FIRST TERRESTRIAL BIRD
CENSUS IDENTIFIES 414 SPECIES IN STATE
CHENNAI: The terrestrial bird census conducted by the State Forest Department for the first time has revealed that the Tamil Nadu has 414 species of land-based bird species. The terrestrial bird census was conducted after the completion of the wetlands bird census.
As per the data, over 2 lakh individual birds of 414 species were sighted. The terrestrial bird census was the second phase of synchronised bird census and was conducted during the first week of this month.
During the last week of January, the wetland bird census was conducted as a first phase census. Earlier, the department was conducting bird census in protected areas only.
But the terrestrial bird census was conducted in rural and urban areas too.
A forest department official said that the detailed report about the terrestrial bird census is yet to be completed and a final report will be submitted to the government. “Terrestrial birds are common — crows, parrots, sparrows and others we see every day. This is the first such exercise to identify the number of terrestrial bird species. Similar census will be conducted every year to identify new species,” said Srinivas R Reddy, principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) and chief wildlife warden.
He clarified that the number of birds sighted during the census cannot be correlated with the total bird population in the State. “The birds sighted are samples and the actual population could be much higher than the sighted birds,” he said.
The terrestrial bird census was conducted at 931 spots covering 49 forest divisions in 38 districts. Among the 49 forest divisions, the highest number of species were recorded in ATR-Pollachi Division
and Coimbatore division in Coimbatore district.
Meanwhile, the department identified 410 species during the wetland bird census and sighted over 4.66 lakh birds. The 410 species include water birds and land birds that live around wetlands. Of the 410 species, 135 species are water birds and 275 are land birds.
During the census, the department covered 644 wetlands. Also, 78 species are migrant water birds and 67 are migrant land birds.