Migratory Birds & Wildlife — Set 10

Correct Answer: B. They are listed as CR (Critically Endangered) based on rapidly declining populations, small range, or very small population size

Critically Endangered (CR) is the IUCN Red List classification for migratory bird species facing extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Species like the Spoon-billed Sandpiper and Siberian Crane are Critically Endangered. This status means populations have declined by 80% or more over three generations, or the total population is very small. The CR listing triggers urgent conservation action including captive breeding, habitat protection, and international cooperation. India hosts several critically endangered migratory species at key wintering sites.

Correct Answer: B. Larger wetlands generally support higher bird diversity and greater numbers of migratory birds

Larger wetlands generally support higher bird species diversity and greater numbers of migratory birds, following the species-area relationship in ecology. Larger areas provide more habitat types (open water, shallow margins, reed beds, mudflats) supporting a wider range of species with different habitat needs. Large wetlands also provide more stable resources for bird populations and can buffer disturbances better. This is why large wetlands like Chilika (1,100 sq km) and Keoladeo support thousands of waterbirds while small ponds support far fewer.

Correct Answer: B. Seabirds breed on remote islands and migrate across the Indian Ocean, bringing marine nutrients to land and dispersing between feeding areas

Seabirds breed on remote islands (including the Lakshadweep and Andaman/Nicobar Islands in the Indian Ocean) and undergo extensive migrations across the Indian Ocean following seasonal upwellings of fish. Species like the Wedge-tailed Shearwater and various terns migrate seasonally. Seabirds bring marine nutrients to breeding islands through guano, enriching terrestrial vegetation. The Indian Ocean is an important pathway for seabirds moving between Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and between polar regions and tropical seas.

Correct Answer: B. Counting bird silhouettes passing in front of the full moon to estimate migration intensity

Moon Watch is a bird migration counting technique where observers use telescopes or binoculars to count bird silhouettes passing in front of the full moon disc during clear nights. This method reveals the intensity and direction of nocturnal bird migration. Many of the world's small migratory birds migrate primarily at night, making their migration difficult to observe by conventional methods. Moon Watch data collected across India can reveal migration routes and timing patterns that daytime surveys miss.

Correct Answer: B. Mumbai (for the Thane Creek flamingos)

The Flamingo Festival is associated with Mumbai's famous flamingo population at Thane Creek and the Sewri mudflats, where up to 50,000 Lesser Flamingos gather. Mumbai organises events to raise awareness about these remarkable birds in an urban environment. The state of Maharashtra also celebrates flamingo conservation through awareness events. The festival highlights how migratory wildlife can thrive in close proximity to major urban centres if suitable habitat is protected. Mumbai's flamingos have become iconic symbols of urban nature conservation.

Correct Answer: B. Extremely small population (only about 600 birds), loss of tidal flat wintering habitats, and hunting in Southeast Asia

The Spoon-billed Sandpiper is critically endangered with only about 600 birds remaining in the wild. The species faces catastrophic habitat loss of tidal mudflats and wetlands at key stopover sites in East and Southeast Asia, hunting and trapping during migration, and very low breeding success. India is an important staging area during its migration between Arctic breeding grounds (Russia) and wintering areas in Southeast Asia. International captive breeding and habitat protection programmes are underway to prevent its extinction.

Correct Answer: B. Diverse birds of the Western Ghats including migratory species that move altitudinally between Wayanad and lower areas

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala is known for its diverse forest birds of the Western Ghats including numerous resident endemics and some species that make altitudinal migrations between higher elevation forests and lower valleys. Species like the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon and Malabar Whistling Thrush are resident endemics here. The sanctuary is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and connects with Nagarhole and Bandipur forests. Its diverse forest types support exceptional bird diversity throughout the year.

Correct Answer: B. By point counts, line transects, and total counts using telescopes, binoculars, and aerial surveys

Migratory birds in Indian wetlands are counted using multiple methods including point counts (observer counts birds from fixed point for set time), line transects (observer walks a fixed distance counting all birds), and total counts (all visible birds in a wetland counted simultaneously). Telescopes and binoculars are essential for accurate counts of distant birds. For large wetlands like Chilika and Bharatpur, aerial surveys are used to count birds over the entire water body. eBird now aggregates these counts into a national database.

Correct Answer: B. Temporary halting sites where migratory birds rest, feed, and refuel during long-distance migration — their conservation is critical for migration success

Stopover Sites are temporary halting points where migratory birds rest and refuel during their long-distance migrations. These sites are critically important because birds depend on them to accumulate enough fat reserves to complete their journey. Loss of stopover sites can strand birds without sufficient fuel, causing mass mortality. India's coastal wetlands, river deltas, and inland lakes serve as vital stopover sites for birds on the Central Asian Flyway. Conservation of stopover sites requires international cooperation across the entire flyway.

Correct Answer: B. Pied Crested Cuckoo (Jacobin Cuckoo) that arrives from Africa just before monsoon

The Pied Crested Cuckoo (Jacobin Cuckoo, Clamator jacobinus) is considered the 'Messenger of Monsoon' in India because it arrives from Africa, crossing the Indian Ocean, just before the Southwest Monsoon arrives in June. Its arrival is traditionally seen as a sign that rains are imminent. This remarkable non-stop oceanic migration from Africa to India coinciding with the monsoon onset shows the precision of bird migration timing. The Jacobin Cuckoo is also associated with the poetic tradition of the chataka bird waiting for monsoon in Indian literature.