State of India Birds 2023

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Context

The “State of India’s Birds, 2023″ report reveals a widespread decline in most bird species across the country, with some currently declining and others projected to decline in the future.

Key Findings

• Raptors, migratory shorebirds, and ducks have experienced the most significant declines.
• However, several species like the Indian Peafowl, Rock Pigeon, Asian Koel, and House Crow are thriving and increasing in both abundance and distribution.
• The assessments, based on data from around 30,000 birdwatchers, indicate that 60% of the 338 species with identifiable long-term trends have declined, while 36 species have increased.
• Specialist bird species, which inhabit specific habitats like wetlands and rainforests, are facing rapid declines, while generalist species capable of adapting to various habitats are faring better.
• Long-distance migratory birds, such as those from Eurasia and the Arctic, have suffered significant declines, while resident species remain more stable.
• Birds with diets focused on vertebrates and carrion have seen notable declines, potentially due to harmful pollutants present in these food resources.
• The report emphasizes the decline of species endemic to the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspots.

What are the Key Highlights of the Report?

• Status:
  • For the 338 species with identified long-term trends, 60% have experienced declines, 29% are stable, and 11% have shown increases.
  • Among the 359 species with determined current annual trends, 39% are declining, 18% are rapidly declining, 53% are stable, and 8% are increasing.
• Positive Trends: Increasing Bird Species:
  • Despite the general decline, there are some positive trends among certain bird species.
    • The Indian Peafowl, for instance, the national bird of India, is showing a remarkable increase in both abundance and distribution.
      • This species has expanded its range into new habitats, including high-altitude Himalayan regions and rainforests in the Western Ghats.
    • The Asian Koel, House Crow, Rock Pigeon, and Alexandrine Parakeet are also highlighted as species that have demonstrated a notable increase in abundance since the year 2000.
• Specialist Birds:
  • Bird species that are “specialists’’ – restricted to narrow habitats like wetlands, rainforests, and grasslands, as opposed to species that can inhabit a wide range of habitats such as plantations and agricultural fields – are rapidly declining.
  • The “generalist’’ birds that can live in multiple habitat types are doing well as a group.

• “Specialists, however, are more threatened than generalists.
• Grassland specialists have declined by more than 50%.
• Birds that are woodland specialists (forests or plantations) have also declined more than generalists, indicating a need to conserve natural forest habitats so that they provide habitat to specialists.
• Migrant and Resident Birds:
  • Migratory Birds, especially long-distance migrants from Eurasia and the Arctic, have experienced significant declines by more than 50% – followed by short-distance migrants.
  • Shorebirds that breed in the Arctic have been particularly affected, declining by close to 80%.
  • By contrast, resident species as a group have remained much more stable..
• Diet and Decline Patterns:
  • Dietary requirements of birds have also shown up in abundance trends. Birds that feed on vertebrates and carrion have declined the most.
    • Vultures were nearly driven to extinction by consuming carcasses contaminated with diclofenac.
  • White-rumped Vultures, Indian Vultures, and Red-headed Vultures have suffered the maximum long-term declines (98%, 95%, and 91%, respectively).
• Endemic and Waterbird Declines:
  • Endemic species, unique to the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot, have experienced rapid declines.
    • Of India’s 232 endemic species, many are inhabitants of rainforests, and their decline raises concerns about habitat preservation.
  • Ducks, both resident and migratory, are declining, with certain species like the Baer’s Pochard, Common Pochard, and Andaman Teal being particularly vulnerable.
  • Riverine sandbar-nesting birds are also declining due to multiple pressures on rivers.
• Major Threats:
  • The report highlighted several major threats – including Forest Degradation, urbanization, and energy infrastructure – that bird species face across the country.
  • Environmental pollutants including veterinary drugs such as nimesulide still threaten vulture populations in India.
  • Impacts of Climate Change (such as on migratory species), avian disease, and illegal hunting and trade are also among the major threats.
• Other Species:
  • Sarus Crane has rapidly declined over the long term and continues to do so.
  • Of the 11 species of woodpeckers for which clear long-term trends could be obtained, seven appear stable, two are declining, and two are in rapid decline.
    • The Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, inhabiting widespread thorn and scrub forests, has declined by more than 70% in the past three decades.
  • While half of all bustards worldwide are threatened, the three species that breed in India – the Great Indian Bustard, the Lesser Florican, and the Bengal Florican – have been found to be most vulnerable.