Survey at Alappuzha wetlands hints at a decline in number of visiting waterbirds

Survey at Alappuzha wetlands hints at a decline in number of visiting waterbirds

Subject: Environment

Section: Environment/Species

Context:

A recent detailed assessment of the survey conducted in the northern parts of Alappuzha, as part of the Asian Waterbird Census 2023 revealed that a shift in migration patterns of waterbirds appears to be taking place.

Highlight:

• In the recent survey, it is revealed that Duck species sighted in previous surveys were missing this time.
• The most shocking aspect was that duck species like Northern Shoveler, Common teal and Eurasian wigeon, sighted in the previous surveys, were totally missing this time around.

Key facts about the main birds which were sighted during the census:

1. Oriental darter

• It is mainly found in freshwater rivers and ponds of tropical South Asia and Southeast Asia.
• Also called
• Conservation status
• IUCN: Near Threat

2. Cattle egret

• The cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) is a cosmopolitan species of heron (family Ardeidae) found in the tropics, subtropics, and warm-temperate zones.
• It was originally native to parts of southern Spain and Portugal, tropical and subtropical Africa, and humid tropical and subtropical Asia.
• Conservation status
• IUCN: Least Concern

3. Spot-billed Pelican

• It breeds in southern Asia from southern Iran across India east to Indonesia.
• Conservation status
• IUCN: Near Threatened
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule IV