Best Places for Birdwatching in Mongolia

Mongolia is a hidden gem for birdwatchers. With over 513 recorded species, more than 80% of which are migratory, Mongolia plays a critical role in global bird migration. Three of the world’s nine major flyways—the Central Asian, East Asian-Australasian, and West Pacific Flyways—cross the country, making it one of the most significant staging and breeding grounds in Asia.
Below are the top birdwatching destinations in Mongolia, whether you’re an amateur birder or a seasoned ornithologist.

1. Hustai National Park

100 km west of Ulaanbaatar
Best Season: Spring to Autumn

Famous for reintroducing the Przewalski’s horse (Takhi), Hustai is also a paradise for birders. Its rolling steppe and mountain terrain host a wide range of resident and migratory birds.

Birds to Watch:

• Raptors: Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis), Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus), Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis)

• Passerines: Meadow Bunting (Emberiza cioides), Mongolian Lark (Melanocorypha mongolica), Isabelline Shrike (Lanius isabellinus)

• Migrants: Eye-browed Thrush (Turdus obscurus), Dusky Thrush (Turdus eunomus), Pallas’s Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus proregulus)

2. Ugii Lake (Ögii Nuur)

100 km west of Ulaanbaatar (Arkhangai Province)
Best Season: Spring and Summer
Ramsar Site (Wetland of International Importance)

A shallow freshwater lake ideal for waterbirds and waders, Ugii Lake is one of the most accessible birding lakes in central Mongolia.

Birds to Watch:

• Waders: Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis), Asian Dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus), Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)

• Waterfowl: Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina), Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea), Garganey (Spatula querquedula)

• Rare sightings: Pallas’s Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus), Relict Gull (Ichthyaetus relictus), Pallas’s Gull (Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus)

3. Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve

130 km east of Ulaanbaatar
Best Time: May to September

This protected area is a mosaic of mountains, rivers, wetlands, and steppe, making it ideal for spotting both Siberian migrants and wetland species.

Birds to Watch:

• Warblers: Pallas’s Leaf Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus), Lanceolated Warbler (Locustella lanceolata)

• Thrushes & Buntings: Naumann’s Thrush (Turdus naumanni), Little Bunting (Emberiza pusilla), Siberian Accentor (Prunella montanella)

• Shorebirds: Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata), Broad-billed Sandpiper (Calidris falcinellus)

4. Buun Tsagaan Lake (Böön Tsagaan Nuur)

90 km southwest of Bayankhongor city
Best Time: May to July
Ramsar Site | Part of the “Valley of Lakes” Biosphere Reserve

Nicknamed the “Island of a Thousand Birds,” this saline lake is surrounded by desert-steppe and is a major stopover for migratory species.

Birds to Watch:

• Gulls & Terns: Relict Gull (NT), Mongolian Gull (Larus mongolicus), Little Tern (Sternula albifrons)

• Shorebirds: Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), Pallas’s Sandgrouse (Syrrhaptes paradoxus)

• Waterfowl: Red-crested Pochard, Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)

5. Airkhan Lake

670 km northwest of Ulaanbaatar, Bulgan Province, near Eg River
Best Season: Spring and Autumn

A small but ecologically significant lake in northern Mongolia, prone to seasonal changes in size. The surrounding fields are impacted by agriculture and grazing, making conservation efforts important here.

Birds to Watch:

• Threatened Species:

  • Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides) – Endangered (EN)

  • White-naped Crane (Antigone vipio) – Vulnerable (VU)

  • Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) – Vulnerable (VU)

  • Great Bustard (Otis tarda) – Vulnerable (VU)

• Common Sightings: Ruddy Shelduck, Common Crane (Grus grus)

6. Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park

10-15 km west of Dalanzadgad city.
Best Time: March to October

Located in the southern Gobi Desert, this is the largest national park in Mongolia, home to rugged cliffs, sand dunes, and rare desert wildlife. It’s ideal for spotting desert raptors and mountain birds.

Birds to Watch:

• Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus) – Also called Bearded Vulture

• Steppe Eagle, Cinereous Vulture, Mongolian Finch (Bucanetes mongolicus)

• Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris), Desert Wheatear (Oenanthe deserti)