Sky-High Census: Kaziranga Solidifies Status as Global Fortress for Rare Birds of Prey

KAZIRANGA— In a powerful testament to the ecological health of Assam’s most famous floodplains, a first-of-its-kind rapid survey has officially crowned Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve as a critical global sanctuary for some of the planet’s most vulnerable winged predators and wading giants.

Released on Friday to mark World Environment Day, the joint study by the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve authority and Gauhati University researchers offers a dazzling snapshot of biodiversity: 30 distinct species of raptors and six species of storks are actively thriving within the park’s boundaries.

The World’s Safest Breeding Ground for an Enigmatic Icon

While the sheer variety of birds surprised even veteran conservationists, the crowning jewel of the report is the confirmation of Kaziranga as the ultimate global stronghold for the Pallas’s fish eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus).

Building on data from the Wildlife Institute of India, officials confirmed that the park boasts the highest density of active breeding sites for this enigmatic, threatened raptor anywhere on Earth, counting at least 10 active nests. As wetlands elsewhere succumb to urbanization, Kaziranga’s pristine waters have become a literal lifesaver for the species.

A Tale of Three Divisions

The 10-member research team braved the terrain between late February and March 2, carving the park into three distinct administrative zones to map out population distributions.

The data revealed that while raptors prefer the dense canopies, storks are heavily reliant on Assam’s rich, interconnected wetland networks:

• Biswanath Wildlife Division: Proved to be the most diverse overall, recording 20 raptor species and a clean sweep of all 6 stork species.
• Eastern Assam Wildlife Division: Clocked the highest individual raptor diversity with 21 species, alongside 5 stork species.
• Nagaon Wildlife Division: Maintained a strong baseline with 14 raptor and 5 stork species.

“Assam’s unique geography—cradled by the Himalayan foothills and nourished by dynamic wetland ecosystems—provides a critical habitat that simply cannot be replicated elsewhere in India,” the official statement noted.

The Balancing Act: Abundant Giants vs. Lonely Eagles

The census highlighted a fascinating contrast between thriving populations and those teetering on the edge.

Among storks, the Asian openbill dominated the skies with 92 sightings, whereas the critically endangered greater adjutant stork remains precariously rare, with only three individuals spotted.

In the raptor category, the massive Himalayan griffon vulture ruled the roost with 69 individual sightings. Conversely, the booted eagle and white-tailed eagle made dramatic, lone cameo appearances—with just one individual recorded for each species, underscoring the urgent need for continued, strict habitat protection.

With India playing host to 112 raptor species and 8 stork species nationwide, this survey proves that the Kaziranga-adjoining landscape is doing the heavy lifting for avian conservation—harbouring nearly half of the country’s raptor diversity and every single stork species found in the state of Assam.