Nepal has recorded the first confirmed breeding of the black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis), locally called Kalikantha Saras, in the high-altitude Limi valley of Humla district.

The black-necked crane is a globally rare and near-threatened bird species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The milestone observation was made along the Sakya stream plain in Namkha Rural Municipality, Humla, where a pair was seen tending a chick.

“Seeing a chick with its parents is definitive proof of breeding and marks the country’s first such record. This is a moment of great significance for Nepal’s bird conservation,” said senior ornithologist Hem Sagar Baral.

The discovery was made recently by a field team from Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN), led by vulture conservation officer Ankit Bilas Joshi and senior research officer Kiran Gosai. The team spent about three weeks in a remote area, camping at elevations of roughly 4,500 metres, while surveying the Ning stream, Dhyau stream and Sakya stream basins.

“We stayed in three locations in extremely harsh conditions. After years of only seeing adults in Humla, observing a chick with the pair—nearly twelve years after their regular presence was first noted—was unforgettable,” said Joshi. “This changes the bird’s status in Nepal from a mere seasonal visitor to a breeding resident in certain pocket areas.”

BCN researchers explained that the cranes had selected a flat, open wetland near the stream, a typical breeding habitat for the species across the Tibetan plateau. The black-necked crane usually lays one to two eggs, with both parents sharing incubation duties for around 30 to 32 days. The chick is cared for until it can fly at around 100 days.

The research team observed the chick for two consecutive days, carefully documenting behaviour and habitat conditions without disturbing the birds. Joshi confirmed that a follow-up research expedition is planned for April, 2026 to further study nesting success and seasonal movements.

The black-necked crane is striking in appearance, with a black head and upper neck, contrasted by a pale grey body and drooping inner wing feathers. It nests near wetlands, marshes and alpine streams and forages in fallow fields and highland meadows. In Nepal, it has long been considered a summer migrant, arriving around April for breeding and returning by October. During winter, it moves across the Himalayan region, particularly into Bhutan’s Bumthang valley, where local communities traditionally welcome it with ceremonies.

According to ornithologist Krishna Prasad Bhusal, Nepal is home to four crane species—the sarus crane (Saras), black-necked (Kalikantha Saras), demoiselle (Karyangkurung) and common crane (Laxman Saras). Previously, only the sarus crane had a confirmed breeding record in Nepal, primarily in the Tarai. “With the black-necked crane now confirmed as breeding here, Nepal becomes a breeding ground for two crane species—a remarkable development for a small country with diverse ecological zones,” said Bhusal. Sarus cranes remain resident in the lowlands, while the black-necked crane uses high-altitude regions seasonally.

Despite the confirmed breeding, conservationists warn that the black-necked crane faces mounting threats. Habitat degradation, disturbance from infrastructure projects, overgrazing and climate change are gradually shrinking suitable breeding grounds across its range. The IUCN classifies it as a near threatened bird species. The species breeds in cold regions above 3,000 metres, emits a deep, resonant call that can be heard across valleys, and usually mates for life. “Their courtship dance—bowing, leaping and spreading wings—is mesmerising,” said bird expert Hathan Chaudhary. “Watching them feels almost therapeutic and fills one with joy.”

Globally, there are 15 crane species—India records five and Nepal now officially hosts four with increasing ecological importance. Conservationists stress that the breeding site in Humla, a mountain district of Karnali Province, needs urgent protection. Safeguarding high-altitude habitats is critical not only for Nepal’s biodiversity but for the entire Himalayan ecosystem. The successful breeding of the black-necked crane, conservationists say, is both a triumph and a call to action.

In recent years, several bird species have been recorded in the country. With the increasing number of bird population and bird species, Nepal has been a haven for birding. According to ornithologist Baral, a total of 902 bird species have been recorded in Nepal.

Given the variety of bird species the country hosts, a good number of foreign tourists have started visiting the country, exclusively to watch birds. Conservationists suggest that bird conservation can be quite helpful to promote overall tourism development in the country.

However, bird conservation has many challenges across the nation. Loss of habitat, mainly due to human encroachment, haphazard extraction of riverbed materials, shortage of food and excessive fishing threaten the survival of birds in the country. Bird hunting, chemical poisoning, land fragmentation, climate change and lack of awareness among the locals are other major threats to bird conservation efforts.