In a celebration of winged wonders, the seventh edition of the Goa Bird Festival is reportedly set to unfold its wings from January 27 to 29, casting a spotlight on the enchanting theme of 'Wetland Birding'. Nature enthusiasts and bird lovers alike will be treated to an extensive experience as delegates embark on guided bird walks through the picturesque wetlands of the state, discovering the hidden treasures of avian biodiversity. Goa, India’s smallest state, sandwiched between the Arabian Sea in the west and the Western Ghats in the east, is reportedly home to about 35% of India’s avifauna. Goa reportedly has 473 species of birds of which 11 are endemic to the Western Ghats. Incidentally the flame-throated bulbul (Rubigula gularis) is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds, is the state bird of Goa. It is learnt that students from a school in Chandor recently had a thrilling experience at a bird-watching field trip at Oilem Tollem in the village, which has been notified to be declared as a wetland. Other schools need to follow in the footsteps and introduce students to bird-watching by including field trips in the school curriculum.
