Ornithology is the scientific study of birds and it evolved in Europe during late 16th century as humans were always fascinated by birds and their natural history. Indian ornithology is over 300 years old. One of the oldest accounts of Indian birds was published in the year 1713 as an appendix in Ray’s “Synopsis Avium et Piscum” authored by Edward Buckley, a surgeon at Fort St George, Madras. However, it was the triumvirate of T.C. Jerdon, Brian Hodgson, and Edward Blyth whose pioneering works on Indian birds in 19th century laid the foundation of systematic ornithology in India. It grew stronger with contributions from several legendary ornithologists, notably A.O. Hume in the first half of the 20th century and later Salim Ali, the Birdman of India.
India is home to over 1200 species of birds, of which 61 are endemic to the country and 134 species are near-endemic. The recently published ‘India Checklist’ (Praveen et al. 2016, Indian BIRDS 11:113-172) acknowledges a total of 1269 species of birds for India, constituting about 12% of the world avifauna, with the Himalayan Forest Thrush Zoothera salimalii, described from north-eastern India (Alström et al. 2016), being the latest addition. Among the bird families, chats, robins, and flycatchers (Muscicapidae) are the most diverse in Indian avifauna (97 species), closely followed by raptors (Accipitridae: 57), and typical babblers, laughing-thrushes, and allies (Leiothrichidae: 53).
According to the IUCN 2016 Red List assessment, 97 species of birds found in India are threatened with extinction. These include 17 Critically Endangered, 20 Endangered, 56 Vulnerable, and 4 Data-deficient taxa. Besides, another 90 species of Indian birds are classified as Near-threatened.
Division of Ornithology at SACON, which was recently carved from the erstwhile Division of Avian Ecology, primarily aims to study the following aspects of Indian ornithology:
In addition to research on Indian birds, the Ornithology Division also conducts the International Conference on Indian Ornithology, hosted by SACON every four years with the next edition due in January 2018. The division also coordinates the National Ornithological Databank (NOD) Cell to disseminate key information on Indian birds to all the stakeholders including conservationists, researchers, students, policy makers, forest & PA managers, birdwatchers, media, and general public.
Dr. Rajah Jayapal, Senior Principal Scientist
Dr. S. Babu, Senior Scientist
Mr. S. Suresh marimuthu
Ph.D., Scholar
Title: Occupancy and distribution pattern of owls in Andaman Islands with special reference to community assembly rules(Registered in Manipal University, 2015)
Mr. G. Babu Rao
Ph.D., Scholar
Title: Assemblage of shorebirds in Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra(Registered in Manipal University, 2015)
Mr. N.S. Sujin, Senior Research Biologist
Mr. A. P. Ashish, Junior Research Biologist
Ongoing:
Completed:
Anoop, N. R., Babu, S., Nagarajan, R., & Sen, S. (2020). Identifying suitable reintroduction sites for the White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) in India’s Western Ghats using niche models and habitat requirements. Ecological Engineering, 158, 106034.
Ganesh, S. R., Bhupathy, S., Karthik, P., Rao, B., & Babu, S. (2020). Catalogue of herpetological specimens from peninsular India at the Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology & Natural History (SACON), India. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 12(9), 16123-16135.
Lyngdoh, A. W., Kumara, H. N., Karunakaran, P. V., & Babu, S. (2019). A review on status of mammals in Meghalaya, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 11(15), 14955-14970
Rao, G. B., Babu, S., Quadros, G., & Kumar, A. V. (2019). Bird diversity in the coastal talukas of Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 11(9), 14166-14186
Patil, A.J., Shirke, B., Babu Rao, G., Babu, S., Shirish, M.S. and Quadros, G. (2019). Record of a few pelagic bird sightings along Sindhudurg Coast, Maharashtra. Ambient Science 6(2): 56-57
Babu, S., Sureshmarimuthu, S., & Kumara, H. N. (2019). Ecological Determinants of Species Richness and Abundance of Endemic and Threatened Owls in the Andaman Islands, India. Ardeola, 66(1), 89-100.
Kumar, B., Babu, S., & Kumara, H. N. (2019). Predicting the potential distribution of the lesser-known endemic Madras hedgehog Paraechinus nudiventris (Order: Eulipotyphla, Family: Erinaceidae) in southern India. Mammalia, 83(5), 470-478.
Anoop, N. R., Babu, S., Bharathidasan, S., & Nagarajan, R. (2018). Status of raptors in the Moyar River Valley, Western Ghats, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 10(10), 12317-12327.
Tamiliniyan, D.D., Babu & H.N. Kumara (2018). Sighting of the Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna (Linnaeus, 1758) (Aves: Anseriformes: Anatidae) fin Shetikeri Tank, Karnataka, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 10(1): 11234–11236.
