The arrival of a large flock of Greylag geese in Bichom village of West Kameng district has resulted in the first-ever photographic documentation of the species in the district and only the second confirmed record in Arunachal Pradesh. While there had earlier been a claimed sighting at Sela Pass, it lacked photographic evidence. The species had previously been recorded in Ziro in Lower Subansiri district. The latest sighting in Bichom has now added an important verified entry to the district’s avian records.
The geese were documented by Harnam Hagam, gram panchayat member from East Bichom and a noted conservationist and nature enthusiast. He described the sighting as a landmark moment for the region, expressing hope that the new record could indicate the possibility of other rare migratory species visiting the area. Dr Anurag Vishwakarma, Senior Project Officer at WWF-India (Central India Landscape), confirmed the identification of the species. He noted that while sightings of one or two pairs are relatively common, observing such a large flock is rare and significant.
Hagam has previously documented several notable species in the region, including Pallas’s gull, ruddy shelduck, great cormorant, crested kingfisher, common merganser, brown-headed gull, great crested grebe, white-throated kingfisher and bar-headed geese. The addition of the Greylag goose this season has further strengthened Bichom’s growing bird inventory. The Greylag goose is a large and sturdy wild goose, easily recognised by its pale grey plumage, bright orange bill and pink legs. It holds particular importance as the ancestral species of most domestic geese seen today.
Widely distributed across Europe and Asia, the species inhabits wetlands, lakes, marshes and open grasslands, where it feeds mainly on grasses and vegetation. Populations breeding in colder northern regions migrate southwards during winter to escape harsh climatic conditions, making such sightings in Northeast India ecologically significant.