Bird in Hand: IUCN Sounds Warning Bells For Rare Feathered Friends

Bird in Hand: IUCN Sounds Warning Bells For Rare Feathered Friends

Birds are considered to be one of the best indicators of the health of the environment. But India's birds are now in the danger zone due to merciless and rampant destruction of their national habitats. The recent IUCN/International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List in 214 signals that 173 species of birds in our country are now under threat thanks to uncontrolled rather than sustainable development. The current IUCN list shows that newly discovered colourful small bird Bugun Liocichla from our northeastern states is now endangered when it was only vulnerable earlier. Studies conducted by ornithological experts at the BNHS (Bombay Natural History Society) and Birdlife International (UK) along with other partner organisations indicate that a total of 8 other bird species have now become threatened or endangered, a statement by the BNHS indicated to media reports.

8 species of birds added to the list include the Andaman teal(which was earlier only vulnerable) along with the woolly necked stork and the Andaman green pigeon. Other entrants include the ashy-headed green pigeon , the red-headed falcom, the Himalyan griffon, yunnan nuthatch and the bearded vulture. All of these species have been unlisted meaning they have moved up the ladder to becoming threatened birds now.

In November 2013 revision of the IUCN list 5 species had been added to the threatened list including the red-breasted parakeet and the great stone plover. Bugun liochicla was first described by modern scientists during the 1990s. They have been reported from areas such as Bomdila in Arunachal Pradesh and it may also exist in other parts of the state. The bird is also said to be present in Bhutan and China. The wooly necked stork is said to be prevalent throughout India. The Andaman Teal is found only on Great Coco Island and Andaman Islands with only less than 1000 currently recorded. The Andaman green pigeon is found in the Andaman & Nicobar islands and some 1000 of the birds may exist there. The ashy green pigeon exists in the north-eastern states . The red-headed falcon exists in declining numbers everywhere except (sadly) the Himalayan ranges. The falcon has declined in many parts of Asia due to practices such as hunting and falconry.

With changes in the climatic conditions and habitats in the Himalayan ranges , the Himalayan griffon is also declining further. The bearded vulture is found in only few parts of Asia, Africa and Europe right now. The yunnan nuthatch hs found in the Yunnan province of China and the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Infrastructure projects and forest fires have threatened this bird's existence and survival in these areas.

Sadly, the global situation is not any better. 13% of all bird species across the world are in the threatened list. From among 250 newly recognised species assessed by IUCN and Birdlife International , over 25% have been listed as threatened. Beautiful species such as the belem curassow from Brazil and desertas petrel from Madeira Islands have also been listed as threatened . Rare species of birds are now facing the threat of extinction and if this is not halted, the extinction of humankind will not be far behind.