Rao, G.B., Babu, H.N. Kumara & M. Bilaskar (2018). Ceylon Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus seebohmi breeding in Vani Vilasa Sagara, Hiriyur Taluka, Karnataka, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 10(1):11237–11239.
Varma, V., Ratnam, J., Viswanathan, V., Osuri, A.M., Biesmeijer, J.C., Madhusudan, M.D., Sankaran, M., Krishnadas, M., Barua, D., Budruk, M., Isvaran, K., Jayapal, R., Joshi, J., Karanth, K.K., Krishnaswamy, J., Kumar, R., Mukherjee, S., Nagendra, H., Niphadkar, M., Owen, N., Page, N., Prasad, S., Quader, S., Nandini, R., Robin, V.V., Sait, V.M., Shah, M.A., Somanathan, H., Srinivasan, U., and Sundaram B. 2015. Perceptions of priority issues in the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems in India. Biological Conservation, 187: 201-211.
Praveen, J., Jayapal, R. and Pittie, A. 2014. Notes on Indian rarities-2: Waterfowl, diving waterbirds, and gulls and terns. Indian BIRDS, 9: 113-136.
Praveen, J., Jayapal, R. and Pittie, A. 2013. Notes on Indian rarities-1: seabirds. Indian Birds, 8: 113-125.
Jayapal, R., Qureshi, Q., and Chellam, R. 2011. Identification of biomes and their indicator taxa for conservation planning: a case study from central Indian birds. Journal of Bombay Natural History Society, 108: 163-171.
Patil, A., Shirke, B., Babu, S., Rao, G.B. and Quadros, G. 2016. Unusual weather condition causing the transfer of seahorses Hippocampus kuda onto the sandy beach of Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra. Current Science 111(5): 792-793.
Babu, S., Kumara, H.N. and Jayson, E.A. 2015. Distribution, Abundance, and Habitat Signature of the Indian Giant Flying Squirrel Petauristaphilippensis (Elliot 1839) in the Western Ghats, India. Journal of Bombay Natural History Society 112(2): 65-71.
Bhupathy, S., Jins, V.J., Babu, S and Joyce, J. 2016. Distribution and conservation status of the caenophidian snake Xylophiscaptaini& Winkler 2007 in the Western Ghats, India. Current Science 110 (5): 908 – 912.
Babu, S.,Karthik, T., Srinivas, G. And Kumara, H.N. 2015. Linking critical patches of sloth Bear Melursusursinus for their conservation in Meghamalai hills, Western Ghats, India. Current Science 109 (8):1492-1498.
Jayakumar, S., Muralidharan, S. and Babu, S. 2014. A hitherto unrecorded sighting of the common PochardAythya farina (Linnaeus 1978) (Aves: Anseriformes:Anatidae) in Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 6(11): 6485-6487.
Das, S., Dutta, S., Sen, S., Jijumon, A.S., Babu, S., Kumara, H.N. and Singh, M. 2014. Identifying regions for conservation of sloth bears through occupancy modelling in north-eastern Karnataka, India. Ursus25(2): 111-120.
Jayakumar, S., Babu, S. and Mahendiran, M. 2013. Stray dogs Canisfamiliarispreying on Threatened Birds in Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu. Zoos Print magazine 29(1):32
Babu, S.& K. Kalaimani. 2013. New sighting record of Grizzled Giant Squirrel Ratufamacroura from Thiruvannamalai Forest Division, Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu. Journal of threatened taxa6(2): 5492-5493
Jayson, E.A., S. Babu&K.G.Suresh. 2013. Recovery of White Tern Gygisalba at Athirapally, Kerala, India. Indian Birds 8(4):108.
Aarif, K.M., S.B. Muzaffir., S. Babu& P.K. Prasadan. 2013. Shorebird assemblages respond to anthropogenic stress by altering habitat use in a wetland in India. Biodiversity and Conservation23(3): 727-740.
Babu, S.& S. Bhupathy. 2013. Birds of Meghamalai landscape, southern Western Ghats, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 5(15): 4962-4972.
Babu, S.,G.Srinivas., H.N. Kumara., T.Karthik& S. Molur. 2013. Mammals of the Meghamalai landscape, southern Western Ghats, India – a review. Journal of Threatened Taxa 5(15): 4945-4952.
Bhupathy, S. &S. Babu. 2013. Meghamalai landscape: a biodiversity hotspot. Journal of Threatened Taxa 5(15): 4939-4944.
Aarif, K.M. and S. Babu. 2012. Record of Indian Rock Python (Python molurus) in Kadalundy Estuary, South west coast of India. Cobra 6(2):6-7.
Bhupathy, S., G. Srinivas., N. Sathishkumar., M. Murugesan., S. Babu, R. Suganthasakthivel, & P. Sivakumar. 2012. Diversity and conservation of selected biota of the Megamalai landscape, Western Ghats, India. Current Science 102 (3):
