Doomdooma: Scientists have documented the first confirmed nesting and breeding record of the Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster) in Assam, addressing a long-standing gap in knowledge about the waterbird’s distribution in Northeast India.
The findings were published this year in the Journal of Threatened Taxa as a short communication authored by Jyotiprakash Boro, Chandramita Boro, Kuldeep Bora and Baishali Das. The field observations were conducted in July 2025 at Bar Panora village in Kamrup (Rural) district.
Researchers recorded an active colony comprising nine nests built in a mature Samanea saman tree standing 22 metres tall. The nests were located approximately 19 metres above the ground and around 13 metres from a nearby wetland.
The team counted 18 adult birds and 33 juveniles or chicks at the site. The birds displayed several typical breeding behaviours, including feeding, preening, resting, regurgitating food for their young, making begging calls, maintaining vigilance and defending their nests.
The nesting tree was also occupied by Asian Openbills (Anastomus oscitans), resulting in a mixed-species nesting assemblage.
First documented breeding record in Assam
Although the Oriental Darter is classified as Least Concern by BirdLife International and is widely distributed across southern and southeastern Asia, published records confirming its breeding in Assam had been lacking.
According to the researchers, the species depends on fish-rich wetlands and tall trees located close to water bodies for nesting and breeding.
The Bar Panora site provides these essential habitat conditions, with the observations confirming successful local breeding.
Wetland habitats crucial for conservation
The study highlights the ecological importance of wetland-edge habitats in supporting waterbird populations.
The authors have called for continued monitoring and protection of nesting trees and surrounding wetlands to ensure suitable breeding conditions for the Oriental Darter in the region.
The findings also provide baseline information that could support future conservation planning for Assam’s waterbird populations.
The researchers emphasize that safeguarding suitable nesting sites and nearby wetlands will be important for sustaining the species’ presence in the state.