By Atul Sathe(BNHS), Mumbai, 26 July 2014

Birds, one of the best indicators of the environment, have slipped deeper into the danger zone in India, thanks to relentless habitat destruction. The latest IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List (2014) indicates that a total of 173 bird species in the country are now Threatened. The latest IUCN list shows that the newly discovered small colourful bird Bugun Liocichla from the North-East is now Critically Endangered, as compared to the earlier safer status of Vulnerable. Moreover, based on studies conducted by BNHS-India, BirdLife International (UK) and other partner organizations, eight other bird species have newly entered the threatened list.

Species in danger

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.

In an earlier revision of the IUCN list that took place in November 2013, five species had been added to the threatened list, which includes Great Stone Plover, Alexandrine Parakeet, Grey-headed Parakeet, Blossom-headed Parakeet and Red-breasted Parakeet.

Distribution and threats

Bugun Liocichla, first described by modern science in the 1990s, has till now been reported from a few areas such as Eaglenest Sanctuary and Bomdila in Arunachal Pradesh, India. It is likely to exist in other areas of the state and some neighbouring areas of Bhutan and China. Woolly-necked Stork, although found in most parts of India, is facing rapid population decline. Andaman Teal is found only on Great Coco Island and Andaman Islands of India with less than 1000 individuals recorded till now. Andaman Green Pigeon is also endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar islands of India and a couple of thousand individuals may exist. Ashy-headed Green Pigeon is confined to the north-eastern states of India. Red-headed Falcon is still found in declining numbers in most parts of India (except the Himalayan ranges) and several neighbouring countries. But it has disappeared from many areas and in Pakistan it has declined partly due to the falconry trade.

Found only in the Himalayan ranges, Himalayan Griffon is likely to decline further due to the impact of diclofenac use in livestock, as in the case of several other vulture species. Bearded Vulture or Lammergeyer is also found in the Himalayan ranges in India and similar habitats in other parts of Asia, Africa and Europe. It has been facing moderately rapid population decline. Yunnan Nuthatch found in Yunnan province of China, has been recorded only in Arunachal Pradesh in India. Habitat loss from a variety of factors such as infrastructure development and forest fires and poaching and use of chemicals are jeopardizing the existence of these and other threatened species.

Worldwide phenomenon

A similar situation exists globally with 13% of all bird species on the threatened list. Moreover, from among the 350 species, newly recognized and assessed the world over by BirdLife International and IUCN, over 25% have been listed as threatened.

Species such as Belem Curassow from Brazil and Desertas Petrel from Madeira Islands have been listed as Threatened. In the case of the Blue-bearded Helmetcrest, a beautiful hummingbird from Colombia, it may already be too late, as the species has not been seen for nearly 70 years. Somali Ostrich, which is found in Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya, is now recognised as a distinct species and listed as Vulnerable. Its population is thought to be in rapid decline because of hunting and egg-collection. The latest IUCN study also helps identify the places most important for birds, which need urgent protection.

Several areas of South East Asia are still expected to host extremely rare and endemic species such as Sangihe Dwarf Kingfisher and Cebu Brown Dove and many others not yet documented. Newly recognised species such as Javan Flameback and Javan Blue-banded Kingfisher are now severely threatened. These areas need immediate conservation attention to protect the remaining habitat.

The total number of species recognised by BirdLife in the 2014 Red List is 10,425. Among them category-wise break-up is as follows: Extinct: 140; Extinct in the Wild: 4; Critically Endangered: 213; Endangered: 419; Vulnerable: 741; Near Threatened: 959; Least Concern: 7,886 and Data Deficient: 62. Species are assigned to a particular category based on whether they meet criteria linked to population trends, population size and structure and geographic range. Species listed as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable are collectively described as Threatened.