Nongin, The State Bird

The State bird of Manipur Nongin is greatly endangered. Besides its rare occurrence they are facing the onslaught of the hunters and man made calamities. If an urgent step for their location and conservation is not taken up, they are certain to disappear.

The people of Manipur had the belief that eternal soul of an orphan unable to bear hunger and thrust had transformed itself into a bird to be known as Nong-in. In fact, this bird earned its name Nong-in because of its ability in predicting changes in weather conditions (Nong – meaning rain, in – meaning to follow: one knowing the rain/weather cycle). Admired by lyricist and naturalist of all ages, Nong-in is often described as the most talented lover of song, dance and moonlights. They spend the time by feeding and resting in pair-a phenomenon of ‘sunbathe’ continues hours together. When a sudden danger or change of weather is sensed, they crawl behind the rock-clefts with noisy calls. When a pair from a cleft-shelter starts calling, another pair nearby responds, and thus within a short period the whole air is filled with a chord of their calls. Trawlers take advantages of it for locating the presence of the bird.