Jerdon's Babbler, a threatened bird, was spotted in Uttar Pradesh

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Context

Jerdon's Babbler, which is a rare bird species, which was recently spotted in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve Uttar Pradesh India.
In India more than 95% of sightings are from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Other Details

It was spotted from the buffer zone of Tiger Reserve.
The surveyor found it during a grassland survey of bird fauna in Dudhwa tiger reserve.
The bird species are also found in Haryana and Punjab state too.

Jerdon's Babbler

Its scientific name is Chrysomma altirostre and it belongs to the family of Paradoxornithidae.
It has an approximate population size of 2500-9999 with a decreasing population trend.

Features

Generally 15 cm in length on average.
It has a long brownish-red tail to balance itself during sneaking through the vegetation.
The short bill looks greyish in appearance.
It can be identified by distinctive round-head.

Habitat

They live in small flocks in pairs.
These are generally found in high/long grasslands and reedbeds.
They experience dense growth near water.
The floodplains and around oxbow lakes are considered their favourite places.

Distribution

Mainly found in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar.
In India it is mainly spotted in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam (plains of Brahmaputra and Barak valleys).
However it is also found in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Nagaland, Punjab

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Threats

Destruction of natural swamps and land reclamation for cultivation.
Degradation of wet grassland due to drainage.
The excessive practice of Agriculture and unchecked grazing near their habitat.
Large number of dams which are to be constructed in the foothills of Arunachal Pradesh will also severely affect the population of this bird.
Excessive burning and cutting.
Commercial forestry plantations.
Unnecessary Human disturbance.

Conservation Status

Must Read Article:

Dudhwa Tiger Reserve

The Habitats Trust works

It is a biodiversity conservation and climate change organisation in Noida.
It functions in 23 states and union territories of India.
The aim is to conserve, protect and restore ecological functionality for a sustainable lifestyle.
It also protects the grasslands of the region in order to protect a biodiverse bird population.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Consider the following statements about Jerdon's Babbler:

1. It is considered a rare bird species which is listed as critically endangered bird.

2. In India approx. 95% of these birds are found in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (B)

Jerdon’s Babbler