Page 77 - World of Animals - Issue #39

Surround yourself Nepal’s beautiful birds

with butterfl ies

With more than 650 species making their home in the

country, Nepal is a butterfly enthusiast’s paradise. They’re
present all year round, with the Kathmandu Valley offering the
most fruitful location for spotters, who can take in the dazzling
colours of purple sapphires, oakblues, great orange tips and
many more. Himalayan monal
Nepal’s national bird possesses stunning iridescent
plumage – or at least the males of the species do.
Female colouring is noticeably more subdued.

Pied kingfisher

A more monochromatic member of Nepal’s avian

population, the pied kingfisher is a potent aquatic

predator, diving and catching its prey – mainly fish and
small crustaceans – without even having to land.

Gallop alongside a nilgai Great hornbill
Easily identifiable by their distinctive yellow casque

and long, curved bill, these spectacular birds sport a

wingspan of up to 150 centimetres (five feet) and can
Also known as the blue bull, is easily startled despite its large live for up to 50 years in captivity.

this hefty ungulate features size and it will flee for distances
short horns in its males, and is approaching a kilometre (0.6
Asia’s largest antelope. Found miles) if it senses danger such
sporadically throughout Nepal, it as a predator in the area.
Go in search of the

‘mountain ghost’
Himalayan cutia
While it is arguably Nepal’s most iconic animal, and Found widely in the foothills of Nepal, these babblers
undeniably one of its most captivating, the snow leopard are notable for their vivid plumage – a bold combination

is also one of its most elusive. A combination of sparse of grey and burnt orange feathers, with striped flanks
populations, excellent camouflage and an unforgiving and a black ‘mask’.

habitat mean that sightings are rare, but those making
their way up into the Himalayas may get the chance to
spot the big cat known as the ‘mountain ghost’.
Active at altitudes of between 3,000 and 4,500
metres (9,850 to 14,760 feet), snow leopards stalk their
prey – which ranges from hares to tahrs and ibex – in
almost complete silence. Extremely wide and furry
paws distribute their weight and allow them to walk
unhindered on snow, from which they can jump over nine
metres (30 feet) to pounce on unsuspecting victims. This Sarus crane
stealthy nature even extends to the snow leopard’s vocal The world’s tallest flying bird, with males reaching up

range: a genetic difference in its larynx means that it is to 1.8 metres (5.9 feet) in height, sarus cranes are a
one of the only big cats that can’t roar. staple of the Nepalese wetlands, where they sustain
themselves with a varied, omnivorous diet.
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