The Most Threatened Birds Of India (Critically Endangered Birds)

India houses around 1,300 bird species, representing about 12% of the world’s bird species. Among them is a group facing an immediate risk of disappearing from the wild. They are just one step away from extinction on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. They are the Critically Endangered (CR) birds living in India.

Based on the current published global IUCN Red List classifications, 13 Critically Endangered bird species occur, or have historically occurred, in India. This includes resident species and those for which the possibility of disappearance from India is a serious concern. This list includes four vultures, three bustards, highly range-restricted species, and birds that have become exceptionally rare or may have already become extinct.

The Critically Endangered Birds of India

1. Great Indian Bustard

Scientific Name: Ardeotis nigriceps

The Great Indian bustard. Image credit: Original: SVKMBFLY; this edit: MPF, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

The Great Indian Bustard is one of India’s most threatened grassland birds. It is associated mainly with open arid and semi-arid landscapes, particularly in western India. Rajasthan has the largest remaining population, with around 100 to 150 birds.

The species is affected by the loss and alteration of grasslands, disturbance, and infrastructure development. Deaths due to collisions with overhead power lines is another serious problem.  

The Wildlife Institute of India has therefore incorporated power-line mitigation, population monitoring, habitat management, and conservation breeding into the national recovery program of this species. The Bombay Natural History Society is also working to protect the species through habitat conservation and recovery initiatives.

The Great Indian Bustard is one of India's most threatened grassland birds. It is associated mainly with open arid and semi-arid landscapes, particularly in western India, and Rajasthan holds the most important remaining population.

2. Lesser Florican

Scientific name: Sypheotides indicus

The dancing display of a male lesser florican. Image credit: Parth Kansara, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The Lesser Florican is the smallest bustard species and is closely associated with grasslands and agricultural landscapes. Unlike the Great Indian Bustard, it is a local migrant, moving between areas at different times during its annual cycle. It is found mainly in western and central India, particularly in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

The male’s breeding display is the most recognizable behaviour of this species. During the breeding season in the monsoon, a male suddenly launches itself above the surrounding vegetation, beating its wings rapidly before dropping back into the grass.

Loss and degradation of grasslands, changes in agricultural practices, grazing pressure, and development are the important concerns.

3. Bengal Florican

Scientific name: Houbaraopsis bengalensis

Bengal Florican at Orang Tiger Reserve, Darrang, Assam, India. Image credit: Nejib Ahmed, CC BY-SA 4.0  via Wikimedia Commons.

The Bengal Florican is another grassland-dependent bustard. In India, the species is associated particularly with the floodplain grasslands of Assam and parts of the Terai. It also suffers from grassland conversion, changes in land management, invasive vegetation, and other alterations in floodplain ecosystems. Both the lesser florican and this species have only a few hundred surviving individuals.

4. White-bellied Heron

Scientific name: Adrea insignis

White-bellied heron. Image credit: Rajkimar99, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

This large heron species is associated with riverine and wetland habitats in forested areas. It occurs in the foothills regions of the eastern Himalayas in Northeast India, with its range extending into Myanmar and Bhutan. Habitat alteration, disturbance, destruction of nesting sites and other pressures have contributed to its decline.

5. White-rumped Vulture

Scientific name: Gyps bengalensis

White-rumped vultures. Image credit: Mahmudul Bari, CC BY-SA 4.0  via Wikimedia Commons.

This species was once one of the most abundant large birds of prey across the Indian subcontinent. Its population collapse is one of the most dramatic declines ever documented in a bird species.

The veterinary drug diclofenac was the primary cause of its decline. Cattle treated with the drug could die with residues remaining in their tissues. Vultures feeding on those carcasses suffered acute kidney failure and died. The discovery of this link led to the ban on veterinary diclofenac in India in 2006. Later, several other veterinary non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aceclofenac and ketoprofen were also banned as they posed a similar risk to the vultures.

Today, work is going on by the Government of India and the BNHS to revive vulture populations across India through captive breeding and release programs.

