiformes (Storks)
Suliformes (Cormorants)
Pelecaniformes (Egrets and Bitterns)
Pelecaniformes (Ibises and Spoonbills)
Accipitriformes (Hawks, Eagles and Vultures)
Otidiformes (Bustards)
Gruiformes (Rails and Coots)
Gruiformes (Cranes)
Charadriiformes (Stilts and Allies)
Charadriiformes (Plovers and Lapwings)
Charadriiformes (Sandpipers, Snipes and Allies)
Charadriiformes (Gulls and Terns)
Pterocliformes (Sandgrouse)
Columbiformes (Pigeons and Doves)
Cuculiformes (Cuckoos)
Strigiformes (Owls)
Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars and Swifts)
Bucerotiformes (Hoopoes)
Coraciiformes (Kingfishers, Bee-eaters and Rollers)
Piciformes (Woodpeckers)
Falconiformes (Falcons)
Psittaciformes (Old World Parrots)
Passeriformes (Cuckooshrikes)
Passeriformes (Shrikes)
Passeriformes (Old World Orioles)
Passeriformes (Drongos)
Passeriformes (Fairy Flycatchers)
Passeriformes (Crows, Jays and Magpies)
Passeriformes (Larks)
Passeriformes (Swallows and Martins)
Passeriformes (Tits and Long-tailed Tits)
Passeriformes (Nuthatches)
Passeriformes (Wall and Treecreepers)
Passeriformes (Wrens and Dippers)
Passeriformes (Bulbuls)
Passeriformes (Kinglets and Bush-Warblers)
Passeriformes (Leaf Warblers)
Passeriformes (Reed-Warblers and Allies)
Passeriformes (Sylviid Warblers)
Passeriformes (White-eyes)
Passeriformes (Laughingthrushes)
Passeriformes (Old World Flycatchers)
Passeriformes (Old World Redstarts)
Passeriformes (Chats and Wheatears)
Passeriformes (Thrushes)
Passeriformes (Starlings)
Passeriformes (Accentors)
Passeriformes (Wagtails and Pipits)
Passeriformes (Buntings)
Passeriformes (Finches and Allies)
Passeriformes (Old World Sparrows)
This website is a joint effort of Forest, Parks and Wildlife Department, Government of Gilgit-Baltistan and Birds of Gilgit-Baltistan (an indigenous private initiative)
to highlight the diverse birdlife found in the region. All the maps, imagery and photographs in this book are provided by the mentioned individuals or entities with appropriate
permissions for public use, Government of Gilgit-Baltistan upholds the copyright of these material on behalf of the owners.
birds of gilgit-baltistan
