Threatened Endemic Birds of Andaman & Nicobar

Island biogeography has fascinated scientists for hundreds of years. For instance, Charles Darwin’s 19th-century visit to the Galapagos Islands and study of finches clinched his theory of evolution, explained in his book On the Origin of Species. About 108 years later, the fascinating The Theory of Island Biogeography by EO Wilson and Robert H MacArthur came out in 1967. Both books ought to be compulsory reading for biologists and, indeed, the general public. The theory of island biogeography predicts that the number of plant and animal species on an island is related to the area of the island’s landmass and the degree of isolation of the island. The theory states that smaller, more isolated islands have fewer numbers of plant and animal species. The converse is also true. But for biologists and conservationists, the number of species is not important — it is their uniqueness that fascinates them. Many island species are not found anywhere else in the world.

Understanding endemics

In biology, an endemic is a species or taxon only found in a particular area. While remote islands are famous for having endemic species, many large continental countries also have endemics. For example, we have nearly 30 bird species restricted to India’s Western Ghats and 60 bird species restricted only to India. Endemicity is always spoken of in the context of space/area. We can have country-endemics, island-endemics, region-endemics, and area-endemics. Species with a single population found at only one location are called point endemics.

Besides the Western Ghats, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have numerous endemic species, particularly lizards, amphibians, and plants. Here, we discuss only the endemic birds of these biodiversity-rich islands. From Narcondam Island in the north to Indira Point in the south, I have travelled to almost all the habitable Andaman and Nicobar Islands to study birdlife.

The landscape

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, comprising more than 572 islands and islets, are peaks of a submerged mountain chain. The total geographical area of this Union Territory is about 8,300 sq km (Andaman group over 6,340 sq km and Nicobar group about 1,953 sq km). Until 2022, over 400 bird species have been identified, of which 27 are endemic. This list can change as taxonomic changes result in subspecies being upgraded to full species. For example, the Nicobar jungle-flycatcher (Cyornis nicobaricus) was recognised as a separate species endemic to the Great and Little Nicobar islands. Earlier, it was considered the same species as the brown-chested jungle-flycatcher (Cyornis brunneatus), which breeds in northeast China and winters in Southeast Asia.

There are nine national parks and 94 wildlife sanctuaries in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, covering an area of 0.15 million ha. Of this, 18.53 per cent is land, and the rest is the surrounding sea. The Bombay Natural History Society and BirdLife International have identified 19 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs). Out of the 25 bird species considered threatened in some way, according to the IUCN Red List, 19 are endemic birds. We describe a few:

Nicobar megapode (Megapodius nicobariensis)

The Nicobar Megapode, also called Nicobar scrubfowl, is considered “Vulnerable”. The tsunami of December 2004 led to its decline by about 70 per cent. Since 1994 it has disappeared totally from two smaller islands. It continues to be hunted extensively, and its eggs are pilfered by humans.

Andaman teal (Anas albogularis)

For a long time, it was considered a subspecies of more widely distributed grey teal or sunda teal (Anas gibberifrons), but it has now been listed as a full species. This bird is confined to the Andaman group of islands, where it is fairly common on some wetlands. Nonetheless, due to its narrow distribution, threats to its habitat and small populations, it is considered “Vulnerable” by IUCN. 

Andaman crake (Rallina canningi)

Research by scientists of the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) shows that the Andaman Crake is common in some habitats. Nevertheless, it has a very small range and a moderately small population which is thought to be declining owing to heavy trapping and habitat degradation. Consequently, it was listed as “Near Threatened”, but as research found it to be fairly common in suitable habitats, it has now been moved to the “Least Concern” list. It is endemic to the Andaman Islands, where it is known from North, Middle and South Andaman and may also occur on other islands.

Andaman serpent eagle (Spilornis elgini)

This serpent eagle has a moderately small range in which it is believed to be quite common. However, the forests are under increasing pressure from development schemes, and this forest-loving species is likely to face further decline. It is listed as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List. It occurs on all the islands of the Andaman group, is more common on North and Middle Andaman, infrequent on Little Andaman, and absent on Narcondam Island.

Nicobar sparrowhawk (Accipiter butleri)

Two geographical variations are recognised, Accipiter butleri butleri of Car Nicobar and A. b. obsoletus of Central and Southern Nicobar, mainly based on plumage differences and size. Sometimes the former is called Car Nicobar sparrowhawk, and the latter Katchall sparrowhawk or Katchal shikra. It appears to be distributed over a total area of 160 sq km, but as many islands in the archipelago are poorly studied, it is possibly more widely distributed.

Narcondam hornbill (Rhyticeros narcondami)

This bird is a classic example of point endemics as it is found only in the 6.9-sq-km Narcondam island and nowhere else on Earth. In India, the Narcondam hornbill probably has the smallest distribution of any bird. Thanks to good protection measures, and prevention of “development” on this tiny island, it is thriving. Latest population estimates put its numbers at around 800-1,000 individuals. 

Andaman wood pigeon (Columba palumboides)

The Andaman wood pigeon is endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar (including Southern Nicobar, Central Nicobar group of islands, Car Nicobar and Batti Malv Islands) archipelagos. It lives in dense forests and is uncommon due to its restricted habitat. It is therefore classified as “Near Threatened”.

Andaman woodpecker (Dryocopus hodgei)

This woodpecker is restricted to the tall, evergreen forests of the Andaman Islands, where it is quite common. It is sometimes seen in old plantations, logged forests, and old mangroves. As its habitat is restricted and under pressure, the IUCN has categorised it as “Vulnerable”.

These are some examples of globally threatened endemic birds of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Hunting, habitat destruction, invasive species, new avian diseases, and wrong development policies – all play a collective role in decreasing their already small numbers. Island species are particularly vulnerable to extinction as they have nowhere to go. Although India has done well until now to protect a large part of the forests on the islands, the plans of Niti Aayog to make these islands a “tourist hub” does not augur well for the endemic and non-endemic species of these fabled islands nor for the original indigenous tribals.