Migratory Birds & Wildlife — Set 8

Correct Answer: B. Northward migration of birds from wintering grounds in India to breeding grounds in Central Asia, Siberia, and Arctic as days lengthen in spring

Spring Migration is the northward movement of birds from their wintering grounds in India and other south Asian countries back to their breeding grounds in Central Asia, Siberia, and the Arctic as days lengthen and temperatures rise in March-May. This migration is triggered by increasing day length (photoperiod) that stimulates hormonal changes, leading to fattening up, changes in physiology, and the urge to migrate north. Spring migration is generally faster than autumn migration as birds rush to reach breeding grounds first.

Correct Answer: B. Himalayan foothills and dense forests

The Rufous-bellied Eagle (Lophotriorchis kienerii) is a speciality of Himalayan foothills and dense broadleaved forests in India. It is found in Northeast India and the Himalayan foothills from Uttarakhand to Arunachal Pradesh. It makes altitudinal migrations between higher breeding elevation forests and lower wintering forests. This eagle is relatively uncommon and not well studied due to its forest habits. The Himalayan foothills forests are critical habitat for this and many other specialised bird species.

Correct Answer: B. Seed dispersal, insect control, nutrient transfer between ecosystems, and as prey for larger predators

Migratory birds perform important ecological roles including seed dispersal (frugivorous birds), insect pest control (insectivorous species), nutrient transfer between distant ecosystems (droppings enrich soils and water), pollination (nectar feeders), and serving as prey for larger predators like raptors and large fish. Shorebirds feeding in mudflats transfer energy from intertidal ecosystems to terrestrial ecosystems. Loss of migratory birds can disrupt these ecological services across multiple ecosystems spanning thousands of kilometres.

Correct Answer: B. Rajasthan

The Bharatpur Bird Festival is held in Rajasthan at and near the Keoladeo Ghana National Park (Bharatpur), celebrating the arrival of migratory birds each winter. The festival promotes eco-tourism, birdwatching, and conservation awareness. Bharatpur in Rajasthan is considered India's finest wetland bird sanctuary and a World Heritage Site. The festival attracts birders from across India and internationally. Similar bird festivals are held at Vedanthangal (Tamil Nadu) and Chilika (Odisha).

Correct Answer: B. A premier research institution for ornithology and natural history located in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

SACON (Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History) is a premier autonomous research institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, located in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Named after Dr. Salim Ali, the Father of Indian Ornithology, SACON conducts research on birds, natural history, and conservation biology. It provides training in bird survey methods and produces important scientific literature. SACON maintains collaboration with BNHS and international ornithological institutions.

Correct Answer: B. India to Africa and back to Central Asia for breeding

Common Swifts that visit India migrate between their wintering areas in Africa and breeding areas in Europe and Central Asia. They are passage migrants through India, often seen during the monsoon flying high, hunting airborne insects. Swifts spend virtually all their non-breeding life airborne, feeding, sleeping, and sometimes mating on the wing. Their migration routes can span tens of thousands of kilometres annually. In India, multiple swift species — common swift, fork-tailed swift — are recorded during migration.

Correct Answer: B. A landmark scientific assessment of India's bird population trends published in 2020 by a consortium of organisations

The 'State of India's Birds' is a landmark scientific report published in 2020 by a consortium of organisations including BNHS, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Wildlife Institute of India, and others. It analysed data from millions of eBird observations to assess population trends of 867 Indian bird species. The report found that about half of Indian bird species have shown a long-term declining trend. Migratory species, grassland birds, and aerial insectivores show the steepest declines.

Correct Answer: B. 1985

Keoladeo Ghana National Park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 for its outstanding universal value as an internationally important wetland for migratory birds. The park was originally a game reserve of the Bharatpur royal family used for duck shooting. After independence, it was designated a Bird Sanctuary in 1956 and a National Park in 1982. Its World Heritage listing recognises its significance for wintering waterbirds especially the critically endangered Siberian Crane.

Correct Answer: B. Birds of prey (eagles, hawks, falcons, vultures) many of which are migratory, including spectacular raptor migration events

Raptors are birds of prey including eagles, hawks, falcons, kites, vultures, and owls. Many raptor species are migratory, undertaking spectacular long-distance migrations. The Amur Falcon's migration through Northeast India involves millions of birds. Honey Buzzards, Broad-winged Hawks-equivalent raptors, and various eagles migrate through the Himalayas and peninsular India. Raptor migration watch points at mountain passes and peninsular tips record spectacular hawk flights in autumn and spring. Raptors are apex predators that regulate prey populations.

Correct Answer: B. Climate change is shifting migration timing, altering wintering habitats, reducing food availability, and mismatching bird arrival with food peaks

Climate change is significantly affecting migratory birds by shifting migration timing (birds arriving earlier in spring), altering wintering habitats (drying wetlands, flooding coastal areas), reducing food availability through changes in insect emergence and plant cycles, and causing phenological mismatches where birds arrive before or after peak food availability. In India, changing monsoon patterns affect wetland quality for wintering birds. Several species have already shown range shifts northward as winters warm. Declining arctic and alpine breeding grounds also affect migratory species.