Mumbai: Eight species of Indian birds have been added to the endangered list owing to relentless habitat destruction.The latest International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) "red list" (2014) shows that a total of 173 bird species in the country are now threatened. The list is based on studies conducted by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and BirdLife International (UK).
The eight species of birds newly added to the list include Woolly-necked Stork, Andaman Teal (both uplisted from least concern to vulnerable), Andaman Green Pigeon, Ashy-headed Green Pigeon, Red-headed Falcon, Himalayan Griffon, Bearded Vulture and Yunnan Nuthatch (all uplisted from least concern to near threatened). When a species is "uplisted", it means that it has moved up on the threatened ladder, deeper into the danger zone, said a BNHS release.
"Habitat loss from a variety of factors such as infrastructure development, forest fires, poaching and use of chemicals are jeopardizing the existence of these and other threatened species," said the release.
The newly discovered small colourful bird, Bugun Liocichla from the northeast, is now "critically endangered" as compared to the earlier status of vulnerable. Till now it has been reported from a few areas such as Eaglenest Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh.
Woolly-necked Stork, although found in most parts of India, is facing rapid population decline. Ashy-headed Green Pigeon is confined to the northeast. Red-headed Falcon is still found in declining numbers in most parts of India and several neighbouring countries. Himalayan Griffon is likely to decline further due to the impact of diclofenac use
in livestock.
