Northeast Desk, 15th May: A Mumbai-based physiotherapist, Kalyan Kapdi, has achieved a significant milestone by identifying a giant shrike bird species in the Tawang district, marking the first recorded sighting of this species in India. The giant shrike, previously documented only in China, was spotted during Kapdi’s family vacation in late March.
Kapdi, known for her passion for trekking and birdwatching, was exploring Bumla Pass and Sangetsar Lake with her family on March 28 when she observed an unfamiliar bird flying alongside their vehicle. “We were at a considerable altitude, and I was alert to the possibility of encountering unusual sightings,” she recalled. Requesting the driver to halt the vehicle, Kapdi managed to capture clear photographs of the bird perched on a pole.
Navigating the narrow roads and heavy military presence in the area, Kapdi overcame challenges to document the bird, initially mistaking it for the great gray shrike commonly found in India. However, further investigation using the Merlin Bird ID app revealed no known distribution of this species in Arunachal Pradesh.
Sharing her findings with birder Salehin Md Habib from Kolkata, Kapdi’s discovery was confirmed the following day by Habib and fellow birder Sandeep Biswas: the bird identified was indeed a giant shrike, marking its inaugural presence in India.
Expressing her astonishment at the discovery, Kapdi said, “I was quite surprised when Salehin called with the exciting news that the shrike had been confirmed as a giant shrike.” Her dedication to birdwatching, despite her professional commitments as a physiotherapist, has resulted in this significant addition to India’s ornithological records.
The discovery has ignited enthusiasm within the birdwatching community, emphasizing the importance of ongoing exploration and documentation of bird species in the region. Kapdi’s find underscores the rich biodiversity of Arunachal Pradesh and the potential for further ornithological revelations.
This unprecedented sighting not only enriches India’s avian records but also encourages birdwatchers to remain vigilant for other rare species that may be awaiting discovery in the country’s diverse habitats.
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