Ecosphere News | Special Report
Spring has once again covered the Kathmandu Valley in shades of green. New leaves have appeared on trees, and signs of seasonal change are visible across the landscape. Yet, unlike previous years, the melodious “kuhu-kuhu” call of the cuckoo bird-a traditional symbol of spring’s arrival-is no longer commonly heard across the city.
Environmental observers and bird conservation advocates say the gradual disappearance of the cuckoo from urban Kathmandu reflects a broader environmental concern. Rapid urban expansion, declining green spaces, and shrinking natural habitats are increasingly affecting bird populations and altering the ecological character of the valley.
Residents recall that only a few years ago, the sounds of cuckoos could regularly be heard in areas such as Ratna Park, Narayanhiti, Lainchaur, Shobhabhagawati, Teku Dobhan, and along the banks of the Bagmati River. Today, those seasonal sounds have become rare.
According to bird experts, the cuckoo has a unique breeding behavior. Rather than building its own nest, it lays eggs in the nests of other birds—especially crows. For this process, the cuckoo depends on dense greenery, tall trees, and relatively quiet surroundings. As urban development expands and green cover decreases, suitable nesting environments are becoming increasingly difficult to find.
Experts also point to growing traffic noise, infrastructure development, electric lines, food scarcity, and changing environmental conditions as factors contributing to the decline in bird presence in urban areas. The changing ecological conditions are affecting not only where birds live, but also their migration and breeding patterns.
The absence of the cuckoo is more than the disappearance of a seasonal sound-it serves as a reminder of the growing imbalance between urban growth and biodiversity conservation. Spring may still arrive with its greenery, but without protecting habitats and maintaining ecological balance, future generations may know the voice of the cuckoo only through stories.
#EcosphereNews #SpringInNepal #CuckooBird #BirdConservation #UrbanEcology #KathmanduValley #Biodiversity #NatureConservation #EnvironmentalJournalism #SaveBirds #GreenKathmandu
