On a wing & a prayer

Some birds have become rare sightings in urban centres, while others are being spotted in places never seen before. Climate change may not be the only culprit

- SREYA DEB

IF YOU LOOK around, it will be impossible to miss a massive shift in the birds spotted in urban centres, whether it's a suspicious lack of sparrows and crows, or a ballooning in the number of pigeons. Experts assess that these anomalies are happening due to a variety of factors, including anthropogenic and climate change.

Vibhav Srivastava, a birder associated with the Wildlife Institute of India, says: “The environmental shifts that would have naturally come about as a result of climate change occurring over a period of 50-100 years, humans are inflicting upon birds in 20-30 years.” It would be natural to see changes in bird sightings and flight patterns, given these circumstances, he offers, adding: “Some frequently spotted birds have become rare sightings, while others are being spotted in places they were never seen in before.”

With a variety of climates in India, many birds find refuge here, according to the State of India's Birds (SoIB) Report of 2023. Some are 'specialists' restricted to a narrow habitat type, but others have adapted to live in habitats created and shaped by humans, such as plantations, agricultural fields, open fallow land, and even urban areas.

“We can already see impacts of these population changes and nesting areas in certain places—impacting health, nature, tourism and more. If these birds' ecosystems and populations are not protected, the impacts will also be more far reaching,” adds Srivastava.

New and old sightings

The SoIB Report of 2023 has been compiled from observations and studies done by over 30,000 birdwatchers across the country, along with institutes of national and international repute. The report assesses a total of 942 birds for conservation priority, classifying them as low, moderate or high priority, based on their population and risk of endangerment.