7 new migratory bird species sighted in Arunachal’s Ziro

Itanagar: Seven new species of migratory birds have recently been sighted in the Ziro Valley of Arunachal Pradesh.
The birds were sighted during the ‘Ziro Bird Walk', organised by a team of local bird enthusiasts, who spotted the birds in the traditional wet farmlands. The bird species were not previously recorded in the bird checklist for the area.
On receiving information about the sightings, principal chief conservator of forests N Tam, Kamle district medical officer Tage Kanno, and several nature lovers conducted a bird walk to verify the presence of these rare visitors.
Among the highlights were sightings of the greater white-fronted goose and the black-winged stilt, both of which were previously unrecorded in Ziro. The group also confirmed the presence of the little stint, bringing the number of newly reported migratory bird species to seven in just one week.
A total of 21 bird species were documented during the walk. Koj Mama, a renowned conservationist and Arunachal Pradesh Birding Club president, said the discovery of species such as the pied avocet and greater white-fronted goose, typically found in the eastern Himalayan belt, underscores the ecological importance of Ziro valley.
"These sightings signify the crucial role of Ziro's traditional farmlands as a habitat for migratory birds. It reinforces the need for sustained conservation efforts in the region," Mama said.
The newly reported species include the Chinese pond heron, Eurasian Curlew, pied avocet, black-winged stilt, greater painted snipe, greater white-fronted goose, and little stint.