RARE BIRD SIGHTINGS: Onlookers amazed with sighting of rare bird in Bengal

ANI | Bankura (West Bengal) 

March 10, 2014 Last Updated at 17:27 IST

A rare bird sighted at Sanbandha village on the outskirts of Bankura town in West Bengal amazed curious onlookers and bird lovers.

The bird was huge, typically 110-120 centimetres tall with a 210 centimetre wingspan and a body weight of around 5 kilograms.

Bankura's Sanmilani college Professor Biswaranjan Dhua said that the species of this bird is on the verge of extinction.

"This bird is actually Lesser Adjutant Stork. It is now vulnerable species. In West Bengal it is found only in wetland. It takes ten years to breed. Its population is about 40 in the state," said Dhua.

Approximately 3000 birds of this species are still in world. Only 40 birds of this particular species is on official record in West Bengal.

The region in and around Bankura is regarded as a haven for the Lesser Adjutant Stork, which is a rare species of the stork family. It normally builds its nests on very tall trees.

The main problem faced by these birds is the loss of their feed. There has been a shortage of fish and rodents due to shortage of water bodies in the area.

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Bird skeletons found in old Kolkata school

Kolkata: More than 20 bird skeletons were discovered during renovation work at a 177-year-old schoolhere, an official said Tuesday.

Workers drilling through a wall of the accounts office inside the 177-year-old La Martiniereschool building Monday evening found mud covered remains of mostly small birds.

“We have informed the Archaeological Survey of India and the Zoological Survey of India,” schoolsecretary Supriyo Dhar told IANS.

The renovation work began last Saturday and the bird skeletons were discovered Monday evening.

“The skeletons are all intact,” Dhar said.

Founded in 1836 by Frenchman Claude Martin, a Major General in the British East India Company’s Bengal Army, the institute’s buildings were constructed five to seven years prior to its opening.

“We are very excited with the discovery, especially since the school building is older than the date of its founding. It is a part of Claude Martin’s legacy,” said a teacher.

http://www.mizonews.net/nation/bird-skeletons-found-old-kolkata-school/

180 rare birds rescued, four held in Kolkata

At least 180 birds of rare species were today recovered during a joint operation here by the police and forest department personnel and four persons were arrested in this connection. 

During the raid, 151 munia birds and 30 of other rare species were recovered from them, they said. 

The four persons, arrested by the police, were trying to traffic the birds from West Bengal to neighbouring states. 

Rs 1.43 lakh was seized from the arrested persons while the birds were handed over to the forest department.

http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/180-rare-birds-rescued-four-held-in-kolkata-113091500722_1.html