Vulnerable Birds

Vulnerable Bird Species of India Recognized by IUCN

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a global organization dedicated to nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. It evaluates the status of species worldwide and publishes the IUCN Red List, categorizing species into nine groups based on population trends, rate of decline, habitat range, and fragmentation.

One such category is “Vulnerable (VU)”, which includes species that face a high risk of endangerment in the wild. The Department of Posts has released a set of three postage stamps to raise awareness about three Vulnerable bird species of India.

Nilgiri Wood Pigeon (Columba elphinstonii) – Vulnerable

The Nilgiri Wood Pigeon is classified as Vulnerable due to a declining population caused by loss and fragmentation of its forest habitat.

Key Features & Habitat

• Endemic to the Western Ghats: From northwest Maharashtra through Karnataka and Goa to Kerala and western Tamil Nadu.
• A large pigeon with chestnut-maroon upperparts, grey head and underparts, and a distinctive black-and-white patterned hindneck.
• Found mainly in moist evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, sholas, ravines, and moist deciduous forests between 20 m to 2,250 m altitude.

Threats & Protection

• Historically hunted for food and sport.
• Currently threatened by rapid loss and degradation of forests.
• Protected under Indian law and found in several protected forest reserves.
• Remote sensing studies are planned to map its range and study habitat loss.

Broad-tailed Grass Warbler (Schoenicola platyurus) – Vulnerable

The Broad-tailed Grass Warbler qualifies as Vulnerable due to its shrinking and fragmented habitat.

Key Features & Distribution

• Endemic to the Western Ghats, found in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
• A plain, large warbler with whitish underparts and a broad, rounded tail. Breeding plumage shows a warm fawn crown and brown back.

Habitat & Threats

• Prefers dense tall grasslands, marshy hilltops, slopes, reeds and scrub between 900–2,000 m.
• Grassland ecosystems are undervalued and are often converted into exotic plantations (e.g., pine).
• Found in protected areas like Eravikulam National Park, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Silent Valley National Park, and others.

Nilgiri Pipit (Anthus nilghiriensis) – Vulnerable

The Nilgiri Pipit is listed as Vulnerable due to its restricted range and rapid loss of grassland habitats, leading to declining populations.

Distribution & Description

• Endemic to the Western Ghats of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
• Most common above 2,000 m, though it may descend to 1,000 m.
• Has a buff supercilium, tawny-olive upperparts, black-brown streaks, and deep buff breast with streaks.

Habitat & Threats

• Lives in high-altitude grasslands and slopes, nesting in marshy grass areas near streams.
• Grasslands are being replaced by tea, eucalyptus and wattle plantations.
• Spread of invasive species like scotch broom and wattle, along with livestock grazing and frequent fires, threatens its survival.

Commemorative Stamps by Department of Posts

To create awareness about the conservation needs of India’s Vulnerable birds, the Department of Posts has issued a special set of three stamps, featuring:

Nilgiri Wood Pigeon
Broad-tailed Grass Warbler
Nilgiri Pipit

These stamps aim to highlight the urgent need for habitat protection and species conservation across the Western Ghats—one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.