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Indian Skimmer

2023 JAN 14

Preliminary   > Environment and Ecology   >   Species extinction & protection   >   Species in news

Why in news?

  • Around 250 Indian Skimmers, which has been included in the IUCN Red list of endangered species, were sighted in Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary in a day during the Asian Waterbird Census-2023.

About Indian Skimmer:

  • The Indian skimmer, also known as Indian scissors-bill, is one of the three water bird species that belong to the skimmer genus Rynchops.
  • In India, the species can be sighted near the Chambal river, in few parts of Odisha and in Andhra Pradesh.
  • IUCN status: Endangered

Distribution:

  • It is found on large rivers and lakes, swamps and coastal wetlands such as estuaries. It is most common on freshwater, particularly during the breeding season.
  • The species was formerly widely distributed in the rivers of the Indian subcontinent and along the river systems of Myanmar and Mekong.
  • The population is now mainly within India and Bangladesh and is estimated to be about 6,000-10,000 individuals.

???????About Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary

  • It is an estuary situated near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh.
  • It is the third largest stretch of mangrove forests in India with 24 mangrove tree species and more than 120 bird species.
  • It is home to the critically endangered white-backed vulture and the long billed vulture.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

With reference to ‘Indian Skimmers’, consider the following statements:

1. It is most common on freshwater, particularly during the breeding season

2. The bird has been included in the IUCN Red list of endangered species.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer