World Migratory Bird Day: 5 Indian birds nearing endangerment
India is a country where several birds seek refuge in different seasons. The main reason for this is the favorable Indian climate, highly suitable for migratory birds. However, while we are proud to welcome birds to our land, we are also endangering several birds. On this World Migratory Bird Day, let us look at a few birds that are nearing endangerment in India.
Great Indian bustard
The great Indian bustard, one of the largest and heaviest land birds that live in the scrub, tall grass, semi-arid grasslands, and semi-desert regions is slowly disappearing from the country. The loss of habitat and poaching are the main reasons. Today this critically endangered bird is restricted to isolated pockets in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan
White-bellied heron
Mostly found in the foothills of the Himalayas, the white-bellied heron also known as the imperial heron is on the verge of extinction. The main reasons for this are the disappearance of wetlands, poaching, and habitat destruction through direct exploitation and disturbance. The tall, dark-gray heron is a large avian species with the longest neck and no black neck stripes.
Bengal florican
Bengal florican already had a small population and thus falls into the category of "critically endangered." It has two separate populations. One in India and Nepal and the other in Cambodia and Vietnam. Flooding, overgrazing, improper cutting and burning practices, and loss of grassland due to conversion to agriculture are the greatest threats to this species.
Siberian crane
The white and beautiful Siberian cranes are classified as one of the most endangered species of birds in the world. These large cranes are often seen in India during winter. It is now feared that its global population will decline very rapidly over the next three generations due to the expected development of its wintering sites.
Red-headed vulture
One of the old-world vulture species found in the Indian Subcontinent, the red-headed vulture is also known as the Indian black vulture or king vulture. The population of this species has severely decreased over recent years as a result of Diclofenac's use in veterinary medicine. These scavenger birds die from kidney failure upon exposure to diclofenac-contaminated tissues of dead animals they consume.
