Indian Roller, Telangana’s state bird, listed in IUCN red list, experts raise alarm

The Indian Roller, or palapitta, Telangana’s state bird, has been moved to the ‘Near Threatened’ category on the IUCN Red List following a sharp population decline. The State of Indian Birds–2023 report and recent Hyderabad Bird Atlas survey highlight the species’ alarming drop.

Sangareddy: The Indian Roller (Palapitta), Telangana’s state bird, has been listed in the IUCN Red List for the first time, moving from the ‘Least Concern’ to the ‘Near Threatened‘ category, as recommended by experts.

The IUCN updates bird status twice a year based on surveys and reviews all species every five years.

---

The State of Indian Birds (SoIB)-2023 report noted a 30 per cent decline in the Palapitta population across India over the past 12 years. Surveys around Hyderabad also indicate a steep fall in numbers.

During the Hyderabad Birds Atlas (HBA) voluntary survey conducted in 2025, only 26 Indian Rollers were recorded in February and four in August out of over 70,000 birds identified.

Another open-habitat bird, the Indian Courser, was also moved from ‘least concern’ to ‘near threatened’, highlighting the shrinking grasslands and agricultural lands in India. Wildlife photographer Sriram Reddy of Hyderabad said the populations of open-habitat birds are declining rapidly due to habitat loss.

In addition to these two species, the IUCN revised the status of 12 other bird species in India, four of which are found in Telangana. Two species in the State showed population growth: the Indian Spotted Eagle improved from ‘Vulnerable’ to ‘Near Threatened’, while the Alexandrine Parakeet moved from ‘Near Threatened’ to ‘Least Concern’.

Reddy urged the government to take conservation measures for Palapitta in Telangana. Pradeep Nair, founder of Animal Warriors Conservation Society, called for strict action against poaching of the bird during Dasara, demanding stringent enforcement against offenders.