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Rare Bird Spotted in Gurgaon Wetland
13 Jul
Summary
- Western reef egret, a coastal bird, sighted in Gurgaon.
- This is the second documented record for this species in Gurgaon.
- The sighting highlights Gurgaon's wetlands' ecological importance.
A western reef egret, a species predominantly inhabiting India's western and southeastern coastlines, has been observed in Gurgaon's Chandu wetland. This marks the second documented instance of this bird in Gurgaon and is considered a rare inland sighting for Haryana. The bird was photographed by Nitin Kumar Raghav and senior birdwatcher Kaanchan Bhagwat.
The identification was confirmed based on specific field marks distinguishing it from the common little egret, including its structure, bill color, and leg coloration. This unusual sighting reinforces the ecological significance of wetlands in the Gurgaon region, which continue to host diverse bird populations despite urbanization.
Historically, Haryana has recorded few sightings of the western reef egret, with previous instances noted in Bhindawas Bird Sanctuary in 2003 and 2011. Delhi has also documented four sightings, the most recent in May 2025. Experts emphasize that such inland records are crucial for understanding species' movements and highlight the necessity of wetland conservation.
