New Delhi: Throughout history, humans have hunted innumerable birds for meat, feathers and other items of decoration. The rapid hunting of birds has created a dangerous and irreversible effect on the population of birds, making many of them extinct. Today, there are plenty of bird species in the world who are facing the threat of extinction. Even though we have reduced hunting them for meat, we have wiped out their habitats in large parts and affected their food source as well. In this article, we will take a look at some of the rarest birds in the world.
Some rarest birds in the world
Spix’s macaw
Spix’s macaw was endemic to Brazil and it was discovered in 1819. It is already rare due to incessant burning and grazing of the Caatinga, a shrubland and thorn forest in Brazil. In the 1970s, the birds declined further in number due to trapping and hunting, extensive deforestation, and the Sobradinho Dam’s construction.
Madagascar pochard
It is a very rare diving duck which has been conserved since the last century. In 2006, it was rediscovered in the wild and it dispelled the notion that it was extinct. After a successful breeding program, a set of young adult Pochards were released on Madagascar’s Lake Sofia. Ducklings were spotted a year later, but today, less than 12 released adult Madagascar Pochards live on the lake, while the others cannot be found.
South Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher
It was spotted for the first time in 130 years since 1890. It has a stunningly coloured plumage with a kaleidoscope of metallic lilac, and bright blue and orange spots and are found in tropical or subtropical habitats like moist lowland forests. Due to habitat loss, their numbers are low in the world.
Kakapo
The world’s heaviest parrot is nocturnal and flightless and is found in New Zealand. Once found in plenty, its population declined due to predators like cats and mustelids introduced by humans. Today, only a few hundred Kakapos remain on offshore islands which are free of predators.
Alagoas Curassow
It is one of the most critically endangered birds and its population has declined mainly because of the extensive loss of habitat and hunting on its limited range in Brazil. It is a large, terrestrial gamebird which loves to live in northeastern Brazil’s Atlantic coastal forest but nests on the ground which has made it vulnerable to predators.
Spix’s macaw was endemic to Brazil and it was discovered in 1819. It is already rare due to incessant burning and grazing of the Caatinga, a shrubland and thorn forest in Brazil. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
