7,265 Sightings: Aquatic Bird Census Reveals Rich Avian Diversity At Tadoba Reserve
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Conducted in January this year, the census covered all the major wetlands, lakes and reservoirs within the reserve landscape.
Nearly 7,265 birds from 101 species were recorded during the survey. The Irai Dam, the largest water body in the region, emerged as the most populated site with 3,906 birds, followed by Naleshwar Lake (660) and Mahadore Lake (540).
According to the species-wise data, the Red-crested Pochard stood out with a count of 1,605, making it the most recorded species.
Swallows, including Barn Swallow, Wire-tailed Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, and Bank Swallow, were collectively numbered at 1,161.
The census was carried out across several key locations including Tadoba, Katwal, Teliya, Jamni, Kolsa, Gadi, Mama Belara, Mahador, Madnapur, Naleshwar reservoir, Rantalodhi, Naval Tal, Irai Dam, Nimdhela waterbody and Chargaon Dam.
Rare and noteworthy sightings included the Peregrine Falcon and Brown-headed Gull at Irai Lake, Lesser Adjutant Stork in three water bodies, Black Stork in two, and Bar-headed Geese in three.
The Grey-headed Fish Eagle was reported in good numbers and showed strong territorial behaviour.
One significant outcome was the widespread presence of the Lesser Whistling Duck, recorded in almost every surveyed water body.
However, the report also flagged certain gaps in identification, especially among wader species, suggesting that some were misidentified. Waders, often indicators of healthy shallow water habitats, were generally fewer, highlighting a potential lack of shallow feeding grounds.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The census also noted ecological insights, stating that high numbers of diving ducks and low numbers of upending ducks point towards deeper water bodies with less availability of shallow zones.
Interestingly, low numbers of Black-winged Stilts, a species tolerant of polluted water, hint at low pollution levels in the surveyed areas, the report states.
The Tadoba management has recommended that such censuses be conducted regularly. Not only do birds serve as bioindicators of wetland health, but regular observations also aid forest staff in improving species identification skills. The report further stresses the need to systematically fill in the AWC site forms to enhance scientific monitoring.
WINGED WONDERS
Birds counted: 7,265
Species identified: 101
Birds in water bodies
Irai Lake: 3,906
Naleshwar: 660
Mahadore: 540
Top bird species
Red-crested Pochard: 1,605
Swallows (Barn, Wire-tailed, Red-rumped, Bank): 1,161
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
4 hours ago
- Hans India
Similipal tigress Zeenat pregnant, claims forest official
Bhubaneswar: Tigress Zeenat, which escaped from Similipal National Park and roamed across Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand, is now suspected to be pregnant, a senior forest department official said. Captured in Bankura district of West Bengal after a dramatic 23-day journey through three States, Zeenat was brought back to Similipal and kept in a soft enclosure from January 1, where she was observed for several weeks. 'She was found fit and healthy during her stay in the enclosure. On April 17, Zeenat was released into the wild,' the official said. 'Zeenat, even during her stay in a large enclosure, showed signs of estrus towards a wild male tiger (T12). Taking this opportunity, the tigress was released from the enclosure. Mating with T12 was recorded on thermal cameras installed at Jamuna meadow in the second week of May,' the official said. Since her release, Zeenat has been moving inside the core area of STR and hunting natural prey such as cheetal, sambar and wild boar. 'The tigress is being monitored 24 hours by tracking teams. Each team consists of 4 persons. It is also being monitored using satellite-based GPS,' he said. 'She has stopped mating and has isolated herself — both strong indicators of pregnancy. Given that the gestation period in tigers ranges from 105 to 120 days, we expect Zeenat to give birth by August or early September,' the official said. Zeenat was brought to Similipal from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Maharashtra as part of tiger supplementation project. She escaped from STR on December 7 and roamed around three States before being captured in West Bengal's Bankura after 23 days. According to a research by Uma Ramakrishnan of the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru, in 2021, the population of tigers inside Similipal is genetically isolated and inbreeding is taking place within the reserve. To counter this trend, it was proposed to translocate tigers from the central Indian landscape to STR, the official added. Although the tiger population in Similipal has been increasing at about 18 per cent annually since 2014, nearly 50 per cent of them display pseudo-melanistic coat colour, indicating high inbreeding, he said.
