Arunachal: Rare Northern Pintail Ducks Spotted in Tawang

TAWANG: In a remarkable discovery, nature enthusiast Jambey Dondu has sighted a raft of rare northern pintail ducks (Anas acuta) at an altitude of 13,500 feet in Arunachal's Tawang district for the first time.

Dondu, devoted to exploring the flora and fauna of Tawang's high-altitude regions, shared his excitement over the rare sighting. “I was visiting one of the high-altitude areas when I unexpectedly came across at least 25 northern pintail ducks. These birds are usually found in lowlands, migrating to escape harsh winters, so spotting them at such an altitude was an extraordinary experience,” he said.

The rare sighting has garnered significant attention, with Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu acknowledging it on his social media. “A rare sight in Tawang! The northern pintail has been spotted at an astonishing altitude of 13,500 ft in Tawang! A graceful migratory bird, rarely seen at such heights, adding to the region’s rich biodiversity. Nature continues to amaze!” he posted.

Adding to the excitement, Bukhey Rai, a birdwatcher's guide, claimed to have spotted a pair of northern pintail ducks flying over Sela in the second week of this month, further reinforcing the presence of the species in unexpected high-altitude locations.

The northern pintail is a large migratory duck species known for its widespread breeding range across northern Europe, Asia, Russia, Central Asia, Mongolia, China, Japan, Alaska, Canada, and North America. As winter approaches, these birds migrate south to escape harsh conditions, usually preferring wetlands, lakes, ponds, coastal regions, and flooded agricultural lands in northern Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and the USA.

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