Why in news?
The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) have launched projects to protect breeding habitats of Indian Skimmer.
About Indian Skimmer
The Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) is an endangered river bird of South Asia, known for its striking black, white, and orange plumage and unique feeding style of skimming water with its elongated lower mandible.
Key facts
- Scientific name: Rynchops albicollis
- Family: Laridae (same as gulls and terns)
- Conservation status: Endangered (IUCN Red List)
- Distribution: Patchy populations across South Asia, especially India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
Physical Features
- Bold black upperparts and white underparts.
- Bright orange beak and legs.
- Distinctive longer lower mandible used to skim water surfaces for fish.
Habitat
- Prefers large, slow-flowing rivers with exposed sandbars and islands.
- Breeding grounds include Ganga, Chambal, Yamuna, and their tributaries.
- During non-breeding season, they may move to coastal estuaries.
Feeding Behavior
- Flies low over water, dragging its lower mandible to catch fish and aquatic insects.
- This specialized feeding technique is rare among birds, making the skimmer unique.
Conservation Challenges
- Habitat loss due to sand mining, dam construction, and river pollution.
- Disturbance of nesting sites on sandbars by humans and livestock.
- Declining population with fewer than 20,000 individuals estimated globally.
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