Nepal's Only Endemic Bird Spotted for the First Time in Madhesh Province

For birdwatchers and conservationists, this is a notable new record: the Spiny Babbler, Nepal's only endemic bird, has been sighted for the first time in Madhesh Province.

Ornithologists Hathan Chaudhary and Suraj Baral observed the bird near the Dudhaura River in Jitpur Simara Sub-Metropolitan City-22, Bara, on June 4, 2026. The sighting was recorded at an altitude of 443 meters in the Chure forest region.

The discovery is important because the Spiny Babbler is widely regarded as a highly localized species, historically associated with Nepal's hill scrub habitats and known for being difficult to detect. Previous accounts describe it as Nepal's only endemic bird and note that it is typically found in dense scrub with scattered trees, usually at higher elevations than the new Madhesh record.

Why this sighting matters

A first provincial record can help researchers better understand the bird's current range, seasonal movement, and habitat tolerance. The Spiny Babbler has long been considered an enigmatic species, and every new observation adds useful data for ornithology and conservation planning.

The bird is generally described as living in thick scrub and being easier to detect by its distinctive song than by sight. Its known habitat has been linked to mid-hill and forested scrub zones, which makes the Madhesh observation especially interesting from a distribution standpoint.

A rare bird with a special place in Nepal's biodiversity

The Spiny Babbler holds a unique status in Nepal's natural heritage because it is the country's only endemic bird species. That makes any confirmed sighting significant, especially in a location where it had not been documented before.

Reports on the species also emphasize that it is shy, understudied, and closely tied to scrubland ecosystems that can be vulnerable to land-use change. New records like this one can help refine where the species still survives and how it may be adapting to changing landscapes.

What birders may take from the record

For the birding community, the Madhesh sighting reinforces the value of continued field observation in under-surveyed areas. It also suggests that even well-known species with narrow reputations can turn up in unexpected places when habitats are carefully watched.

As researchers continue to document Nepal's avian diversity, this finding stands out as both a scientific update and a reminder that the country's forests and river corridors still hold surprises.