Bio- Diversity Species in News

Aviary Species in News ------2 Rare Steppe Eagle ------2 The Amur Falcon ------2 Great Indian Bustard ------2 The Houbara Bustard ------3 Bengal Florican ------3 Hornbill ------3 Himalayan Griffon Vulture ------4 Greater Adjutant Stork (Hargila) ------4 Indian Skimmer ------4 Macaws ------4 Blue Macaws------5 Barn Owls (Tyto alba) ------5 Strawberry Finch ------5 Black Redstart ------5 House Sparrow ------6 Flame-Throated ------7 Asian Koel ------7 Willow Warbler ------7 Pied Cuckoo ------8 Brown Rock ------8 Striped Hairstreak ------8 Elusive Prince ------8 Golden Birdwing ------9 Ypthima Watsoni ------9 Matheran Rare Butterfly Species ------9 Common Evening Brown ------10 Blue Pansy ------10 Danaid Eggfly ------10 Kolar Leaf Nosed Bat ------10 Robber Fly ------11 Dragonfly ------11 Platylestes Kirani ------11 Platylestes Platystylus ------11

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Aviary Species in News

Rare Steppe Eagle ➢ A Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) has been sighted in Andhra Pradesh during Asian Census. ➢ The sighting of this rare species highlights the need for exploration of the diversity of avian life in the State. ➢ The Steppe Eagle is a migratory raptor which has undergone extremely rapid population declines within all its range. ➢ It breeds from Romania east through the south Russian and Central Asian steppes to Mongolia. The European and Central Asian winter in Africa, and the eastern birds in . ➢ The bird has moved from ‘Least Concern’ to ‘Endangered’ under IUCN Red List. ➢ Throughout its range it favours open dry habitats, such as desert, semi- desert, steppes, or savannah. ➢ Steppe eagle is the second-largest migratory eagle species to India. ➢ The threats to the Steppe Eagle include habitat loss/degradation, electrocution on/ collision with energy infrastructure, poisoning through herbicides/ pesticides/ veterinary drugs in food sources, etc. ➢ The Steppe Eagle appears on the flag of Kazakhstan ➢ It is also the National bird () of and appears on its flag.

The Amur Falcon ➢ Chuilon and Irang, the radio-tagged Amur Falcons have arrived in Manipur after completing one migratory journey that covered 29,000 km in 361 days. ➢ ➢ The Amur Falcon locally known as ‘Akhoipuina is the world’s longest travelling migratory raptors. ➢ They breed in East and migrate to northeast India, Sri Lanka and sometimes to , Cambodia and up to the Arabian Sea and parts of Southern Africa. ➢ Doyang Lake in Nagaland is known as a stopover for the Amur falcons during their annual migration. ➢ Conservation Status: IUCN: Least Concern ➢ Nagaland Government organises Amur Falcon festival to spread awareness about the need to provide safe passage to Amur falcons.

Great Indian Bustard ➢ Conservationefforts are having a positive impact on Great Indian Bustard population in India. ➢ The Great Indian Bustard is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world. ➢ Scientific Name: Ardeotisnigriceps ➢ Habitat: Dry grasslands and scrublands on the Indian subcontinent; its largest populations are found in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Also found in , , Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. ➢ Project Great Indian Bustard- state of Rajasthan- identifying and fencing off bustard breeding grounds in existing protected areas as well as provide secure breeding enclosures in areas outside protected areas. ➢ Conservation Status • IUCN: Critically Endangered

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• CITES: Appendix I • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I ➢ Protected areas: • Desert National Park Sanctuary- Rajasthan, • Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary- Andhra Pradesh • Karera Wildlife Sanctuary– Madhya Pradesh. ➢ Threats: include agriculture; energy production & mining; transportation; human intrusions, and invasive and other problematic species.

The Houbara Bustard ➢ has issued special permits to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and two other members of the royal family to hunt the internationally protected houbara bustards during the hunting season 2020-21. ➢ Bustards are large, terrestrial birds that belong to several species, including some of the largest flying birds. ➢ Two Distinct Species of Houbara Bustard: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recognises two distinct species found in: o North Africa (Chlamydotisundulata) and Asia (Chlamydotismacqueenii). ➢ It lives in arid climates. ➢ The population of the Asian houbara bustards extends from northeast Asia, across central Asia, the Middle East, and the Arabian Peninsula to reach the Sinai desert (Egypt). ➢ After breeding in the spring, the Asian bustards migrate south to spend the winter in Pakistan, the Arabian Peninsula and nearby Southwest Asia. ➢ Conservation Status: IUCN: Vulnerable ➢ Reasons for Decline: Poaching, unregulated hunting, along with degradation of its natural habitat.

