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Jerdon’s Babbler

17th July, 2023

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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

  • It is a threatened bird globally.
  • IUCN status – Listed Vulnerable in 1994.

Must Read Article:

Dudhwa Tiger Reserve

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/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)

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rare-bird-jerdons-babbler-spotted-in-ups-dudhwa-tiger-reserve-4204566