India's Bird Population 'going Down Sharply

The State of India's Birds reports relied on the observations of more than 15,000 birdwatchers who helped assess the status of 867 birds. It found the greatest decline in the numbers of eagles, vultures, warblers and migrating shorebirds. But the population of peafowl, the national bird, has increased significantly. Hunting and habitat loss are the two main reasons behind the decline. "Collision" with electricity lines, according to the study, is a "prime current threat" to birds. The report, the first comprehensive study of its kind, made two assessments: the drop in bird population over the last 25 years, and over the last five years. "In the long-term trend assessment, there was appropriate data available only for 261 species, of which 52% had declined [in numbers]. For current trends, there was data only for 146 species, of which [numbers of] nearly 80% were declining," said MD Madhusudan, co-founder of Nature Conservation Foundation. It's based on more than 10 million observations, drawn from sightings and meticulous notes made by professional birdwatchers. The data was then collated on eBird, a global crowdsourced database that has real-time data on the distribution and abundance of birds.

Species that have suffered the highest declines

White-rumped Vulture
Richard's Pipit
Indian Vulture
Large-billed Leaf Warbler
Pacific Golden Plover
Curlew Sandpiper

Species whose numbers have increased

Rosy Starling
Feral Pigeon
Glossy Ibis
Plain Prinia
Ashy Prinia
Indian Peafowl