Archive · 20 Jan 2026
4.21 lakh migratory birds spotted in Odisha’s Hirakud reservoir
Every year, many birds fly to the Hirakud reservoir in Odisha, India, from far-away places like the Caspian Sea and Mongolia.
This year, people counted over 4.21 lakh birds of 128 different types.
This is more than last year's count.
They also saw five new types of birds they hadn't seen before.
Many people, including bird experts and students, helped count the birds.
The birds come to Hirakud from November to March to stay warm during the winter.
Over 4.21 lakh migratory birds were counted in the Hirakud reservoir, Odisha, during the Annual Mid-Winter Waterfowl Census-2026.
The most numerous bird species were Tufted Duck (71,273), Lesser Whistling Duck (60,987), and Common Coot (51,665).
Five new bird species were sighted: Ruddy Crake, Greater Painted-Snipe, Painted Stork, Little Gull, and Sanderling.
The survey covered 5.72 sq km of the power channel area up to the Chhattisgarh border and involved 93 participants.
This year's count shows a significant increase from last year's 3.77 lakh birds of 122 species.
- Who
- Hirakud Wildlife Division, birding experts, forest officials, NGOs, and school students
- What
- Annual Mid-Winter Waterfowl Census-2026
- When
- January 18, 2026
- Where
- Hirakud reservoir, Sambalpur district, Odisha
- Why
- To count and monitor migratory birds during winter
- Total birds counted
- 4,21,763
- Bird species counted
- 128
- New species sighted
- 5
- Most numerous species
- Tufted Duck (71,273), Lesser Whistling Duck (60,987), Common Coot (51,665)
- Survey area
- 5.72 sq km of the power channel area up to the Chhattisgarh border
- Survey date
- January 18, 2026
- Participants
- 93 (including birding experts, forest officials, NGOs, and school students)
- Migratory bird origins
- Caspian Sea, Baikal Lake, Aral Sea, Mongolia, Central and Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas
