Himalayan Riverine Birds

PhD Student - Rohan Menzies

Program - High Altitude Program and CEROS

Guides - Kulbhushansingh Suryawanshi and Rohit Naniwadekar

The PhD thesis is about understanding how river bird communities are assembled. Within this, moving from a community-level to a species-level in terms of the resources and conditions each prefers or requires to survive. Understanding how these communities are impacted in the presence of human modifications and activities. A part of my thesis will also focus on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron in the eastern Himalaya to better understand not only the species' requirements but also how it can be conserved effectively. 

How are river bird communities assembled?

What are the resources required by each river bird species?

How do human activities influence river birds?

How can the White-bellied Heron be conserved?

River systems around the world are highly threatened and require a lot more attention than they currently receive. Through this PhD, I hope to highlight how and why river bird species are dependent on these ecosystems and what might happen to them if their habitats are modified. By understanding these aspects, river bird conservation might benefit globally. Conservationists would be able to use the best approaches to mitigate the loss of river birds while also protecting the river systems themselves.

The White-bellied Heron potentially has its last remaining population in the eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh in Namdapha Tiger Reserve. People who are familiar with the species are able to identify it by its tall stature. It is the second largest heron in the world and likely the rarest heron as well. Due to its large body, long neck, and posture while perched on boulders along the rivers, it is called "Amitabh Bachchan chidiya" by the local people. When we speak to the people who frequent the rivers to ask them if they have seen a White-bellied Heron, and if they have come across this rare sight; we know that they can accurately identify the bird if they call it Amitabh Bachchan!

Just like Amitabh Bachchan or White-bellied Heron, Rohan is also a tall statured guy with Dumbledore's hairstyle. He did his masters from the University of Otago working on the Yellow-eyed Penguin.

He is known for his spontaneous and witty nature. In his leisure time he loves to play the guitar and read anything unrelated to his research.

Field collaborators: Dhan Bahadur Limbu and Laiphung Wangnow