Home / Environment / Rare Himalayan Buzzard sighted in Wayanad Sky Islands
Rare Himalayan Buzzard sighted in Wayanad Sky Islands
16 Mar
Summary
- 156 bird species documented in Wayanad Sky Island survey.
- Eight threatened and 20 endemic species were recorded.
- Endangered Banasura Chilappan found only in Wayanad.
The Wayanad Sky Island Bird Survey 2026, held from March 13 to 15, successfully documented 156 distinct bird species. Approximately 55 birdwatchers participated in the event, which was jointly organized by the North and South Wayanad Forest Divisions and the Hume Centre for Wildlife Biology.
This year's survey identified eight threatened species and twenty endemic to the Western Ghats. Excitement arose with the sighting of a Himalayan Buzzard, a raptor typically found in northern India, marking its second recorded appearance in Kerala. The survey also focused on sky islands above 1,200 meters in ranges like Camel's Hump and Banasura.
A significant finding was the confirmation of a healthy population of the Banasura Chilappan, Wayanad's district bird, exclusively found in its sky islands. This species is critically endangered, with fewer than 2,500 individuals remaining in a limited habitat. Conservationists suggest elevating the Camel's Hump mountain range to national park status to protect this rare bird.
Several other Western Ghats endemic species were observed, including the Nilgiri Sholakili and Black-and-orange Flycatcher. The survey, initiated in 2018 as part of the Kerala Bird Atlas programme, underscores the ecological importance of Wayanad's unique high-elevation landscapes.
