The recent sighting of a Bar-headed Goose in the wetlands of Karingali Puncha in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta District has piqued the interest of birdwatchers and researchers alike. This occurrence is considerably rare since these birds typically inhabit the Koonthankulam bird sanctuary at Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu. The Karingali Puncha wetlands are renowned for being a prominent birding spot in the district, having recorded the highest bird count in the 2015 Asian Waterbird Census.
About Bar-Headed Goose
The Bar-headed Goose (Anser Indicus) primarily resides in central China and Mongolia, where it also breeds. During winter, these birds migrate to the Indian sub-continent and return home at the end of the season. Remarkably, they are capable of flying at high altitudes, journeying to and from India over the Himalayan ranges, one of the world’s most elevated migration paths. The ability of the Bar-headed Goose to consume and transport oxygen rapidly even in hypoxia (low-oxygen conditions) sets it apart from similar lowland waterfowl. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categorizes this bird species as “Least Concern” for extinction risk.
| Scientific Name | Habitat | Migration Pattern | Special Feature | IUCN Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anser Indicus | Central China and Mongolia | Winter migration to the Indian subcontinent | Ability to fly in high altitude and function in hypoxia | Least Concern |
The Asian Waterbird Census
Every January, the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) mobilizes thousands of volunteer citizens across Asia and Australasia to visit their country’s wetlands and count waterbirds. Initiated in 1987, this program spans the East Asian – Australasian Flyway and a significant portion of the Central Asian Flyway. The primary purpose is to obtain annual information on waterbird populations and the status of regional wetlands, promoting public interest in waterbirds and wetlands and consequently, conservation efforts. The AWC forms a crucial part of the global waterbird monitoring initiative, the International Waterbird Census (IWC), coordinated by Wetlands International.
Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary
Located in Tamil Nadu, the Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary was designated as such in 1994. It is a critical protected region famous for the assembling of migratory and local water birds. These include the grey pelican, the painted stork, the greater flamingo, the bar-headed goose, the open bill stork, the black ibis, and common species like egrets, cormorants, herons, and more.
