Tibetan Plateau, Tibet is known as the ''Roof of the World'', an inhospitable region but to certain wildlife it is "paradise''. There are more than 2,300 species of insects, 64 species of fish, 45 species of amphibians, 55 species of reptiles and 488 species of birds. There are 18 nature reserves, five of them are national nature reserves. The National Reserves are: - Qiangtang Nature Reserve for Wild Tibetan Yaks and Black-necked Cranes, Asses and Gazelles. Markam Nature Reserve for Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkeys. Shenzha Nature Reserve for Black-necked Cranes. Nyingchi-Dongjug Nature Reserve for Antelopes. Riwoge-Chamoling Nature Reserve for Red Deer.

The major birding sites are: -

Yamdrok Lake

Yamdrok Tso Lake, is one of the largest fresh water lakes in Tibet with 16 islands. It is the largest home to many species of migratory birds in southern Tibet. There are about 153 species of birds, The lake covers an area of 638 sq km, is at an alt of 4441m and has a depth of between 20 to 60m,  The birds include Bar-headed Geese - Anser indicus, Tibetan Pheasant - Crossoptilon harmani, Black-necked Crane – Grus nigricollis, Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula and Northern Shoveler - Anas clypeata. The best time of the year for bird watching is from May to November.

Namtso Lake

Namtso Lake, the "holy lake" or "Heaven Lake" is the 2nd largest salt lake in Northern Tibet, situated at the edge of Qiangtang Plateau to the north of Lhasa, at an alt of 4719 meters. It covers an area of 1940 sq km, inhabited by large flocks of birds both resident and migratory and include Bar-headed Geese - Anser indicus, Black-necked Crane – Grus nigricollis, and a large selection of other species.

Xiongse Monastery

Xiongse Monastery is located at Caina Village in Chushui County was founded in 1181 and is the largest nunnery in Tibet. The average annual rainfall is 440mm falling mainly in summer. Birds include White-eared Pheasant - Crossoptilon crossoptilon, Tibetan Pheasant - Crossoptilon harmani and Snow Pigeon – Columba leuconota The best time of the year for bird watching is in May.

Palgon Lake

Palgon Lake or Bangonghu in Chinese is 155km in long, the average depth is 57meters and is at an alt 4242m. There are 5 islands the largest is Bird Island and is an important breeding place in Spring Bar-headed Geese - Anser indicus. The best time to watch birds is from May to September.

Qiangtang Nature Reserve

With an average attitude of 5000 meters, located in the north of Tibetan Plateau, covers an area of 2980ha.  The reserve is home to Yaks, Bharals, Tibetan Donkeys, White-lipped Deer, Black-necked Crane. The best time to visit is from June to September. There are 470 plants and 92 bird species.

Shenzha Black-necked Cranes Nature Reserve & Tsoe Lake

Covers an area of 40000 ha, was established for the protection of the Black-necked Crane and the Wetland Ecological System. Set up in 1993, there are many lake-basins belts, the rainfall is about 300mm annually and the bird list is 120 species. A Black-necked Crane breeding area. Sanglyrire Island on Tsoe Lake, has roughly 50000-54000 Pallas Gull or Great Black-headed Gull - Larus ichthyaetus.

Pengbo Black-necked Crane Reserve

Pengbo Nature Reserve, another name Lhasa Nature Reserve, located at the south of Linzhou county, covers an area of 9680ha, The habitat consists of valley grass land, wetland, plantations and agricultural land. to protect the Black necked cranes and its habitat. ResidentBlack-necked Crane around 1500 birds, and about 3000 cranes use this reserve as stop over.

Great Canyon of Yarlung Zangbo Nature Reserve

This was established in 1984, and upgraded to a national reserve in 2000, covering an area of 62620 ha. It is a major Tibetan tropical ecosphere. There are 94 kinds of animals, 38 species of reptiles, more than 1,980 types of insects, some 3,000 plant varieties and 232 species of birds. Birds include: - Rufous-necked Hornbill - Aceros nipalensis, Satyr Tragopan - Tragopan satyra, Temminck's Tragopan - Tragopan temminckii, Red-breasted parakeet - Psittacula alexandri, Gould’s Sunbird - Aethopyga gouldiae, Fire-tailed Sunbird - Aethopyga ignicauda, Red-billed Leiothrix - Leiothrix lutea, Lady Amherst’s Pheasant -Chrysolophus amherstiae, Tibetan Pheasant - Crossoptilon harmani and Black-necked Crane - Grus nigricollis.