Critically Endangered Red-Headed Vulture Sighted in Pithoragarh's Munsiyari
Bird conservation volunteers photographed a critically endangered red-headed vulture near Munsiyari in Pithoragarh district, a sighting officials call significant for the area's ecosystem.
Current Summary
Members of the bird conservation group Monal have sighted and photographed a critically endangered red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) in the Patalthod forest area near Munsiyari in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district, at an altitude of approximately 2,650 metres. Surendra Panwar, Prakash Rana and Kavindra Panwar of the organisation spotted the bird between Balati Bend and Munsyari town while bird-watching, and captured photographs and video of it. Divisional Forest Officer Pithoragarh Aditya Ratna said the presence of the vulture, a scavenger species, at that altitude indicates a healthy food chain and ecosystem in the area. Panwar said Munsiyari, already a known destination for bird-watching and nature tourism, gains further significance from the sighting, and called for regular monitoring and documentation of such rare species to aid conservation efforts.
What We Know
- A critically endangered red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) was sighted and photographed in the Patalthod forest area near Munsiyari, Pithoragarh, at about 2,650 metres altitude.
- The sighting was made by Surendra Panwar, Prakash Rana and Kavindra Panwar of the bird conservation group Monal.
- Divisional Forest Officer Pithoragarh Aditya Ratna said the find indicates the area's food chain and ecosystem are intact.
- Munsiyari is already known as a bird-watching and nature tourism destination.
What Is Still Unclear
- The exact date of the sighting was not specified.
What Changed
- 8 Oct, 11:51 amSignal detected: Critically Endangered Red-Headed Vulture Sighted in Pithoragarh's Munsiyari
Background
The red-headed vulture, identified by its red head, strong beak and dark feathers, is classified as critically endangered and plays a scavenger role in maintaining ecological balance.