6. Indian Vulture

Scientific name: Gyps indicus

Indian vulture. Image credit: Shantanu Kuveskar, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

This vulture species, also called the long-billed vulture, suffered the same fate as the white-rumped vulture. Its severe population decline was also associated with the use of the vulture-toxic veterinary drugs.

7. Slender-billed Vulture

Scientific name: Gyps tenuirostris

A slender-billed vulture. Image credit: Mike Prince from Bangalore, India, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

This species, found primarily in the northern and northeastern parts of India in the sub-Himalayan region, also suffered a similar collapse.

As with the other Gyps vultures, safe (vulture toxin-free) carcasses are central to its survival.

8. Red-headed Vulture

Scientific name: Sarcogyps calvus

A red-headed vulture male with white-rumped vultures. Image credit: Suyesha-Pooja, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Although from a different genus, the red-headed vulture, also called the Asian king vulture, suffered the same fate as the three Gyps species mentioned above. Once found across much of the Indian subcontinent, today its population is confined to small pockets in northern India.  

9. Manipur Bush Quail

Scientific name: Perdicula manipurensis

Illustration of a Manipur Bush Quail. Image credit: Ogilvie-Grant, WR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

The Manipur Bush Quail is one of India’s least-known threatened birds. It is associated with grassland habitats in northeastern India, particularly the Assam Plains region. For decades, the species has been poorly documented. Its restricted range and lack of recent reliable records have made it difficult to estimate its population accurately.

10. Bugun Liocichla

Scientific name: Liocichla bugunorum

A Bugun Loichichla. Image credit: Muk.Seh, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

This species is one of India’s most geographically restricted birds. It is endemic to a small area in Arunachal Pradesh. It was first recorded in 2003 by scientist Ramana Athreya and was named after the Bugun tribe of the region.

Its highly restricted range places it on the IUCN's Critically Endangered list. However, there is hope for the species as the local communities in its habitat have taken up the responsibility to protect its future.

11. Jerdon’s Courser

Scientific name: Rhinoptilus bitorquatus

Camera Trap photograph of the Jerdon's Courser. Image credit: PJeganathan, CC BY-SA 3.0  via Wikimedia Commons.

Jerdon’s Courser is an endemic bird found only in the Eastern Ghats region of Andhra Pradesh. It is a nocturnal species found in dry scrub and open ground habitats. Its highly restricted habitat and nocturnal nature make population surveys extremely difficult. It was last visually recorded around 2008 to 2009, but it was acoustically detected by its confirmed call on August 24, 2025.

12. Himalayan Quail

Scientific name: Orphrysia superciliosa

Illustration of Ophrysia superciliosa by Edward Lear. Image credit: artist : Edward Lear  - book by John Gould, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

The Himalayan Quail is one of India’s most enigmatic birds. Although still listed as Critically Endangered, this bird is possibly extinct. It was last reported in 1876 near Mussoorie hill station. It was historically known from parts of the Western Himalayas, including areas around Mussoorie and Nainital.

13. Pink-headed Duck

Scientific name: Rhodonessa caryophyllacea

A taxidermied pink-headed duck. Image credit: Geni via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The Pink-headed Duck, like the Himalayan Quail, is possibly extinct. It once occurred in the wetlands and floodplains of the Ganga and Brahmaputra systems and neighboring parts of South Asia. The male’s bright pink head made it one of the most distinctive ducks of the region.

For many decades now, there has been no confirmed record of the bird. It was last seen in 1949. Hunting and wetland loss contributed to its decline.

True Vipers Of India: The Three Viperine Snakes Of The Country

A Russell's viper. Image credit: Davidvraju, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

India’s vipers are often discussed as a single group, but the country’s viper fauna has two distinct evolutionary lineages. The larger and more diverse group is the pit vipers, or Crotalinae, which include bamboo, Malabar, and Himalayan pit vipers. The other is the Viperinae, or true vipers. In India, the latter is represented by three species: the Russell’s viper, the Indian saw-scaled viper, and the Levantine viper. The current Checklist of Snakes of India places all three in the subfamily Viperinae.

What Is A True Viper?

