JATINGA, Assam: Birds' Suicide

JATINGA, ASSAM

Jatinga is a famous well-forested valley which is located in North Cachar Hill. This place is located at a distance of 9-10 KM from Halflong and almost 330 KM from Guwahati.

It is famous for its orange orchards and almost legendary for the phenomenal “bird suicide” that take place here. The mystery of Jatinga is yet to be unveiled till date and attracts ornithologists and spectators from all over the world. On foggy & moonless nights, thousands of migratory birds die or as people say, commit suicide, between 7 pm and 10 pm. This amazing phenomenon is not restricted to a particular species of birds and almost all kinds of migratory birds, like the Kingfisher, Tiger Bittern, and Little Egret, embrace this mysterious death.

However, there are a few other conditions which are also necessary for the phenomenon to occur.  Since the air is foggy, misty or rainy, the birds in general tend to come near the lights generated by the fire, and hence die from it.