A Babbler’s tale: assessing the distribution of Turdoides striata (Dumont, 1823) (Aves: Passeriformes: Leiothrichidae) in India

Abstract

The Jungle Babbler Turdoides striata is an agriculturally important, non-endemic bird found throughout India, however, very little information is available regarding this less known/less studied species’ current distribution and population size. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evaluated the species as ‘Least Concern’, however, increasing anthropogenic stressors adversely impact the species’ natural habitat; and the changing climatic variables could affect its geographical range, population and ecology. An online survey was conducted during 2014–2015 (targeting 232 ornithological forums comprising of over 4,00,000 members) to obtain information on the species’ location, and number of individuals in each social group in India. The reported sites were verified during 2016–2017 by visiting the individual locations. A total of 3,030 individual birds forming 400 social groups were recorded from 24 states and union territories of India. This novel study utilized public participation as an important data collection tool for the species, which has a reportedly large distribution range. Importantly, the findings of this study contribute to the existing baseline information on the non-endemic bird species of India.

Keywords

• birds
• endemic species
• jungle babbler
• public participation
• seven sisters.