Rare Vulture Sighted: Sundarbans Bird Count Soars

The Indian Sundarbans recently concluded its fourth annual bird festival, a three-day event that saw birdwatchers, conservationists, and foresters record approximately 31,000 birds. This year's festival identified 168 distinct species, surpassing the 154 species sighted last year. Six teams, comprising 24 participants, covered a vast 4,000 square kilometers across various forest divisions between January 24 and January 26, 2026.

The festival's findings highlighted the sighting of several key species, including the white-rumped vulture, black- and brown-headed gull, and Eurasian curlew. The reappearance of the white-rumped vulture, a critically endangered species, is considered a significant positive indicator for its population recovery and the health of the Sundarbans habitat. A total of 45 mudflat bird species were also documented.

Conservation efforts appear to be yielding positive results, as forest officials reported that no plastic waste was found within the surveyed zones. This achievement is attributed to effective habitat management, with inputs from previous festivals being well-implemented. Of the 168 species identified, 57 were migratory and 111 were resident birds, with 14 species classified as threatened.