Most bird calls imitated-world record set by Gautam Sapkota

  HETAUDA , Nepal-- Gautam Sapkota spends his time imitating birds; he is able to mimic 151 different types of birds-setting the world record for the most bird calls imitated.

Photo: So far, Gautam Sapkota has visited more than 6,500 schools in 45 districts of Nepal, interacting, entertaining and educating the kids about birds, their habitats, their ways of life and their calls.  
Photo by Sanjib K. Chaudhary
( enlarge photo )

He follows birds in national parks, forests, nearby gardens and the central zoo in Kathmandu and spends his time imitating their sounds -- the way the birds communicate with each other in different situations.    

   To entertain students better he has composed songs in different bird voices. An album of popular Nepali folk songs remixed in the voice of different birds (particularly the heron's voice) is on the offing.

   When asked what inspired him to take up this hobby, he says, "When I was a little kid, I wondered how people imitated animals. … When I grew up, I realized that I could mimic a lot of different sounds, so I started my journey and the beautiful birds became my friends."

   He can also imitate other animals. Following and studying the monkeys of Swayambhunath stupa and Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu, he has learned their sounds, too. He can initiate a brawl between two or more monkeys.

Video: The Birdman of Hetauda, Nepal

  [  Submit a world record ] [ World Record Certificate ] 

  [ Book of World Records ] [ World Records Store ] [ Club ]