For centuries, adventurers have trekked to Bhutan in the eastern Himalayas to explore its abundant and diverse biodiversity. Early Western scientists sought to uncover the rare and exotic plants and animals that thrive in this region. To this day, Bhutan remains a haven for bird watchers, boasting 783 species of birds, including three critically endangered, two endangered, fourteen vulnerable, and twenty-nine near threatened species according to Birdlife International. Although Bhutan does not have any endemic bird species, it does have twelve species that are classified as restricted range species.

The steadfast commitment of the Royal Bhutanese Government to environmental preservation and the profound reverence for nature displayed by its Buddhist citizens combine to preserve Bhutan’s ecological richness for future generations. The country boasts some of the world’s highest species densities, ranking in the top 10% globally, and has a large proportion of its land protected as national parks, with approximately 26.23% of its area designated as such. These conservation efforts provide birding enthusiasts the chance to observe around 250 to 300 species on each trip.