A new bird species, the White-cheeked Starling (Spodiopsar cineraceus), has been discovered in the Annapurna Conservation Area of Nepal, bringing the total number of bird species recorded in the country to 895.
The discovery was made by Shankar Tiwari, a local herdsman, during a bird-watching trip with foreign guests in Lo Manthang, Upper Mustang, on May 7th. Tiwari captured a photo of the bird and submitted it to the Nepal Bird Record Committee for verification.
After consultations and studies with national and international ornithologists, the Nepal Ornithologists’ Association confirmed the bird as a new species to Nepal. The White-cheeked Starling is typically found in North and East Asia, including China, Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, Russia, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Vietnam. It is also known to migrate to Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Thailand.
“This bird is found in various places in Nepal’s neighboring country China and also breeds there,” said Tuli Subedi from the Nepal Ornithologists’ Association. “In winter, these birds regularly migrate south and spend the winter in southeastern China and Taiwan.”
It is believed that the White-cheeked Starling found in Lo Manthang was likely on its way back to its breeding grounds. This discovery highlights the rich biodiversity of the Annapurna Conservation Area and the importance of continued conservation efforts in the region.
Image Credit: https://singaporebirds.com/species/white-cheeked-starling/
