India celebrated Bird’s Day on the 5th of January. Let us take this opportunity to raise awareness about the most critically endangered birds of our country. These birds have been pushed to this category due to habitat loss and heavy hunting. These pretty creatures maintain the delicate balance of our ecosystem. Our awareness is the least that they deserve.
To put Bird’s Day into perspective, here is a list of the most critically endangered birds of our country.
Great Indian Bustard
The Great Indian Bustard is found only in India and a few of the adjoining regions. It is one of the most critically endangered birds of our country. This is one of the largest birds that can fly. Its natural habitat is semi-arid and semi-desert region. It is found mostly in the state of Rajasthan. It is disappearing as it is heavily hunted and is losing its habitat to development.
Red-Headed Vulture
Also known as the King Vulture it belongs to the Old World species of Vultures that are found only in the Indian subcontinent. The major reason why this species is one of the most critically endangered birds in our country is Diclofenac. It is a chemical used in veterinary medicines that remains deposited even after death. Since vultures feed of carcasses they take in this chemical leading to their demise.
Bengal Florican
The Bengal Florican is extremely endangered. It belongs to the bustard family. Only around a thousand of this species are left in the Indian subcontinent. This really pretty bird lost its numbers to extensive poaching and habitat to land conversion for agriculture.
Himalayan Quail
This bird belongs to the family of pheasants. It is found only in the western Himalayas in the state of Uttarakhand and the North West region of India. It is a medium-sized bird that flies only to close areas. It is one of the most critically endangered birds of our country due to the extensive habitat destruction.
Siberian Crane
This stunning beauty is a migratory bird and visits India only in winters. It is not only one of the most critically endangered birds of our country but of the world. The loss of the regions where they had been migrating to for centuries is one of the major reasons for their reduced numbers.
These creatures are not just a stunning creation but they also play a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of the ecosystem. This Bird’s Day let us dedicate a few moments to the thoughts about their survival.
