Guwahati, July 14: Forty three grassland bird species, including one Critically Endangered, two Endangered, and six Vulnerable species as per the IUCN Red List have been recorded in Kaziranga National Park.
Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve has released its First Grassland Bird Survey Report, marking the region’s most comprehensive documentation of grassland-dependent birds to date. The report not only highlights the ecological importance of the Brahmaputra floodplains but also reveals the discovery of a breeding colony of the Endangered Finn’s Weaver—a major breakthrough in grassland bird research.
The report was officially released recently at a special event in Kaziranga by Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Chandra Mohan Patowary who lauded the park authorities for shining a light on lesser-known components of biodiversity.
Thrilled to share that @kaziranga_’s first-ever grassland survey has recorded 43 grassland bird species—including 1 Critically Endangered, 2 Endangered, and 6 Vulnerable species, plus several regional endemics.
The Brahmaputra floodplain ecosystem boasts the highest diversity… pic.twitter.com/BKeBa2Rcd7
— Chandra Mohan Patowary (@cmpatowary) July 14, 2025
Conducted between March 18 and May 25, 2025, the survey covered the Eastern Assam, Biswanath, and Nagaon Wildlife Divisions. It is the first focused attempt to assess grassland avifauna in this ecologically sensitive landscape. Combining point count methods with passive acoustic monitoring, the survey recorded 43 grassland species.
Ten focal species were prioritized due to their threatened status or endemism to the floodplains, including Bengal Florican, Swamp Francolin, Finn’s Weaver, and Marsh Babbler. The standout discovery was the presence of an active breeding colony of Finn’s Weaver (Ploceus megarhynchus), locally known as tukura chorai in the Kohora Range—an observation hailed by experts as a significant indicator of habitat health.
This remarkable bird is also a master nest-builder atop trees, is a vital indicator of grassland health.”
The use of passive acoustic recorders—allowing continuous, non-intrusive monitoring even in difficult terrain—was a game-changer in detecting elusive or shy species. These findings not only improve species inventories but also provide valuable data for long-term conservation planning.
Led by a team of seasoned forest officials, bird experts, and scientists—including Dr. Asad R. Rahmani, Dr. Anwaruddin Choudhury, Dr. Ranjan Kumar Das, Dr. Udayan Borthakur, and Dr. Sonali Ghosh, among others—the survey sets a new benchmark for bird monitoring in protected areas.
“The survey is a critical first step toward securing the future of grassland birds in the Brahmaputra basin,” the report notes. It calls for regular ecological monitoring and adaptive management strategies to safeguard these fragile ecosystems.
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