Bengal Florican ➢ The species has two disjunct populations, one in the Indian Subcontinent, the other in South-East Asia. ➢ The former occurs in Indian Subcontinent mainly in India (Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.) and terai region of . ➢ It inhabits lowland dry, or seasonally inundated, natural and semi-natural grasslands, often interspersed with scattered scrub or patchy open forest. ➢ It has a very small, rapidly declining population largely as a result of widespread loss of its grassland habitat. ➢ Conservation Status • IUCN: Critically Endangered • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I • CITES: Appendix I

Hornbill ➢ A study based on satellite data has flagged a high rate of deforestation in a major hornbill habitat in Arunachal Pradesh. ➢ Papum Reserve Forest (RF) adjoining Pakke Tiger Reserve (Pakhui Tiger Reserve) in Arunachal Pradesh was studied. ➢ The hornbills (Bucerotidae) are a family of birds found in tropical and subtropical Africa and Asia. ➢ India is home to nine species of hornbills. The north-eastern region has the highest diversity of hornbill species within India. ➢ The great hornbill is the state bird of Arunachal Pradesh and Kerala.

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➢ The Hornbill festival celebrated in Nagaland is named after the bird. ➢ Conservation Status • IUCN: Near Threatened • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

Himalayan Griffon Vulture ➢ Recently, Himalayan griffon vulture has been sighted for the first time at the Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary near Vedaranyam in Nagapattinam district. ➢ Scientific name: Gyps himalayensis. ➢ It is an Old-World vulture in the family Accipitridae. It is one of the two largest Old World vultures and true raptors. ➢ This species is found along the Himalayas and the adjoining Tibetan Plateau. ➢ Himalayan vultures are also susceptible to toxicity induced by diclofenac, a drug whose residues in domestic animal carcasses. ➢ But their population have however not shown signs of rapid decline as witnessed in populations of other Gyps vultures across Asia. ➢ Conservation Status • IUCN: Near Threatened • CITES: Appendix II

Greater Adjutant Stork (Hargila) ➢ The Assam State Zoo and wildlife NGO Aaranyak has jointly bred a pair of Greater Adjutant (Hargila) chicks in an artificial platform within the zoo enclosure. ➢ It is found in a few isolated pockets in Assam and Bihar in India and PrekToal in Cambodia. ➢ IUCN status: Endangered ➢ Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule IV.

Indian Skimmer ➢ Scientific Name: Rynchopsalbicollis is a waterbird species. ➢ In India, the species can be sighted near the Chambal river in Central India, in few parts of Odisha and in Andhra Pradesh. ➢ The annual bird census has been commenced in the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounding wetlands in the Godavari mangroves on the east coast in Andhra Pradesh. ➢ The census aims at the documentation of migratory and resident birds so that a better management plan of the complex ecosystem supporting the waterbird species can be prepared. ➢ TheGodavari mangroves is one among the few places where the Indian Skimmer can be spotted. • Conservation Status: IUCN: Vulnerable

Macaws ➢ The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a wildlife smuggling syndicate with seizure of a consignment of exotic macaws which had been smuggled from to Kolkata. ➢ Scientific Name: Psittacidae. ➢ Macaws are native to Central America and North America (only ), South America, and formerly the Caribbean. Most species are associated with forests, especially rainforests, but others prefer woodland or savannah-like habitats. ➢ Macaws are beautiful, brilliantly colored members of the parrot family. ➢ There are at least 17 species of macaws, and several are endangered. The glaucous macaw and Spix's macaw may already be extinct in the wild.

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➢ They are protected under CITES, with Hyacinth macaw being accorded the highest protection

Blue Macaws ➢ Scientific Name: Anodorhynchushyacinthinus aka Hyacinth macaw ➢ It is a parrot native to central and eastern South America. ➢ With a length of about one meter it is longer than any other species of parrot. ➢ It is the largest macaw and the largest flying parrot species. ➢ Conservation Status • IUCN: Vulnerable

• CITES: Appendix I ➢ Threat:Habitat loss and the trapping of wild birds for the pet trade have taken a heavy toll on their population in the wiBarn Owls (Tyto alba) ➢ The Lakshadweep Administration had embarked on the ‘Pilot project on Biological Control of Rodents (Rats) by Using Barn Owls (Tyto alba) in Kavaratti Island’ ➢ The barn owl is the most widespread landbird species in the world, occurring in every continent except Antarctica. They are one of the most widespread owls in the Indian Subcontinent. ➢ These owls are medium-sized with long legs and wings and have a relatively shorter tail when compared to other similar sized owls. ➢ Barn Owl exhibits dark eyes, and a distinct heart-shaped facial disc. ➢ This owl doesn’t have the characteristic ‘woo-woo-woo’ hoot of owls and utters a screechy ‘shreeeeeeeee’ to protect its territory. ➢ Conservation Status: IUCN: Least Concern

