Rare Rustic Bunting Spotted at Najafgarh Jheel for the First Time

Rustic Bunting Makes Historic First Appearance in Delhi NCR at Najafgarh Jheel

Delhi NCR has entered the ornithological spotlight with the first-ever confirmed sighting of the rare Rustic Bunting at Najafgarh Jheel , a thriving wetland habitat on the Haryana–Delhi border. The passerine, rarely reported in India, was documented by local birdwatchers during a routine survey—marking a significant moment for regional bird records.

The Discovery: A Field Encounter Turns Historic

The bird was initially spotted by local guide Ram Kumar Rawat , who noticed its distinctive markings and behaviour while scanning a juliflora shrub. After photographing the species, he alerted fellow birders, who accompanied him back to verify the identification. The team observed the bird for nearly 30 minutes, confirming its plumage, call and structure consistent with Rustic Bunting (Emberiza rustica) —a first record for the Delhi-NCR landscape .

A Migrant Far From Home

Rustic buntings typically breed in northern Palearctic coniferous forests and winter in East & Southeast Asia . Only a handful of Indian records exist, previously limited to the western Himalayas, Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh and Kashmir . Experts propose that shifting winter patterns and climatic variations may be influencing long-distance migratory deviations, enabling rare arrivals into the northern plains.

Climate and Migration Trends Under Watch

Bird Count India researchers note that this sighting aligns with other off-route winter migrants—such as unusual finch records in Uttarakhand and sudden raptor influxes in peninsular India. Ornithologists believe continued monitoring of NCR wetlands could reveal more rare visitors as climate-driven migration flexibility increases.

Exam-Oriented Key Points

• First Rustic Bunting sighting in Delhi NCR , at Najafgarh Jheel.

• Reclassified as Near Threatened in the IUCN 2025 update .

• Normal wintering zone: East & Southeast Asia , breeds in Palearctic forests .

• Previous India reports: Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Kashmir region.