Hyderabad: A flock of endangered Indian skimmers have been spotted between Mid Manair and Lower Manair Dam (LMD) in Karimnagar. These rare birds, typically found migrating to Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh during winter from Mahanadi in Odisha, have never before been recorded in the state.
Among the flock of 119 birds, three skimmers bore identification tags — marked 4T5, 4T8, and 2R0 — indicating ongoing conservation efforts to track their movements. “However, these are not satellite trackers but simple black-and-white strips used by researchers and bird watchers to recognise and monitor the birds. They were spotted in Telangana here and there before as well, but were never documented and never seen in such high numbers,” Parveen Sheikh of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), which is conducting research on the species, said.
She further said that Indian skimmers are riverine species, which breed on coastal areas, wetlands, backwaters, etc. Their migration has sparked both excitement among bird watchers and concerns over habitat loss.
“The Indian skimmer is known for its distinctive foraging technique, where its elongated lower mandible skims the water’s surface to catch fish. Despite this specialised adaptation, the species has suffered a dramatic decline, with fewer than 3,000 mature individuals estimated to remain worldwide,” Sriram Reddy from Hyderabad Birding Pals said.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has categorised it as ‘endangered’, citing habitat destruction, pollution, and human disturbances as key threats to its survival. Bird conservators are calling this sighting both an encouraging sign for biodiversity and a concerning reminder of habitat degradation.
Abdul Raheem, a bird conservator from Andhra Pradesh, noted that while twin states once saw frequent visits from migratory birds, their numbers have declined sharply due to environmental changes. “Human activities such as dam construction, extensive sand mining, and modification in river flow for irrigation, encroachments, water contamination have disrupted natural habitats. These activities cause fluctuating water levels and inhabitable ecosystem, which either submerge nesting sites or leave them exposed to predators and human disturbances,” Raheem said, adding, “In the past, birds like Red-crested pochards, flamingos, spoonbills, and more migrated to the region in large numbers, but due to unfavourable habitat conditions, their presence has dwindled over the years.”
Experts believe that the Indian skimmers’ appearance in Telangana in large numbers might be a direct response to environmental degradation in their traditional nesting grounds. “This shift suggests that birds are seeking alternative sites that provide suitable conditions for feeding and breeding. This highlights the urgent need for targeted conservation efforts in Telangana. Our state’s climate and diverse ecosystems have the potential to support migratory birds, but only if we take steps to preserve key habitats like Manair Dam,” Reddy added.
Among the flock of 119 birds, three skimmers bore identification tags — marked 4T5, 4T8, and 2R0 — indicating ongoing conservation efforts to track their movements. “However, these are not satellite trackers but simple black-and-white strips used by researchers and bird watchers to recognise and monitor the birds. They were spotted in Telangana here and there before as well, but were never documented and never seen in such high numbers,” Parveen Sheikh of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), which is conducting research on the species, said.
She further said that Indian skimmers are riverine species, which breed on coastal areas, wetlands, backwaters, etc. Their migration has sparked both excitement among bird watchers and concerns over habitat loss.
“The Indian skimmer is known for its distinctive foraging technique, where its elongated lower mandible skims the water’s surface to catch fish. Despite this specialised adaptation, the species has suffered a dramatic decline, with fewer than 3,000 mature individuals estimated to remain worldwide,” Sriram Reddy from Hyderabad Birding Pals said.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has categorised it as ‘endangered’, citing habitat destruction, pollution, and human disturbances as key threats to its survival. Bird conservators are calling this sighting both an encouraging sign for biodiversity and a concerning reminder of habitat degradation.
Abdul Raheem, a bird conservator from Andhra Pradesh, noted that while twin states once saw frequent visits from migratory birds, their numbers have declined sharply due to environmental changes. “Human activities such as dam construction, extensive sand mining, and modification in river flow for irrigation, encroachments, water contamination have disrupted natural habitats. These activities cause fluctuating water levels and inhabitable ecosystem, which either submerge nesting sites or leave them exposed to predators and human disturbances,” Raheem said, adding, “In the past, birds like Red-crested pochards, flamingos, spoonbills, and more migrated to the region in large numbers, but due to unfavourable habitat conditions, their presence has dwindled over the years.”
Experts believe that the Indian skimmers’ appearance in Telangana in large numbers might be a direct response to environmental degradation in their traditional nesting grounds. “This shift suggests that birds are seeking alternative sites that provide suitable conditions for feeding and breeding. This highlights the urgent need for targeted conservation efforts in Telangana. Our state’s climate and diverse ecosystems have the potential to support migratory birds, but only if we take steps to preserve key habitats like Manair Dam,” Reddy added.
