Myagdi, Jul 29: A new bird species named Taludharse Arjunak has been discovered in Mustang by ornithologists Sanjay Tha Shrestha and Shankar Tiwari. This exciting find was confirmed by the Nepal Ornithologists Association, with Dr. Tulsi Subedi, Chairman of the Nepal Bird Record Committee, officially announcing the discovery.

The bird, known scientifically as *Muscicapa striata* and commonly referred to as the Spotted Flycatcher, was spotted at an altitude of 3,650 meters in the Upper Mustang region during a morning walk on July 2. Shrestha and Tiwari submitted their photographs to the Nepal Bird Record Committee, which verified the discovery based on evidence and consultation with national and international ornithologists.

This new addition brings the total number of bird species recorded in Nepal to 896, with 24 belonging to the Arjuna family. The Spotted Flycatcher is known to inhabit regions stretching from Mongolia and northern China to Afghanistan and Pakistan, migrating southward in the winter. Shrestha speculates that the bird may have arrived in Mustang during its migratory journey.

Sanjay Tha Shrestha, who is also a wildlife photographer, expressed his joy at the discovery, stating, “I am happy that I have been able to identify a new bird for the country. This has added enthusiasm to bird tourism and inspired me to take more pictures of birds.” The Nepal Bird Record Committee, responsible for maintaining records of bird species in Nepal, had previously documented Shrestha’s discovery of the White-throated Buged Bird in Manohara in 2020.

The finding of Taludharse Arjunak not only enriches Nepal’s biodiversity records but also boosts the potential for bird tourism in the region, offering new opportunities for ornithologists and bird enthusiasts alike.