Strawberry Finch ➢ A bird has been spotted in the vicinity of Akkulam Lake in Kerala. ➢ Strawberry finch is also known as red avadavat (Amandavaamandava) or red munia. ➢ It is a sparrow-sized bird of the family . ➢ It is usually found in the open fields and grasslands of tropical Asia and is popular as a cage bird in their breeding season. ➢ The species name of or avadavat has been derived from the city of in Gujarat from where these birds were exported into the pet trade in former times. ➢ Conservation Status: IUCN: Least Concern

Black Redstart ➢ Black Redstart comes around the plains of India from the end of September through March every year for breeding. ➢ The black redstart (Phoenicurusochruros) is a small bird in the redstart Phoenicurus. ➢ It is found almost throughout Europe, Asia and in the portions of Africa and breed in the high-altitude areas of Kashmir, Ladakh, Tibet and the Central Himalayan Range. ➢ In India, the bird sticks to areas near wetlands, open cultivation, scrubs, gardens and orchards. ➢ Conservation Status: IUCN: Least Concern

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House Sparrow ➢ Every year March 20 is observed as the 'World Sparrow Day' to raise awareness about the bird. The Day was first celebrated in 2010. ➢ In India, House Sparrow is found throughout the country, up to the Assam valley and lower parts of the Assam hills. ➢ Towards the eastern Himalayas, the species is replaced by the Eurasian tree sparrow; The house sparrow is widespread across the world, inhabiting every continent, except Antarctica, and ; It is native to Eurasia and North Africa; It is the State bird of Bihar and Delhi; It is known to stay close to human habitations, and is therefore among the most commonly found bird species in urban cities. ➢ Conservation Status: IUCN: Least Concern ➢ Reasons for Decline: Unfriendly architecture of our homes; The use of chemical fertilisers in crops; Noise pollution; Exhaust fumes from vehicles.

Flame-Throated Bulbul ➢ The flame-throated bulbul, also called the Rubigula (State bird of Goa), has been chosen as the mascot of the 36th National Games. ➢ The 36th National Games will be held between October 20 and November 4 in the year 2020. ➢ ➢ The Flame-throated Bulbul is endemic to southern peninsular India where it is locally distributed in southern Andhra Pradesh, eastern Karnataka, Goa, Orissa, eastern Kerala and northern Tamil Nadu. ➢ The Flame-throated Bulbul prefer habitats like rocky, scrub-covered hills mostly in the Eastern Ghats and central peninsular India but also in some places in the Western Ghats. ➢ Conservation Status • IUCN: Least Concern • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule IV

Asian Koel ➢ Asian Koel, the state bird of Puducherry, is now breeding across Delhi-NCR. ➢ The Asian Koel (Eudynamysscolopaceus) is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes. ➢ It is found in the Indian Subcontinent, China, and Southeast Asia. ➢ It forms a superspecies with the closely related black-billed koels, Indian cuckoos, and Pacific koels which are sometimes treated as subspecies. ➢ The Asian Koel like many of its related cuckoo kin is a brood parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of crows and other hosts, who raise its young. ➢ Sexual dimorphism is evident, where males are a glossy black with a greenish sheen to their bodies and females are brown with white dots on their wings and heavy streaking on their head and throat. ➢ In the bird world, the males are generally more pleasant looking than the females, considering they woo females ➢ Conservation Status: IUCN: Least Concern

Willow Warbler ➢ Recently, Willow Warbler has been sighted for the first time in the country at Punchakkari in Kerala. ➢ Scientific name: PhylloscopusTrochilus. ➢ It is one of the longest migrating small birds which breeds throughout northern and temperate Europe and the Palearctic.

