“White-Bellied Heron” spotted in Arunachal Pradesh

What is the News?

The white-bellied heron was spotted at Walong in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. This is the first time the white-bellied heron was sighted at a height of 1,200 meters above sea level in India.

About White-Bellied Heron:

Source: eBird

• The White-bellied Heron is a rare and elusive bird. It is the second-largest living species of heron.
• Characteristics: The White-bellied Heron is extremely shy to human presence. It is plain dark grey in colour except for the white belly part. It has a long neck.
• Habitat:
  • It is one of the rarest birds in the world. At present, it is found only in Bhutan, Myanmar and the Namdapha Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh, India.
  • But the bird has also recorded in the Kamlang Tiger Reserve in Lohit district in Arunachal Pradesh through camera trap images.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
  • Indian Wildlife Protection Act,1972: Schedule IV
• Threats:
  • Loss and degradation of lowland forests and wetlands through direct exploitation and disturbance by humans
  • Natural forest fires have destroyed nests of Heron

Source: TOI