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Kaziranga has one of the highest number of wetland birds
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- Kaziranga recorded 96 species of wetland birds — one of the highest for wildlife reserves in India, according to the second wetland bird count conducted on January 9-10.
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- Data as per Wetland Bird Survey:
(1) 96 Species under 80 Families: The survey registered a total of 19,225 birds belonging to 96 species under 80 families.
(2) First census: The first waterfowl census in 2018 had yielded 10,412 birds covering 80 species, belonging to 21 families.
(3) Bar- Headed Goose Led: With 6,181 individuals, the bar-headed goose led the species count, followed by the common teal at 1,557 and northern pintail at 1,359. All three belong to the family anatidae.
(4) Other species with sizeable numbers include: gadwall, common coot, lesser whistling duck, Indian spot-billed duck, little cormorant, ferruginous duck, tufted duck, Eurasian wigeon, Asian openbill, northern lapwing, ruddy shelduck & spot-billed pelican.
(5) Four Ranges Covered: The survey covered four ranges of the park — Agoratoli, Bagori, Kohora and Burapahar.
(6) Most recorded in Agoratoli Range:
(a) More than half the birds (9,924) and 85 of the 96 species were recorded in Agoratoli Range.
(b) This was because Sohola, the largest of Kaziranga's 92 perennial wetlands, is in this range.
- The first wetland bird survey in Kaziranga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, was conducted in 2018.
- Importance of Avian Data:
(1) Data on avian wealth is important because the wetlands nourish Kaziranga's ecosystem.
(2) Increase or decrease in the number of birds is indicative of the park's health.
Sources
The Hindu