GLOBAL GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT (GBBC) 2024

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Picture Courtesy: https://birdcount.in/event/gbbc/

Context: In the Global Great Backyard Bird Count 2024, held from February 16-19, 2024, Indian bird enthusiasts marked their 12th consecutive year of participation, securing the second-highest global submissions with over 61,000 checklists and documenting 1,036 bird species.

Details

Global Participation

• India submitted over 1,000 species for the Global Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) 2024, securing the second-highest number of submissions globally.
• The United States led in the number of checklists submitted, with India coming in second.

Indian Participation

• Indian birdwatchers contributed more than 61,000 checklists over the four days of the event.
• The country documented 1,036 bird species on the online platform eBird during the GBBC.
• This marks India's 12th consecutive year of active participation in the GBBC.

State-wise Contributions

• For the first time, birders from all states and Union territories participated in the event.
• Kerala recorded the highest number of checklists (14,023), followed by Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
• West Bengal reported the highest number of species (538), followed by Uttarakhand and Assam.

Notable Species Spotted

• Indian birders reported spotting some restricted-range species during the GBBC, including the Andaman Serpent-Eagle, Andaman Woodpecker, Nilgiri Laughingthrush, White-headed Starling, Nilgiri Sholakili, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, Andaman Treepie, Forest Owlet, Bugun Liocichla, and White-bellied Sholakili.

Conclusion

• India actively participates in the Global Great Backyard Bird Count 2024, documenting over 1,000 species, showcasing a vibrant birdwatching community, and underscoring the nation's ongoing commitment to global bird conservation efforts.

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. What was the Primary objective of the Global Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) 2024? A) To estimate the total bird population in the world. B) To document bird diversity across various geographical locations. C) To raise awareness about the importance of bird conservation. D) To promote bird watching as a recreational activity. Answer: B Explanation: While all the options are related to the event in some way, the passage explicitly states that the GBBC aimed to "document bird diversity."