The term “true viper” refers to members of the subfamily Viperinae, within the family Viperidae. They are distinct from India’s pit vipers, which belong to Crotalinae. Both groups possess the characteristic long, hinged venom fangs associated with vipers, but pit vipers have an additional sensory structure: the loreal pit, a heat-sensitive organ between the eye and nostril. True vipers do not have these facial heat-sensing pits.

Russell’s Viper

Scientific name: Daboia russelii

A Russell's viper. Image credit: Prabhmeet Singh, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Among India’s vipers, the Russell’s viper is one of the most familiar. It is a medically important species that is among the “Big Four” of India, responsible for the highest number of snakebite-related deaths in the country.

It has a heavy body, and the dorsal pattern usually consists of three rows of large, dark-edged oval or rounded markings. The pattern can be striking when the snake is exposed, but it also provides effective camouflage among dry vegetation, soil, and leaf litter.

The Russell’s viper occurs across large parts of the Indian subcontinent and is associated with a variety of habitats, including human-modified ones.

Saw-scaled Viper

Scientific name: Echis carinatus

A saw-scaled viper. Image credit: Dr. Raju Kasambe, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

This species is considerably smaller than the Russell’s viper, but its reputation in India is not based on size. It is adapted to relatively dry environments and can occur in deserts, semi-arid landscapes, rocky areas, scrub, and other open habitats. The rough, strongly keeled scales are one of its recognizable features. When threatened, the snake may rub sections of its body together, producing the characteristic rasping or “sawing” sound from which its common name is derived. It feeds on small vertebrates and other prey and is part of the food web of India’s drier ecosystems.

It is also among the “Big Four” species of India because of its historical importance in snakebite epidemiology.

Levantine Viper

Scientific name: Macrovipera lebetina

A Levantine viper. Image credit: Rashid Baradaran, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

This species is the least widespread of India’s three true vipers. The current ZSI checklist records the Levantine viper from the western Himalayas.

The species is considerably less frequently encountered than the other two on the list in India. Historical records and published accounts place it in the mountainous and rocky landscapes of Jammu and Kashmir. Its broader range extends from the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East through Central and South Asia.

Its broader range extends from the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East through Central and South Asia. The Indian population therefore, represents the eastern portion of a much larger distribution.

Kraits of India: The Nine Species That Share A Country

Banded krait. Image credit: Arup2602, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

A krait can be lying beside a bed in a village home, moving through the rice field of a farmer, or crossing a road after dark without drawing much attention. These snakes are mostly nocturnal, generally secretive, and often encountered only briefly. Though a vital part of the ecosystem, these snakes also possess venom potent enough to kill a human being quite easily. So, while protecting them is important, safeguarding oneself from a krait is also equally needed. In India, “krait” refers to a group of closely related species in the genus Bungarus, and distinguishing them is considerably complicated.

India is currently home to nine recognised species of Bungarus whose ranges stretch from the Himalayas through the plains and plateaus of northern and central India to the Andaman Islands. Recent records and taxonomic work have also shown that the country’s krait diversity is still being refined.

• Andaman krait (Bungarus andamanesis)
• Northeastern hill krait (Bungarus bungaroides)
• Common krait (Bungarus caeruleus)
• Banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus)
• Lesser black krait (Bungarus lividus)
• Greater black krait (Bungarus niger)
• Sing krait (Bungarus sindanus)
• Suzhen’s krait (Bungarus suzhenae)
• Wall’s krait (Bungarus walli)

What Makes A Krait A Krait?

Kraits belong to the Elapidae family, the same broad snake family that includes cobras and coral snakes. Members of Bungarus are venomous and predominantly nocturnal. Many are ophiophagous, meaning that snakes form an important part of their diet, although their prey varies among species.

One feature that gives kraits their characteristic appearance is the enlarged vertebral row of scales running along the centre of the back. The subcaudal scales are also generally undivided, another useful character when distinguishing Bungarus from other Indian elapids.

But the familiar black body crossed by pale bands should not be treated as a complete identification guide. Several species are dark and banded, and closely related species can geographically overlap. Even the number, width, arrangement, and colour of bands can vary.

