WATERFOWLS SURVEY IN KAZIRANGA

Dec. 23, 2018

In a recent baseline survey of waterfowls conducted by the forest officials in wetland dominated ecosystem of the Kaziranga national park, it was concluded that 10,412 birds are present, including 80 species from 21 families.

About:

Waterfowl (Anatidae) is a very diverse family of birds that includes swans, geese and ducks. They can be found on every continent except Antarctica and inhabit a variety of habitats including the high Arctic, the tropics and even the ocean.

On December 19-20, a baseline survey of the waterfowl was conducted in the wetlands of Kaziranga National Park.
Key findings:
- A total of 10,412 birds were counted in the sanctuary, covering a total of 80 species, belonging to 21 families.
- Out of the total of 10,412 counted birds, 8,074 were ducks and geese belonging to the Anatidae family.
- Out of these, Bar-headed Geese accounted for more than 3,000 of the total count.
- The populations of garganeys, the critically endangered Baer’s pochards, tufted ducks, common pygmy geese, and falcated ducks were the lowest in geese and duck’s category.
- The bulk of the waterfowl population was found in the eastern range mainly because of the expansive Sohola beel that is formed by six shallow bodies.
Comment: This is for the first time in a while, that the focus of attention has shifted from the “big four”- rhinos, elephants, Bengal tigers and Asiatic water buffalos, in the 113-year-old Kaziranga National Park.