Kendrapada: In the first ever census conducted of mangrove pitta birds in the country, Odisha forest officials have sighted 179 of these exotic and colourful winged creatures in Bhitarkanika.
The habitats of these beautiful birds are confined to the mangrove forest areas in Odisha’s Bhitarkanika and Sundarban in West Bengal.
The census was carried out for the first time in the country to study the population analysis of these birds, according to Divisional Forest Officer, Rajnagar Mangrove (wildlife) Forest Division, Goipnath Sudarshan Yadav.
Of the wetland sites in Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary covered for the census, the enumerators sighted the highest number of these birds in Mahipura river mouth in the national park area.
Mangrove pitta are colourful birds which have black head with brown crown, white throat, greenish upper parts, buff under-parts and reddish vent area. It is found in mangrove forests where it feeds on crustaceans, mollusks and insects, he was quoted by PTI as saying.
The objective of the census is to record the growth pattern of these birds. These birds are yet to be conferred endangered category. The census in the coming years could throw light whether these feathered species are threatened, the forest official added.