Common krait (Bungarus caeruleus)

A common krait. Image credit: Davidvraju via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The common krait is the species most people associate with the word “krait.” It also belongs to the “Big Four” venomous snakes, a group responsible for most snake-bite-related deaths in the country. It is distributed throughout large parts of mainland India and beyond, into neighboring parts of South Asia. It is usually dark blue-black, black, or bluish-black, with narrow whitish bands. In some individuals, the bands can be faint, incomplete, or difficult to see.

Banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus)

A banded krait. Image credit: Davidvraju via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

The banded krait is the easiest krait to recognise. Broad yellow or golden bands alternate with black across the body, producing a striking pattern that is very different from the relatively narrow banding of the common krait.

The species occurs across parts of eastern, northeastern, and central India and continues through much of mainland Southeast Asia. It is found across a wide variety of habitats.

Northeastern hill krait (Bungarus bungaroides)

A Northeastern hill krait. Animish Mandrekar via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0).

Found in India’s northeastern hills and adjoining Himalayan landscapes, it is associated with relatively elevated, humid environments. It is much less frequently encountered compared to the common krait. It looks quite similar to the common krait with black body and narrow, white bands.

The Northeastern Hill Krait belongs to the krait fauna of India's northeastern hills and adjoining Himalayan landscapes. It is associated with relatively elevated, humid environments and has been recorded from parts of northeastern India.

Lesser black krait (Bungarus lividus)

A lesser black krait. Image credit: Sp.herp, CC BY-SA 3.0  via Wikimedia Commons .

This lesser-known species is primarily found in northeastern India, with records also extending into northern West Bengal. It is also found outside India in Nepal and Bangladesh. Its dark appearance can make it easy to mistake it for other black kraits, particularly the greater black krait.

Greater black krait (Bungarus niger)

The greater black krait was originally described from the Darjeeling region of West Bengal and is now known from parts of northeastern and eastern India. It is also found in the adjacent countries of Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. It closely resembles the lesser black krait. However, measurable differences include the form of vertebral scales, numbers of ventrals and subcaudals, and overall body size.

The Sind Krait: Bungarus sindanus

A Sind krait. Image credit: Sp.herp, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

This species is found in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent. In India, it is found in arid and semi-arid landscapes, including parts of Rajasthan and adjoining regions. It is generally dark, with pale bands across the body, and can resemble other banded kraits.  

Wall's Krait: Bungarus walli

Wall’s krait was originally described by Frank Wall from Faizabad in present-day Uttar Pradesh. It has been recorded in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, and Assam. Also found in neighboring countries of Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.

Suzhen’s krait (Bungarus suzhenae)

A Suzhen's krait. Image credit: Chen Z-N, Shi S-C, Vogel G, Ding L, Shi J-S (2021), CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

It is one of the newest additions to India's krait list. The species was first described from China in 2021 and then in Myanmar. In 2024, it was found for the first time from the northeast Indian Nagaland-Manipur area.

Andaman krait (Bungarus andamanesis)

An Andaman krait. Image credit: Coryphophylax CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

It is the geographical outlier among India’s kraits. Unlike the mainland species, it is restricted to the Andaman Islands. The species was described in 1978 from the Andaman Islands, with the type locality associated with Port Blair on South Andaman Island. It is a Near Threatened species due to its restricted distribution.

Kraits And Snakebite In India

A common krait crossing the road. Image credit: Dr. Raju Kasambe, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Kraits are ecologically important predators, but they are also responsible for serious snakebite envenoming. The common krait is one of the country’s medically important snakes. Its nocturnal behaviour creates a particular risk in rural and peri-urban environments, where people may encounter snakes while sleeping on floors or moving around at night.

Krait venom is dominated by neurotoxic components that interfere with the nervous system functioning. Severe envenoming can lead to progressive paralysis and respiratory failure.

Another difficulty is that the bite itself may not initially look dramatic. A person may have little swelling or obvious tissue injury and therefore underestimate the seriousness of the incident.

