This month’s birding profile features two brothers – Rethsuthong and Jona Yimkhiung. Both live in a picturesque village called Thanamir, situated in the high mountains of Nagaland. What must it be like to find rare/ uncommon specialties- Blyth’s Tragopan, Hodgson’s Frogmouth, Hume’s Pheasant, Streak-throated Fulvetta (Manipur Fulvetta) in your backyard without having to travel all over north-east India?
Read on to know what it is like for these Yimchunger brothers in this bird paradise…
1. Please tell us a little about yourself. Where do you live and what do you do?
Both: We, Rethsuthong and Jona are brothers from the same clan. We were both born in Thanamir Village, Nagaland, and belong to the Yimkhiung community. We have been working on a project with the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) since 2016 here in Thanamir, to document biodiversity and traditional practices in our ancestral forests and village.
Left to Right: Alemba, Jona, and Rethsuthong. Photo by Kaushik Sarkar
2. When and how did you get interested in birding?
R: Our entire team started birding in early 2021, more systematically after a workshop given by Kaushik Sarkar from Bird Count India. At first, birdwatching did not interest me much. But through the workshop, I learned about bird ecology and behavior, the numerous species that live here, and different ways to identify them. This boosted my interest in taking up birding as a regular hobby, even outside of work.
J: Since I was young, I’d take a catapult and roam the forests looking for birds to catch, as most children in the village do. My knowledge of birds, especially their various calls developed from there. However, now I really enjoy looking at birds and identifying them through their calls, I have even familiarized myself with seasonal changes in bird songs and calls.
Birding in Thanamir Village. Photo by Kaushik Sarkar
3. Do you have a favorite bird? Why is it your favorite?
R: I really enjoy watching Scarlet Minivet fly in groups. Their bright colors in the sunlight make me very happy!
J: Mine is Ward’s Trogon. I’ve seen this beautiful bird a few times since my childhood, I love the bright red and yellow on them which can be spotted from afar.
4. Do you have a birding partner? Where do you enjoy birding the most?
Both: We like birding together. we like to believe that we complement each other’s skills well. Our favorite place to go birding together is the Students’ Union Reserve, a small part of our forest protected by the Thanamir Village Students’ Union. All kinds of hunting and resource extraction are banned in this region, and so we find many different kinds of birds here.
In 2015, we were both in the forest together and crossed paths with a rufous necked hornbill. At that time, it was calling for a long time and I (Rethsuthong) didn’t know what it was. Jona told me what it was by identifying the call, he is really good at it.
5. Is there a bird that’s on your bucket list?
R: I really hope to see an Indian Peafowl someday. I’ve seen so many pictures of them, but wish to see them in person too!
J: I’ve never seen Hume’s pheasant. I have grown up hearing about its beauty from ancestors. However, recently, we have recorded this incredible species during one of our camera trap surveys. I would love to see it someday.
6. Has eBird changed how you bird? How is that?
R: I find eBird really helpful in recording and managing my checklists. And Merlin compliments it perfectly. While I know certain bird calls, it helps to have an easy-to-use reference.
J: I really like using eBird too. I think it has made birding convenient and we don’t have to spend too much time hand-writing checklists. It’s quick and easy to use while in the forest as well.
Bird Count India is grateful to Ramya Nair (WPSI) for getting this interview!
To know more about Thanamir read Kaushik Sarkar’s blog here.
Header Image: Ward’s Trogon Harpactes wardi © Rofikul Islam/ Macaulay Library
