In this article, we will look at the bird life of Bangladesh and discuss what you can expect from a Field Guide to the Birds of the Country.
We will discuss the National Bird of Bangladesh, Migratory birds, and Threatened Species.
These birds are found in both forests and grasslands. In addition, we will look at the habitat of each of these species and discuss their conservation status. We will also take a look at the various kinds of game birds that are found in Bangladesh.
If you want to see the most fascinating birds of the world, then you’ll want to read this Field Guide to the Birds of Bangladesh. Despite the country’s dense population, Bangladesh has a diverse range of natural habitats and supports a wide variety of species, including a number of sought-after regional specialties. The book features photographs of each species and tells the story of the species’ distribution.
The book’s first chapter, dedicated to Bangladesh, highlights the major areas to visit, typical habitats and bird life. Although the country is mostly populated and does not have many endemic bird species, it is home to the Masked Finfoot Heliopais personatus, a stunning and unusual bird. Although this guide does not feature endemic species, you will be able to identify most of the other species that live in Bangladesh.
The original Indian Subcontinent book includes over 3,000 bird species, illustrating a large number of species from the subcontinent. The book’s illustrations are primarily taken from this source, although a few are new. All of the races are properly represented, including the Bengalis and the Brahmins. Only a few additional illustrations were created. This makes the book ideal for birders. There are also many useful facts included.
Migratory birds
During winter months, migratory birds migrate to Bangladesh from their breeding grounds in Asia and Europe. Many species settle in Bangladesh. Dhaka is in the center of the migratory bird flyway, and you may see these birds perched along its roads and walls, resting after a long flight. Common species include the dusky warbler, which breeds in Asia.
The Blyth’s Reed Warbler, another passerine with dusky features, is also commonly seen in Dhaka.
The conservation biologist Sayam U. Chowdhury, assistant coordinator of the International Spoon-billed Sandpiper Task Force, says migration in Bangladesh begins early in August and peaks in December.
Then, in the spring, the avian guests return home. But, there is some bad news for these birds: their numbers are declining as the wetlands are destroyed. In the future, this could cause a massive decline in bird populations.
Thousands of birds migrate to Bangladesh each year. The southern coast and freshwater wetlands of the north-east contain the highest concentration of migratory birds in the country.
At any given time, forty to fifty thousand of these birds are present in these regions. In addition, many of these species find refuge in the forested areas. These species are important for the sustainability of wetland ecosystems and must be protected to prevent the decline of these birds.
There is an increasing concern about the loss of these species to human activity. However, efforts have been made to address this issue and a booklet published in Bengali is an excellent starting point. The publication highlights the key issues and challenges facing these birds, as well as offers information on the country’s migratory bird population.
These efforts will hopefully encourage conservation in this area. But if we are not able to do anything about the decline, the birds will continue to suffer.
The most well-known migration patterns are latitudinal and seasonal. Migratory birds migrate to increase their chances of survival. In some cases, birds migrate to find the best resources for successful breeding.
Some even travel to the tip of South Africa. It’s impossible to understand the exact reasons why a bird migrates, but many scientists agree that it’s an important part of the ecology of a region.
National bird
The Magpie Robin is the National bird of Bangladesh. This bird, which grows up to 19 cm from head to tail, is a shy, nocturnal species. It is found only in rural areas of Bangladesh and breeds freely without human interference. Male Magpie Robins are black, while females are gray. The doel’s call is one of the most famous, and its song is a popular part of its repertoire.
This swan-sized bird has a fan-shaped crest of feathers.
It has a white patch under the eye and long, slender neck. The male of this species is more colorful than the female, with blue breast feathers and a bronze-green tail. Females are brown and lack a tail. This species is the official national bird of Bangladesh. It also performs a complex courtship dance.
The royal Bengal tiger is the national animal of the country. According to some estimates, there are 440 Royal Bengal tigers in Bangladesh. They are found only in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Sundarbans. They have a solitary lifestyle and often travel miles in search of prey. Although the tiger is the national animal of Bangladesh, it is also a symbol of fearlessness and wrath.
Threatened with extinction
With human interference causing the loss of natural habitats and hunting, the bird population in Bangladesh is rapidly declining. In fact, one out of nine bird species is now considered threatened with extinction. The number of threatened bird species in Bangladesh is 41, while 19 species are endangered and four are vulnerable. 158 species were not evaluated due to lack of data. These declining numbers, coupled with the eradication of traditional practices, have made the bird population status worse.
The critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper spends much of its winter in Bangladesh, with less than 400 mature specimens remaining in the wild. The Spoon-bill spends its summers breeding in Eastern Russia and spends the winter in Bangladesh, Thailand, and Myanmar. Despite these threats, the Spoon-bill Task Force is working to protect the bird species throughout its range, and has already achieved a significant increase in breeding success.
The Pink-headed duck was once common throughout Bangladesh and was also found in India and Myanmar. It has become critically endangered and experts are uncertain whether it can ever be reintroduced. Similarly, the Bengal florican used to be common throughout northern Bangladesh, but it has been absent for the past 100 years. The red-headed vulture and the white-bellied heron have also disappeared from Bangladesh since the 20th century.
Overexploitation of wild land has been a contributing factor in the decline of big birds, including vultures.
Their reduced populations need more food to survive, and the loss of these birds in Bangladesh has become a major topic of discussion after international financiers brought the issue to light. Once widespread across the country, the number of birds in Bangladesh was estimated to be as many as seven species, but only a few are currently present.
In addition to vultures, Bengal Floricans are also threatened. Several of these species are endangered, including the Bengal Florican and Macqueen’s bustard.
The Bengal Florican is a regionally threatened species, while the Lesser Florican is extinct. The Great Indian bustard is also on the endangered list, while the Lesser Florican has not been recorded in the country since 1882.
John is passionate about discovering the beautiful birds of the globe. He is researching & sharing the best birds of all countries that he can find to share his passion & hobby with the world.
