First-ever “grassland bird census” in Kaziranga National Park

News: Recently, the first ever grassland birds census was conducted in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) in Assam.

First-ever “grassland bird census” in Kaziranga National Park

• It was a survey to record the grassland bird population in Kaziranga National Park.
• It was conducted Between March 18 and May 25, 2025.
• Project: The survey was a brainchild of a INSPIRE fellow Chiranjib Bora, who is studying the threatened grassland bird Black-breasted parrotbill.
  • The survey was jointly conducted by a team of forest officials, scientists, and conservationists.
• Features of census
  • The survey prioritised 10 species that are either globally threatened or endemic to the Brahmaputra floodplains. These species are-
    • Bengal Florican, Swamp Francolin, Finn’s Weaver (Endangered), Swamp Grass Babbler, Jerdon’s Babbler, Slender-billed Babbler, Black-breasted Parrotbill, Marsh Babbler, Bristled Grassbird, and Indian Grassbird.
  • It recorded a total of 43 grassland bird species, including 1 Critically Endangered, 2 Endangered, and 6 Vulnerable species.
• Methodology used
  • Traditional methods like visual counting are insufficient in surveying small, shy, and highly camouflaged birds.
  • Passive acoustic recording: The use of passive acoustic recording monitoring method was used for the survey.
    • The acoustic recorders were placed in tall trees near grasslands during the breeding season of the birds.
    • The instruments recorded all the birds singing in the landscape.
  • Spectrogram: The surveyors used software to create a spectrogram, which is a graphical representation of the sound.
  • Birdnet: A tool called Birdnet was used to survey, which uses machine learning to try and identify species by bird song.
• Importance: The grassland birds are considered as “an indicator of good health” of an ecosystem.
• Threats: Habitat loss and its fragmentation are threatening the future of these bird species.