Suspected krait envenoming is a medical emergency. A snake should never be caught or handled in an attempt to confirm its identity. The priority is rapid transport to appropriate medical care.

A Problem That Extends Beyond The “Big Four”

India’s focus on the four traditionally recognised major snakebite species has been important for public health, but it can also obscure the country’s broader venomous snake diversity.

Not every medically important krait belongs to the common krait. Other Bungarus species occur in regions where their biology, distribution, and venom compositions are less thoroughly studied.

Research has already shown that venom profiles can vary among closely related kraits. A major study of cryptic kraits in western and southern India found substantial differences in venom composition among lineages and raised concerns about the ability of existing antivenom to provide uniform protection against geographically and genetically divergent krait venoms.

This is one reason why taxonomy is not merely an academic exercise. Knowing which species occur where can directly affect venom research, snakebite treatment, and public health planning.

Protecting India's Kraits

Kraits are predators, and their ecological role is easy to overlook because most of their activity happens at night.

Their diet includes other snakes and, depending on species, other small vertebrates. In agricultural landscapes, their presence is part of a much larger food web linking rodents, frogs, reptiles, and other animals.

They also face a familiar set of threats. Habitat conversion, road mortality, and fear-driven persecution can affect snake populations. For species with small or fragmented distributions, such pressures can be especially important.

India’s current legal framework provides protection to the recognised Indian Bungarus species. The Zoological Survey of India’s 2025 Fauna of India checklist places all nine recognised Indian kraits in Schedule II of the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022.

Their IUCN assessments vary. Several are listed as Least Concern. The Andaman krait is listed as Near Threatened, and the Suzhen’s krait remains Not Evaluated.

Seven Iconic Wild Animals Found In Tamil Nadu And Where To See Them

Tamil Nadu, like other states with the Western Ghats, is home to great biodiversity, including several endemic species. Here are the seven most iconic wild animals found in this southern state.

Nilgiri Tahr

Nilgiri Tahr. Image credit: Asheen Anoopvia Wikimedia Commons.

Tamil Nadu’s state animal, the Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius), is an Endangered species, endemic to the southern Western Ghats region in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It is a wild goat species found on high elevation cliffs, rocky outcrops, open plateaus covered by grasslands, etc. The Nilgiri tahr is exclusively herbivorous, feeding on grasses and shrubs. It is an extremely agile climber with good eyesight to detect predators or other threats in its surroundings. The species is threatened by habitat loss and poaching. The tahr is losing its habitat to development, livestock grazing, and the spread of invasive plants. These animals can be observed in the higher reaches of the Anaimalai Tiger Reserve of Tamil Nadu.

Emerald Dove

Emerald dove. Image credit: Jason Thompson via Wikimedia Commons.

The state bird of Tamil Nadu, the grey-capped emerald dove (Chalcophaps indica), is a beautiful bird with bright emerald-green wings and back. The species is found in tropical forests across South and Southeast Asia. The bird feeds on the fruits and seeds of plants, usually those that have fallen to the forest floor. It spends less time on trees except when roosting. It is a Least Concern species but suffers from habitat loss due to deforestation. It can be spotted across the forests of Tamil Nadu, including the Mudumalai and Anaimalai Tiger Reserves.

Tamil Yeoman

Tamil yeoman butterfly. Image credit: BrijeshPookkottur via Wikimedia Commons.

The beautiful Tamil Yeoman (Cirrochroa thais) is the state butterfly of Tamil Nadu. Locally, it is called Tamil Maravan, meaning Tamilian Warrior. This species is endemic to the Western Ghats, where it occurs in the moist evergreen forests on the mountains. It is around 60-75 mm in size and bright orange on the upper surface and brownish on the lower surface. The butterfly can be spotted while hiking or trekking on the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu.

Nilgiri Langur

Image credit: Ashwinsekaran via Wikimedia Commons.

