Rare openbill stork spotted on Baromasia riverbank

PHULBARI , KURIGRAM, June 11: A rare sighting of the near-threatened Asian openbill stork (locally known as Shamuk-khol) has brought excitement among nature lovers in Phulbari  Upazila of Kurigram.

The bird was seen foraging for food along the calm riverbank of the Baromasia River in West Falmoti area under Nawdanga Union on Wednesday afternoon.

Locals said the bird was walking slowly along the riverbank, feeding on snails and other small aquatic organisms.

A college student, Asim Kumar Roy, first spotted the bird while observing the area. “Brother, look there, a bird is collecting food,” he said excitedly, prompting others to take photographs of the rare sight.

Residents, including Asim Kumar Roy, Azimul Islam and Aminul Islam, said that rivers, canals, wetlands and water bodies in Phulbari  once hosted a wide variety of native bird species, including the openbill stork.

However, environmental changes, shrinking wetlands, food shortages and human activities have significantly reduced their population, making such sightings increasingly rare.

Local agricultural expert and senior journalist Siddiqur Rahman Shahin said the openbill stork is a wetland-dependent bird that mainly feeds on snails and small aquatic animals.

He said that if environmental conditions improve, such birds could return to wetland habitats, urging greater public awareness to protect rivers, canals and natural ecosystems.

Poet and bird lover Abdul Hanif Sarkar said the sighting of the openbill stork after a long time is a positive sign for local biodiversity.

He expressed hope that improved environmental protection could help bring back more native bird species that have nearly disappeared from the region.