5% of birds in India are endemic, says Zoological Survey of India publication

Source: The post is based on the article “5% of birds in India are endemic, says Zoological Survey of India publication”  published in The Hindu on 7th August 2023.

What is the News?

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has released a publication titled “75 Endemic Birds of India”.

What are the key highlights from the publication “75 Endemic Birds of India”?

Endemic birds: India is home to 1,353 bird species, which represents approximately 12.40% of global bird diversity. Out of these bird species, 78 (5%) are endemic to the country.

The highest number of endemic species have been recorded in the Western Ghats, with 28 bird species. 

– Some of the species recorded in the Western Ghats are the Malabar Grey Hornbill, Malabar Parakeet, Ashambu Laughing Thrush and White-bellied Sholakili.

Endemic bird species not sighted in last few decades: Of the 78 species, three species have not been recorded in the last few decades.They are:

– Manipur Bush Quail (Perdicula manipurensis), listed as ‘Endangered’ in IUCN Red List with its last recorded sighting in 1907;

–  Himalayan Quail (Ophrysia superciliosa), listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ with its last recorded sighting in 1876 and

–  Jerdon’s Courser (Rhinoptilus bitorquatus), listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ with its last confirmed sighting in 2009.

Threatened Endemic Bird species of India: Of the 78 endemic species, 25 are classified as ‘Threatened’ by the IUCN. 

– Three species (Bugun Liocichla or Liocichla bugunorum; Himalayan Quail or Ophrysia Superciliosa and Jerdon’s Courser or Rhinoptilus bitorquatus) are listed as ‘Critically Endangered’.

– Five of the endemic birds are categorized as ‘Endangered’, and 17 as ‘Vulnerable’, while 11 are categorized as ‘Near Threatened’ on the IUCN Red List.