This primate species (Semnopithecus johnii) is endemic to the Western Ghats and is a threatened species (listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List). It lives in the region's evergreen and deciduous forests at altitudes ranging from 300 to 2,000 m. It is primarily folivorous but also feeds on other plant parts and insects, etc. The Nilgiri langur is primarily arboreal and diurnal, living in social groups of 9 to 10 animals. Poaching was a major threat to species in the past, as their body parts were utilised in traditional medicine preparations. While education and awareness programs have largely helped curb this threat, the langur suffers from habitat loss due to human disturbances. It can be spotted in the protected areas of the Nilgiri Hills.

Malabar Parakeet

A beautiful Malabar parakeet. Image credit: Shantanu Kuveskar via Wikimedia Commons.

This gorgeous bird is endemic to the Western Ghats. The Malabar parakeet, also called the blue-winged parakeet (Psittacula columboides), lives in small flocks that sometimes fly across forest clearings, making screeching calls. These birds nest in tree hollows left by woodpeckers or barbets. The species is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It can be seen across the Nilgiris flying across forested landscapes in the region.

Nilgiri Marten

Two Nilgiri martens in their natural habitat. Image credit: Navaneeth Kishor via Wikimedia Commons.

A threatened species, listed as Vulnerable, the Nilgiri marten (Martes gwatkinsii) is endemic to the Western Ghats. It occurs in evergreen montane forests and occasionally in deciduous forests as well as commercial plantations near forested landscapes. It is an efficient predator, feeding on a variety of small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and more. It also feeds on plant parts, making it an omnivore. The species is threatened by habitat loss and persecution by honey farmers when caught ravaging the contents of bee boxes to feed on honey bee larvae. Nilgiri martens have been observed in the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.

Cochin Forest Cane Turtle

Cochin forest cane turtle. Image credit: Davidvraju via Wikimedia Commons.

Also known as the Kavalai forest turtle (Vijayachelys silvatica), this species is endemic to the southern Western Ghats region, living at elevations between 400 and 800 m. The species is found in evergreen and moist deciduous forests of the region. It is primarily terrestrial, living on the forest floor amid leaf litter or in burrows or tree hollows at the base. Here, it feeds on invertebrates and plant matter. The species is Endangered and suffers from numerous threats like habitat loss and poaching. The turtle is also temperature-sensitive, and climate change-induced rising temperatures are expected to harm this species, with little scope to move to a safer location. Forest fires also threaten this species.

Seven Iconic Wild Animals Found In Rajasthan And Where To See Them

A desert fox mum suckling its babies. Image credit: Sumeet Moghe via Wikimedia Commons.

When talking about Rajasthan, people mostly think of vast stretches of lifeless sand dunes or royal cities with grand palaces and havelis. However, the state hosts a wide variety of ecosystems, from the forests of Ranthambhore to the grasslands of the Thar Desert and the raw desert itself. Biodiversity thrives everywhere in the state. Even its seemingly lifeless habitats are full of life. So, from across Rajasthan, here are seven iconic species you must see.

Indian Tiger

A reclining tiger in Ranthambhore National Park. Image credit: LuisVilla via Wikimedia Commons.

Talk about watching tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) in India, and the name of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve appears at the top of the list. This protected area of Rajasthan is known for offering great tiger sightings, thanks to the sparse vegetation during the dry seasons of summer and winter, which allows one to see long distances through the forest. Photographers also seek the opportunity to capture a tiger’s photo amid the ancient ruins of historical forts and gateways in Ranthambhore. The Sariska Tiger Reserve nearby also houses tigers. Overall, the state is home to around 88 tigers.

Great Indian Bustard

A Great Indian Bustard. Image credit: Prajwalkm via Wikimedia Commons.

Rajasthan’s Thar Desert grasslands remain one of the world’s last places that house the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) or Ardeotis nigriceps. This primarily ground-dwelling bird can be seen in the Desert National Park and adjoining areas in the state’s Jaisalmer District. The GIB faces many threats, including collisions with overhead power lines, loss of grasslands due to overgrazing, agricultural expansion, encroachment by human settlements, the installation of solar power plants and wind turbines, and more.

Indian Desert Cat

An Indian desert cat. Image credit: Raja Bandi via Wikimedia Commons.

