The Siamese fireback (Lophura diardi), Thailand's national bird, made its historic first appearance in India when spotted in the dense forests of Ranikhet, Uttarakhand, marking a significant moment for Indian ornithology and cross-border wildlife migration patterns.
Bird enthusiast Surendra Singh Jalal, associated with Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam, photographed this striking species approximately 600 meters from Binsar Mahadev Temple, expressing amazement at witnessing this rare ecological occurrence in June 2025.
The species, classified as "Least Concern" by the IUCN but facing moderate population decline due to habitat loss and poaching, is typically endemic to Southeast Asian countries including Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Viet Nam, where it inhabits humid evergreen forests of lowlands and foothills.
This magnificent bird, known for its distinctive appearance, is mostly limited to protected areas in its native range where it remains locally common, particularly in locations like Thailand's Khao Yai and Pang Sida National Parks, making its Indian sighting exceptionally noteworthy.
The unexpected appearance of Thailand's national bird in Uttarakhand's forests has thrilled birdwatchers and wildlife experts across both nations, potentially indicating climate-driven habitat shifts or natural range expansion that could reshape our understanding of Southeast Asian avian distribution patterns in the Indian subcontinent.
