Why in News?

A rapid survey conducted in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve has documented 30 species of raptors and 6 species of storks, highlighting the park’s importance for bird conservation in India.

About the Survey

• Conducted by the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve Authority in collaboration with Gauhati University researchers.
• Covered the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, Biswanath Wildlife Division and Nagaon Wildlife Division.
• Recorded 217 individual raptors belonging to 30 species and 266 individual storks belonging to 6 species.

What are Raptors?

• Raptors are birds of prey possessing sharp talons, hooked beaks and excellent eyesight.
• Examples include eagles, vultures, falcons, hawks, buzzards and owls.

Key Findings

• Eastern Assam Wildlife Division: 21 raptor species, 5 stork species.
• Biswanath Wildlife Division: 20 raptor species, 6 stork species.
• Nagaon Wildlife Division: 14 raptor species, 5 stork species.
• Asian Openbill (Anastomus oscitans) was the most abundant stork with 92 individuals recorded.
• Greater Adjutant Stork (Leptoptilos dubius) was the rarest stork with only 3 individuals recorded.
• Himalayan Griffon Vulture (Gyps himalayensis) was the most abundant raptor with 69 sightings.
• Booted Eagle and White-tailed Eagle were the rarest raptors with one sighting each.

Pallas’s Fish Eagle: A Special Highlight

• Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucoryphus.
• Kaziranga is regarded as one of the world’s most important breeding sites for this species.
• A 2020 survey by the Wildlife Institute of India recorded 10 active nests, the highest known concentration of breeding sites globally.
• A satellite-tagged eagle named “Ider”, tracked from Mongolia, has been visiting Kaziranga annually for breeding, highlighting the park’s international ecological significance.

Important Species Recorded

• Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Slender-billed Vulture, Red-headed Vulture, Brown Fish Owl, Dusky Eagle Owl, Greater Adjutant Stork, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Black-necked Stork, Black Stork.

Why is Kaziranga Important for Bird Conservation?

• Riverine grasslands, wetlands, floodplain ecosystems, proximity to the Eastern Himalayas, abundant prey base and diverse habitats make it a critical refuge for migratory and resident bird species.
• Assam hosts all 8 species of storks found in India, while Kaziranga supports 6 of them.

Conservation Significance

• Strengthens Kaziranga’s role beyond rhino conservation, highlights the importance of wetland ecosystems, supports migratory bird conservation, contributes to biodiversity monitoring and ecosystem health assessment.

Exam Hook (UPSC Prelims)

Pallas’s Fish Eagle, often seen in news, is primarily associated with which type of habitat?
Answer: Wetlands, rivers and large freshwater ecosystems.

One-Line Wrap

The discovery of 30 raptor and 6 stork species reaffirms Kaziranga’s status as one of India’s most important wetland and bird conservation landscapes, supporting several globally significant and threatened avian species.