Jerdon’s Courser (Rhinoptilus bitorquatus)

Wildlife 1988: Honoring the Jerdon’s Courser and Dr. Salim Ali

The Jerdon’s Courser:

• Scientific Name: Cursorius bitorquatus
• Rarity: One of the rarest birds globally, presumed extinct before its rediscovery in January 1986 by the Bombay Natural History Society.
• Historical Records: Last recorded in 1900, despite numerous expeditions since the 1930s.
• Habitat: Known only in the Pennar River valley (Anantpur, Cuddapah, and Nellore) and the Godavari River valley (Bhadrachalam and Sironcha) in Andhra Pradesh.
• Physical Description:
• Upper Plumage: Pinkish sandy brown with a dark brown crown and hind neck.
• Facial Markings: Broad whitish supercilium looping around the nape.
• Underparts: Whitish chin and throat, rufous foreneck separated from the brown breast by a white band, second white band across the lower breast.
• Tail and Wings: Whitish underparts with a white and black tail and a prominent white wingbar visible in flight.
• Behavior: Inhabits thorn scrub country, crepuscular, and nocturnal.
• Discovery: Named after Dr. T.C. Jerdon, who discovered it in 1848.
• Conservation Symbol: Represents the success of persistent conservation efforts.

Dr. Salim Ali:

• Legacy: India’s most distinguished ornithologist, naturalist, and conservationist.
• Contributions: Authored numerous books on ornithology and played a significant role in wildlife conservation.
• Awards and Honors:
• National: Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan.
• International:
  • IUCN’s ‘John C. Phillips Gold Medal’
  • ‘Golden Oak’ from Prince Bernhard of the World Wildlife Fund
  • India’s National Award for Conservation (1983)
  • Nomination to the Rajya Sabha (1986)
  • J. Paul Getty International Prize for Wildlife Conservation (1976), converted into the Salim Ali Fund for Conservation.
• Impact: Dr. Ali’s work received recognition both in India and abroad, highlighting his dedication to ornithology and conservation.

Material Courtesy:

Bombay Natural History Society & WWF