Rare Orange-breasted Green Pigeon Photographed During Bird Survey Spotted After Many Years in Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary

Raipur, January 2026 : A very pleasant piece of news has emerged from the Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary for bird lovers and environmentalists. During a recent bird survey conducted in the sanctuary, the presence of the rare Orange-breasted Green Pigeon (Treron bicinctus) was recorded, and special photographic documentation of the species was successfully carried out.

Historically, the presence of this bird had earlier been documented in Barnawapara in 2015–16, when renowned bird expert A.M.K. Bharos had sighted it. Since then, the species had not been observed in the area, making its reappearance after several years a significant record from the wildlife conservation perspective.

The rare bird was sighted by the Pakrid team, which included birders and wildlife photographers Raju Verma and Pratik Thakur, along with experts from Karnataka, Bihar, and Odisha. The team achieved notable success when a pair of Orange-breasted Green Pigeons was found perched on a tree directly above them, allowing detailed photography and recording before the birds took flight.

This sighting holds special importance for wildlife enthusiasts, as the species has been observed in this region after a long gap of several years.

Found in parts of India and Southeast Asia, this bird primarily depends on figs and other juicy forest fruits for its diet. It is considered a resident species that regulates its activities according to local seasonal changes. Although its presence has been recorded from time to time in other forests of Chhattisgarh, its return to Barnawapara is seen as an indicator of the strength and health of the local ecosystem.

The survey team identified the species based on its distinctive physical features. The Orange-breasted Green Pigeon is characterized by its bluish-grey neck, yellow-green head, and lower body. Its red legs and slate-grey central tail feathers clearly distinguish it from the commonly seen Yellow-footed Green Pigeon (Hariyal).

In particular, the male bird was identified by the deep orange patch on its chest. The capture of this species on camera after many years is not only a moment of excitement for photographers but also strong evidence of a bird-friendly environment and rich biodiversity within the sanctuary.