Near threatened bird species sighted in Uganda

This photo taken on Oct. 4, 2023 shows a Fox's Weaver perching on a tree branch at Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve in Nakapiripirit district of Uganda.

A rare bird species, known as Fox's weavers considered globally a Near Threatened species, has been sighted in northeastern Uganda.(Avian Conservation Uganda Society/Handout via Xinhua)

KAMPALA, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- A rare bird species, known as Fox's weavers considered globally a Near Threatened species, has been sighted in northeastern Uganda.

The endemic birds were seen by a group of conservationists at Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve in Nakapiripirit district about one month ago during their study tour that ended last week.

Godfrey Tumwesigye, the executive chairperson of the Avian Conservation Uganda Society (ACUS), told Xinhua on the telephone Tuesday that tourists should come to the East African country and enjoy watching the rare bird species.

"We have gone to different places, especially important birding areas. This is the only place where you can find Fox's weavers, especially in Uganda," he said. "We saw seven of them; three pairs and one which was moving alone."

Suzan Akankunda, the director of ACUS, told Xinhua that the Fox's weavers are likely to become endangered because their habitat is being destroyed by surrounding communities. "Its habitat is the Whistling Acacia trees, and they are encroached by the community in the Nakapiripirit region, where people use Acacia trees for fencing kraals for their cattle and homesteads commonly known as Manyattas," she added.

To preserve the Whistling Acacia trees, Tumwesigye said they were engaging both the government and the community so that people could look for alternative construction materials. "We have also gone to schools and encouraged the formation of birding clubs where we teach learners about the different species of birds, their importance to the environment and preserving their habitat," he said.

According to Tumwesigye, Uganda has about 1,089 bird species recorded in their database.

ACUS is a private conservation organization in Uganda, which does research and collects data on various species of birds.

This photo taken on Oct. 4, 2023 shows a Fox's Weaver perching on a tree branch at Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve in Nakapiripirit district of Uganda.

A rare bird species, known as Fox's weavers considered globally a Near Threatened species, has been sighted in northeastern Uganda.(Avian Conservation Uganda Society/Handout via Xinhua)