Endemic Birds In India
A recent publication by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) points out that about 5% of the birds found in the country are endemic and not reported in other parts of the world.
The publication, 75 Endemic Birds of India, was recently released on the 108th foundation day of the ZSI.
India is home to 1,353 bird species, which represents approximately 12.4% of the global bird diversity. Of these, 78 (5%) are endemic to the country.
Since endemic species are restrictive in nature, it is important that their habitats are conserved so that they don’t dwindle out.
The highest number of endemic species have been recorded in the Western Ghats, with 28 bird species.
Some of the species recorded in the country’s bio-geographic hotspot are the Malabar grey hornbill (Ocyceros griseus); Malabar parakeet (Psittacula columboides); Ashambu laughingthrush (Montecincla meridionalis); and the white-bellied sholakili (Sholicola albiventris).
Three of the 78 species have not been recorded in the past few decades.
They are the Manipur bush quail (Perdicula manipurensis), the Himalayan quail (Ophrysia superciliosa), and the Jerdon’s courser (Rhinoptilus bitorquatus).
Manipur bush quail (Perdicula manipurensis):
Listed as “endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
Last recorded sighting in 1907.
It was first collected and described by Allan Octavian Hume )founder of the Indian National Congress and "the Father of Indian Ornithology")
Himalayan quail (Ophrysia superciliosa):
Listed as “critically endangered” in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Its last recorded sighting in 1876 near Mussoorie.
It is a medium-sized quail belonging to the pheasant family.
This species was known from only 2 locations (and 12 specimens) in the western Himalayas in Uttarakhand, north-west India.
Jerdon’s courser (Rhinoptilus bitorquatus):
Listed as “critically endangered” in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Its last confirmed sighting in 2009.
It is a nocturnal bird belonging to the pratincole and courser family.
This courser is a restricted-range endemic found locally in India in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh.
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