Endangered Spot-billed pelican seen at Kelambakkam

On Saturday morning, the Kelambakkam backwaters, a haven for birds like waders, terns, gulls and other winter migrants, had rare visitors. A rare breed of Spot-billed pelicans, an endangered species, was seen roosting on the backwaters. Amateur bird-watcher Arun Ramkrishnan was one of the first to recognize the bird. “This is the first time I’m spotting this breed in all my years as a bird enthusiast and photographer. Usually, when we spot migratory birds, they’re in groups of several dozens. This species, interestingly, was less than a dozen,” he said

Spot-billed pelicans are found in South Asia from southern Pakistan, to India and Indonesia. While it’s hard to differentiate them from other pelicans, at close range the spots on the upper mandible, the lack of bright colours and the greyer plumage are distinctive. Forest ranger Dr S David Raj, stationed at Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, says, “This pelican is not migratory but is known to make movements at times in search of feeding grounds. Its breeding season is between October and May. It coincides with the north-east monsoon. 

The global population of this species is believed to be 13,000 to 18,000 individual birds. There had been a rapid decline of population in the last three generations. And this year, there has been a further decrease in the number. Measures are being taken to protect the species.”

Dr Raj adds, “We have already witnessed 18 species and a total of 25,000 birds, and by the last week of December we expect more than 30 species and 40,000 birds to visit. The birds which are here have been nesting and some even have hatchlings. The most common species this year have been Openbill Storks, Pelicans and White Ibis.”

Bird-watching spots in Chennai include Vedanthangal, Pulicat lake, Guindy National Park, Adyar Estuary, Theosophical Society of Madras and more. The marsh lands in Pallikaranai and the backwaters along the OMR and ECR also have a good number of visitors from far off places during the migratory season. Housing more than 200 resident and wintering species, Chennai has long been a haven for bird-watchers. It is perhaps the only city in India where Greater flamingo, Black baza, Osprey, Eurasian eagle-owl and Pied avocet can be seen. Birds such as the Grey-headed bulbul, Lesser fish eagle, White-naped tit and Spangled drongo are few of the other endangered species that migrate to Chennai during the winter months.