Hello Readers!
In this blog, we will discuss the endangered birds in India. But before we begin, let’s look at what used to be and what is.
Millennials miss waking up to the chirping of birds in the morning. In days gone by, sparrows and pigeons would join evening tea parties on balconies, keeping us and our thoughts company. Birds were the rightful denizens of trees, skies, and rooftops. In fact, India is a birder’s paradise, boasting over 1,300 recorded bird species, which account for approximately 13% of the world’s avian diversity.
As time has passed and urbanisation has reared its ugly head, bird sightings have become rare. These natural denizens have become fewer in number, and so have their homes. There are many species of birds that are endangered and might become extinct in the future if efforts are not made to conserve them.
Why do we need to conserve birds?
Protecting endangered birds is not just about saving a species; it is about safeguarding entire ecosystems. Birds are indicators of environmental health; their decline often signals larger problems within the environment that ultimately affect us all. By focusing on these endangered species, we are essentially protecting the future health of our planet and, by extension, our own well-being.
Join us as we delve deep into the world of birds and try to understand them.
List of 10 Endangered Indian Birds
Here, we highlight ten magnificent and critically endangered Indian birds.
1. Great Indian Bustard (Godawan)
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Habitat: Arid and semi-arid grasslands, scrublands
Key Threats: Habitat loss, power lines, hunting
The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is one of India’s heaviest flying birds. It has a majestic gait and impressive size. This bird mainly lives in the dry grasslands and scrublands of Rajasthan and Gujarat. It symbolises the vanishing Indian grasslands. Its numbers have dropped drastically due to habitat loss, power lines, and hunting. Efforts are underway, including captive breeding programmes, but time is running out for this desert giant.
2. Lesser Florican (Likh)
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Habitat: Tall grasslands, agricultural fields
Key Threats: Habitat conversion, pesticide use
The Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus) is a small bustard species found only in the Indian subcontinent. It is known for its spectacular leaping display during the breeding season, when males jump high above the grass to attract females. This bird is truly unique. Its decline is linked to the conversion of grasslands into agricultural fields and urbanisation. The loss of its habitat highlights the pressure on India’s remaining natural grasslands.
3. Spoon-billed Sandpiper
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Habitat: Coastal mudflats, estuaries
Key Threats: Habitat degradation, hunting along migratory routes
The tiny migratory shorebird (Calidris pygmaea) is identified by its spoon-shaped bill, which it uses to forage in mudflats. It breeds in the Russian Far East and migrates along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. India is a crucial non-breeding ground for this bird. Its global population is alarmingly low due to habitat loss at its migratory stopover sites and wintering grounds.
4. White-rumped Vulture (Safed-Pith Giddh)
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Habitat: Open country, near human habitation where carcasses are available
Key Threats: Diclofenac poisoning, habitat loss
Once abundant, the White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) faced endangerment across India and South Asia due to poisoning from diclofenac, a pharmaceutical drug. As nature’s main scavengers, their near disappearance has led to severe ecological consequences, including an increase in feral dog populations and disease transmission.
5. Forest Owlet (Jungle Ullu)
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Habitat: Dry deciduous forests
Key Threats: Deforestation, habitat fragmentation
For decades, the Forest Owlet (Heteroglaux blewitti) was thought to be extinct but was rediscovered in 1997. This small, diurnal owlet lives in the dry deciduous forests of central India. Its specific habitat needs make it vulnerable to deforestation and habitat degradation.
6. Jerdon’s Courser (Jerdon’s Prateria)
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Habitat: Thorny scrub jungle, open clearings
Key Threats: Agricultural conversion, habitat loss
Once thought extinct, Jerdon’s Courser (Rhinoptilus bitorquatus) was rediscovered in 1986 in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh. This shy, nocturnal bird lives in sparse scrub forest with open patches. The main threat is habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and the conversion of its thorny scrub jungle into plantations.
7. Bengal Florican
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Habitat: Tall grasslands, seasonally flooded plains
Key Threats: Habitat conversion for agriculture, grazing pressure
The Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) is a large bustard species found in tall grasslands, mainly in the Terai and Dooars regions of India and Nepal. Like the Lesser Florican, the males of this species perform impressive aerial displays during the breeding season. Its sharp decline is largely due to the conversion of grasslands for agriculture, drainage of wetlands, and heavy grazing. Protecting remaining patches of tall grassland is key to its survival.