Roughly the size of a domestic cat, this species (Felis lybica ornata), also known as the Asiatic wildcat, can be spotted by the lucky visitor in the Desert National Park of Rajasthan and its surroundings. In India, its range extends to other arid and semi-arid areas of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. The species remains well-camouflaged in the desert habitat by virtue of its sandy-coloured coat, which has small black spots. The tail has a black tip and black rings. The ears are long and pointed. Its coat colour is known to vary with its habitat. In Rajasthan, its primary prey is the Indian desert jird.

Indian Spiny-tailed Lizard

A spiny-tailed lizard. Image credit: Muhammad Musab Malik via Wikimedia Commons.

It is a threatened reptile found in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan. The species Saara hardwickii is predominantly herbivorous and feeds on the flowers, fruits, and seeds of local plants. In the ecosystem, it plays a major role as food for raptors and other birds. The lizard is a threatened species, listed as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List. It is poached by the locals for the use of its fat as an aphrodisiac.

Lesser Florican

A male lesser florican in display. Image credit: Parth Kansara via Wikimedia Commons.

Another highly threatened bird species, the critically endangered lesser florican (Sypheotides indicus), breeds in the grasslands and agricultural fields of Rajasthan’s Ajmer district. During the monsoon, male lesser floricans perform their unique courtship display, jumping several feet into the air and making characteristic sounds to attract the female. Unfortunately, only a few individuals of this species survive today. Time is almost running out for the lesser floricans who suffer from many threats like habitat loss and degradation, poaching, power line collision, predation by feral dogs, nest trampling or destruction by humans and agricultural procedures, etc.

Chinkara

Chinkara from Jorbeer, Rajasthan. Image credit: Mvshreeram via Wikimedia Commons.

This dainty-looking antelope, also called the Indian gazelle (Gazella bennettii) is found across grasslands and shrublands in Rajasthan’s arid to semi-arid areas. They can be found near Bishnoi villages and farmlands, as the Bishnoi community is a strong protector of blackbucks, chinkaras, and other local wildlife. Chinkaras are usually found alone or in small groups. Sometimes, larger groups of 8 to 10 individuals are seen. They usually feed after sunset. They have a reddish-buff coloured coat with a white belly and throat.

Desert Fox

Desert fox pups playing. Image credit: Sumeet Moghe via Wikimedia Commons.

The desert fox, also called the white-footed fox (Vulpes vulpes pusilla), is another iconic species found in Rajasthan. It is not too big, almost the same size as the desert cat, has a bushy tail, small beady eyes, and a coat colour that is a mix of sandy, white, and grey. Its adorable look is often what wildlife photographers crave to capture. The species is well-adapted to the desert environment, with longer hind limbs that help it run from predators such as raptors and large ears that allow it to detect the sounds of prey. These opportunistic omnivores feed on a variety of animal and plant matter. The Desert National Park offers the opportunity to witness these adorable carnivores in action.

As you can see, these iconic species of Rajasthan are facing a troubled future. They are already reeling from so many threats. Climate change will worsen their fate. What happens to the ecosystem will affect us as well. Hence, efforts to protect these iconic species of Rajasthan need to be sped up before it is too late.

Seven Iconic Wild Animals Found In Mizoram And Where To See Them

 Mizoram, tucked within the Indo-Myanmar biodiversity hotspot, is home to an extraordinary array of wildlife shaped by its rugged hills, dense forests, and varied ecosystems. From elusive mountain-dwelling mammals and arboreal primates to rare birds and newly discovered reptiles, the state supports species found in few other parts of India. Here are 7 iconic wild animals found in Mizorma.

Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant

A Mrs. Hume's pheasant. Image credit: Christoph Moningvia Wikimedia Commons.

Mizoram’s state bird, the stunning Mrs. Hume’s pheasant (Syrmaticus humiae), is named after the wife of Allan Octavian Hume, a renowned British ornithologist. The males of this species exhibit striking plumage colours, whereas the females have a subdued colour. The bird range includes parts of Northeast India, Myanmar, southern China and parts of Thailand. The bird prefers inhabiting forest edge areas, as well as areas with mixed vegetation types and along the edges of farmlands. In Mizoram, it is locally known as Vavu and is more common in the Champhai and Saiha districts. It is possible to see them in the Phawngpui and Murlen National Parks of the state. The bird is a threatened species and is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. It suffers from habitat loss due to slash-and-burn agricultural practices, forest fires, infrastructure development and also hunting for meat and feathers.

