{"id":32617,"date":"2023-08-16T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-16T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/0afe1dfa-a05d-4b90-a688-2711ff0feb1c"},"modified":"2023-08-17T10:38:31","modified_gmt":"2023-08-17T08:38:31","slug":"in-pictures-the-rare-green-avadavat-birds-fighting-to-survive","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/rss_feed\/in-pictures-the-rare-green-avadavat-birds-fighting-to-survive\/","title":{"rendered":"In pictures: The rare green avadavat birds fighting to survive"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By James Cutmore\n <\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 16 August 2023 at 15:00 PM<\/p>

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High in the oldest mountain range in India lives a group of beautiful birds known as green avadavats. These are small, finch-like songbirds with rich and distinctive yellow and olive-green plumage. <\/p>

They were once a popular caged bird in India, but their numbers have dropped significantly in recent years, and they are now classed as ‘vulnerable’ by the IUCN<\/a>.<\/p>

Loss of habitat has further put pressure on their numbers. Now their stronghold at Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Aravalli mountain\u00a0range in North-Western India, is also under threat by increasing wildfires<\/a>. A recent study has also shown that Mount Abu\u2019s ‘Eco-Sensitive Zone’ is experiencing severe environmental degradation through tourism and human expansion of the town and surrounding villages.<\/p>

Conservationist and photographer Sahil Zutshi<\/a> has been working tirelessly to raise awareness of the plight of these birds, in the hope that they can be safeguarded at the sanctuary.<\/p>

Sahil works under the guidance of Professor Stuart Marsden<\/a> of Manchester Metropolitan University, and Dr Nigel Collar<\/a> of BirdLife International, researching these birds at Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary. <\/p>

With careful studies of their distribution and better protection of their habitat, these rare and beautiful birds can continue to thrive.<\/p>

Green avadavat gallery<\/h2>
A pair of green avadavat birds (Amandava formosa<\/em>) rest on a rock. Photo by Sahil Zutshi<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"five
Four adult birds and one juvenile sit on a rock in the Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo by Sahil Zutshi<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Birds
A female and male green avadavat pair rest on a branch. Photo by Sahil Zutshi<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Bird
An adult male green avadavat calls out. Photo by Sahil Zutshi<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Bird
A female green avadavat rests on a rocky outcrop. Females have the same colourings as male green avadavats, but the colours are not as vibrant. Photo by Sahil Zutshi<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"beautiful
Green avadavats are also known as green munias. The avadavat name has its origins in the wild bird trade. Photo by Sahil Zutshi<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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A juvenile green avadavat bird ignores a honeybee, which is not a potential meal. Photo by Sahil Zutshi<\/figcaption><\/figure>

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