The threatened wetland bird species in Sri Lanka

You just admire but have you ever been concerned about the threats faced by these wonderful creatures? Their future foretells your future.

Sri Lanka is a tropical island rich in biodiversity. Many species of animals such as reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals can be found in Sri Lanka. Of all these birds occupy a special place. People have long admired these wonderful natural creatures. These cute creatures are much more amazing than the newest technological gadgets. These creatures are an integral part of the ecosystems. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List (IUCN), there are three species of bird critically endangered in Sri Lanka. Here we focus on the threatened wetland bird species.

Serendib Scops Owl  

According to the IUCN Red List, the Serendib scops owl (Otus thilohoffmanni) is a critically endangered wetland bird species found in Sri Lanka. This species is listed as Endangered because it has a very small range and correspondingly small population, both of which are undergoing a decline owing to habitat loss and degradation. This rare species inhabits the rainforests in the Southwestern part of Sri Lanka. Apart from Sinharaja and Kitulgala. It has also been found in Runakanda Reserve in Morapitiya, Erathna -Gilimale forest reserve, Kitulgala and kanneliya reserve. Known as “Paduwan Bassa” in Sinhala. Like most owls, it is strictly nocturnal and hunts insects such as beetles and moths close to the ground. The general color of this 16.5cm long, short, tailed owl is reddish-brown with pale color underparts. And spotted all over with fine black markings. The claws and bill are pale ivory in color. Weekly defined facial disk and yellow to orange irides with the black outer ring. Iris is more yellow in females. The owl has no competition from other nocturnal birds, the territories are completely different. This bird species has a very small population, according to the reported data at the end of January 2006 only 80 of them were known to exist. They seem to be declining because of the loss of habitat and degradation.

The main threat to Sri Lankan Serendib scops owl is the deforestation of wetlands, the small size of the wetlands, and isolations of the forests in which they live. Deforestation is leading to disruption of the habitat and changes in water sources are probably the pressing threat. According to the research, this species appears to be intolerant of habitat loss and severe fragmentation, and so suspected to be decline. Habitat loss is still continuing owing to the pressure of new human settlements and small-scale mining operations. And another serious threat is the pollution of water pollution due to the excessive use of pesticides. As a result of agricultural production, many chemicals end up in the breeding grounds. Birds serve as indicators of environmental health. Since they are more sensitive to environmental changes than other creatures, they foretell our future. Any interruption caused due to human activities can be a fatal disturbance to these species.

Spot Billed Pelican

Spot Billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippenis) is one of the vulnerable wetland species in Sri Lanka. According to the Asian Red data book, this species in Sri Lanka is under threat due to the loss of habitat, disturbances in breeding sites, cutting down of mangroves, and excessive fishing and hunting. Agrochemicals are widely applied in farmlands and are contaminating wetlands and increased the eutrophication and excessive aquatic vegetation which leads to the reduction of value of wetlands. Many wetlands are being encroached by industrial facilities, roads, and settlements and this adversely affects the breeding grounds of this bird species. Another major issue is inadequate data received about this threatened bird species.

So, we must focus on the conservation of these bird species and need to take the relevant measures as soon as possible. The use of pesticides or fertilizers should be controlled, especially in areas close to important wetlands rich in plenty of biodiversities. Along with we should improve the sewage treatment and management. And Traditional Organic agricultural practices should be encouraged where possible. Human activities should be managed inside protected areas so that the nesting of Spot-billed Pelicans is not threatened, and the level of disturbance is minimized. The development projects should be reviewed through environmental impact assessment and if necessary revised in order to reconcile the needs of nature conservation and economic development. And we must enforce awareness programs to educate the community regarding the threats faced by these living creatures. And as a key step and strictly enforced and educational programs should publicize the legal status and importance of these threatened species to the local community. It is essential to enforce the existing conservation measures in protected areas. And we also can implement new protected areas. And need to take legal measures to limit agricultural expansions near wetlands. We should implement the required legal measurements against deforestation. Let’s get together to conserve these wonderful creatures.

By Rtr. Muditha Rathnayake

Image credits:

References:

• https://www.reddottours.com/sri-lanka-activities/bundala-tissa-wetlands
• https://www.birdsoflanka.com/threatened-and-vulnerable-birds-sl
• https://www.watchinglanka.com/sri-lankan-birds-in-the-red-data-book