Endangered Birds

Come monsoon, and one of the most endangered bird species of the world, the lesser florican, will make the Blackbuck National Park (BNP) in Velavadar their abode. These birds flock to the sanctuary in Bhavnagar for mating. It's a rare sight to watch the spectacular courtship of this bird, which is unique.

According to assistant conservator of forests, BNP, J S Solanki, lesser floricans have already started arriving in the sanctuary. "They start arriving at the onset of monsoon and start marking their territories in the grasslands,'' Solanki said.

Wildlife lovers say the male can jump over a metre high to impress the female and attract her, sometimes up to 500 times a day. "During breeding season, males also change plumage to dark black and the neck with white elongated belt on the edge of the wings," said wildlife photographer Bhushan Pandya, adding, "Feathers on the back are pinkish black and they have prominent neck, which can be seen easily from a distance.'' Females are bigger in size, but shy. They are attracted by the vertical leaps of the male florins, forest officials said.

One of the bustard family, the floricans, are recognised as highly endangered species. "It's one of four critically endangered bird species of India, and one of the 50 rarest birds of the world. The species is protected under Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972," said Solanki, adding that this species is regarded as endangered because its population is declining primarily as a result of loss and degradation of dry grassland. The grassland in Velavadar park provides an ideal and safe place for breeding to this bird.

These birds start laying eggs in August to September period. After breeding, these omnivorous birds move into peninsular India. Every year, forest department conducts a population estimation of this rare bird. "The numbers could be more than the sightings as it is difficult to sight these birds during the mating in grasslands," foresters added.