Desert National Park is a national park situated in the Indian state of Rajasthan, near the towns of Jaisalmer and Barmer. This is one of the largest national parks, covering an area of 3162 km². The Desert National Park is an excellent example of the ecosystem of the Thar Desert. Sand dunes form around 44% of the Park. The major landform consists of craggy rocks and compact salt lake bottoms, intermedial areas and fixed dunes. The park was gazetted in 1980.
Despite a fragile ecosystem, there is an abundance of birdlife. The region is a haven for migratory and resident birds of the desert. Many eagles, harriers, falcons, buzzards, kestrel and vultures are spotted here. Short-toed eagles, tawny eagles, spotted eagles, laggar falcons and kestrels are the most common among these. Sand grouse are spotted near small ponds or lakes. The endangered great Indian bustard is a magnificent bird found in relatively fair numbers. It migrates locally in different seasons. The most suitable time to visit the area is between November and January. The Desert National Park has a collection of fossils of animals and plants which are 180 million years old. Some fossils of dinosaurs which are 60 million years old have been found in the area.
The Chinkara or Indian Gazelle (Gazella bennettii) is a common antelope of this region. The national park’s other notable inhabitants are the desert fox, wolf and desert cat. Birdlife in this sandy habitat is vivid and spectacular. Birds such as sandgrouse, partridges, bee-eaters, larks, and shrikes are commonly seen. In the winter, the birdlife is augmented by species such as the demoiselle crane and MacQueen’s bustard.
Perhaps the greatest attraction of the park is a bird called the great Indian bustard, a critically endangered species found only in India. Desert National Park is one of the last sites in which this species can be found in good numbers. As such, the species draws in thousands of birdwatchers from all over the world. In addition to the great Indian bustard, the park supports a variety of other birds of interest to birdwatchers and conservationists alike.
The Thar Desert, often called an ‘ocean of sand’, covers a large area of western Rajasthan. The fragile ecosystem of the Thar supports unique and varied wildlife. In this vast ocean of sands lies the famous Desert National Park, which provides an excellent example of the ecosystem of the Thar Desert and its diverse wildlife adventure.
The vegetation is sparse, and patches of sewan grass and aak shrub (Calotropis) can be seen. The landscape includes craggy rocks and compact salt lake bottoms, as well as intermediate areas and both fixed and shifting dunes. Around 20 percent of the vast expanse is covered with sand dunes.
Mammals: desert fox, Bengal fox, desert cat, wolf, hedgehog, chinkara.
Reptiles: spiny-tailed lizard, monitor lizard, saw-scaled viper, Russell’s viper, common krait.
Avifauna: sandgrouse, Indian bustard, partridges, bee-eaters, larks and shrikes are year-round residents, while demoiselle crane and houbara bustard arrive in winter. Raptors include tawny and steppe eagles, long-legged and honey buzzards, and falcons
Desert national park DNP jaisalmer rajsthan booking no.918824800717
While insects are their most common prey, they are opportunistic feeders and also consume arthropods, lizards, birds, and small mammals. Like other shrikes, they are known to impale prey on thorns or barbed wire, creating a “larder”.
The Iberian Grey Shrike is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN due to rapid population declines.
The main threats to this species include agricultural intensification, increased use of pesticides and herbicides, and habitat loss due to the removal of hedges and trees, as well as the cessation of sheep grazing which can lead to scrub invasion.
Desert national park DNP jaisalmer rajsthan booking no 918824800717
It is a medium-sized lark with a distinctive, prominent crest on its head. Its plumage is typically streaked and sandy brown, providing camouflage in its dry, open habitats.
This widespread species is found across Eurasia and northern Africa. It prefers dry areas with sparse vegetation, such as agricultural land and roadsides
Crested Larks are primarily vegetarian, feeding on grains and seeds, but also consume insects, especially beetles
They build untidy nests in small ground depressions, often in wastelands. Females lay 3-5 speckled eggs, and chicks typically leave the nest early, after about eight days.
The Crested Lark is classified as a species of “least concern” by the IUCN Red List, indicating it is not currently threatened with extinction.
Desert national park DNP jaisalmer rajsthan
It’s a small bird of prey within the falcon family, distinguished by its long wings and tail, and often seen hovering in the air while hunting.
Habitat and Range:
Common Kestrels are widespread across Europe, Asia, and Africa, found in various habitats including urban and suburban areas, farmland, heathland, and grassland.
Diet:
Their main diet consists of small mammals (like mice), lizards, small birds, locusts, and other insects.
Hunting Behavior:
They are known for their characteristic hovering behavior, often called “windhovering,” where they hold their head still and eyes fixed on the ground before swooping down on prey.
Desert national park DNP jaisalmer rajsthan india
It is a powerful-looking falcon with blackish upperparts, rufous underparts with fine, dark streaks, and a white throat.
Shaheen Falcons are primarily found in hilly and mountainous regions of the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka. They are residents and winter visitors in India.
Their diet mainly consists of birds, which they often catch in flight. They also occasionally prey on small mammals, reptiles, and insects.
In Pakistani literature, the Shaheen Falcon holds a special association with the poetry of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, and it is also the unofficial bird of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Desert national park DNP jaisalmer rajsthan
Sharp eyes. Silent wings. The Laggar Falcon rules the desert skies with unmatched grace and power.
A raptor of the Thar, elusive and often overlooked.
With saadak’s Wild Excursions, discover these hidden hunters and witness the untamed side of Rajasthan like never before.”
1grey francolin
2 common kestrel
3 Eurasian hobby
4 laggar falcon
5 black winged kite
6 Egyptian vulture
7 indian vulture
8 white rumped vulture
9 himalyan vulture
10 griffon vulture
11 red headed vulture
12 cinereous vulture
13 short toed snake eagle
14 tawny eagle
15 steppe eagle
16 eastern imperial eagle
17 booted eagle
18 marsh harrier
19 pallid harrier
20 montagu s harrier
21 shikra
22 besra
23 common buzzard
24 log legged buzzard
25 white eyed buzzard
26 great indian bustard
27 common crane
28 sociable lapwing
29 red wattled lapwing
30 cream coloured courser
31 spotted sand grouse
32 chestnut bellied sand grouse
33 Eurasian collared dove
34 indian eagle owl
Spotted owlet
35 green bee eater
36 indian roller
37 European roller
38 isabelline shrike
39 red tailled shrike
40 greater hoopoe larak
41 bimaculated larak
42 rufous tailed LarK
43 desert larak
44 greater short toed larak
45 crested larak
46 black crowned sparrow karam
47 Asian desert warbler
48 comman babbler
49 comman starling
50 indian robin
51 rufuos carob robin
52 stoliczka.s bushchat
53 isabelline wheatear
54 red tailed wheatear
55 desert wheatear
56 variable wheatear
57 Spanish sparrow
58 sind sparrow
59 tawny pipit
60 long billed pipit
61 water pipit
62 trumpeter finch
63 striolated bunting
64 white throated kingfisher
65 comman kingfisher
