Three Globally Threatened Waterbirds from Pokkali Wetland, Central Kerala

Neena Narayanan

Abstract: The documentation of Waterbird communities in Pokkali wetland was carried out during the winter season, end of January to February 2021 - November to February 2022. A total of 31 species of waterbirds belonging to 8 orders and 14 families were recorded during the study. Of these, three are globally threatened ones. They are Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster), Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) and Black headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus). The conservation problems affecting the waterbirds in pokkali wetland are Habitat loss, High water level and flood, Climate change affects migration of birds, poaching or hunting of waterbirds, water hyacinth, Electric lines, Fishing nets dipped inside the water affects the cormorants and darter, Feral dogs and other Predators, Solid wastes, Plastics, Water contamination, Soil pollution.

Keywords: Pokkali wetland, Threatened waterbirds, Conservation Problems