Bangladesh is a biodiversity heaven. From the zoo-geographical point of view, Bangladesh is at the junction of the Indo-Himalayas and Indo-China sub-regions, one of the few countries where the species of two bio-geographic realms overlap. Because of its geographic location at the eastern end of the Indian Subcontinent, Bangladesh is a transitional zone for the flora and fauna of the Subcontinent and that of Southeast Asia.
Two migratory fly routes are over the country, resulting in a stopover harbour for the migratory birds during their winter migration. Bangladesh’s geographical location, which holds both fertile alluvial land and hilly areas along with its warm and humid climate, forms diverse ecosystems that eventually support tremendous biodiversity. Since the country is located at the lowermost reaches of three mighty river system, namely, the Ganges-Padma River system, the Brahmaputra-Jamuna River system and the Surma-Meghna River system, the country possesses an enormous area of wetlands, including rivers and streams, freshwater lakes and marshes – haors, baors, beels – water storage reservoirs, fish ponds, flooded cultivated fields and estuarine systems with extensive mangrove swamps. Because of all these diverse habitats both floral and faunal diversity is tremendous in our country. So, we may expect a country like Bangladesh to be one of the most biodiversity-rich areas of the Subcontinent. The country supports more than one-fifth of Asia’s bird species, which is 7.1% of the world’s total bird species.
During winter, coastal areas and islands of our country become fascinated with the musical melodious sound of flocks of birds. These birds are also seen in inland large water bodies like haors, baors, beels and so on. Migratory birds visit our country not only during winter, but also during summer for breeding purpose. Indian Pitta and Jacobin Cuckoo are commonly known for their visits to Bangladesh during summer.
There are 208 species of winter migratory birds in our country, 12 species of migratory birds visit Bangladesh during summer. Among these, 14 species are passage migrant which stop-over in Bangladesh for only few days such as Maroon Oriole, White tailed Robin, Spotted Starling. Among land migratory birds Siberian Stonechat, White-tailed Robin and different species of Wagtails are noteworthy.
During winter, 19 species of migratory ducks are seen in Bangladesh. Among these, Bar-headed Goose and large flocks of Pintail are seen in the coastal areas and islands or Charlands of Padma. The large flocks of Ruddy Shelduck are seen in Char Kukri Mukri and Choruil Beel. Different species of waders among which Godwits, Curlews, Plovers, Sandpipers and Stilts are noteworthy. Though Black-tailed Godwits are commonly seen in different haors and beels, the largest flocks are seen in Domar Char and the surroundings. Large flocks of Black winged Stilt are seen in Choruil Beel and other haor areas.
Moreover, Red-crested Pochard, Glossy Ibis and many other mixed flocks of duck species are seen in Tangua Haor, Baikka Beel, Hakaluki – the north-eastern parts of Bangladesh. Large flocks of Black headed Ibis are seen only in island areas in Char Birbira and Char Kukri Mukri. Four species of Gulls visit Bangladesh. Among these, Black headed Gull, Brown headed Gull and Pallas’s Gull are very common, while Black backed Gull is a rare visitor. In Bangladesh, 12 species of kingfishers are found among which Black-capped Kingfisher visit Bangladesh during winter, but Dwarf Kingfisher visits during summer.
Little Cormorant is our residential bird, but Large Cormorant is a migratory bird, which visits Bangladesh only in winter. They forage only the large haors and baors areas. Indian Skimmer is only seen in Nijhum Dwip and the surroundings. Around one fifth of the world population of this species visits this area during winter. During high tide in Muktariar khal or canal, Indian Skimmers fly close to water and feed on fish swims in the surface of water. For this special adaptation, this species occupies this area during winter. Large flocks of Curlew are seen in Sonadia, Domar Char, Sonar Char and Char Kukri Mukri. Among the migratory birds of prey Pied Harrier, Osprey, Spotted Eagle, 
Pallas’s Fishing Eagle are common. Because of Bangladesh’s unique geographic position, migratory birds use two migration routes, East Asian Australasian Flyway and Central Asian Flyway among nine recognized Flyway or Migration route. Bangladesh became a member of the East Asian Australasian Flyway in 2011 and six areas which are under the bird migration routes declared as Flyway sites. These are Tangua Haor, Hakaluki Haor, Hail Haor, Nijhum Dwip, Ganguiar Char and Sonadia. Chalan Beel, Choruil Beel as well as other islands of the River Padma, Jamuna in the western parts of the country are also important for the migratory birds.
Sand dunes of coastal areas are very important for the migratory birds. The newly emerged islands are rich in food and hence attract large number of migratory birds. Sonadia, Nijhum Dwip, Doma Char, Char Birbira, Dhal Char, Char Kukri Mukri, Sonar Char, Char Kashem, Char Tufan, Pokhir Char, Putnir Dwip are significantly important for migratory birds among Bangladesh’s coastal islands. These parts also should be conserved and declared as important Flyway site by the Bangladesh Government.
Unfortunately, all these important habitats are now under threat for many reasons. The most important threats are indiscriminate fishing and fish farming in the haors, baors and beels. Paddy cultivation and fish culture are also another threat in coastal areas. Indiscriminate use of different fishing nets disturbs the movements of migratory birds. Moreover, structural development, shrinking habitat, habitat fragmentation, expansion of agricultural field, irregular grazing, trapping, hunting and excessive use of insecticide are the main causes of decreasing of bird migration. Research works reveal that habitat destruction due to anthropological activities are the main threat to the migratory birds.
These areas should be considered under conservation issues and the government should initiate special awareness programmes to conserve the migratory birds throughout the country. Bangladesh is the signatory member of the Convention of Migratory Bird Conservation. Conservation of migratory birds is also mentioned in ‘Wildlife Conservation and Security Act 2012’ in Bangladesh.
It is not the responsibility only of the Forest Department or Ministry of Forest; but conservation awareness should be built up throughout the country. This initiative can only help us to save this amazing resource of migratory birds for our next generation.
Sajeda Begum
Dr. Sajeda Begum is Professor of Zoology, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh. She has been working on different aspects of wildlife ecology, management and conservation biology since 1990. Her academic training began in Jahangirnagar University, where she obtained BSc (Honours) in Zoology, MSc in Wildlife Ecology, Management and Conservation Biology. She completed MPhil on Behavioural Ecology and Conservation Biology from the University of Cambridge, UK. Her PhD research is focused on Avian Brood Parasitism which she completed at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway. She is the co-founder of the Wildlife Rescue Centre (WRC) in Jahangirnagar University, the only one of its kind in Bangladesh. E-mail: bsajeda@yahoo.com
