Black-throated Parrotbill Rediscovered: A Rare Encounter in Meghalaya’s Wilderness

Shillong, Dec 22: Three birding enthusiasts—Jyotirmay Baishya, Manas Kumar Kalita, and Rocky Ranjan Srivastava on April 21, 2024 —set out to explore the scenic Mawkdok Dympep Valley en route to Cherrapunji, also known as Sohra. They had no idea that by the end of the day, their journey would mark a significant rediscovery in Meghalaya’s birding history.

At around 11 a.m., the trio reached Khatarshnong Laitkroh, a subtropical broadleaf forest perched 1,780 meters above sea level. There, amidst a lively flock of birds, they photographed a group of ten Black-throated Parrotbills (Suthora nipalensis)—a species recognized for its distinctive grey cheeks and breast, identifying it as the poliotis subspecies.

The parrotbills were observed feeding on bamboo seeds alongside Green-tailed Sunbirds (Aethopyga nipalensis) and Whiskered Yuhinas (Yuhina flavicollis). Though the flock disappeared downhill after five minutes, the group’s documentation confirmed a rediscovery of this elusive species in Meghalaya.

“It was spotted and photographed after a long time,” shared Jyotirmay Baishya, who noted the sighting in the Indian Birds Journal. According to eBird, a citizen science bird monitoring platform, this is the first modern record of Black-throated Parrotbills in the state, although historical literature mentions the species in the Khasi Hills.

A Link to History

The rediscovery carries immense historical significance. Edward Blyth first described the poliotis subspecies in 1851, designating Cherrapunji in the Khasi Hills as its type locality. Known in earlier records as the “Grey-breasted Parrotbill,” the species appeared in ornithological checklists and collections by figures such as Stuart Baker and Walter Koelz in the mid-20th century.

However, recent decades have lacked documented sightings of this bird in Meghalaya, likely due to habitat destruction, hunting, and limited ornithological surveys in the region.

Conservation Implications

“The lack of recent sightings reflects the impact of habitat destruction, hunting, and insufficient birdwatching efforts,” the authors wrote in Indian Birds. “The region has faced substantial pressures from agriculture, mining, and timber extraction, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation.”

Jyotirmay added, “Meghalaya has many unexplored areas that require protection to conserve avian fauna and biodiversity. This sighting gives us hope for the recovery of species that have remained undocumented in recent years.”

The rediscovery of the Black-throated Parrotbill serves as a call to action for intensified conservation efforts to preserve the ecological richness of Meghalaya’s forests.

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