Jamui: A rare Greater White-Fronted Goose has been spotted in Jamui’s Nagi Bird Sanctuary for the first time, completing an extraordinary migration of roughly 13,000 kilometres from North America.
The district’s climate, officials say, has become increasingly favourable for migratory birds, attracting a growing number of species during the winter months. The latest arrival marks a continuation of a trend in which previously unrecorded birds have made the area their seasonal home.
“The sudden appearance of the Greater White-Fronted Goose here is a pleasant surprise,” said Tejas Jaiswal, District Forest Officer, Jamui. “This bird usually migrates across North America, Europe and South Asia during the winter. It breeds in northern Canada, Alaska, Greenland and Russia, and is also found in the Mississippi region of the United States.”
Classified as a rare species under India’s Wildlife Protection Act 2024, the goose is known for its preference for lakes and grasslands. Brown in colour with orange legs and beak, it has distinctive black speckles on its belly and typically forages by walking on land or diving in water.
Authorities in Jamui have made extensive arrangements to safeguard the birds and support their migration, including ensuring access to food and a suitable habitat. “Every effort is being made to encourage more migratory birds to arrive and stay for extended periods,” Jaiswal added.
The region has seen several first-time arrivals in recent years, including the Black-necked Crane from China in 2023 and the Himalayan Griffon in 2025, highlighting Jamui’s growing importance as a winter refuge for migratory species.
