A new bird species for Nepal, Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) has been recorded from Bulbule Lake (81⁰37’11’’ E, 28⁰34’52’’ N), Surkhet District at elevation of 656 m in the midwestern region of Nepal.

The species was discovered by Sugam Guragain and Susmita Chaudhary, students at Agricultural and Forestry University, Faculty of Forestry, Hetauda on 15 October 2025 around 11:00 am while they were birding at Bulbule Lake. The team had suspected the species to be Red-necked Grebe and sent its photos and videos to BCN for confirmation. Dark crown, pale cheeks, dusky neck, white underparts and long straight bill with yellow base and dark tip were the ID characters provided by the team. Upon inspecting the photos and videos, comparing the ID characters with other similar species and comprehensive discussion with national and international bird experts, BCN team agreed with the identification, Red-necked Grebe.

Before this, Nepal has three grebe species: Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis), Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) and Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollisi). The new addition, Red-necked Grebe has its global population distributed in North America, Europe and Northern Asia. It winters in the Central Asian region from areas like North Sea, Black Sea and Caspian Sea. In South Asia, the species is also recorded from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, as a vagrant or very rare visitor. The Red-necked Grebe, including all other grebe species in Nepal are listed as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List category. The team has kept its Nepali name as रातोकणठे डुबुल्किचरा.

This remarkable discovery highlights the importance of Nepal as the habitat for migratory bird species and the need of continuous surveys and exploration in unexplored habitats of the country.

 BCN would like to congratulate and thanks both Sugam Guragain and Susmita Chaudhary for their achievement and contribution in the field of ornithology in Nepal.

 For further information please contact:

 Bird Conservation Nepal

 Sugam Guragain (9826913234)

Susmita Chaudhary (9811506474).