In Kampong Thom province, adjacent to the Tonle Sap Lake and Stung Sen River, park rangers, backed by NatureLife Cambodia, discovered eight grey-headed fish eagle nests during the new spawning season, which concluded in December. 

“Out of these nests, six are new, and two are older ones. Grey-headed fish eagles are listed as ‘near threatened’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature [IUCN] Red List because of habitat loss, dwindling food resources and human activity disruption,” NatureLife Cambodia recently shared on social media.

These sites, nestled in the Stung Sen Ramsar site and Tonle Chhmar Lake Ramsar site, signify a vital habitat for this species.

The revelation also underlines the vital role Ramsar wetlands play, recognised internationally for their significance under the 1971 Ramsar Convention, in supporting the survival of grey-headed fish eagles (Icthyophaga ichthyaetus) and other species in the region. 

Monthly patrols and biodiversity monitoring conducted by dedicated park rangers, financially backed by the EU-funded “Our Tonle Sap” project, contribute to the conservation efforts, ensuring the well-being of these birds.

NatureLife Cambodia director Bou Vorsak, mentioned on January 1 that previously, park rangers noticed the grey-headed fish eagle nests, but no specific counts were documented. The conservationists took the initiative and recorded these details. Starting this year, the organisation intends to maintain more precise records for greater accuracy.

He explained that in the past, the birds did not attract much interest due to their scarcity. However, he said that when compared to other species, grey-headed fish eagles still outshine them. 

Vorsak said that within the framework of the “Our Tonle Sap” project, his organisation is committed to supporting rangers and communities in Ramsar sites. Their goal is to actively monitor and observe species in their natural habitats, fostering a positive environment to prevent harassment and crimes such as fishing offences.

According to the Ministry of Environment, grey-headed fish eagles can be found in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia and Cambodia. Their numbers, it said, are quite limited in Cambodia.

Adults of the species measure 69-74cm in length, displaying a robust build with a longer neck compared to other species. They feature a grey head, dark brown body, black-tipped tail, white belly and tail and a dark brown chest with black lower wings.

Breeding occurs between November and February, and the species lays a modest two eggs during this period.