My Science School

               Sooty albatrosses are a type of albatross that spend most of their time in the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans. They nest on islands there.

               The interesting name of these birds comes from the sooty brown colour of their feathers.

               Like many other species, sooty albatrosses are endangered too. Scientists say that the decline in their population has happened over three generations, or 90 years. The reasons for this are many. One of them is the introduction of rats that consume the eggs of these birds. When uncontrolled, this slowly affects the population in that area. The birds are also highly vulnerable to avian cholera, and infections like erysipelas, caused by bacteria.

               Another reason is pollution caused by plastics, oil and chemicals, which affect the albatrosses negatively.

               Besides, there are also reports suggesting that many of these birds are injured or killed accidentally by fishing gear in the water.

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                African penguins are those smart-looking black and white birds found along the Southern African coast. In fact, they are the only penguins that breed on the continent. For their loud, braying call, these birds are also called jackass penguins.

               They breed only on the 24 islands situated between Hollamsbird Island in Namibia, and Bird Island in Algoa Bay, South Africa.

               The sad news is that the population of the African penguins shows a decreasing trend. As per recent surveys, there aren’t more than 70,000 individuals surviving.

               Organisations like Dyer Island Conservation Trust, SAMREC and Raggy Charters with the Penguin Research Fund in Port Elizabeth are working towards saving the birds from extinction.

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            A Spix’s macaw is one of the rarest birds in the world that is native to Brazil. It is a critically endangered parrot that is believed to be extinct in the wild. The last individual was spotted in 2000, but there are reports suggesting that one more was found in 2016.

            Physically, macaws are elegant birds with blue-grey plumage and bright tails. They are said to be relatively long-lived parrots that feed on plants. However, information about their species is limited.

            Experts say that a protected solitary male Spix’s macaw remained in the Brazilian wild till October 2000, but disappeared soon. There are some of them in captive breeding centres across the world. As of 2015, there were about 110 individuals.

            The main threat that is thought to have caused the extinction of Spix’s macaws is the destruction of habitats. Illegal pet trade too is suspected to have contributed to the loss.

            Now, the future of Spix’s macaws is dependent on captive breeding programmes.

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            The white-headed vulture is a wild bird found in the hot, dry woodland and tree savannas of Africa. Nevertheless, their population is dangerously low.

            Typically, white-headed vultures are colourful birds with a pink face and bright orange-red beak. Their name comes from the downy, white feathers on their head, which give it a sharp appearance. Like other vultures, these birds too feed on the dead bodies of large animals. But they are capable of killing small prey as well. It is known that the beak of a vulture is sharp enough to pierce and tear apart a prey.

            But more than ferocity, it is the population drop that brings a white-headed vulture to international attention. The IUCN Red List has classified this species as critically endangered, owing to a decreasing trend in their number.

            The reasons attributed to this fall are many. The shortage of suitable food sources, loss of habitat, and illegal trade are a few of them.

            Besides, many have died in the past due to the presence of toxic substances like diclofenac in food. It is a veterinary drug used to treat livestock, but affects vultures adversely. To avoid more deaths, most of their ranges are now protected by governments.

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          The Philippine eagle is the world’s largest eagle, found exclusively in Philippines. It is known to be the greatest raptor alive, preying on monkeys, flying lemurs, rats, snakes, squirrels, birds and bats. The bird can be spotted only on four islands-Samar, Leyte, Luzon, and Mindanao. It is also revered as the national bird of Philippines.

          Typically, the Philippine eagles have very long wings that grow up to two metres. They are distinguished by their ‘mane’ of brown and white feathers on the head. The species, which was once widespread throughout the islands, have become largely endangered over the past few decades. The present population is estimated to be between 250 and 750, making them a critically endangered species.

          Clearing of the vast tracts of tropical rainforests for commercial development and cultivation has led to the destruction of eagle habitats.

          The country offers protection to the birds, making it illegal to kill or trade them.

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          California condors are among the largest flying birds in the world that are native to North America. They were once seen in many parts of the continent, from California and other Pacific states to Texas, Florida, and New York. But today, the species is critically endangered in existence.

          Physically, the condors are just magnificent. While flying, their wings spread more than 2.7 metres from one tip to the other. It is said that these birds can fly above 4000 metres, and glide for hours without even beating their wings. Like all other vultures, these wild birds too, feed on dead animal meat.

          However, the population of California condors has been under threat for years. During the 20th century, it declined steadily, till a point where only 22 individuals remained in the world. Subsequently, they were taken into captivity towards the end of the 1980s in order to save the species. It is said that there were no California condors in the wild between 1988 and 1991. In the following years, birds were reintroduced to their natural habitats. This process helped, and as of now, there are around 435 individuals in the world.

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               The Galapagos penguins are the only penguin species found north of the equator, and in the Galapagos. With an estimated population of less than 2000 individuals, the species is said to be endangered.

               Typically, Galapagos penguins have black-grey upper-parts and whitish under parts, with two black bands across the chest. Unlike cold water penguins, they have several adaptations that allow them to survive in warmer climates. The birds mainly feed on krill and small crustaceans.

               As we saw, the population of Galapagos penguins is shrinking. The obvious threats to their survival are pollution caused by chemicals and oil in waters, climate change, and accidental capture by fishing nets etc.

               In addition, the birds are also vulnerable to attacks and diseases from introduced species like cats, dogs and rats. However, the dangers posed by El Nino events are the worst.

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          Not many of us find vultures attractive or friendly. Rather, they look a little threatening. But these birds, we should know, play a very important role in the food chain- they feed on animal carcasses, and prevent the spread of deadly bacteria and fungus into the ground and water.

