Short-tailed Shearwater becomes Nepal’s 1st recorded seabird
A Short-tailed Shearwater spotted at Koshi Barrage becomes Nepal’s first recorded seabird and its 900th bird species.
PC: Photo : Anish Timsina
Nepal has officially recorded its 900th bird species after ornithologists confirmed the first-ever sighting of a Short-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna tenuirostris), a pelagic seabird rarely observed inland. The discovery marks a significant milestone in the country’s avian record and adds a new dimension to our understanding of migratory bird behavior.
The bird was spotted on May 2 by conservationist and birdwatcher Anish Timsina at the Koshi Barrage reservoir in Saptari, a key wetland ecosystem in eastern Nepal. Observed swimming and gliding close to the water’s surface, the bird displayed classic marine behavior, an unusual sight in landlocked Nepal.
Timsina captured photos and video evidence of the bird, which played a critical role in its formal identification. The Nepal Bird Record Committee (NBRC) confirmed the sighting after reviewing field marks and behavior. The finding was publicly announced by the Nepalese Ornithological Union last week.
“This is an extraordinary record that challenges our understanding of seabird distribution,” said Dr. Tuki Ram Subedi, chair of the NBRC. “Finding a pelagic species like the Short-tailed Shearwater in freshwater wetlands demonstrates how little we still know about avian movements.”
Typically found soaring over vast oceanic expanses and breeding in countries like Australia, Japan, and New Zealand, the Short-tailed Shearwater is a long-distance migratory bird. Its unexpected appearance in Nepal makes the country one of the few landlocked nations to record the species. Ornithologists believe it may have been diverted from its usual migration path by weather events or other ecological factors.
Following its official recognition, the bird was named Chhoto Puchchhre Samundri Chara in Nepali, referring to its short tail and marine origin.
The sighting also emphasizes the ecological significance of Koshi Barrage as a habitat for migratory and rare bird species. Timsina, founder of the Koshi Bird Society, noted that this region has become a hotspot for unusual avian records, underlining the need for continued monitoring and conservation efforts.
Nepal’s avifauna now accounts for nearly 10% of the world’s known bird species. The country has added new bird records consistently over the past decade, averaging around six new species annually through both discoveries and taxonomic updates. Recent additions include the violet cuckoo in Ilam and the purple-backed sunbird in Jhapa, further cementing Nepal's reputation as a world-class birding destination.
As bird tourism rises, experts believe such discoveries will only deepen global interest in Nepal’s diverse ecosystems—from lowland jungles to high alpine habitats—offering both ecological insight and economic opportunity.
