Rare Black-capped Kingfisher Spotted in Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary

Second record in Chhattisgarh and first from Barnawapara Sanctuary

Raipur : The biodiversity-rich Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary has added a new record to its name. For the first time, the rare Black-capped Kingfisher has been recorded in the sanctuary. On the morning of December 29, 2025, birder Dr. Dilip Verma documented a rare and significant sighting of the Black-capped Kingfisher in the Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary.

This observation is the first authenticated record of the species from Barnawapara and is considered only the second confirmed sighting across the entire state of Chhattisgarh. The sighting made by Dr. Dilip Verma has been systematically documented with field-based photographic evidence, enabling its scientific validation. This record will serve as an important reference for future studies on avian diversity, conservation planning, and management decisions related to the sanctuary.

It is noteworthy that the Black-capped Kingfisher is generally regarded as a rare bird species associated primarily with coastal and mangrove ecosystems. Its presence in an inland region such as the Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary highlights the area’s rich ecological diversity, the availability of suitable water-based habitats, and favourable environmental conditions.

Previously, in 2024, the species was recorded during a crocodile survey in Kanger Valley National Park, which was considered the first confirmed record of the Black-capped Kingfisher in Chhattisgarh.