          Sadly, the population of the vulture species is falling at an alarming rate. One of the birds that is facing the risk of extinction is the Indian vulture. It is a wild bird, native to India, Pakistan, and Nepal.

           Like others, Indian vultures too, feed on dead bodies. They can be spotted in cities, towns, and villages near cultivated and open areas, and in woodlands too.

          As per the IUCN Red List, Indian vultures are critically endangered, with a population of around 30,000. A serious decline in their numbers happened in the 1990s, when they lost around 95 per cent of the individuals.

          This unnatural death toll was caused by the presence of diclofenac, a drug used to treat livestock.

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            The blue-throated macaw is a rare parrot that can be spotted only in the northern parts of Bolivia in South America. They mostly inhabit palm groves and savannas in the northern parts of the country. With their turquoise blue and yellow plumage, blue cheeks, and long elegant tails, the macaws are unusually attractive. However, we just don’t get to see them at all!

            It is said that until the 1970s, blue-throated macaws mostly remained unknown. But as soon as they became popular, the illegal trade of these birds began. The fact that the species is rare made them all the more expensive and sought-after in the international pet market.

            The trade became so intense that at one point, there weren’t any wild specimen. Luckily, by 1992, the birds were rediscovered. However, the wild population of blue-throated macaws still remains fragmented, and as low as 400!

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            The Madagascar heron is a rare and large grey heron that is endemic to the island of Madagascar. Also known as the Hum-blot’s heron, they are birds that have an endangered existence due to hunting and loss of habitat.

            In appearance, these herons are distinctive, with dull grey plumage, and long pointed beaks. Mostly they are seen standing solitary and motionless in shallow waters, a habitat they are perfectly adapted for.

            As said earlier, Madagascar herons are rare birds that are now facing the threat of extinction. The main reason for this is the conversion of wetland habitats in the country for rice cultivation. As a result, the birds are forced out of their habitats to an unsafe existence. In addition, there are other problems too, like the stealing of heron eggs, and the capture of nestlings by local people for food.

            As of now, the population of the heron is just between 1000 and 1500.

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          The red-crowned crane is one of the rarest cranes in the world that is found in Japan, China and the Korean Peninsula. They are known to be very attractive birds with mostly white feathers, and a black tail. Their name comes from the red feathers on top of their head.

          The birds are mostly spotted in wetlands, rivers, mudflats, grassy tidal flats, and paddy fields. With a population of less than 3000, the red-crowned cranes have become an endangered species. Habitat destruction is the primary threat they face.

          Yet another is the threat of poisoning. Reports suggest that the birds are often killed by eating pesticide-treated grains.

          In addition to these grave issues, there are also instances of fire and poaching that contribute to the decline of red-headed crane population.

          There are many efforts made by wildlife organisations towards conserving the species, like increasing the scope of wetland restoration and controlling invasive species.

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            The Lear’s macaw is a large parrot endemic to Northeastern part of Bahia in Brazil. It is named after Edward Lear, a famous British artist cum poet who painted macaws, and wrote rhymes about them.

            For a long time, the macaw remained elusive in the wild. It was in 1978 that it was accepted as a distinct species by naturalist Helmut Sick.

            Typically, Lear’s macaws are very noisy and social. Their diet comprises of fruits, seeds, and nuts. The overall grayish-blue plumage, long wings and tail, and a distinct vibrant yellowish-orange colour that encircle the eyes-altogether make the bird beautiful.

            The most serious threat faced by the macaws is illegal trade. It is said that collectors of these birds pay high prices in the international pet market to own them.

            Another threat is the reduction in the number of licuri palms which the birds mostly feed on. Together, these have all contributed to the decline of Lear’s macaws.

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            The Malagasy pond heron is a migratory bird, seen primarily in the outer islands of the Seychelles, Madagascar, and countries on the east coast of Africa such as Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. It is also called a Madagascar pond heron, or Madagascar squacco heron. The species in general has long crest, red legs, blue beak with a red tip and blue bare skin around the eyes. Strangely, the plumage of the birds becomes streaked with brown, and the crown turns completely brown when the species is not breeding.

            The habitats of the herons can be seen in freshwater wetlands, typically with nearby tree-cover.

            In 2007, the IUCN Red List classified the Madagascar pond heron as an endangered species. It was the result of a population decline caused mainly by over-harvesting of eggs, and the clearing of habitats. In addition to these, there is also a competition for food and habitat with other herons too. This also caused the decline in their number.

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            The Vietnamese, or the Vo Quy’s pheasant, is a rare pheasant that is endemic to Central Vietnam. The range of this bird concentrates around the Ke Go Nature Reserve in Ha Tinh province.

            The pheasant was discovered in 1964, and described in the year that followed, by the Vietnamese zoologist Vo Quy. Hence, it was named after him.

            Typically, the male pheasant is more attractive than the female. It has a shiny black plumage with dark blue tones, and blue-edged feathers on the body. The female is rather unattractive with plain, greyish-brown plumage. It is said that they mostly feed on grain, seeds, plants and insects.

            According to the IUCN Red List, Vietnamese pheasants are an endangered species. The destruction of coastal lowlands and commercial logging are among the main factors that contribute to the population fall.

            Besides, a considerable number of these birds are hunted for trade and meat.

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                Mudskippers are small tropical fish of the eastern Atlantic, the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific from Australia to Japan. They live in estuaries with mudbanks and also in mangrove swamps. Their eyes protrude from their heads and can be moved independently of each other. When the mud is exposed by the ebbing of the tide the mudskippers come out of the water and hunt for crustaceans and other small invertebrates. They crawl and hop about rapidly with the help of their powerful muscular pectoral fins which they use as forelegs. Their gill openings are small and they can live on land for hours at a time, providing the air is humid.

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