In News
- India’s first Mangrove Pitta Bird census is conducted In Odisha’s Bhitarkanika.
About
- The census was carried out for the first time in the country to study the population analysis of these birds.
- The objective of the census is to record the growth pattern of these birds. These birds are yet to be conferred endangered category.Â
Mangrove Pitta BirdÂ
- About:Â
- The mangrove pitta (Pitta megarhyncha) belongs to the family of pittas, the Pittidae.
- Mangrove pitta are colourful birds which have black head with brown crown, white throat, greenish upper parts, buff under-parts and reddish vent area.Â
- They foraging on the ground and resting on the trees.
- Habitat:
- Coastal mangrove forests of India.
- Distribution:
- India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN: Near ThreatenedÂ
About Bhitarkanika National Park
- Bhitarkanika National Park is the 2nd largest Mangrove ecosystems of India.Â
- It’s located in the estuaries where the rivers Brahmani and Baitarani meet. This is the habitat of the endangered saltwater crocodile.
- The Gahirmatha Beach which forms the boundary of the sanctuary in the east is the largest colony of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.Â
Source: Â TH