India.com
3 days ago
- India.com
Sky Vs Serpent: Meet The 10 Birds Of World That Hunt And Eat Snakes Like Pros
photoDetails english 2924465 Updated:Jun 30, 2025, 04:50 PM IST Secretary Bird 1 / 10 Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) Habitat is in African savannas. They are famous for stomping snakes to death with their long, powerful legs. They are Immune to small amounts of venom. They eat cobras, puff adders, and other venomous snakes. Their stomping kicks can strike in 15 milliseconds and are faster than a snake can strike back. Crested Serpent Eagle 2 / 10 Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela) Their habitat is in forests across South and Southeast Asia. Their hunting style is that they specialize in reptile prey, especially snakes, and have sharp talons and a powerful beak for tearing. They are often seen soaring or perched near jungle clearings, looking for movement on the ground. Short-toed Snake Eagle 3 / 10 Short-toed Snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) Their habitat is in southern Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. Their hunting style is that they detect snakes from the air, then dive to grab them. they have feet covered in thick scales to protect from bites and eat the snake head-first to avoid being bitten during digestion. Brown Snake Eagle 4 / 10 Brown Snake Eagle (Circaetus cinereus) Their habitat is in Sub-Saharan Africa. Their hunting style is that they prefer large and venomous snakes, like black mambas, and they can kill and eat snakes longer than their own body. Their stomachs neutralize venom and even cobra venom. Red-tailed Hawk 5 / 10 Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Their habitat is in North America, and their hunting style is that they hunt snakes, rodents, and other small animals, and use their talons to pin down snakes and kill with a bite, and are occasionally seen flying off with snakes still writhing in their grip. Roadrunner 6 / 10 Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) Their habitat is in the Southwestern U.S. and Mexico, and their hunting style is that they hunt on foot, often in pairs, and smash snake heads against rocks to kill them. Fun fact is that they can kill small rattlesnakes despite being only 2 feet long. Great Horned Owl 7 / 10 Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) Their natural habitat is in the Americas (from Alaska to Argentina), and their hunting style is that they are a silent night hunter that can catch snakes unaware, and they also use strong talons and beak to immobilize and consume. They occasionally prey on venomous snakes, such as cottonmouths. Laughing Falcon 8 / 10 Laughing Falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans) Their habitat is in Central and South America, and their hunting style is that they are Snake specialist that scans from trees before diving, also known for their loud, laughing call. Its name literally means 'snake-eating bird' in parts of Latin America. Osprey 9 / 10 Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Their habitat is Worldwide near water bodies, they mostly eat fish, but can catch water snakes and use their talons with rough pads for a strong grip. They will sometimes accidentally drop wriggling prey mid-flight. Black Kite 10 / 10 Black Kite (Milvus migrans) Their habitat is in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. They are opportunistic feeders; they eat snakes, small mammals, and even garbage. They are agile in flight, can snatch snakes off the ground or out of water. They are known to scavenge, but are still a skilled hunter of small reptiles and snakes.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Time of India
7,265 Sightings: Aquatic Bird Census Reveals Rich Avian Diversity At Tadoba Reserve
Chandrapur: The Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) has released its aquatic bird census report, revealing significant findings on the health and biodiversity of water bodies in and around the reserve. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Conducted in January this year, the census covered all the major wetlands, lakes and reservoirs within the reserve landscape. Nearly 7,265 birds from 101 species were recorded during the survey. The Irai Dam, the largest water body in the region, emerged as the most populated site with 3,906 birds, followed by Naleshwar Lake (660) and Mahadore Lake (540). According to the species-wise data, the Red-crested Pochard stood out with a count of 1,605, making it the most recorded species. Swallows, including Barn Swallow, Wire-tailed Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, and Bank Swallow, were collectively numbered at 1,161. The census was carried out across several key locations including Tadoba, Katwal, Teliya, Jamni, Kolsa, Gadi, Mama Belara, Mahador, Madnapur, Naleshwar reservoir, Rantalodhi, Naval Tal, Irai Dam, Nimdhela waterbody and Chargaon Dam. Rare and noteworthy sightings included the Peregrine Falcon and Brown-headed Gull at Irai Lake, Lesser Adjutant Stork in three water bodies, Black Stork in two, and Bar-headed Geese in three. The Grey-headed Fish Eagle was reported in good numbers and showed strong territorial behaviour. One significant outcome was the widespread presence of the Lesser Whistling Duck, recorded in almost every surveyed water body. However, the report also flagged certain gaps in identification, especially among wader species, suggesting that some were misidentified. Waders, often indicators of healthy shallow water habitats, were generally fewer, highlighting a potential lack of shallow feeding grounds. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The census also noted ecological insights, stating that high numbers of diving ducks and low numbers of upending ducks point towards deeper water bodies with less availability of shallow zones. Interestingly, low numbers of Black-winged Stilts, a species tolerant of polluted water, hint at low pollution levels in the surveyed areas, the report states. The Tadoba management has recommended that such censuses be conducted regularly. Not only do birds serve as bioindicators of wetland health, but regular observations also aid forest staff in improving species identification skills. The report further stresses the need to systematically fill in the AWC site forms to enhance scientific monitoring. WINGED WONDERS Birds counted: 7,265 Species identified: 101 Birds in water bodies Irai Lake: 3,906 Naleshwar: 660 Mahadore: 540 Top bird species Red-crested Pochard: 1,605 Swallows (Barn, Wire-tailed, Red-rumped, Bank): 1,161
