The Majestic Bird In a world where nature’s beauty reigns supreme, there exists a regal creature that captivates hearts and inspires awe.

Photo by wildartbysam

The Quest for the Western Tragopan: A Dream Realized

Starting from the saddest part, in 2013, I first saw the news on social media about the brutal killing of Western Tragopan by hunters and poachers. From that day on, I had nightmares for the next few days, which I discussed with my wife, and then I decided to witness this bird with my own eyes and photograph this elusive gem in the wild. I planned many times but couldn’t manage according to my schedule. Finally, in 2024, I made plans and searched for someone with the same interest and feelings in this bird, and I found Kumar. Today, on my birthday, the 25th of May, I am writing about this majestic Bird and the days when I witnessed this beauty, and my dream came true.

Photo by wildartbysam

The Art of Birding: Embracing Effort and Embracing the Challenge

Many birders, especially younger birders, expect to see just about every Bird, even the most difficult ones, quickly and with as little physical effort as possible. Sorry for the criticism, but competition between birders and photographers is increasing.

Relying on new technology tools like AI voice, maps, and bird identification apps may make birders lazier and less skilled. The more effort you put into finding a bird, the more rewarding the experience becomes. It’s not just about finding rare birds; it’s about personal challenges and unique encounters.

Quest for the Western Tragopan: A Journey to the Great Himalayan National Park

Western Tragopans have always captivated me, especially the mighty Western Tragopan, one of the most endangered worldwide. Among few birds, this one is restricted to high elevations and difficult-to-reach forests in the western Himalayas.

Photo by wildartbysam

I’ve always dreamt of seeing the Great Himalayan National Park in Himachal Pradesh, India. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014 and covers an area of 754.4 sq km. The park includes the Great Himalayan National Park, Sainj Wildlife Sanctuary, Tirthan Wildlife Sanctuary, and Khirganga National Park. I was determined to see it, and last year, my friend and I started planning the expedition.

Photo by wildartbysam

In Search of the Western Tragopan

I finally arrived in India and trekked for hours to the base of a valley to search for the Western Tragopan. The weather forecast wasn’t great, but I was determined to find this ultimate bird.

Photo by wildartbysam

The first journey was quite easy and nice, but unfortunately, everyone was sleeping when I reached the first camp at 12 am, and it was dark because the place was inside the forest. There were only two men awake at that time. One was Mr. Govind Ji, head of security and a cook. The other was my expedition team member, Kamlesh. He’s such an exciting person. After a long journey, I was so hungry and tired that I jetlagged and asked Govind Ji if any food was left for me. He arranged and prepared a decent dinner for me at that time. What a kind person he was.

Photo by wildartbysam

Kamlesh also accompanied me that night. He didn’t sleep unless I had my dinner complete.

An Expedition to Remember: Birding in the Himalayas

In the Morning, due to the weather, very little birding could be done around the camp, but a flock of Parakeets and pale blue flycatchers was found; they were a great bonus.

Photo by wildartbysam

I met Kumar around 9:30 a.m.; thereafter, we started hiking under an amazing clear sky and bright sun, hoping to reach the first Tragopan area before afternoon.

Photo by wildartbysam

As you can see, I packed my camera in my heavy rucksack because I knew it would be a very tough climb. However, as expected, I noticed a Leopard scat 20 minutes after leaving the camp! Just after 10 minutes, I found a bull’s carcass that could be killed by a Leopard. I got the camera out just in time to snap some shots before it left. What a great start!

Photo by wildartbysam

Photo by wildartbysam

Challenging Climb and Unexpected Discovery

We then carried on and tackled the very steep slope for the next four hours. It was a brutal climb, gaining around 1000 m in just over 3 km. I am very slow and steady whenever I am on an expedition, and this time, I am also very cautious. Suddenly, I noticed a red-fur type lying on the ground. When I looked closely, I saw that its tail fur resembled that of a giant squirrel. Some animals had been killed and left the leftovers like the tail.

Photo by wildartbysam

By dawn, we started hearing roding Woodcocks and multiple Koklass Pheasants and Himalayan Monals and managed to see a few from a distance. However, we didn’t want to lose time; we wanted to reach the second camp early enough. We stopped to catch our breath, and the views were simply sensational. Pristine forests and high mountains all over, in perfect weather too! By around 7 am, we had almost reached the second camp; we continuously heard Tragopan calling but couldn’t see. Wow, that was quick!

Photo by wildartbysam

Encounter with a Regal Male Bird

The next morning, around 8.30, just after having breakfast, we walked on a narrow trail towards the source of the call, positioned ourselves, and after a long wank and wait, almost an hour, I found the Bird, which had come in quietly. I was so excited to see this gem before my eyes for the first time. It was an adult male, a regal male. Kamlesh saw it well but couldn’t get on it because he was more excited than me, and after a few seconds, the bird disappeared. We waited for a while, but it never came back.

Photo by wildartbysam

Well, it’s not bad, of course, but it’s not what we had come here for; a decent habitat shot was needed.

Quest for the Tragopan: A Birdwatching Adventure

We returned to the camp at 3 p.m., had lunch, and then went for a walk. The next day, we reached our final base, which had beautiful views. Despite our efforts, we didn’t find any tragopans.

Unforgettable Encounters in the Wilderness: The untamed and unleashed Tragopan Adventure

On the third day, heavy rainfall created a picturesque scene with the forest and mountains covered in moisture. The sun-dried everything by morning. Nights were cold, but I had a warm sleeping bag. Our team provided delicious meals. We heard tragopan calls but didn’t spot any birds. Despite searching, we couldn’t find any tragopan feathers or droppings.

