New species of bird found in Upper Mustang

GANDAKI: A new species of bird has been found in Lomanthang of Upper Mustang in the Annapurna Conservation Area.

According to the Nepal Ornithologists’ Association, the bird has been recorded as ‘Fusro Sarau’. Dr Tulsi Subedi, Chair of Nepal Bird Record Committee, informed that ornithologist Shankar Tiwari spotted the bird at 8:49 in the morning of May 25 during a walk.

Based on a study of pictures and descriptions of birds and suggestions from national/international ornithologists, the committee has identified the new species for Nepal.

The English name of the bird is ‘White Cheeked Starling’ and the scientific name is Spodiopsar Cineraceus. According to the Association, this bird is found in China, Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, Russia, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Vietnam in North and East Asia.

It has been recorded as a migratory bird in Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines and Thailand, according to a statement released by the Association.

With this, the number of bird species in Nepal has reached 895. This bird is found in different places of China, closest to Nepal.

Ornithologists say that this bird migrates south in winter and spends the winter in Southeast China, Taiwan. The bird spotted in Lomanthang is believed to have arrived as a migrant on its way back to its breeding area.