Malabar Whistling-thrush spotted in Nepal for the first time
Ornithologists confirm sighting of Indian forest bird in Rupandehi district, extending known range and highlighting Nepal’s rich but understudied biodiversity.
PC: Photo Courtesy : Amrit Nepali
A team of Nepali ornithologists has documented the first confirmed sighting of the Malabar Whistling-thrush (Myophonus horsfieldii) in Nepal, marking a significant range extension for the bird species previously thought to be endemic to peninsular India.
The discovery was made on May 30 during a biodiversity survey for a proposed high-voltage transmission line supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Field researchers Deu Bahadur Rana and Amrit Nepali, affiliated with Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN), spotted the bird near the base station of the Lumbini Cable Car in Butwal, Rupandehi district, about 270 km southwest of Kathmandu.
The bird was first mistaken for the Blue Whistling Thrush, a more common species in Nepal. However, closer inspection of photographs revealed distinctive features such as a solid black bill and legs, bright bluish shoulder patches, and a glossy V-shaped patch on the forehead—traits consistent with the Malabar Whistling-thrush, according to experts consulted from BirdLife International and the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).
“We were stunned,” said Amrit Nepali. “This species has never been recorded in Nepal before. It was hiding in dense vegetation and remained silent the whole time, making it extremely hard to detect.”
The team revisited the site the next day and managed to capture short video footage of the elusive bird. Expert reviews of the images and video confirmed the identification, BCN said.
The Malabar Whistling-thrush is known for its melodic song and glossy blue plumage. It is typically found in forested regions of the Western Ghats and central India, and its presence in Nepal has not been documented in global bird databases, including eBird and the BirdLife International DataZone.
BCN officials said the sighting underscores the importance of continued ornithological monitoring in Nepal’s southern lowlands, where forest corridors may serve as undiscovered habitats or migration routes for lesser-known bird species.
"This is a reminder that Nepal's biodiversity is still revealing surprises," said BCN Project Officer Deu Bahadur Rana.
The organization said it would continue to monitor the site for further sightings and encourages birdwatchers and researchers to report similar observations.