Himalayan Serow

Close-up of a Himalayan serow. Image credit: Dibyendu Ash via Wikimedia Commons.

The Himalayan serow (Capricornis sumatraensis thar) is the state animal of Mizoram. A subspecies of the Mainland serow, this member of the Bovidae family is found across the Himalayas in India, but in small numbers. It is well-adapted to live on the rocky slopes and extreme conditions. It is a strict herbivore that migrates from lower to higher elevations in the summer and vice versa in the winter, depending on food availability. They are usually solitary in nature and active most of the day, but more at dawn. Poaching for meat and habitat loss are major threats to the animal. At the species level, the Mainland serow is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Bengal Slow Loris

A Bengal slow loris. Image credit: ian_dugdale via Wikimedia Commons.

The Nycticebus bengalensis is found in the evergreen and mixed deciduous forests of Mizoram. Its range in India includes the states of the northeast. Beyond India, it inhabits parts of Bangladesh, Myanmar, China and Southeast Asia. It is a venomous mammal that is arboreal and nocturnal. It feeds on nectar and other plant parts and occasionally on small invertebrates. The species is Endangered and is threatened by habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation. It is also heavily poached for traditional medicines and sport. It is also collected for the illegal pet trade market. The Dampa Tiger Reserve in Mizoram houses a small population of the Bengal slow loris.

Leopard Cat

An elusive leopard cat in the wilderness. Image credit: Shan2797 via Wikimedia Commons

The Mainland leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) is a small wild cat species found in Mizoram. Although widely distributed from parts of the Indian subcontinent to Southeast Asia to East Asia, this species is highly elusive and very difficult to spot and observe. It also adapts to a wide variety of habitats from forests to grasslands, shrublands, wetlands, and even plantations and croplands. The cat hunts small prey, primarily rodents, birds, and some reptiles. It lives at elevations ranging from 0 m above sea level to 4,474 m. Although still a Least Concern species on the IUCN Red List, the leopard cat suffers threats like habitat loss and hunting.

Mizoram Parachute Gecko

Endemic to Mizoram, this is a newly-described species. The Gekko mizoramensis is endemic to Mizoram. It was discovered in May 2022 in Lawngtlai town in the southern part of the state. Little has been studied about the species. It was found feeding on insects at dusk. Being a parachute gecko, this species possesses special adaptations that allow it to leap into the air and glide from one surface to another up to a distance of around 200 feet.

Phayre's Leaf Monkey

The Phayre's leaf monkey. Image credit: Md. Tareq Aziz Touhid via Wikimedia Commons.

The Phayre’s leaf monkey (Trachypithecus phayrei) is an Endangered primate species found in the Northeast Indian states of Assam, Mizoram and Tripura and some parts of Bangladesh and Myanmar. The species inhabits evergreen and mixed deciduous forests. It is predominantly diurnal, arboreal and folivorous (fruit-eating) in nature. The animal suffers from hunting to remove its gallstones which are used in traditional medicines and for its meat. It also suffers from habitat loss and degradation due to high deforestation rates.

Clouded Leopard

A clouded leopard. Image credit: Sandeep pai1986 via Wikimedia Commons.

A magnificent mid-sized wild cat, the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is a threatened species listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. It is found in parts of South and Southeast Asia at elevations ranging from 3,700 to 5,580 m. In India, it is primarily found in the northeastern part, including the Dampa Tiger Reserve in Mizoram. Leopard cats are highly arboreal animals and thus prefer living in tropical evergreen rainforests, but are also sometimes found in dry and deciduous forests, grasslands, etc. These cats feed on a wide variety of prey, including small ungulates, birds and reptiles. Habitat destruction and illegal hunting are the two biggest threats to the species.