7/29/2019 Marsh Birds

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Wetlands support a vast variety of birds by providing them suitable habitat, along with food and water.

Wetland birds provide us with some of natures most wonderful sights, from vast flocks wheeling

overhead to newly hatched chicks drying in the sun. Apart from their beauty and recreational and

economic importance, these birds are excellent indicators of water quality and measures of

biodiversity. Wetlands have been defined as swamps and other damp areas of land but in common

parlance the word is used interchangeable with any large water body surrounded by land, However,

internationally accepted term of wetlands describes them as Area of Marsh, Fen, Peat land orwater whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary with water, that is static or flowing,

fresh, brackish or salt including areas of marine water, the depth of which does not exceed 6

meters.

Waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, raptors, loons, grebes, cranes, woodcock,kingfishers, and many songbirds depend on wetlands during all or part of their life cycles.Many different wetland birds are attracted to a variety of wetlands based on the type offood and cover provided. For example, plovers and sandpipers are attracted to shorelineswith little vegetation where they nest, and find insects and other food. Bitterns, yellowrails, and herons are wading species that depend upon shallow water with cattails,bulrush, and smartweed to provide food such as small fish, frogs, and invertebrates such

as snails, crayfish, and insects. The food and cover needs of many bird species alsovaries by seasonal activity. Migration stop-over, pair bonding, nesting, and brood rearingoften require different components of a wetland.

In Indian wetlands 318 species of birds have been recorded out of which 193 species are fully

dependent on wetlands. Some of the species of colonially nesting large water birds that are known to

breed in India are Spot-billed Pelican, Little Cormorant, Indian Shag, Great Cormorant, Darter, Little

Egret, Grey Heron, Large Egret, Indian Pond-Heron, Painted Stork, etc. Birds species are

generally categorized into very rare followed by rare, occasional and common They

are further categorized as resident migrant birds.

Various studies report that water level and the bird abundance are inter-related. More open water is

required by the birds for fishing. When wetlands are covered with weeds birds are unable to use thesite. The bird population is important for the environment and the areas must be protected and

monitored, otherwise natural wetlands will continue to decrease.Wetland ecosystems are important for

the breeding and roosting birds and several other taxa of fauna and flora. Successful conservation of the

bird species will depend on an improved understanding of its ecological requirements and moving

patterns