Mangrove jewel Bhitarkanika hosts 7 species of kingfishers

Kendrapada: Bhitarkanika National Park, the country’s second-largest mangrove forest after the Sundarbans, is home to seven species of kingfishers thriving in its vast wetland ecosystem, said noted ornithologist Pramod Kumar Dhal (65). “India has 12 species of kingfishers. In my four decades of research, I have recorded seven species in Bhitarkanika,” said Dhal, who has documented 316 avian species across forests in the state.The species found here include brown-winged kingfisher, pied kingfisher, black-capped kingfisher, collared kingfisher, common kingfisher, white-breasted (white-throated) kingfisher and stork-billed kingfisher. Among them, the brown-winged kingfisher (Pelargopsis amauroptera), with its dark wings and scarlet bill, is a large coastal species often seen hunting in water bodies. The pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) is a common black-and-white bird known for its agility, while the black-capped kingfisher (Halcyon pileata) is widely distributed across the region. The collared kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris), with greenish-blue upperparts and a distinctive call, is another prominent resident.The common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), small and brightly coloured, is adapted for high-speed diving, whereas the white-breasted kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) is a familiar sight in the park. The stork-billed kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis), recognised for its large, heavy bill, also inhabits the mangrove habitat.“Kingfishers are resident birds here, and their presence makes Bhitarkanika a visual delight. The wetlands offer abundant food such as fish, prawns, frogs and molluscs, making it an ideal feeding ground,” Dhal said, adding that the park’s relative distance from human habitation supports bird activity. Assistant conservator of forests (ACF), Bhitarkanika, Manas Kumar Das, said Dhal’s documentation is significant for bird conservation. “Tourists enjoy boat-based birding in the mangroves, with peak sightings between November and March,” he added.