Nepal has officially recorded a new bird species, the Violet Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus), locally known as Baijani Koili, increasing the country's total bird species count to 899. 

The male bird was first sighted on April 7 in the Sukhani forest area of Rong Rural Municipality, Ilam, at an altitude of 300 meters above sea level. 

A four-member team of ornithologists and birdwatchers documented the species in photos and videos. Following a thorough evaluation by both national and international ornithologists, the Nepal Bird Record Committee officially confirmed the finding.

The Violet Cuckoo is a migratory bird native to parts of South and Southeast Asia and breeds in countries such as Bhutan, Singapore, and the Philippines. With this latest addition, Nepal now has 16 recorded cuckoo species. 

The discovery underlines Nepal’s significance as a global birdwatching destination and emphasises its rich and growing avian biodiversity.