Nepal has recorded a collared kingfisher for the first time, taking the country’s documented bird species count to 904.
KATHMANDU: Nepal has added a new species to its official bird records after a collared kingfisher, a bird usually associated with coastal and marine habitats, was photographed for the first time in the landlocked country.
The rare sighting was made in Dhanusha district, where local bird enthusiast Anil Mandal photographed the bird on September 29 while it was perched on an electricity wire amid farmland in Janakpurdham.
First confirmed record for Nepal
Mandal submitted the photograph and details to the Nepal Bird Record Committee the following day.
After examining the image and consulting national and international ornithologists, the committee confirmed that it was Nepal’s first officially documented collared kingfisher, or white-collared kingfisher, Todiramphus chloris.
The discovery has increased Nepal’s official bird species tally from 903 to 904.
Experts identified the bird as belonging to the subspecies Todiramphus chloris humii.
Why the sighting is unusual
Collared kingfishers are commonly found along coasts, mangroves, wetlands and marine areas, making the appearance in landlocked Nepal particularly unusual.
The species is widely distributed across South and Southeast Asia, Australia and Pacific islands. It can also be found in coastal parts of Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and eastern Africa.
Its nearest established habitat to Dhanusha is believed to be the Sundarbans region of Bangladesh and West Bengal.
Experts believe the bird may have wandered north through the Ganga-Brahmaputra river system or been pushed off its usual route by strong winds or weather conditions.
Local birdwatcher makes important discovery
The Nepal Bird Record Committee praised Mandal for documenting the bird, highlighting the growing importance of amateur birdwatchers and wildlife photographers in identifying rare species.
Nepal has recorded several new or unusual bird species in recent years, reinforcing its reputation as an important destination for ornithology and bird tourism.
Impact to expect
The discovery strengthens Nepal’s biodiversity record and could further boost interest in birdwatching tourism, while also underlining the importance of habitat protection and continued wildlife monitoring.
