Hargila Bird: Characteristics, Habitat, Distribution, & Conservation Status

Recently, on Sunday, June 28, 2026, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, shared the efforts of thousands of rural women who stepped forward to save the “Hargila” bird in Assam, calling it the “Hargila Army” during the 135th episode of Mann ki Baat.

Let’s explore the Hargila Bird, its habitat, distribution, and conservation status in detail.

Hargila Army

Recently, the Prime Minister of India called the “Hargila Army” during the 135th episode of Mann ki Baat. 

#MannKiBaat | Then, a major transformation began. The bird that was once driven away as a bad omen started becoming the identity of the villages. Thousands of rural women stepped forward to save the ‘Hargila’—today, they are known as the ‘Hargila Army’. These women also had to… pic.twitter.com/TFQ2bkZg9d

— DD News (@DDNewslive) June 28, 2026

The Hargila Army is a grassroots women’s conservation movement. It was started in Assam. The Hargila Army was founded by the wildlife biologist, “Dr. Purnima Devi Barman”. She is popularly known as Stork Sister.

The main objective of this movement is to save the endangered Greater Adjutant Stork or Hargila bird.

About Hargila Bird

The Hargila bird is a member of the stork family, of which there are about 20 different species found. This bird is also known as the Greater Adjutant Stork. These birds are mainly found in South & Southeast Asia.

Characteristics of Hargila Bird

The main characteristics of Hargila birds are the following given below:

• Appearance: They have a massive wedge-shaped bill with a bare head and inflatable neck. Usually, these birds are seen singly or in a small group.

• Breeding: In the winter season, Hargila birds breed.

• Diet: Usually, Hargila birds are primary scavengers, and they eat fish. frogs, insects, and small birds.

• Thermoregulation: To protect themselves from uneven weather and climate, they hold their wings to control their temperature.

Habitat & Distribution

The main habitats of the Hargila bird are forests, grasslands, wetlands, and around artificial terrestrial areas. 

The major breeding population of Hargila birds is confined in three places, two in India and one in Cambodia, which are:

1. Assam

2. Bihar

3. Cambodia

What is the conservation status of the Hargila bird?

The conservation status of the Hargila bird are given below:

• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): Hargila birds are categorised as Near Threatened.

• Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Under this act, they lie in Schedule IV.