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➢ It is a bird of open woodlands with trees and ground cover for nesting, including most importantly birch, alder and willow habitats. ➢ It is one of the longest migrating small birds. ➢ The bird weighs around 10 grams and its long wing feathers help it fly long distances. ➢ Warblers are generally difficult to identify owing to the small size and change in plumage twice a year. They are also the most difficult groups of birds to identify in the field for their striking resemblance to each other. ➢ They migrate to sub-Saharan Africa during early winter. ➢ Conservation Status: IUCN: Least Concern. ➢ Threats: The species is affected by drought conditions in its wintering quarters and habitat alterations due to human population expansion. ➢ ➢ Pied Cuckoo ➢ Recently, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), has decided to study the migration of the Pied Cuckoo Bird by tagging the bird with satellite transmitters, as a part of IBIN project. ➢ It is a bird with black and white plumage (pied) with a fancy crest on the head. ➢ It is found in Africa and Asia. &In central and northern parts of India, pied cuckoos are migratory, they are seen only from just before the monsoon to early winter. ➢ They have high site fidelity, that is, they come back to the same location year after year. ➢ It is one of the few species that come to India in the summer, most other migratory species come in winter. ➢ Conservation Status: IUCN: Least Concerned ➢ Farmers have traditionally relied on the arrival of the pied cuckoo as a signal of arrival of monsoon and seed sowing.

Brown Rock Chat ➢ Recently the Brown Rock Chat has almost disappeared from the heart of the National Capital, visible only on the outskirts. ➢ It is also called as Indian Chat which is a bird species of the family Muscicapidae. ➢ It is nearly endemic to India, distributed north of the Narmada, west to Gujarat and east to Bengal bordered on the north by the Himalayas. It is commonly found in agricultural fields, in buildings, and suburban areas. ➢ Conservation Status • IUCN: Least Concern • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule IV

Striped Hairstreak ➢ Recently, the lepidopterists have discovered the two new species of butterfly i.e. Striped Hairstreak and Elusive Prince in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. ➢ Scientific Name: Yamamotozephyruskwangtugenesis ➢ It is found in Vijaynagar village of Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, bordering Myanmar. ➢ It was a subject of interest for the lepidopterists as its genus is diversified into several genera (i.e. sub-divisions) and thus, difficult to trace. It was first recorded in Hainan province of China. ➢ It is also found in North America, from the Rocky Mountains

Elusive Prince

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➢ Recently, the lepidopterists have discovered the two new species of butterfly i.e. Striped Hairstreak and Elusive Prince in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. ➢ Scientific Name: Rohanatonkiniana. ➢ It is found in Miao subdivision situated on the periphery of the Namdapha National Park. ➢ In India only, a male specimen of the Elusive Prince was found. However, it was first recorded in Tonkin in north . ➢ Initially, it was considered as a variant of the Black Prince, but the study revealed that it is different and not recorded in India before. ➢ The Rohana Genus: It has been represented in India by two species- the Black Prince (Rohanaparisatis) and the Brown Prince (Rohanaparvata).

Golden Birdwing ➢ Recently, a Himalayan butterfly known as Golden Birdwing (Troidesaeacus) has been discovered as India’s largest butterfly after 88 years. ➢ The female Golden Birdwing was recorded from Didihat in Uttarakhand, the largest male was from the Wankhar Butterfly Museum in Shillong. ➢ A Himalayan butterfly named Golden Birdwing is India’s largest butterfly with a wingspan of 194mm. ➢ The hitherto largest Indian butterfly was Southern Birdwing, recorded by Brigadier Evans in 1932. The female of the species golden birdwing is marginally larger than Southern Birdwing (190mm). But the male golden birdwing is much smaller (106 mm). ➢ The only measurement used in the study of is wingspan in which butterflies are measured from the wing base to the tip. ➢ The smallest butterfly is the Quaker (Neopithecopszalmora) with a wingspan of 18 mm.

YpthimaWatsoni ➢ Recently, a team of wildlife researchers has rediscovered ‘Ypthimawatsoni’ butterfly. ➢ The species was last seen in the year 1958 in Manipur. ➢ The rediscovery was after 61 years near a village called Phuldungsei in Jampui Hills under the North Tripura district. ➢ It is a species of Satyrinae butterfly and commonly known as ‘Looped three-ring’. ➢ It was distributed in Assam, Myanmar and Thailand.

MatheranRare Butterfly Species ➢ Recently, Scientists from the Bombay Natural History Society published a research paper on the forgotten butterflies of Matheran in the community peer-reviewed ‘Biodiversity Data Journal. ➢ Scientists found 140 rare species of butterflies, including 77 new ones in Matheran after a long gap of 125 years. ➢ The last time butterflies have codified in this eco-sensitive zone was in 1894, when a researcher identified 78 species. ➢ The maximum diversity (125) of butterflies was recorded during winter, while the least (80) during monsoon; Biostatistical techniques were used by the team; The team used a barcode system to denote seasons and the activities of the butterflies; This system will help biologists studying butterflies present such data concisely and effectively. ➢ A long-term study of butterflies will surely help the scientific community to understand and conserve the health of the ecosystem.

