Scientists Confirm First Oriental Darter Breeding Colony in Assam

Guwahati: Scientists have finally tracked down a breeding colony of Oriental Darters in Assam. This discovery fills a major gap in our map of where these waterbirds nest in Northeast India. Jyotiprakash Boro, Chandramita Boro, Kuldeep Bora, and Baishali Das published the findings this year in the Journal of Threatened Taxa.

The team hit the field in July 2025 at Bar Panora village in the Kamrup Rural district. They found nine active nests perched in a massive 22-metre tall Samanea saman tree. The nests sat roughly 19 metres high and only 13 metres from the water. The colony counted 18 adults along with 33 chicks. Asian Openbills also shared the tree, creating a mixed-species nesting zone.

The birds were busy. Observers watched them feeding, preening, and guarding their young. The team noted the birds "making begging calls" while adults stayed vigilant. Although BirdLife International lists the species as Least Concern, researchers lacked any hard data on their breeding habits in this specific state until now.

Darters rely on fish-heavy wetlands and tall trees near the water to thrive. The Bar Panora site offers exactly those conditions. The researchers are now pushing for strict protection of these nesting trees and the surrounding wetlands. This data serves as a baseline for future conservation efforts to keep the species alive in Assam.