Encounter with a Western Tragopan

After waiting patiently for a long time, a magnificent male Western Tragopan appeared and walked through the clearing, allowing for some absolutely mind-blowing views of its intricate body plumage, glittering fine spots, and stunning head and neck patterns.

Photo by wildartbysam

Unforgettable Adventure

Wow, I couldn’t believe my eyes! What an unforgettable moment after all of our efforts, and what a truly incredible and special bird!! Almost in tears, I decided to wait a bit more. The bird ended up calling from a branch, partly hidden before it walked out of sight; this individual seemed very shy, despite our camouflage gear, and ran away pretty quickly. It was clear that these were two different unpaired males from the previous day.

Although the bamboo mostly obscured them, the entire audio and visual experience in such a magnificent forest while Tragopan calls echoed through the trees was magical and one that none of us will ever forget.

Beyond happy, thanking my team and friends again for their efforts, we started hiking down. Our team of porters caught up with us and prepared a very nice dinner.

We then finally returned to the road, but the mystery never ended there. During the trek, I found a mummified frog. I couldn’t verify the reason for its death, but later, I’ll investigate.

Photo by wildartbysam

Chasing the Western Tragopan: A Tale of Persistence and Reward

We returned to our hotel the next morning, awaiting a badly needed hot shower. To finish off, the next morning, we were treated to wonderful views of the Mountains.

So, all in all, I can say that the Western Tragopan has been the most challenging bird I’ve ever seen and the one I’ve put the most effort into. I knew it would be difficult, but I never thought this much… However, it feels good to have worked so hard, and this is a reminder that hard work usually pays off as long as you don’t give up! Although I have several closer photos, like with huge fallen tree trunks covered with moss on the forest floor, this one, Portrait of the Bird in its Fantastic Habitat, is my favorite, and it definitely means a lot to me! I hope you like it.

Photo by wildartbysam

Heading back to the airport, I decided to write down some awareness specifically for this bird, and I truly appreciate it.

Above all, I’d like to thank my team, friends in the local community, and the tragopans, who I hope will survive for a long time in this valley.

Photo by wildartbysam

Protecting Birds Habitats and Educating Communities: A Call for Ethical Birding and Conservation Effort

Now, as I said earlier, AI voice and visual birds identification apps with calls, males, and females can be found easily. I am not saying it’s bad, but I must say that you should use it properly and for research purposes. Every technological item can be used in 2 ways, either good or bad. Like I also said earlier, I made plans and searched for someone with the same interests and feelings about this bird, and I found that he and I had the same opinion. We avoided doing any unethical activities in the forest. I hope everyone will do the same, and it’s a request for everyone not to disturb birds or their habitat.

Preserving Wildlife: Addressing the Challenges of Illegal Hunting and Supporting Local Communities

I knew this when I started birding and realized that making bird calls can confuse Birds Randomly. Those birds will never return to fake calls, and their territory will be destroyed. So, the aftermath harms birds, especially the shy and vulnerable red-listed birds.

Even poachers and hunters use the same method to hunt Tragopans. Most of them are locals because life in the mountains is not easy, and they need money to run their families. Hunting is like bread and butter to them and a tradition.

Local hunters who supposedly had killed tragopans. Generation by generation, they are doing the same. So even here within the national park, illegal hunting seems to be a real problem, and possibly the reason behind the lack of tragopan males in areas where they had been quite easy to find just five years ago.

I request that the authorities make programs to educate them, keep them busy with other work, help them increase their knowledge and skills in farming and growing vegetables, and make them understand how vulnerable every animal and birds is in nature. Support them in earning. Give them the right value for their work.

Photo by wildartbysam

Raising Awareness to Combat Illegal Hunting

Hunting poses a significant threat to wildlife, particularly in areas like GHNP. Raising awareness and providing alternative livelihood options to the locals involved in hunting is crucial to addressing this issue effectively.

Here are some steps that could be taken to tackle this problem:

1. Education and Training Programmes:

   • The authorities should initiate educational and training programs to raise awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation and the detrimental effects of illegal hunting.
   • These programs should focus on the ecological significance of the tragopans and other wildlife, emphasizing their role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.

2. Livelihood Diversification:

   • Efforts should be made to provide alternative livelihood options to the local hunters. This could include training and support for activities such as farming, vegetable gardening, and other sustainable income-generating activities.
     • By diversifying their livelihood options, the locals can be encouraged to reduce their dependence on hunting for sustenance.

3. Community Engagement:

   • Engaging the local community in conservation efforts is essential. This could involve organizing community meetings, workshops, and outreach programs to discuss the importance of wildlife conservation and the long-term benefits of preserving the natural habitat.

4. Incentivizing Conservation:

   • Authorities should consider providing incentives for conservation efforts. This could involve recognizing and rewarding individuals or communities actively contributing to wildlife conservation and habitat preservation.

5. Empowerment Through Support:

   • It’s crucial to support the locals regarding resources, infrastructure, and knowledge to help them earn a sustainable livelihood through legal means.
   • By empowering the locals and giving them the right value for their work, they can be encouraged to embrace alternative sources of income and move away from illegal hunting practices.

6. Enforcement and Regulation:

   • Strengthening the enforcement and regulation of wildlife protection laws is essential. This could involve increasing patrols, implementing stricter penalties for illegal hunting, and enhancing monitoring and surveillance efforts within the national park.

Implementing these measures can create a more sustainable and harmonious relationship between the local communities and the wildlife, ensuring the long-term preservation of precious species like tragopans.

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