Vizag-based hobby bird watchers find it at Thotlakonda hilly area
In a rare sighting birdwatchers were surprised to spot a green pigeon, at Thotlakonda in Vizag recently
Visakhapatnam: In a rare sighting birdwatchers were surprised to spot a green pigeon, at Thotlakonda in Vizag recently. The otherwise grey coloured pigeon that was spotted in green colour in Viag has been identified as the Thick Billed Green Pigeon, which are known to be found along Eastern Himalayas, North East India and Bangladesh.
Until now there were no instances of green pigeon being spotted in Central and Southern India. Bird watchers are excited about the new species found in this region. Last Sunday, three bird watchers Vikram Penmatsa, Vivek Rathod and Aparna had been to Thotlakonda for bird watching, which is their monthly visit, and at the fag end of the trip, Vivek spotted the Thick Billed Green Pigeon whose scientific name is Treron Curvirostra.
“We were totally surprised to spot this bird. Earlier once we spotted a yellow spotted green pigeon but this is for the first time that we have spotted the Thick Billed Green Pigeon. We have referred to the book - Birds of the Indian Sub-continent by Richard Grimmett, Carol Inskipp, Tim Inskipp and distribution of the bird as per this book is Eastern Himalayas, North East India and Bangladesh.
The bird we saw was a solitary one at Thotlakonda. The reason for its presence in this area could not be ascertained with this one incident, may be if we can get more information on similar sightings in this area then we can try to analyse. As of now it would be speculative to guess the probable reasons. This could be a stray incident also,” one of the three members of the group, a professional chartered accountant, Vikram Penmatsa told this correspondent.
During their one-and-a-half-hour birding in the region, they spotted approximately 20 species of birds, which were earlier seen in this region. Some enthusiastic hobby bird watchers of the city have formed a group “Visakhapatnam Bird Watchers” and planned one trip every month to different places in and around Visakhapatnam district.
“We were trying to rope in all bird watching enthusiasts and make it a happening group. Until now after forming the group, we have visited Thatipudi, Meghadrigedda, Kambala-konda and Thotlakonda,” added Vikram. Nestled between hills there are many areas in and around VIsakha-patnam, for birding by bird watchers.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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