On Bengal’s quiet riverbanks, a small bird sings again. The chestnut-capped babbler, hidden for nearly 150 years, has resurfaced in the wilds of Howrah. This tiny, shy bird has quietly survived where few expected.
A Rare Return After Centuries
Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) confirmed the bird’s presence. It marks the first documented breeding population in South Bengal since independence. The finding was published in the journal Indian Birds on Tuesday.
British naturalist Allan Octavian Hume last recorded the bird here in 1875. His notes, quoting J.C. Parker, describe a nest at Salt Lake’s wetlands.
The chestnut-capped babbler is a timid insectivore. It lives deep within reed beds and grasslands, avoiding human eyes. Its shy nature and camouflaged plumage make it hard to spot.
Survey Uncovers New Habitats and Risks
Between December 2022 and March 2025, ZSI researchers visited 102 sites. The bird was found at 23 locations along the Rupnarayan and Damodar rivers. Notable sightings occurred at Orphuli, Amdanga, Kamardaha, Kalbansh and Char Kantapukur.
Most sites were near the Rupnarayan, with fewer along the Damodar. These grasslands, full of kash and khori, are not protected.
Floriculture expansion, mainly for hibiscus and marigold, threatens the habitat. Machines are clearing tall grasses where these birds nest and hide.
“The babbler depends on dense grass,” said researcher Kaushik Deuti. “If the grass goes, the bird disappears with it.”
Alarming New Discoveries
The study revealed something never recorded before — clear sexual dimorphism. Males had red irises, while females showed black. Only the red-eyed males were seen singing or displaying during breeding.
Researchers also recorded three distinct calls — alarm, territorial and breeding. This adds valuable sound data rarely captured in Bengal.
Despite finding active nests, many were destroyed when grasslands were burnt. Fires are often lit to prepare land for fresh flower crops.
“Even during the breeding season, the grass is set ablaze,” said Deuti.
Urgent Call for Conservation
ZSI director Dhriti Banerjee stressed that wetlands and grasslands are vanishing fast. “This discovery is a wake-up call,” she said. “If we want species like this to survive, their habitat needs urgent protection.”
Without any conservation measures, the last stronghold of this species in South Bengal may be lost.
“The bird has quietly survived on the margins,” said Deuti. “Now, its future depends on how much we value those margins.”
Researchers hope this study sparks public awareness and leads to protective action before it’s too late.
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