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.
