A new bird record of Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster (Suliformes: Anhingidae) in Bhutan: range expansion and plastic entanglement mortality

Authors

  • Kelzang Dorji Bhutan Birding and Heritage Travels
  • Khandu Subba Bhutan Birding and Heritage Travels, House No. 12, Olkakha, Thimphu, 11001 Bhutan.
  • Pema Dorji Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary, Nichula Range, Lhamoizhingkha, Dagana, Bhutan.
  • Kaye L. Gutiérrez 539 Old Roundhouse Road
  • R.J. Gutiérrez Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9992.17.12.28131-28134

Keywords:

Darter, new record, novel habitat, observation, plastic pollution, population decline, threat, wetland habitat

Abstract

The Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, ranges from Pakistan to Indonesia and the Philippines. Although it occurs in adjacent India, it has not been recorded in Bhutan. The first observation was of a live bird in a novel habitat, and the second a carcass, which indicates a potential threat from plastic pollution, as the cause of mortality was entanglement in plastic trash. We recommend that biologists and others carefully observe the newly created lakes supporting hydroelectric production in Bhutan because they may be creating novel habitats for species in Bhutan, as well as fostering range expansion of species into Bhutan.

Author Biographies

Kelzang Dorji, Bhutan Birding and Heritage Travels

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Khandu Subba, Bhutan Birding and Heritage Travels, House No. 12, Olkakha, Thimphu, 11001 Bhutan.

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Pema Dorji, Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary, Nichula Range, Lhamoizhingkha, Dagana, Bhutan.

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Kaye L. Gutiérrez, 539 Old Roundhouse Road

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R.J. Gutiérrez, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA.

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References

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Published

26-12-2025

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 12 (2025)

Section

Short Communications

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Copyright (c) 2025 Kelzang Dorji, Khandu Subba, Pema Dorji, Kaye L. Gutiérrez , R.J. Gutiérrez

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