Sighting of endangered Black-bellied tern in Kawal Tiger Reserve brings cheers to officials

During a routine avian survey, Venkat Angandhula, a north Telangana Coordinator of the Hyderabad Tiger Conservation Society (HYTICOS), spotted the bird near an irrigation tank near Kistapur village in Jannaram Range a few days back.

Mancherial: The black-bellied tern (Sterna acuticauda), classified as Endangered on the Red List in the International union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has been recorded in Kawal Tiger Reserve (KTR) for the first time.

During a routine avian survey, Venkat Angandhula, a north Telangana Coordinator of the Hyderabad Tiger Conservation Society (HYTICOS), spotted the bird near an irrigation tank near Kistapur village in Jannaram Range a few days back. Venkat said the bird was a small yet striking member of the tern family, primarily distributed across the Indian subcontinent. Its range extends from Pakistan, Nepal, and India to Myanmar, and its population has witnessed a significant decline due to the degradation and destruction of its riverine habitats across southeastern Asia in recent times.

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This Zoology research scholar from Osmania University remarked this sighting holds particular ecological significance as it represents the first documented occurrence of the black-bellied tern in this region. The record not only adds to the avian biodiversity of the KTR but also underscores the need for monitoring and updating the distribution range of this species.

Historically, the black-bellied tern has been sparsely recorded in Telangana. Prior observations include sightings at the Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary in Sangareddy by Bharat Vyas, at an irrigation tank in Sirnapalli in Nizamabad by researchers from the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)-Tamil Nadu, and in the Penchikalpet Range by a team of birders, including the then Deputy Range Officer S Venugopal.

About black-bellied tern

According to Forest officials, this aquatic bird thrives in freshwater habitats such as large rivers, lakes, and wetlands, which are increasingly under threat due to human-induced disturbances and climate change. The black-bellied tern measures approximately 32 to 35 cm (13 to 14 inches) in length. During its breeding season, it exhibits distinct plumage characterized by a jet-black crown and nape, pale grey upper parts, and a throat that remains pure white. The grey breast gradually transitions into its signature black belly, which is a defining feature and the basis for its common name.