17/02/2026
Meet the White-Bellied Heron. Our project highlight of the week comes to us from Bhutan by Tsheltrim Zangpo: Study of Behavior, Nesting Sites, and Immediate Threats of Post-Fledged White-Bellied Heron along the Punatschangchhu River Basin. IDEA WILD provided a laptop to help launch this young scientist’s career.
Summary: Despite the critically endangered, white-bellied heron (WBH-Ardea insignisg) being one of the rarest heron species globally, Bhutan supports nearly half of the remaining population. This bird faces immediate threats from increasing human activities along riverine habitats, such as the construction of electric transmission lines, roads, and other infrastructure. For his Bachelor’s studies, Tsheltrim Zangpo is exploring the intricate post-fledging behaviors of the WBH. This is a crucial stage in the survival of juvenile birds, yet it is poorly understood, particularly in terms of how these birds interact with their environment and cope with threats during this vulnerable time. Tsheltrim is conducting his project along the Punatsangchhu basin, focusing on the Kisa Chhu area, a known breeding ground for the WBH. He is working to create a comprehensive picture of the behavioral patterns of juvenile herons once they leave the nest, including detailed observations of their movement, feeding habits, roosting behaviors, social interactions, and responses to potential threats. He is documenting behaviors at various times of the day – noting the type of land cover, water bodies, and other environmental variables at each activity site – to capture how behaviors change over time and in response to environmental conditions. He is also employing advanced modelling techniques to predict both current and future WBH nesting sites based on past sites, environmental factors, and observations of optimal conditions favoring the fledglings. His study is not only contributing to the scientific knowledge of WBH but also providing actionable insights crucial for the development of effective conservation measures of this species in its natural habitat.