The large-scale clearing of dead and diseased trees is threatening to wipe out bird species that nest in the cavities of these trees.
COMMERCIAL felling of trees and
forest management techniques are
threatening birds that nest in cavities
of tree trunks. Such birds prefer diseased, dying or dead trees because it
is easier to find or excavate' cavities
in such trees. However, forest management requires the removal of all
dead and diseased trees for sanitation purposes and indiscriminate felling does not spAlre potential nesting trees, leaving
the birds with fewer places to nest.
About 10 per cent of the
world's bird species are on the
verge of eXtinction, threatened
by trapping and tree-felling. In
India, 120 species of tree-cavity
nesting birds have been identified, but very little information
is available about their breed-
ing habits. Of the seven Indian
duck species that nest in tree
cavities, the large whistling
teal, the Andaman teal and the
white-winged wood duck are
listed in Schedule-I of the
Wildlife (Protection) Act of
1972, reports Rajasthan forest
officer Deep Narayan Pandey in
the Wildlife Institute of India
Newsletter (Vol 6, No 3-4).
Pandey says no more than 15
pairs of white-winged wood
ducks can be found in the world, all
of them in northeastern India.
The worst affected by tree-felling
are the hornbills, nine species of
which are found in India. Six of
these - the brown hornbill, the
rufous-necked hornbill, the
Narcondam hornbill, the wreathed
hornbill, the India pied hornbill
the great pied hornbill - face
extinction.
The Nicobar parakeet and the
Rothschild parakeet, both of which
are found in India, have been listed
under endangered species in the
IUCN/ICBP Red Data B k Pandey
says the parakeets, fetc fabulous
prices and are ruthlessly trapped for
profit.
In India, 15 species of ovals are
confirmed tree-cavity breeders. The
forest spotted owlet was believed to
have become extinct in 1914.
However, a photograph published in
1968 raises hopes that the bird may
have survived. The nocturnal habits
of these birds make them the target of
superstitions and they are often hunted to ward off evil spirits.
The white-winged black tit, also
under threat, uses the same roost cavity for years. The nuthatch, another
species that is dying out, uses clay to
r6duce the size of their nest-holes
and make them a snug fit so that no
other bird will use the same hole.
Pandey suggests a minimum
number of potential nesting trees
should be left unfelled. He found
river-side woodlands to be exceptionally rich in woodpeckers, parakeets, tits and owls. Village sacred
groves in central and south India are
also full of birds that use tree-cavities
as nests, said Pandey. He suggests
that such areas be protected. Pandey
also found that planting trees
favoured by the birds, such as
bakain, helped attract both primary
and secondary cavity nesters.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.