Sattal, which translates to seven lakes, is a cluster of seven interconnected lakes in Nainital. Located at the foothills of the Himalayas, the region is nestled within fragrant forests of oak and pine.

Year-round, hundreds of species of birds are drawn to this picturesque, forested freshwater habitat. That makes Sattal a popular destination for nature lovers, especially birdwatchers. It’s also a great chance for photographers to capture some striking frames.

And if you’re planning a Sattal birding trip, here's everything you need to know before you go.


Brown Wood Owl (Strix leptogrammica)

Brown Wood Owl (Strix leptogrammica)
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This chocolate-brown coloured owl is seen in the Western and Eastern Ghats of India, and in the Himalayas as well. It is a shy bird and tends to take flight at the slightest disturbance. You'll often see them in pairs. The Brown Wood Owl's call is often likened to a soft musical note, but it is also known to emit a series of eerie shrieks.

Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush (Garrulax rufogularis)

Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush (Garrulax rufogularis)
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The Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush has a pleasant whistling song, and its call is filled with squeals and chuckles that give it its name. Chances are, you’ll hear it before you see it. It mostly forages on the ground in the dense undergrowth of the Himalayan forests, looking for insects, berries and seeds.

Brown-fronted Woodpecker (Dendrocoptes auriceps)

Brown-fronted Woodpecker (Dendrocoptes auriceps)
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This bird’s scientific name is derived from the Latin word for gold, aurum, a reference to the woodpeckers’ distinctive golden-coloured crown. Males have a rakish streak of red too, not seen in the females. Brown-fronted Woodpeckers are found in subtropical and temperate forests and can be spotted across the Himalayas.

Grey-headed Woodpecker (Picus canus)

Grey-headed Woodpecker (Picus canus)
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The Grey-headed Woodpecker is a resident of the Himalayas and is also found in the eastern and northeastern parts of the country. Males are distinguished from females by their eye-catching red crowns. Though it feeds on insects in the summer, it switches to seeds during winter, and may frequent gardens too.

Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius)

Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius)
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The Eurasian Jay has a very wide distribution. It is seen in parts of Europe, Africa and India, and throughout Southeast Asia. First described by Linnaeus in the 18th century, this is the original Jay after which all other Jays were named. Its scientific name tells us that the bird is garrulous, that is, noisy or chattering (in fact, it is also an excellent mimic). Glandarius, or ‘of acorns’, also gives us a hint about its favoured food.

Rufous Sibia (Heterophasia capistrata)

Rufous Sibia (Heterophasia capistrata)
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Mostly seen in pairs or in small flocks, the Rufous Sibia is an active and lively bird. It forages for food among leaves, and also catches insects in flight. It is a melodious singer, and its flute-like tunes are known to be rather loud. Rufous Sibia nests are neat little cups covered with moss, grass and leaves, usually built at the tip of a high branch. They desert their nests at the slightest disturbance.

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Striated Laughingthrush (Garrulax striatus)

Striated Laughingthrush (Garrulax striatus)
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As its name suggests, this laughingthrush’s plumage is a rich brown, shaded with white streaks. Like other laughingthrushes, the bird is more often heard than seen. It makes a variety of gurgling and whistling calls.

White-capped Water Redstart (Phoenicurus leucocephalus)

White-capped Water Redstart (Phoenicurus leucocephalus)
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Uncommon in other parts of its range, the bird is frequently seen in the Himalayas, usually around stony mountain streams and rivers. While both sexes look similar, the males have a more pronounced white head patch. The White-capped Water Redstart primarily feeds on insects, spiders and molluscs that it picks up from between rocks in the streams or in shallow water. It is known to repeatedly pump and fan its tail, and bob its head. This redstart makes its nests in holes in trees, rocks or river banks.

Brown Dipper (Cinclus pallasii)

Brown Dipper (Cinclus pallasii)
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The Brown Dipper is named for its feeding style. With a diet comprised mostly of aquatic invertebrates, this bird must make quick dives, or dips, beneath the surface of the water to pick up small organisms to feed on. Sometimes, it wades in shallow areas to forage for food as well. Brown Dippers are often seen around flowing streams and other water bodies in the Himalayas.

Black Francolin (Francolinus francolinus)

Black Francolin (Francolinus francolinus)
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Francolino in Italian means ‘little hen’. The Black Francolin, formerly known as the Black Partridge, is a gamebird that is still hunted for its meat. During their breeding season in summer, males often stand on small trees or rocks and repeatedly call out to grab the attention of a female.

Asian Barred Owlet (Glaucidium cuculoides)

Asian Barred Owlet (Glaucidium cuculoides)
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The Asian Barred Owlet has a wide range that extends across Southeast Asia. Its scientific name is derived from Cuculus, which means cuckoo. This is a reference to its melodious whistling call, very reminiscent of a cuckoo's notes.

Blue-throated Barbet (Psilopogon asiaticus)

Blue-throated Barbet (Psilopogon asiaticus)
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Barbets get their name from the bristles that frame their bills. The brightly coloured Blue-throated Barbet is found all across Southeast Asia. Like others of its kind, the Blue-throated Barbet eats fruits and insects. It is commonly seen on fruiting trees, especially figs. Its call is very similar to that of a Brown-headed Barbet.

White-tailed Nuthatch (Sitta himalayensis)

White-tailed Nuthatch (Sitta himalayensis)
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The White-tailed Nuthatch gets its name from its peculiar habit of wedging a large food item (not nuts, mind you) in a crevice and then hacking at it with its strong bill. Usually, it feeds on insects hidden beneath the bark, which it finds by climbing along tree trunks and branches, sometimes even upside down. When they’re breeding, these birds forage only within their territories, but at other times you may see them among mixed feeding flocks.