Context:
Second edition of the State of Indian Birds (SoIB) report released.
Some assessments in the report:
- Generalist species like shy Prinia, Rock Pigeon, Asian Koel, and Indian Peafowl have increased dramatically.
- Other common species like the Baya Weaver and Pied Bushchat are relatively stable
- The report stressed the urgent need for the conservation of the most critically threatened bird species in India which includes Jerdon’s Courser, Great Indian Bustard, White-bellied Heron, Bengal Florican, and Finn’s Weaver.
- Habitat specialists — particularly birds of grasslands and other open habitats, wetlands, and woodlands — are declining rapidly. Among the most declining birds were the Raptors, migratory shorebirds and ducks.
- In terms of diet, carnivores, insectivores, and granivores are declining more rapidly than omnivores or fruit- and nectar-eaters.
- Some species mentioned in the report – Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Common Teal, Indian Courser, etc.
Read more about the endemic birds of India
Source: The Hindu
Previous year question
With reference to India’s biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned miniyet and White-throated redstart are
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) Birds
(b) Primates
(c) Reptiles
(d) Amphibians
Answer: (a)
