75 Endemic Birds of India: Zoological Survey of India

August 7, 2023

GS Paper III Environment and Ecology

Context:

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) recently published a report titled “75 Endemic Birds of India,” to commemorate the 108th anniversary of the foundation of the ZSI.

Key Findings of the Report:

India’s Rich Bird Diversity: India is home to 1,353 bird species, which represents approximately 12.40% of global bird diversity.
- Of these 1,353 bird species, 78 (5%) are endemic to the country.
Endemic Bird Species Threat Assessment in India: Out of the 78 endemic bird species in India,
- 25 are categorized as ‘Threatened’ by the IUCN.
- 3 as ‘Critically Endangered’.
- 5 as ‘Endangered’.
- 17 as ‘Vulnerable’.
- 11 as ‘Near Threatened’ .
Distribution Patterns:
- Western Ghats: 28 Endemic bird species.
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands: 25 Endemic bird species.
Not Seen in Decades: Three species have not been recorded in the last few decades:
- Manipur Bush Quail (Perdicula manipurensis), listed as ‘Endangered’, last recorded sighting in 1907.
- The Himalayan Quail (Ophrysia superciliosa), listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ with its last recorded sighting in 1876.
- Jerdon’s Courser (Rhinoptilus bitorquatus), listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ with its last confirmed sighting in 2009.

About Zoological Survey of India:

ZSI is a subordinate organization under the Ministry of Environment and Forests was founded in 1916.
It serves as a national faunistic survey center, advancing knowledge about India’s diverse fauna.
Headquartered in Kolkata, it has 16 regional stations across the country.

News Source: The Hindu