Tamil Nadu records 26 endangered species in bird survey

Chennai: Tamil Nadu recoded a total of 397 bird species in the wetland, while 401 species were identified in the terrestrial bird survey this year, according to the synchronised bird survey released by the Forest Department.

The survey was conducted in two phases. Phase 1, held on March 8-9, focused on wetland birds across 934 wetlands in all 38 districts. The survey recorded 397 bird species with a total count of 5,52,349 birds, including 1,13,606 migratory birds from 136 species.

Migratory species such as the greater flamingo, greylag goose, Eurasian curlew, and pied avocet were spotted, indicating Tamil Nadu’s role as a critical stopover along the Central Asian Flyway.

The survey released by Forests Minister R.S. Rajakannappan during the inaugural of International Biodiversity Day events on Thursday, reported 26 endangered species and 17 nocturnal bird species a testament to the thorough methodology adopted and the value for
conservation efforts.

The nocturnal survey was conducted at select locations during the night to capture elusive species. Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Forests and Climate Change Department, Supriya Sahu, said, out of 37 endangered bird species present in Tamil Nadu, 26 were recorded.

“We are building an International Bird Centre at Marakkanam at a cost of Rs 75 crore in collaboration with the Cornell University,” she added.

In 2023, there were 4.6 lakh birds from 410 species, including a higher proportion of migratory birds at 1.6 lakh, while 2024 scaled a peak with 6.8 lakh birds from 389 species, 79% of which were waterbirds.

While the overall bird numbers in 2025 dipped slightly from the 2024 high, species diversity remained stable, indicating that habitats continue to support a wide range of birdlife.

This stability in diversity, despite fluctuating population numbers, reflects the resilience of local ecosystems and the benefits of ongoing conservation initiatives.