The endangered bird species yellow-rumped honeyguide was recently spotted in Choyatar Community Forest of northeastern Ilam this week.

Bird researcher and wildlife photographer Deven Kharel on Sunday captured the bird in his camera at the Choyatar forest in ward 5 of Sandakpur Rural Municipality. Locally called Chakasoochak, this resident bird bears the scientific name Indicator xanthonotus.

“For researchers like us, finding such rare birds in Nepal is a major achievement,” Kharel said. “Only one species under the honeyguide family is found in Nepal. I found this bird at an altitude of about 2,500 metres above sea level.”

The Choyatar forest area is well-known for hosting endangered red pandas alongside diverse bird species. Conservation projects have been operating here for a long time. During an expedition led by Kharel and other researchers from Thumke to Choyatar in the third week of August, seventy-four bird species were recorded.

“I photographed the yellow-rumped honeyguide, fulvous parrotbill, scarlet finch, and mountain tailorbird for the first time,” said Kharel. “We found three species of parrotbill within a one-kilometre area.” He said the diversity of bird species makes the Naya Bazar-Choyatar area a promising destination for birdwatchers.

According to Kharel, the honeyguide feeds on abandoned honeycombs left behind by cliff bees. “In the past, because this bird could identify cliff bees, people used to follow wherever it flew,” he said.

Senior ornithologist Hem Sagar Baral says birds belonging to the honeyguide family possess the unique capacity to digest wax.

“Other birds can’t digest wax, neither can humans,” said Baral. “This is another distinct characteristic of the honeyguide.” Because humans can locate honeycomb positions by following the bird, it earned its local name. Baral added that males establish territories around honeycomb sites to monitor surroundings.

This species is also a brood parasite, meaning it lays its eggs in the nests of other birds to rear its young. “Its habit resembles that of a cuckoo, laying eggs in other nests,” said Baral. According to him, the honeyguide is categorised as endangered in Nepal.

Found in Nepal, India, China, Bhutan, and Myanmar, the IUCN notes its presence in Pakistan as well. Yellow-rumped inhabits rocky gorges, cliffs, and broadleaf or coniferous forests at elevations between 1,450 and 3,500 meters. On average, this bird is about three years old when it starts hatching its own chicks.

The yellow-rumped honeyguide was first documented in Darjeeling in 1842. In Nepal, it was recorded in 1960, with further sightings spanning eastern regions like Tamor, Makalu-Barun, and Ilam, extending westward to Myagdi and Gulmi, and central hills. In Ilam, it was recorded in late 1988 in Hangetham.

The collection of beeswax by humans remains a major threat to the yellow-rumped honeyguide. Researchers say deforestation, habitat degradation, and declining forest quality both inside and outside protected areas continue to place the species at severe risk.

In December 2021, Kharel discovered rare Rufous-necked hornbills, locally called hangrayo, at Simdhap in ward 1 of Suryodaya Municipality, Ilam. Besides a variety of bird species, the area is home to diverse mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.

“Our area is famous for red panda observation, and birdwatching can be another attraction when red pandas are not seen, so we are working on it,” said Kumar Gurung, ward member of Sandakpur Rural Municipality. “This is becoming a spot where many rare birds can be easily seen, and we hope this will attract tourists.”

A total of 903 bird species, including some critically endangered, have been recorded in Nepal. According to ornithologists, Nepal hosts about eight percent of the world’s bird species.