Kaziranga’s bird count grows: Rapid survey adds data on raptors, storks

Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve is home to at least 30 species of raptors and six species of storks, a rapid bird survey has revealed.

The 10-member survey team conducted the study between the last week of February and March 2 across the park’s core and buffer zones. Kaziranga Tiger Reserve authorities released the findings on Friday, June 5, to mark World Environment Day.

The survey was carried out in collaboration with researchers from Gauhati University. It focused specifically on raptors, birds of prey such as eagles, hawks and vultures, and storks, which are key indicators of wetland health.

Officials said the findings highlight Kaziranga’s ecological diversity beyond its famed one-horned rhinos and tigers. Raptors help control rodent populations while storks indicate the health of the park’s floodplain wetlands and grasslands.

Kaziranga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, already records over 480 bird species. The latest rapid survey adds new data to ongoing monitoring efforts by the forest department and academic partners.

Park authorities said such periodic assessments help track changes in bird populations and guide conservation planning for wetlands and grassland habitats inside the reserve.