Snow partridge (Lerwa lerwa) is found in stony habitats in high areas above the tree line of the Himalayas, the Northern Areas and the Safed Koh mountains. It feeds on new grass in areas clear of snow.

Himalayan snow cock (Tetraogallus himalayensis) is found in the Northern Areas, Chitral and Safad Koh region above 3600 meters. It cockles loudly in the morning and evenings all year round, and is a very fast flyer, beating its wings during the initial part of flight, then gliding with wings slightly closed in swoop. It usually lives where the ibex can be found and eats succulent plants.

Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) is resident in the northern and western mountains of Pakistan at minimum altitudes of 600 meters rising to 4500 meters. It is found in coveys of up to 40 birds, and eats insects, seeds, soft leaves, bulbs and roots dusk, emits a rapidly –repeated “chukor-chukor” which accounts for its name.

Snow pigeon (Coiumba leuconata) is a palaearctic pigeon found in the Northern Areas and the Kaghan valley up to 4000 meters. It roosts on cliffs and nests in rocks, holes and crevices. It flies down in large flocks to the lower valleys during early morning, returning to its roosts in the evening.

Pintail (Anas acuta) Alert and wary, this is one of the most elegant of the ducks, with a distinctive, long, pointed tail. It often feeds at night, especially where there is much disturbance. It is a good walker, holding the long neck erect, and the wings make a distinct hissing noise in flight. It is a common sight in winter throughout the areas on jheels or coastal waters.

Common teal (Anas crecca) Abundant throughout the area in winter, this is a very agile duck, twisting and turning in flight and springing off the water with characteristic dash when alarmed. The drake looks rather dark at distance, but closer up it reveals attractive colors. Like other dabblers, it feeds mainly on vegetable matter. Sometimes it is seen in huge flocks, but usually occurs in much smaller parties (Woodcock, 1980).

Another study has studied many other birds of the region and their characteristics and the list is reproduced in the following table.
Table. List of avi-fauna of Northern Areas

Source: WWF-Pakistan, Northern Areas, Draft report on alpine wetlands of northern Pakistan.

Another list of Northern Areas birds is provided by Blumstein, 1995 and is re-produced in the following table.

Table . Avi-fauna of Northern Areas according to Blumstein, 1995

Source: Blumstein D.T.1995. An Eco tourist’s Guide to Khunjerab National Park. WWF-Pakistan, Lahore.

Migratory birds of Northern Areas
The information on migratory birds of the region is also taken from Blumstein’s work and is as follows:

Table . Migratory birds of Northern Areas

Source: Blumstein, D. T. 1995. An Eco tourist’s Guide to Khunjerab National Park. WWF-Pakistan, Lahore.