Spot-Billed Pelicans

Spot-Billed Pelicans

Part of: Prelims and GS-III Biodiversity

Context: A nematode infestation has led to mass mortality of spot-billed pelicans (Pelicanus philippensis) at Telineelapuram Important Bird Area (IBA) in Naupada swamp, Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh.

Key takeaways 

• Over 150 spot-billed pelicans have succumbed to the infestation since December.
• The infestation has affected Only the adult birds.
• The Telineelapuram IBA is the prime winter sojourn for the spot-billed pelican for breeding. 
  • The same IBA is also a breeding habitat for the painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala).

Spot-billed pelican

• The spot-billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) or grey pelican is a member of the pelican family. 
• It breeds in southern Asia from southern Iran across India east to Indonesia. 
• It is a bird of large inland and coastal waters, especially large lakes
• The species is found to breed only in peninsular India, Sri Lanka and in Cambodia
• The main habitat is in shallow lowland freshwaters. 

• IUCN status: Near Threatened

News Source: TH