For the very first time in India, researchers have spotted a new Finch species of bird in Arunachal Pradesh.
A team of researchers from the Bombay Natural History Society (BHNS) recently discovered a new rare bird species, called the three-banded rosefinch in Arunachal Pradesh.
The discovery was made at the Sela Pass, between the Tawang and West Kameng districts, in Arunachal Pradesh.
The team of researchers spotted a pair of three-banded rosefinch—one male and one female at a height of 3,852 metres above sea level at the Sela Pass.
The find was made in the coniferous forests of Arunachal Pradesh.
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The three-banded rosefinch belongs to the family of Fringillidae birds, which have more than 200 species.
This bird species is generally found in central China with its natural habitat being temperate forests.
The pair of three-banded rosefinch was spotted in Arunachal alongside flocks of several other birds, including the white-browed rosefinch.
According to the team of researchers, the pair of three-banded rosefinch might have halted in the area during their migration from China to Bhutan.
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Following this discovery, India now has a total of 1,340 species of birds spread across different parts of the country.
At least around five new species of birds were discovered in India in 2021.