PANAJI
The latest version of Goa’s comprehensive bird checklist has recorded 497 scientifically documented species, bringing India’s smallest State close to the prestigious 500-species mark.
“This achievement underscores Goa’s extraordinary avian diversity, representing nearly 40% of all bird species found across the entire Indian subcontinent within just 3,702 sq. kms of territory,” said Dr Pronoy Baidya, who along with Mandar Bhagat authored the 7th version of the Goa bird checklist, which was published in Indian Birds journal.
SPECIES UPDATE
The 7th version of the Goa bird checklist incorporates eight new species discoveries by various birdwatchers and agencies from Goa that highlight both the state’s marine bird diversity and ongoing conservation efforts.
“Five of the eight newly added species are seabirds, demonstrating the critical importance of Goa’s coastal ecosystems. Among these marine additions, the Short-tailed Shearwater and White-tailed Tropicbird were documented through the Marine Stranding Network, a collaborative partnership between the Goa Forest Department, Drishti Marine, and Reef Watch,” said Dr Baidya.
“This network represents a sophisticated approach to wildlife rescue and scientific documentation, transforming potential conservation crises into valuable research opportunities.”
He said the Lesser Noddy recorded at Galgibaga by Goa University Research Scholars Sagar Naik and Shubham Rane, initially reported and subsequently rescued by the Marine Stranding Network, exemplifies the collaborative nature of modern ornithological research.
A Great Frigatebird sighting by sea watchers from Aguada Fort further enriched the marine species list, while the Streaked Shearwater was documented off Goa’s coast by the research team led by Jalmesh Karapurkar and Dr Pronoy Baidya after several attempts over the last decade, as part of the Goa Bird Atlas Project.
TERRESTRIAL
DISCOVERIES
Dr Baidya said terrestrial bird additions provide equally compelling insights into Goa’s ecological complexity.
“Jerdon’s Bushlark, typically associated with dry grasslands of southern India, was reported by Omkar Damle from the Succoro plateau, suggesting possible range expansions or habitat adaptations,” said Dr Baidya.
“The discovery of the rare Yellow-rumped Flycatcher in the Tamdi Surla forest area of Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary by Kuldip Topo and Parag Rangnekar adds another layer to understanding the Western Ghats’ biodiversity hotspot characteristics.”
“Perhaps most intriguing is the inclusion of the African Openbill, initially reported by Aparna Laad from Majorda in 2021. This species remained in scientific limbo for four years, classified as having “unknown origin” until a subsequent sighting in Kerala in 2023 prompted scholarly reassessment.”
Following scientific discussions published in Indian Birds Journal, researchers now recognise this species as a climate change-influenced stray visitor to India, representing the evolving migration patterns of this largely resident African water bird.
NATIONAL PRECEDENT
Dr Baidya said the Goa Bird Checklist represents India’s first State-level dynamic bird inventory, initially launched in print format by the late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar during the 2nd Goa Bird Festival in 2018.
“Unlike static taxonomic lists, this living document undergoes annual updates that reflect current scientific evidence, including both species additions and removals based on verification standards,” he said.
The checklist’s methodology extends beyond simple species enumeration. It incorporates uplisting and downlisting protocols for rare species classifications, annually updates threat assessments based on International Union for Conservation of Nature criteria, and maintains rigorous documentation standards requiring photographic evidence, audio recordings, or museum specimens for species verification. This scientific rigor has established the Goa checklist as a model for regional biodiversity documentation across India.
