Context:The State of India’s Birds 2023, based on 30 million observations contributed by 30,000 birdwatchers across the country, was released on 25 August, 2023.

Key Findings:

• There is a general decline in numbers in most bird species in the country:
  • Raptors, migratory shorebirds and ducks have declined the most.
  • Vultures: White-rumped Vulture, Indian Vulture, and Red-headed Vulture have suffered the maximum long-term declines (98%, 95%, and 91%, respectively).
  • Birds that are endemic to the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot  such as White bellied Treepie and Wayanad Laughingthrush.
  • Ducks: India hosts eight resident and 35 migratory species, The
    Baer’s Pochard, Common Pochard, Andaman Teal have been found to be most vulnerable.
  • Eurasian Spoonbill, Great Grey Shrike, Sarus Crane etc. has declined over the long term and continues to do so.
  • Woodpecker: Of the 11 species of woodpeckers for which clear long-term trends could be obtained, seven appear stable, two are declining, and two are in rapid decline.
    • The Yellow-crowned Woodpecker has declined by more than 70% in the past three decades.
  • Bustard: While half of all bustards worldwide are threatened, the three species that breed in India, the Great Indian Bustard, the Lesser Florican, and the Bengal Florican have been found to be most vulnerable.
• Increase in Numbers
  • Several bird species such as the Indian Peafowl, Rock Pigeon, Asian Koel and House Crow are not only healthy in both abundance and distribution, but showing an increasing trend.
  • Of the large waterbirds, the Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis have increased dramatically in abundance over the past three decades, by over 130% and 80%, respectively.
  • The Painted Stork and Spot-billed Pelican show a trajectory of increase and then more recent decrease of 2-4% per year to reach historical levels.
• Long-term trends as well as current annual trends could not be established for many of the 942 species.

News Source: The Indian Express