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Common Evening Brown ➢ Recently, Coimbatore-based Darshan M Trivedi enters the India Book of Records for photographing a single butterfly i.e. Common Evening Brown, in 67 variations. ➢ It is a common species of butterfly known as ' Leda’. ➢ It is found in Africa, South Asia and South-east Asia extending to parts of Australia. ➢ It is only active at dusk and dawn and prefers to dwell on the thicket floor. ➢ It feeds on rotting fruits and tree sap.

Blue Pansy ➢ Recently, a Blue Pansy Butterfly was spotted by various environmentalists. ➢ It belongs to the largest butterfly family called that has over 6,000 species worldwide. ➢ Scientific Name: Junoniaorithiya that has a colouration as vibrant as the hybrid flower found most often in ornamental gardens. ➢ It is a species of bright blue butterflies found in parts of Southeast Asian countries, Australia and Africa. ➢ They prefer open habitats, like grasslands, wastelands, woodlands, open forest areas, and farmlands. ➢ The host plants, where they lay their eggs, belong to the family Acanthaceae like PeelaVajradanti (Barleriaprionitis) and the Philippine Violet or Bluebell Barleria (Barleriacristata). ➢ Conservation Status: IUCN: Not Evaluated

Danaid Eggfly ➢ Recently, the Danaid Eggflywas being observed under the Cornell University initiative of monitoring rare sightings of birds. ➢ It belongs to the largest family of butterflies, Nymphalidae. ➢ The butterflies in this family are also called Brush-footed Butterflies, where the forelegs (first pair of legs) are reduced in size and covered with long hair, much like brushes. ➢ It is an inhabitant of open country with moderate rainfall; They are found across Africa, Asia, and Australia. ➢ The females of Danaid Eggfly mimic (in appearance) the similar-sized Plain Tiger, which is a toxic butterfly with the toxic Milkweed as its host plant. ➢ The Danaid Eggfly (Hypolimnasmisippus) has an evolutionary adaptation. ➢ Conservation Status: IUCN: Not Evaluated but protected under the Wildlife Protection Act of India, 1972.

Kolar Leaf Nosed Bat ➢ The Karnataka Forest Department, along with the Bat Conservation India Trust (BCIT), is getting prepared to save the Kolar leaf-nosed bat from extinction. ➢ Scientific Name:Hipposideroshypophyllus. ➢ Geographic Range It is endemic to India. It is presently known only from one cave in Hanumanahalli village in Kolar district, Karnataka. ➢ Till several years ago, the Kolar Leaf-Nosed Bat was found in only two caves in the village of Hanumanahalli. For reasons that are still unknown, the bat became locally extinct in one of the two caves. ➢ Conservation Status: IUCN: Critically Endangered. ➢ Threats: Habitat loss from land use change, hunting, and stone quarrying in the region. ➢ Conservation Measures Karnataka Government has notified the 30 acres around the caves as protected area. Hence, any development work including construction of new infrastructure will need the permission of the National Board for Wildlife.

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Robber Fly ➢ Robber flies belong to the family Asilidae. ➢ They’re named for their feeding behaviour: they ‘rob’ other of their lives. ➢ Like all true flies, robber flies have only 2 wings. ➢ Robber flies also have a distinctive hollow space between their 2 large compound eyes. This characteristic distinguishes robber flies from most other kinds of flies. ➢ Asilidae occur in all zoogeographical regions except Antarctica.

Dragonfly ➢ The first-ever State Dragonfly Festival, also known as Thumbimahotsavam 2020 will be organized in Kerala jointly by the World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-India State unit and Society for Odonate Studies (SOS). ➢ It is an aerial predator most commonly found near freshwater habitats throughout most of the world. ➢ Dragonflies act as important bio-indicators of the ecological health of an area.

Platylestes Kirani ➢ Recently, the scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have identified Platylestes Kirani in the wetlands of Kannur district. ➢ It is a new species of damselfly which is named after late C.G. Kiran, odonatologist and the author of the book Dragonflies of Kerala. ➢ It is a small dull colored damselfly with apple green eyes. ➢ The species is mainly found foraging inside the shoreline vegetation and occasionally resting on the stems or on the leaf blades of grasses and sedge. ➢ The species can be easily distinguished from all other species of Platylestes, by its unique coloration, distinct black marking on its synthorax and shape of anal appendages.

PlatylestesPlatystylus ➢ It is a damselfly species in the family Lestidae. ➢ The species is known from old records from West Bengal in India, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos. ➢ Conservation Status: IUCN: Least Concern.

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