Rare Mandarin Duck Spotted in Assam’s Manas Region: A Major Discovery for Birdwatchers and Conservationists

On December 18, 2024, a rare Mandarin duck was seen in the reserved forest area near Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve in the Baksa district. This was a wonderful treat for birdwatchers and environmentalists in Assam. At 3:20 PM, this sighting was confirmed by two experts from the Manas Maozigendri Eco-Tourism Society (MMES). Their names are Tomal Gogoi and Edison Basumatary. This is the first time that the Mandarin duck has been seen in Lower Assam, which has made the wildlife community very excited.

The Mandarin duck is native to the forests of eastern Asia, which includes parts of China, Japan, Korea, and Russia. Its bright colours make it stand out. The male duck has a bright red bill, a white crescent-shaped mark above its eye, and bright orange feathers that look like boat sails. It is one of the most beautiful duck species in the world. Beautiful white bars cover its deep purple belly, making it stand out. On the other hand, the female Mandarin duck is a bit less showy. It has greyish feathers, a white eyering, and a pale belly.

The Mandarin duck is a migratory bird that usually nests in places like China, Japan, and eastern Siberia. This bird moves to warmer places in the winter, like southern China and Japan. So, the sighting of this beautiful bird in the middle of Assam has made people curious about the area's growing importance as a home for migrating species.

This finding is huge for people who love animals and people who work to protect them. The Mandarin duck has been officially recorded for the first time in Lower Assam. This is a big deal because it shows that the area is becoming more important for bird species. Birdwatchers, researchers, and scientists are all interested in the area because it is known for having a lot of wildlife. Now, it is also seen as a possible safe haven for migratory birds.

The report is also important for protecting the wildlife in the area. Experts think that the fact that such a rare species lives in the area shows how healthy the environment is and how important it is to protect the places where these rare animals live. The duck was seen close to the Manas National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its wide range of plants and animals. This shows how important it is to protect these nature areas.

For environmentalists, this event makes it even more important to keep researching and protecting the area. Not only is seeing a Mandarin duck a rare birdwatching event, but it also serves as a lesson of how fragile nature is and how important it is to protect the ecosystems that these amazing species live in. The finding of this bird gives us hope and makes us want to do more to protect places like Manas that are in danger because of ecosystem loss and climate change.

The Mandarin duck is a very popular species among birdwatchers because it looks beautiful and is not seen very often. The bird's arrival in Assam adds a new chapter to the history of birdwatching in the area and is expected to get more attention from birdwatchers and researchers. It's a lesson of how amazing nature is and how important it is to protect the places where these amazing things can live and grow.

People who like to watch birds are getting more and more excited and hopeful as word of the sighting spreads. Now, scientists and animal lovers want to find out more about how the changing landscape of the area affects migration trends and how they can better protect the habitats that make places like Manas such important stops for animals.

The Mandarin duck's finding in Assam's Manas region is not only a rare and beautiful event for birdwatchers, but it is also a call to action for conserving wildlife in the area. The Mandarin duck's unique beauty and ability to migrate make it a symbol of the rich biodiversity that thrives in Assam. It reminds us how important it is to protect these priceless natural gems.

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