Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Jan 24: The Goa Forest Department is set to host the 9th edition of the Goa Bird Festival from February 6 to 8 at the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary in Sattari, celebrating the rich avian diversity of the state.

This year, the festival will spotlight the Malabar barbet as its mascot. Endemic to the Western Ghats, the Malabar barbet is easily identifiable by its vibrant crimson face, throat, and breast, making it a fitting symbol for Goa’s birdlife.

A key highlight of the event will be the release of the first-ever Goa Bird Atlas, a comprehensive mapping of the distribution and regular occurrence of bird species across the state. According to the atlas, 322 bird species were regularly documented in surveyed areas.

While Goa is home to 499 recorded bird species, more than 150 of them are considered very rare, with sightings occurring only occasionally.

The festival will feature birdwatching trails, expert lectures, exhibitions, and awareness programmes, offering enthusiasts and conservationists a unique opportunity to engage with Goa’s avifauna and promote ecological awareness.