Northeast Desk, 29th April: In a groundbreaking discovery, the elusive White-cheeked Starling has been sighted and photographed in Manipur for the very first time, marking a significant milestone in the region’s ornithological records.
The momentous encounter occurred when Loyangamba Irungbam, a member of Wildlife Explorer Manipur, stumbled upon the small avian species at Lamphelpat during a routine bird survey conducted by the organization on April 14.
Following the sighting, renowned ornithologist and former assistant director of the Bombay Natural History Society, Dr. Raju Kasambi, confirmed the bird’s identity as the White-cheeked Starling, adding further credibility to the historic observation.
Previously documented exclusively in Arunachal Pradesh, this unprecedented sighting in Manipur marks only the ninth recorded instance of the species in South East Asia, shedding new light on its geographical distribution.
Known for its migratory patterns, the White-cheeked Starling embarks on an annual journey, nesting in North East Asia before venturing southwards to spend winter in regions such as Japan, South Korea, South Eastern China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Its migration route extends further to encompass Myanmar, Thailand, the Philippines, and now, India.
Premjit Elangbam, Secretary of Wildlife Explorer Manipur, expressed optimism about the increasing sightings of rare bird species in Lamphelpat, emphasizing the critical importance of preserving and restoring local water bodies. With hopes of encountering more avian treasures in the future, Elangbam underscored the significance of environmental conservation efforts in nurturing diverse ecosystems conducive to avian diversity.