UPSC Articles
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
