The eighth edition of the Goa Bird Checklist was published on 16 July 2026 as a peer‑reviewed paper in Indian BIRDS, raising the state total to 502 species.
New additions
- New species (5): Greylag Goose (Anser anser), Red‑crested Pochard (Netta rufina), Wedge‑tailed Shearwater (Ardenna pacifica), Indian Courser (Cursorius coromandelicus), Indian Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros birostris).
- Publication details: Goa Bird Checklist 8.0 published in Indian BIRDS; authors Pronoy Baidya and Mandar Bhagat.
State avifauna statistics
- Total species: 502 species recorded within Goa’s 3,702 sq km.
- Proportion of national avifauna: c. 40% of India’s known bird species (India ≈ 1,300 species).
- Previous edition: 7th edition listed 497 scientifically documented species (30 May 2025).
Surveys and atlases
- State Bird Atlas: Goa published a state‑level bird atlas in Feb 2026; it was the second Indian state to produce a comprehensive atlas.
- Campus Bird Count 2026: Recorded 110 species across 12 institutions; Carmel College recorded 71 species.
Species & habitat notes
- Wedge‑tailed Shearwater: Pelagic seabird; coastal/offshore records extend the state’s marine avifaunal list.
- Indian Courser & Indian Grey Hornbill: Typically occupy dry, open and wooded habitats respectively; inclusion reflects range and habitat records within Goa.