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Picture Courtesy: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/critically-endangered-jerdons-courser-not-seen-in-a-decade/articleshow/111739906.cms

Context: The Jerdon's courser, a bird endemic to Andhra Pradesh, is a critically endangered species facing an uncertain future.

About Jerdon's Courser

• The Jerdon's Courser (Rhinoptilus bitorquatus) is a critically endangered bird endemic to southern India, specifically found in sparse scrub forests with patches of bare ground within the Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary in Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh.
• It was first described by Thomas C. Jerdon in 1848 but was not seen again until its rediscovery in 1986.

Physical Description

• Jerdon's Courser is a compact bird with distinctive features:
  • Two brown breastbands
  • A yellow base to the black bill
  • A blackish crown
  • Broad buff supercilium (eyebrow stripe)
  • An orange-chestnut throat patch.
• In flight, it displays a mostly black tail and a prominent white wing bar.
• It is crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) and nocturnal, emitting a characteristic call described as "Twick-too... Twick-too" or "yak-wak.. yak-wak".

Distribution

• The species is endemic to southern India, primarily known from southern Andhra Pradesh within the Eastern Ghats.
• Historical records also place it near the Godavari River valley in Maharashtra and the valleys of the Pennar River in Andhra Pradesh.
• Its geographical range is extremely limited, highlighting its vulnerability.

Conservation Status and Threats

• Jerdon's Courser remains critically endangered under the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Its population is estimated to be between 50 to 249 individuals.
• Threats:
  • Habitat Loss: Extensive agricultural activities, livestock pressures, and quarrying have significantly reduced its preferred scrub habitat.
  • Infrastructure Projects: Projects like the Somasilla Dam and Telugu Ganga Canal have directly threatened its habitat, leading to legal battles and mitigation efforts to protect key areas.
  • Human Encroachment: Increased human settlements and associated activities further encroach upon its habitat, exacerbating the threat of habitat loss.

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ●Founded in 1948, the IUCN was created to assess and document the conservation status and extinction risks of biological species worldwide. ●Its overarching mission is to influence, encourage, and assist societies worldwide in conserving nature and ensuring that the use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. ●The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species evaluates the conservation status of species globally, categorizing them into various classifications such as "Least Concern," "Endangered," and "Critically Endangered." ●The IUCN operates with funding from a variety of sources, including member contributions, grants, donations, and partnerships with governments, NGOs, and private sector entities. ●The IUCN's headquarters is situated in Gland, Switzerland.

Conservation Efforts

• Habitat Protection: The Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary was established to protect its primary habitat. Specific management practices exclude certain human interventions in identified crucial areas.
• Monitoring and Research: Techniques such as camera trapping, sand strip footprints, and acoustic surveys are employed to monitor the species and understand its population dynamics.
• Public Awareness and Engagement: Efforts include distributing pictures and electronic call players to local communities to aid in identifying potential new habitats and to raise awareness about the species' plight.

Conclusion

• Jerdon's Courser remains critically endangered primarily due to habitat loss and fragmentation caused by human activities. Despite conservation efforts, its extremely limited geographic range and small population size pose significant challenges to its survival. Continued research, habitat protection, and community engagement are essential for securing the future of this rare and elusive bird species endemic to India.

Source:

The Times of India

Wikipedia

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Consider the following statements in the context of the Jerdon's Courser: 1. It is a bird endemic to Western Ghats. 2. In flight, it displays a mostly black tail and a prominent white wing bar. 3. It is categorized as Vulnerable under the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and fragmentation. How many of the above statements are incorrect? A) Only one B) Only two C) All three D) None Answer: B