5% of birds in India are endemic: Report

A publication, titled ‘75 Endemic Birds of India’, which was released on the 108th foundation day of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), points out that about 5% of birds found in the country are endemic and are not reported in other parts of the world.

India’s bird species:

• India is home to 1,353 bird species, which represents approximately 40% of global bird diversity.
• Of these 1,353 bird species, 78 species, which is around 5%, are endemic to the country.

About the Publication:

• The publication highlights the importance of endemic bird species in the country.
• The details of endemic bird species contained in the publication include etymology (meanings of scientific names) and their historical relevance along with vital facts such as subspecies’ differences, distinguishing traits, preferred habitats, breeding habits, and food preferences.
• Objective: The publication is aimed at making information about endemic birds of the country available to everyone, and highlighting the efforts to conserve species that are found only in restricted areas.

Highlights from the Publication:

• Around 75 bird species belong to 11 different orders, 31 families, and 55 genera, and exhibit remarkable distribution patterns across various regions in India.
• The highest number of endemic species has been recorded in the Western Ghats, with 28 bird species.
• Some of the rare species recorded in the country’s bio-geographic hotspot are;
  
  

  The Malabar Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros griseus) This hornbill is endemic to India, and found in the Western Ghats of south-west India.
  Malabar Parakeet (Psittacula columboides) It is restricted to the forests of India’s Western Ghats.
  Ashambu Laughing Thrush (Montecincla meridionalis) It is a species of bird in the family Leiothrichidae. It is found in the Western Ghats in southern Kerala and southern Tamil Nadu.
  The White-bellied Sholakili (Sholicola albiventris) It is endemic to the Shola forests of the higher hills of southern India.

• Amongst them 25 bird species are endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Bird species which are only found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are:
  • Nicobar Megapode (Megapodiusnicobariensis)
  • Nicobar Serpent Eagle (Spilornisklossi)
  • Andaman Crake (Rallinacanningi)
  • Andaman Barn Owl (Tytoderoepstorffi)
• Four species of birds are endemic to the Eastern Himalayas, and one each to the Southern Deccan plateau and central Indian forest.
• Of the 78 endemic species, 25 are classified as ‘Threatened’ by the IUCN.
  • Three species are listed as ‘Critically Endangered’.
  • Five of the endemic birds in India are categorised as ‘Endangered’, and
  • 17 as ‘Vulnerable’,
  • While 11 are categorised as ‘Near Threatened’ on the IUCN Red List.

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