Nepal is a paradise for bird lovers with over 800 species (almost *% of the world's total) of birds. And among them almost 500 hundred are found in the Kathmandu valley alone.

The surrounding hills offer a varied ecology ranging from primary and secondary forest to rhododendron, oak and pine forest.  In addition, the wetlands and open fields inside the valley make up a diverse habitat for many species of birds. The most popular bird watching spot is the Phulchoki hill; the highest peak of the valley rim situated 20 KM southeast of Kathmandu, with some 265 species recorded till date.  

The birds seen here include babblers, warblers, tits, thrushes, minivans, woodpeckers, eagles and many migrant birds. Godavari, at the foot of Phulchoki hill where the Royal Botanical Garden is situated, records over 100 species of birds including the lesser racket-tailed Drongo, Tibetan sishin and the spotted fork tail.