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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.

News Source: The Hindu

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