Indian Skimmer

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