INDIAN SKIMMER (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Eco)

Context: The endangered Indian Skimmer was recently spotted along the Ghaghra River at Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.

Indian Skimmer

• About: It is an odd bird which belongs to the family of skimmers, Rynchopidae.
• Scientific Name: Rynchops albicollis
• Other names: Indian scissors-bill
• Habitat: It occurs primarily on larger, sandy, lowland rivers, around lakes and adjacent marshes, and, in the non-breeding season, in estuaries and coasts.
• Distribution: North Indian rivers, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

oNow, much of the population is confined to north Indian River systems and Pakistan. 

• IUCN Red List: Endangered
• Features: It measures 40 to 43 cm in length and has a wingspan of 110 cm.

oThe forehead and the collar are white, and the crown is black.

Dudhwa Tiger Reserve

• Location: Lakhimpur-Kheri in Uttar Pradesh.
• Rivers: The Sharda River, Geruwa River, Suheli, and Mohana, all of which are tributaries of the mighty Ghagra River.
• Vegetation: North Indian Moist Deciduous type, containing some of the finest examples of Sal forests (Shorea robusta) in India.
• Flora: Sal forest, Terminalia alata (Asna), Lagerstroemia parviflora (Asidha), etc.
• Fauna: Tiger, Fishing cat, Monkey, Mongoose, small Indian civet, Jackal, Dabchick, spot-billed pelican, Little cormorant, Grey Heron, White stork, Black storck, White Ibis, Python, Sandboa, Russel’s viper, Rat snake etc.