Ibisbill

Ibisbill

Context: Ibisbill, the poorly understood Himalayan waterbird faces threats, finds study.

More on the News:

• Experts say that unlike other riverine birds, the ibisbill nests in small islands of the third-order streams (waterways in the upper reaches of the watershed) being interrupted with boulders and pebbles.
• In India, the bird has been recorded in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, pockets of Uttarakhand and Sikkim, and a few sites in northeast India.
• A recent two-year study published in 2022 has documented several threats faced by the species at six sites along the high-altitude Sindh River in Ganderbal district of Central Kashmir.
• The findings revealed that sand and boulder mining was the most prevalent disturbance (38%), followed by human presence (37%), livestock grazing (12%).

Ibisbill:

• Ibisbill is a medium-sized bird found in mountain streams and rivers in South Asia.
• Ibisbill is the only member of the family Ibidorhynchidae and the genus Ibidorhyncha. It is considered to be a “living fossil” because it is the only surviving member of its family, which dates back to the Paleogene period, about 60 million years ago.
• Ibisbill has a distinct appearance with a long, down-curved bill, grey-brown plumage, and a white belly. It has a striking black and white pattern on its wings and tail, and its legs are pinkish.
• Habitat: Ibisbill is a bird of high-altitude mountain streams and rivers. It is found in the Himalayan region, from Afghanistan to Bhutan, and also in the mountainous areas of central and western China.
• Ibisbills have several adaptations that enable them to live in their high-altitude riverine habitat. For example, their long, down-curved bill helps them to forage for food among the rocks and pebbles, while their pinkish legs provide good camouflage against the rocky streambeds.
• Feeding habits: Ibisbill feeds on aquatic invertebrates such as insects, snails, and crustaceans, which it picks from the rocks and pebbles in the riverbeds. It is also known to feed on fish and small amphibians.
• Ibisbills are solitary birds and are usually seen alone or in pairs. They are active during the day and are known for their distinctive calls, which are loud and far-carrying.
• Breeding: Ibisbill breeds in the summer months, and its breeding habitat is usually on small rocky islands or gravel bars in fast-flowing streams. The female lays a clutch of 2-3 eggs, which are incubated by both parents for about 4 weeks.
• Cultural significance: In some local cultures, Ibisbill is considered to be a sacred bird and is associated with the Hindu deity Lord Vishnu. It is also mentioned in the traditional folk songs and stories of some Himalayan communities.
• Conservation status: they are listed as a species of ‘Least Concern’ in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.