There’s no avoiding the harsh reality. India is losing its birds, and the numbers back this up. The State of India’s Birds (SoIB) 2023 report, released in August, paints a worrying picture.
The report studied 942 of India’s 1,317 bird species and found that 60 per cent of 338 species (with enough data) have been in steady decline for the past 30 years. What’s worse, 40 per cent of 359 species have seen their numbers drop annually over the last eight years. A total of 178 species were flagged as high priority for conservation because their populations have shrunk drastically, or their habitats are extremely limited. Shockingly, many birds that seem to be doing okay globally, like the Indian roller (neelkanth), are now struggling in India.
This makes it clear: there’s an urgent need to protect and prioritise India’s unique avian diversity.
January 5th is National Bird Day, let’s take a closer look at some of the birds on India’s critically endangered list and why they need our attention.
Great Indian Bustard
The Great Indian Bustard is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world. Today, fewer than 150 are left, mostly in Rajasthan. These tall birds, with their long legs and black crown, used to live in grasslands across India. But farming, power lines, and illegal hunting have destroyed their homes and caused numbers to drop. Efforts are underway to protect their habitat and breed them in captivity, but it’s a race against time.
Himalayan Quail
The Himalayan Quail hasn’t been seen since 1876, making it one of India’s most mysterious birds. This small bird with a black head and white forehead used to live in the grassy slopes of Uttarakhand. It may already be extinct, but scientists hope there are still populations hidden parts of the Himalayas. Protecting possible habitats is crucial to give this bird a chance for survival.
White-bellied Heron
The White-bellied Heron is one of the rarest herons in the world, with fewer than 60 left. This tall bird with a grey body and white chest lives in rivers and wetlands in Northeast India and Bhutan. Its biggest threats are habitat loss due to dam construction and human activity. Saving its wetlands is vital to ensure its survival.
Indian Vulture & White-rumped Vulture
Vultures are nature’s clean-up crew, eating dead animals and preventing diseases from spreading. But the Indian Vulture and White-rumped Vulture have seen their populations crash by over 99 Per cent. A medicine called diclofenac, used for livestock, is poisonous to vultures when they eat treated carcasses. Efforts to ban this drug and create safe zones for vultures are helping, but there’s still a long way to go.
Manipur Bush Quail
The Manipur Bush Quail is a small, shy bird found in the tall grasslands of Manipur and Assam. For many years, it was thought to be extinct, but it was rediscovered in 2006. However, it’s still rarely seen, as its habitat is being destroyed by farming and urban development. Protecting these grasslands is key to saving this elusive bird.
Pink-headed Duck
The Pink-headed Duck is known for its unusual pink head and dark body. It hasn’t been officially spotted since the 1940s, and many believe it’s extinct. This duck used to live in marshes and wetlands in India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. Wetland destruction and hunting are the main reasons for its disappearance. Conservationists hope to find this bird again while working to protect its former habitats.
These birds are a crucial part of India’s biodiversity. Without them, ecosystems would suffer. On this National Bird Day, let’s support conservation by spreading awareness, protecting natural habitats, and helping organisations that work to save these species. Small actions can make a big difference in ensuring these birds don’t vanish forever.