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At least seven rare bird species were sighted in Orissa's Bhitarkanika national park this year, an official
said. The birds were spotted during the bird census conducted by the forest officials and ornithologists Dec 11 in the national park located in the coastal district of Kendrapada.
"We spotted seven rare species of birds," divisional forest officer P K Behera said.
The birds sighted were avocet, ringed plover, chestnut capped babbler, oriental honey buzzard, great thick-knee, great knot and Indian skimmer. Behera said the number of birds visiting the park this year was less compared to last year. "This year the number of birds who visited was about 100,000 whereas last year it was 131,000. It may be because it is less cold this winter," he said.
The Bhitarakanika national park, located about 170 km from Bhubaneswar, is home of more than 200 species of birds, including 98 species of migratory birds.
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