Indian subcontinent is becoming home to a number
of endangered birds. Get the list of endangered bird species of
India.
Endangered Birds of India
Indian
subcontinent is home to a large number of birds and also witnesses the
influx of numerous migratory birds. However, since a couple of years,
some of these birds are facing an immense threat of extinction. One of
the major reasons for Indian birds being endangered is the loss of their
habitat, because of deforestation and other human activities. The other
reason is large-scale hunting of birds, leading to a rapid decline in
their population.
From about 1,250 species of birds found in India, approximately 82 species have been listed as threatened in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals (IUCN 2006). Given below is a list of the most endangered bird species of India, some of which are in a highly critical state:
- Pink-headed Duck (Rhodonessa caryophyllacea)
- Himalayan Quail (Ophrysia superciliosa)
- Siberian Crane (Grus leucogeranus)
- Sarus Crane (Grus antigone)
- Jerdon's Courser (Rhinoptilus bitorquatus)
- Forest Owlet (Athene blewitti)
- White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis)
- Oriental Stork (Ciconia boyciana)
- Greater Adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius)
- White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala)
- White-winged Duck (Cairina scutulata)
- Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps)
- Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis)
- Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indica)
- Nordmann's Greenshank (Tringa guttifer)
- Rufous-breasted Laughingthr (Garrulax cachinnans)
- Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus)
- White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis)
- Long-billed Vulture (Gyps indicus)
Threats to Birds
- One of the major threats faced by birds is from the loss as well
as deterioration of their habitat. Trees are being felled at a rapid
pace to make way for human settlements as well as agricultural
activities. Even aquatic habitats are being drained, plowed, filled
in, and channelized. Last but not the least, the introduction of
invasive plant and animal species is also altering the natural
habitat of birds.
- Birds are also facing increased competition from one another.
Especially the native species of birds are finding it difficult to
cope up with the exotic species.
- The direct exploitation of birds by humans is reaching alarming
proportions. Human activities, such as hunting and capturing birds,
are leading to a rapid decline in the bird population.
- Birds are highly sensitive to chemicals and toxins and can become
fatally sick from inhaling them, either by eating or through their
skin. It has been found out that, along with DDT, pesticides and oil
spills, even herbicide spraying on lawns leads to death of the
birds.
- Even indirect pollution of the atmosphere is having an effect on
the population of birds. Things like acid rain have been discovered
to affect the population of forest birds. It washes away the calcium
of the soil and decreases the amount of calcium-rich prey of the
birds, affecting their diet and thus, their population.
- The nesting, feeding, and roosting areas of birds have faced a
lot of disturbance from the human beings, affecting their
population.
