First record of the Diamond Dove Geopelia cuneata, an Australian endemic, in Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park, Assam, India

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.10119.18.2.28438-28440

Keywords:

Avifaunal monitoring, biodiversity risk, captive release, exotic bird trade, Kokrajhar District

Abstract

The Diamond Dove Geopelia cuneata, an Australian endemic, was recorded from Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park, Assam, India. As the species does not occur naturally in South Asia, its presence is most plausibly explained as an escape or release from captivity, given its widespread use in the cage-bird trade. While many escapees fail to persist, repeated introductions may facilitate adaptation and establishment, posing risks of competition, ecological disruption, and disease transmission to native avifauna. This record highlights the need for continuous monitoring of exotic bird escapees and stricter regulation of the bird trade in India to safeguard native biodiversity

Author Biographies

Bibhash Sarkar, Department of Zoology, Pandu College, Pandu, Guwahati, Assam 781012, India.

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Bijay Basfore, Department of Zoology, Cotton University, Panbazar, Guwahati, Assam 781001, India.

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Leons Mathew Abraham, Pygmy Hog Research & Breeding Centre, Indira Nagar, Basistha, Guwahati, Assam 781029, India.

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Anjana Singha Naorem, Department of Zoology, Cotton University, Panbazar, Guwahati, Assam 781001, India.

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Published

26-02-2026

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 2 (2026)

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Copyright (c) 2026 Bibhash Sarkar, Bijay Basfore, Leons Mathew Abraham, Anjana Singha Naorem

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