Fifteen bird species in India remain critically endangered

Fifteen bird species in India remain critically endangered and three bird species that were in the 'least concern' category, so far, face greater danger than before, as per the recently-released International Union of Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) red list. The avian species that fall under the critically endangered category include migratory and non-migratory birds found in wetlands, grasslands, forests as well as scavengers. "The Himalayan Quail and Pink-headed Duck (Rhodonessa caryophyllacea) are practically extinct although they are listed as critically endangered," said Atul Sathe, manager-communications of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). In the latest list, two birds - the River Lapwing (Vanellus duvaucelii) and River Tern - that were listed as species of least concern have been registered as near threatened. A third bird, the long-tailed duck, which has been sighted in India on a few occasions, has moved from 'least concern' to 'vulnerable' on the red list, Sathe added.

According to the IUCN website, the population of both the River Lapwing (Vanellus duvaucelii) and River Tern (Sterna aurantia) is expected to decline at a moderately rapid rate over the next three generations because of human pressures on riverine ecosystems and the construction of dams.

Raju Kasambe, the head of the BNHS's important bird areas, explained that both these birds lay their eggs on the banks of rivers and on small islands that form on the river beds during summer. However, human activities such as bringing cattle and dogs to the riverside result in eggs getting trampled upon.

"The nesting sites of these birds are not safe," Kasambe said adding that similar pressures to the habitat had pushed the Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) to a vulnerable status.

Source: The Times of India, 27 November 2013
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/IUCN-lists-15-Indian-birds…