8. Sociable Lapwing (Punyah Sarangi Titehari)
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Habitat: Arid grasslands, steppes, cultivated fields
Key Threats: Agricultural intensification, hunting
The Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus gregarius) is a migratory bird that breeds in Central Asia and winters in parts of the Middle East, India, and Pakistan. These elegant birds prefer steppes and semi-desert areas, often near temporary pools of water. Their numbers have dropped due to intensive agricultural practices, which destroy their breeding grounds, and hunting along migration routes. Conserving their steppe habitats and promoting sustainable farming are vital.
9. Himalayan Quail (Himalayan Bater)
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered, possibly extinct
Habitat: Tall grasslands, scrubby hillsides in the Himalayas
Key Threats: Habitat loss, historical hunting, small population size
The Himalayan Quail (Ophrysia superciliosa) is one of India’s most mysterious birds. It has not been reliably sighted since 1876, despite some unconfirmed reports. If it still exists, it lives in the tall grass and scrubby hillsides of the western Himalayas. Its potential extinction shows the dangers of habitat change and uncontrolled hunting.
10. Pink-headed Duck (Gulabi Sir Wali Batak)
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered, possibly extinct
Habitat: Dense wetlands, marshes
Key Threats: Habitat destruction, historical hunting
The beautiful Pink-headed Duck (Rhodonessa caryophyllacea) was last definitively seen in 1949 and is now widely considered extinct. Its historical range included wetlands in northern and north-eastern India. Its distinctive pink head and neck make it truly unique. Hope for its survival occasionally surfaces with unconfirmed sightings, but habitat destruction and hunting pressure have likely led to its decline.
Why Are These Birds Endangered?
While each species faces unique challenges, several overarching threats contribute to the decline of India’s bird populations. Understanding these causes is the first step towards effective conservation.
- Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: With a growing population and urbanisation, the natural habitats of birds are being destroyed. Not only are birds losing their homes, but their populations are also being isolated, reducing genetic diversity.
- Pesticide Use and Pollution: The use of pesticides and industrial waste pollutes water and food sources for birds, leading to higher mortality and reduced reproductive success.
- Poaching and Illegal Trade: Rare and beautiful birds are often hunted for their feathers and meat, despite the enforcement of strict laws. Sometimes, they are also illegally smuggled.
- Climate Change: Due to pollution and the resulting global warming, weather patterns have become unpredictable and erratic. Climate change, in turn, has affected breeding cycles and food availability for our avian friends.
- Invasive Species: Another effect of modern architecture and engineering is the ease of travel and connectivity. With international travel becoming more accessible, many non-native species have been introduced into various ecosystems through human intervention, cannibalising and harming native species.
What Can We Do?
Feeling overwhelmed? Do not be! Every little action counts. Here is how you can contribute:
- Donate to non-profit organisations that work towards the conservation of local flora and fauna.
- Spread awareness about the importance of conservation through your social media profiles or word of mouth.
- Transform waste into birdhouses and leave food and water out for our avian friends.
- Avoid littering when travelling, as birds can mistake garbage for food and choke on it.
- Be a responsible tourist and do not buy exotic animal products that are harmful to fauna.
- Plant native trees and plants in your garden so that they can become home to native species.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We often get asked similar questions when discussing bird conservation. Here are some of the most common ones addressed based on our insights:
Q1: What does ‘Critically Endangered’ mean?
Answer: ‘Critically Endangered’ (CR) is the highest risk category assigned by the IUCN Red List before ‘Extinct in the Wild’ and ‘Extinct’. Any species that is categorised under it faces a great risk of extinction.
Q3: Are all endangered birds in India protected by law?
Answer: Yes, most, if not all, critically endangered species in India are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The law prohibits hunting, poaching, and trade.
Q4: How does climate change specifically impact birds?
Answer: Birds depend on the rhythm of nature. If the natural rhythm is disrupted, it affects them directly. Climate change has disrupted how seasons manifest themselves, affecting the breeding cycles of birds and even the food that is available to them at a particular time. Moreover, climate change alters habitats by causing sea-level rise, affecting coastal birds; changing vegetation, affecting forest birds; and altering water availability, affecting wetland birds.
Q5: What is the success rate of captive breeding programmes for endangered birds in India?
Answer: Captive breeding programmes, like those for the Great Indian Bustard, are complex and long-term. Success varies greatly by species and resources. They are crucial for preventing immediate extinction and for potential reintroduction into the wild, but habitat protection remains paramount for long-term survival.
The stories of these birds are not meant as a warning tale, but as a tale of inspiring change. Let us all join hands to help our feathered friends in their fight for survival!
By
The Nest Men of India – Mr. Rakesh Khatri
