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Long-billed Grasshopper-warbler Declared Endangered as Indian Bird Populations Decline
15 Oct, 2025
Summary
- Four Indian bird species now at risk of extinction
- Long-billed Grasshopper-warbler classified as endangered
- Habitat loss and degradation threaten open natural ecosystems
As of October 15th, 2025, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has updated its Red List, revealing concerning news for four Indian bird species. The Long-billed Grasshopper-warbler has now been classified as endangered, while the Indian Courser, Indian Roller, and Rufous-tailed Lark are listed as 'Near Threatened'.
The reassessment, which covered 1,360 bird species globally, found that the populations of these four Indian birds are declining. All four species rely on open natural ecosystems, including grasslands, semi-arid landscapes, deserts, croplands, hilly scrublands, and fallow lands. However, these habitats are facing increasing pressures from infrastructure expansion, agricultural intensification, invasive species, and afforestation.
The IUCN's latest update also highlights positive developments, such as the recovery of the green turtle population by 28% since the 1970s due to conservation efforts. However, the overall picture remains concerning, with 48,646 of the 172,620 assessed species now threatened with extinction. Birdwatchers across India are contributing valuable data through citizen science platforms like eBird, which helps monitor population trends and inform conservation efforts.
