State of India’s Birds 2023 Report

• The "State of India’s Birds, 2023" report indicates a general decline in the numbers of most bird species in the country, with some currently declining and others projected to decline in the long term. 

• The report is based on data from approximately 30,000 birdwatchers and assesses the distribution range, trends in abundance, and conservation status of India's bird species.

• The report was conducted by 13 partner organisations, including the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).

• The assessments rely on three indices.
• Two of them are related to change in abundance — long-term trend (change over 30 years) and current annual trend (change over past seven years) — and 
  
  
• The third is a measure of distribution range size in India.

Key findings from the report :

Decline in Raptors and Migratory Birds: 

• Raptors (birds of prey), migratory shorebirds, and ducks have experienced the most significant declines.

• Long-distance migrants, such as birds from Eurasia and the Arctic, have been severely affected, with some species declining by more than 50%. 

• Shorebirds that breed in the Arctic have declined by 80%.

Positive Trends for Certain Species: 

• Several bird species, including the Indian Peafowl, Rock Pigeon, Asian Koel, and House Crow, are showing increasing trends in both abundance and distribution. 

• These species have shown increases in abundance compared to their pre-2000 levels. 

• The Asian Koel, in particular, has exhibited a rapid increase in abundance by 75%, with an annual current increase of 2.7% per year.

Flourishing Indian Peafowl: 

• Despite the overall decline in bird species, the Indian Peafowl stands out as one of the most rapidly increasing species in the country. 

• There has been a 150% increase in the abundance of peafowl across the country over the past decades.

• It has expanded its range into habitats where it was not previously found, including high Himalayan regions and rainforests of the Western Ghats. 

• The peafowl's population density is also increasing in areas where it was already present.

Decline in Specialist Birds: 

• Bird species that are habitat specialists, meaning they are restricted to specific environments like wetlands or rainforests, are declining more rapidly than generalist species that can adapt to various habitats.

• Grassland specialists, for instance, have declined by more than 50%, emphasising the importance of protecting these ecosystems.

Long-Term and Current Trends: 

• Of the 942 bird species assessed, 204 species have declined in the long term, 98 are stable, and 36 have increased. 

• For the current annual trend, 142 species are declining, 64 are in rapid decline, 189 are stable, and 28 species are increasing.

Vultures: 

• Vultures were nearly driven to extinction due to consuming carcasses contaminated with diclofenac. 

• The White-rumped Vulture, Indian Vulture, and Red-headed Vulture have suffered the maximum long-term declines, with populations now remaining around protected areas.

Insect-Eating Birds: 

• Birds that feed on invertebrates, including insects, are declining rapidly, consistent with the global decrease in insect populations. 

• Birds that feed on fruits and nectar are doing relatively well.

Woodpeckers and Endemic Species: 

• Several woodpecker species have faced declines, with some declining by more than 70% in the past three decades.

• Endemic bird species in the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot have rapidly declined over the past few decades.

Threatened Bustards: 

• The three species of bustards that breed in India – the Great Indian Bustard, the Lesser Florican, and the Bengal Florican – are highly vulnerable and threatened.
  

Conservation Priorities:

• Based on the assessments, the report categorises bird species into high, moderate, and low conservation priority. 

• Birds with declining abundance and those restricted to specific habitats are considered high conservation priority. 

• The report emphasises the importance of conserving natural habitats and addressing threats in various landscapes to protect bird species.

Major Threats to Bird Species:

• The "State of India’s Birds, 2023" report has identified several significant threats that bird species across the country are facing. 

• These threats encompass forest degradation, urbanisation, and the expansion of energy infrastructure. 

• Despite efforts, vulture populations remain imperilled due to lingering environmental pollutants, including veterinary drugs like nimesulide.

• Moreover, the report emphasises that climate change poses a substantial risk, particularly impacting migratory bird species. 

• Avian diseases, often exacerbated by changing environmental conditions, also contribute to the challenges faced by bird populations. 

• Additionally, the illegal hunting and trade of birds present a concerning and detrimental issue.

The report underscores the importance of understanding and addressing the factors contributing to the decline of bird populations in India. Conservation efforts need to be directed toward protecting habitats, mitigating the impacts of agro-chemicals, and addressing other threats to bird species.