Avian guests flock to Brahmaputra

As the chill of winter settles over the Brahmaputra, a spectacular visitor graces its waters: the Chakoa, or Red Crested Pochard.
These migratory birds arrive from India each year, transforming the river basin in Kurigram into a lively sanctuary. Travelers and locals are treated to the breathtaking sight of flocks taking flight, their movements painting an ever-changing portrait against the serene backdrop of the Brahmaputra.
Shariful Islam, a boatman at Jatrapur Ghat, finds his daily commute enlivened by these seasonal guests. "During the monsoon, you won't find a single Chakoa bird here," he says. "But as winter begins, they come in flocks, filling the river basin with life."
For Shahadat Hossain, who travels by boat from Char Narayanpur to Jatrapur daily, the Chakoa birds provide a welcome distraction during his 50-minute journey. "I see them at eight or nine spots along the way, searching for food in the water," he shares. "When the boat approaches, they rise in unison, their flocks filling the sky. It's a sight that stays with you."
The river basin, with its vast, scattered char areas, becomes a haven for these birds during winter.
Mobarak Hossain, a farmer from Char Bhagabatipur, says, "These birds spend the daylight hours hunting for food, then return to their nests in the evening. It's a routine we've come to associate with winter here," he explains.
Abdur Rashid, a schoolteacher and avid bird lover, said, "The char people never disturb the Chakoa birds. The Brahmaputra basin is adorned with their presence every winter. If you want to see these beautiful birds, this is where you need to be."
Kurigram District Livestock Officer Dr Habibur Rahman said locally called Chakoa, their proper name is the Red Crested Pochard, or Rangamuri. "These migratory birds come here at the start of winter in search of food, but they don't breed in Bangladesh."
Their journey across borders underscores the interconnectedness of ecosystems, with the Brahmaputra basin playing a vital role in their survival, he said.
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