Top Bird of Mongolia | Watching Rare Birds in Mongolia

Mongolia for the birds: Lying on a junction of the three migratory flyways with remarkable diverse ecosystem, including 70 important bird areas (IBAs) and significant breeding and native habitat of several globally threatened birds (GTBs). If you are eager to watch those beautiful uncommon birds, then Mongolia is one of the most beautiful and best places in world for rare bird watching.

Here we provide 2 kinds of lists that show the most watchful birds /top birds/ in Mongolia and Globally Threatened Birds along with photographs or illustrations. 

Recource: Photo: Batzaya Choijiljav, Iderbat Enkhtaivan, Wikipedia.com. Data: Bird Life Data Zone, IUCN Red List, Mongolian Red List of Birds

Top Birds to Watch in Mongolia

Many birdwatchers from around the world, say that their most-wanted bird species in Mongolia. Here are the 17 most-wanted or top birds of Mongolia.

1. Koslov's Accentor (Prunella koslowi) - Монгол Хайруулдай

Global Conservation Status: LC

When to watch: Near endemic resident. All year around

Where to watch: Western and Southern Mongolia

2. White-throated Bush Chat (Saxicola insignis) - Өгөөлэй Шулганаа

Global Conservation Status: VU

When to watch: Near-endemic summer breeder. May to Sep

Where to watch: Western Mongolia

3. Henderson's Ground Jay (Podoces hendersoni) - Монгол хулан жороо

Global Conservation Status: LC

When to watch: Near endemic resident. All year around

Where to watch: West, Southern Mongolia

4. Relict Gull (Ichthyaetus relictus) - Реликт цахлай

Global Conservation Status: VU

When to watch: Rare summer breeder. May to Sep

Where to watch: Western Mongolia

5. Oriental Plover (Charadrius veredus) -  Дорнын хиазат

Global Conservation Status: LC 

When to watch: Summer breeder. May to Sep

Where to watch: West, Southeastern, Eastern Mongolia

6. White-naped Crane (Antigone vipio) - Цэн тогоруу

Global Conservation Status: VU

When to watch: Summer breeder. May to Sep

Where to watch: Eastern, Northeastern Mongolia

7. Siberian Crane (Leucogeranus leucogeranus) - Цагаан Тогоруу

Global Conservation Status: CR

When to watch: Uncommon passage migrant. May-June, Aug-Sep

Where to watch: Northeastern Mongolia

8. Hooded Crane (Grus monacha) - Хар Тогоруу

Global Conservation Status: VU

When to watch: Uncommon migrant. May-June, Aug-Sep

Where to watch: Northeastern Mongolia

9. Asian Dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus) - Азийн цууцил

Global Conservation Status: NT

When to watch: Summer breeder. May-June, Aug-Sep

Where to watch: Northern, Central Mongolia

10. Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) - Хээрийн Бүргэд

Global Conservation Status: EN

When to watch: Common summer breeder. May to Sep

Where to watch: Commonly occurs in Mongolia, except the southern region.

11. Altai snowcock (Tetraogallus altaicus)  - Алтайн хойлог

Global Conservation Status: LC

When to watch: Near-endemic resident. All year around

Where to watch: Western, Southwestern Mongolia

12. Houbara Bustard (Chlamydotis undulata) - Жороо тоодог

Global Conservation Status: VU

When to watch: Uncommon summer breeder. May to Sep

Where to watch: Westsouthern, Southern Mongolia 

13. Great Bustard (Otis tarda) - Хонин тоодог

Global Conservation Status: VU

When to watch: Summer breeder. May to Sep

Where to watch: Northeastern Mongolia

14. Black-billed capercaillie (Tetrao urogalloides) - Нургийн сойр

Global Conservation Status: LC

When to watch: Uncommon passage migrant. May-June, Aug-Sep

Where to watch: Northeastern Mongolia

15. Wallcreeper(Tichodroma muraria) - Хэрмийн Бялзуухай

Global Conservation Status: LC

When to watch: Resident. All year around

Where to watch: Western, Southern Mongolia

16. Yellow-breasted bunting (Emberiza aureola) -Шар элэгт хөмрөг

Global Conservation Status: CR

When to watch: Summer breeder. May to Sep

Where to watch: Northern, Eastern Mongolia

17. Swan goose (Anser cygnoides) - Хошуу галуу

Global Conservation Status: VU

When to watch: Summer breeder. May to Sep

Where to watch: Commonly occurs in Mongolia, except the Southern region

Globally Threatened Birds in Mongolia  

Mongolia is one of the most important places in the world for bird conservation and research, also has opportunity to protect birds and its habitats,  to remain a refuge and safe passage for many birds we the Mongolians, uphold its recent commitment to the Convention on Biological Diversity’s 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets. Here are 43 rare bird species that occurs in Mongolia. 

1. Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica) -
2. White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala) -
3. Swan Goose (Anser cygnoid) – Хошуу галуу
4. Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus) -
5. Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) -
6. Baer's Pochard (Aythya baeri) -
7. Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca)
8. Falcated Duck (Mareca falcate)
9. Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus)
10. European Turtle-dove (Streptopelia turtur)
11. Swinhoe's Rail (Coturnicops exquisitus)
12. Siberian Crane (Leucogeranus leucogeranus)
13. White-naped Crane (Antigone vipio)
14. Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis)
15. Hooded Crane (Grus monacha)
16. Great Bustard (Otis tarda)
17. Asian Houbara (Chlamydotis macqueenii)
18. Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus)
19. Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)
20. Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata)
21. Far Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis)
22. Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)
23. Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)
24. Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea)
25. Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis)
26. Asian Dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus)
27. Grey-tailed Tattler (Tringa brevipes)
28. Relict Gull (Larus relictus)
29. Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus)
30. Himalayan Griffon (Gyps himalayensis)
31. Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus)
32. Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga)
33. Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis)
34. Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliacal)
35. Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus)
36. Pallas's Fish-eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus)
37. Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug)
38. Marsh Grassbird (Locustella pryeri)
39. Reed Parrotbill (Paradoxornis heudei)
40. White-throated Bushchat (Saxicola insignis)
41. Ochre-rumped Bunting (Emberiza yessoensis)
42. Yellow-breasted Bunting (Emberiza aureola)
43. Rustic Bunting (Emberiza rustica)

We the Bird Mongolia observed and photographed 15 species of them in Mongolia in last year. In 2020, we try our best to observe the other rare birds and welcome dear birders to join us for our birding trips.