Andaman booklet aw.FH10 - Zoological Survey of India
Andaman booklet aw.FH10 - Zoological Survey of India
Andaman booklet aw.FH10 - Zoological Survey of India
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Globally Threatened and Restricted Range birds in the<br />
Islands<br />
<strong>Andaman</strong> Serpent-Eagle Spilornis elgini: The Serpent eagle is one<br />
<strong>of</strong> the 52 Near Threatened species in <strong>India</strong>. It is endemic to South<br />
<strong>Andaman</strong> islands where it is common and can be seen easily in<br />
inland forest clearings, near hills (BirdLife International 2001).<br />
Nicobar Scrubfowl (Megapode) Megapodius nicobariensis: The<br />
Megapode is one <strong>of</strong> the three bird species entirely restricted and<br />
endemic to the Nicobar islands (Stattersfield et al., 1998). It comes<br />
under the Vulnerable category <strong>of</strong> IUCN and has a declining<br />
population as a result <strong>of</strong> the destruction <strong>of</strong> coastal forests (BirdLife<br />
International 2001). The population <strong>of</strong> this bird is estimated to be<br />
about 625-1,090 breeding pairs (BirdLife International, 2001).<br />
<strong>Andaman</strong> Crake Rallina canningi : This crake is a rarely encountered<br />
endemic <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Andaman</strong> islands which is absent from the Nicobars<br />
(Ali and Ripley, 1987) and is one <strong>of</strong> the globally threatened species<br />
(BirdLife International, 2001). It is found from South to North<br />
<strong>Andaman</strong>s, including several outlying islands right up to Landfall<br />
Island, the northernmost island in the <strong>Andaman</strong>s. Its status needs<br />
reassessment.<br />
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