Red Breasted Parakeet bird species first time reported in Haryana in Kurukshetra University premises

KURUKSHETRA: A researcher in the department of zoology at Kurukshetra University (KU) has reported the sight of Red Breasted Parakeet, a near threatened species, for the first time at the varsity campus.
KU’s director of public relations Prof Brajesh Sawhney said that the lush green campus of university is full of bird biodiversity but on November 23, a near threatened species of Red Breasted Parakeet was spotted by a researcher.
He said Aruna Yadav, a researcher in the department of zoology has recorded the parakeet which has never been reported before in the state of Haryana. He said finding such a rare bird species reflects the healthy ecosystem of KU campus.
KU vice-chancellor Prof Som Nath Sachdeva also congratulated the researcher Aruna Yadav and her research supervisor Prof Deepal Rai Babbar.
Researcher Aruna Yadav said that Red Breasted Parakeet was first spotted on November 23, 2023 and again on December 4, 2023, it was spotted and its nest was also identified. After looking into the literature and discussion with the experts, it has come to light that earlier this bird was not seen in the entire area of Haryana state, she said.
Researcher Aruna is doing her research work on the diversity of birds under the guidance of Prof Deepak Rai. Aruna said that a complete survey on this bird will be conducted and its findings will be published.
On the first time reporting this bird, Prof Deepak Rai, chairman of department of zoology, KU said that it is a very pleasant thing to have such a rare bird species reported in Haryana and in our university campus.
“Birds of this species are not migratory birds but live in a stable geographical area. In this way, the finding of this bird in Haryana either shows the increase in its geographical area range or it could also be an example of a feral bird. More surveys are needed to reach conclusions and further nesting and data of presence of this bird will be recorded. Only a single female Red Breasted Parakeet is seen in KU premises”, said Prof Deepak. He said this bird’s stable geographical area is Southeast Asia and it has been reported up to Uttarakhand in India, but seen first time in Haryana.