Are you interested in bird research and evidence-based conservation of birds in India? If you
are excited about studying natural history, ecology, or behaviour of India’s birds to generate key
evidence for conservation action, read on...
Despite the wide interest in birds and birdwatching in India, several of our bird species are in
need of research attention and lacking basic information. The State of India’s Birds 2023 report
has highlighted the importance of further research on birds across the country to understand
their conservation requirements. For example, we know that the veterinary drug diclofenac had
a significant role in vulture declines and a complete ban was necessary for vultures to survive.
However, Indian Courser is declining rapidly even within grasslands but we do not know why.
Reasons for the decline of many species are still poorly known, and therefore what interventions
are needed to halt those declines are unclear.
This small grant for bird research is directed towards supporting work species with conservation
importance and those lacking in natural history information.
We especially encourage proposals on the following species:
- Black-breasted Parrotbill
- Chestnut-backed Laughingthrush
- Andaman Pale-footed Bush Warbler
Although proposals are encouraged on the above species, they need not be restricted to this
list. While these are our priority species for this year’s grant, we welcome proposals based on
other species that broadly meet the criteria of being of high conservation priority and /or with
insufficient data.
The list we propose covers species from different regions and habitats from across the country
that will benefit from focused research efforts. More research on their habitat requirements, diet,
breeding biology as well as aspects like its sensitivity to disturbances are particularly
encouraged.
