Pithoragarh: A red-headed vulture, classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, has been photographed near Munsiyari in Uttarakhand.
Birdwatchers associated with the local NGO Monal spotted the bird on October 5 in the Patalthod forests, at approximately 2,650 metres above sea level.
Birdwatchers Document the Sighting
Monal director Surendra Panwar said the vulture was observed on open grassy slopes, allowing the team to photograph and document it.
The species is recognisable by its bare red head, powerful beak and predominantly dark plumage.
Forest Official Highlights Ecological Significance
Pithoragarh Divisional Forest Officer Aditya Ratna described the high-altitude sighting as significant. He linked the bird’s presence to the availability of food and the functioning of the local food chain.
Vultures feed on animal carcasses and play an important scavenging role in ecosystems.
An Encouraging Record for Conservation
The observation adds a valuable record of this threatened bird in the Himalayan landscape. However, a single sighting does not establish population recovery or confirm the overall health of the ecosystem; repeated monitoring would provide a clearer picture.
News source: The Tribune / PTI, October 8, 2026.
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