Science & Technology - Briefs

Letters

Letters

South Africa’s Agulhas long-billed lark: adapting and surviving despite farming taking over their nesting grounds

Because it only occurs in a small part of South Africa, the Agulhas long-billed lark presents ecotourism value and forms part of South Africa&…

Albatrosses are threatened with extinction — and climate change could put their nesting sites at risk

Marion and Prince Edward islands support about half of the entire world’s wandering albatross breeding population, estimated at around 20,…

Central Asian Flyway recognised to protect over 600 migratory bird species

The flyway covers countries ranging from Russian Siberia to the Maldives

Urban Menace: Discourage feeding of pigeons

Food security is the main cause of the bird populations thriving in human habitations 

COP14: Draft resolutions on the Atlas on animal migratory species, maltreatment of seabirds submitted

Thousands of seabirds are killed every year in the Mediterranean region alone  

The world’s spectacular animal migrations are dwindling. Fishing, fences and development are fast-tracking extinctions

Human exploitation of migratory species is the main reason why these species are in decline

Bird flu decimates seabird populations in UK over two years

Slow-breeding seabirds face an uphill battle to recover from significant losses, scientists express deep concern

CMS COP14: Action plans for African-Eurasian migratory landbirds, other avian species adopted

India and Bangladesh submit joint proposal to list Indian skimmer under the CMS

Everything that happened at CMS COP14

New initiatives to address threats of zoonotic diseases, protecting natural areas for migratory species introduced at summit

If bird flu arrives, what will India do?

India is a hotbed not only of strange diseases but of stranger disease surveillance and control institutions. Every year, known and unknown …

Red roving fowl

India, which gave the red jungle fowl, the mother of all poultry to the rest of the world, is now importing poultry from outside and destroying …

World Migratory Birds Day: How are India’s winged guests doing

Arctic migrants such as the Pacific Golden Plover and Curlew Sandpiper have seen major decline in numbers in the past three decades, potentially …

Habitat of bird that flies non-stop for 5 days from Japan to Australia under threat

Urban development continues to threaten Latham’s Snipe habitats. Several snipe sites in eastern Australia are at risk from housing …

Could climate change have brought Delhi's winter birds early?

Migratory birds, which should have come to northern India by November, have appeared in September and October itself

Patterns in the sky

It is that time of the year again when starlings roam the skies in huge swarms that form distinct patterns. Down To Earth tells you more about …

Report at migratory species CoP flags rapid decline in India’s raptor population

State of India’s birds evaluated status of 867 species, using data from birdwatchers  

Birds use massive magnetic maps to migrate — and some could cover the whole world

A gathering body of evidence has indicated that the Earth’s magnetic field is one of the likeliest solutions to adult birds develop a …

'Urbanisation biggest culprit for decline in India's bird population'

Rajah Jayapal, senior principal scientist at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology, Coimbatore talks about the State of India's Birds 2020

Extreme weather: Understanding birds’ response can help conservation efforts

All birds respond differently to different extreme weather events; long- and short-distance migration bird species are impacted differently …

Largest bird flu outbreak in Europe, 50 million birds culled in the past one year: Report

Risk of transmission to humans by exposure to contaminated poultry products is considered negligible

Winter Capital: How Khichan, a village in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur district, came to host demoiselle cranes

Down To Earth’s photographer Vikas Choudhary captures the village of Khichan and its annual visitors

India’s iconic raptors are declining fast, warns new report

Loss of habitat, pesticide accumulation as well as targeted killing are some of the main reasons for the decline