Lesser Florican

Why in news?

Justice P.S. Narasimha reviews the anthropocentric bias of inter-generational equity, arguing it may be inadequate for conservation of the dying species of the Great Indian Bustard and the Lesser Florican.

• Lesser Florican is a bustard species endemic to the Indian subcontinent, is the smallest in the bustard family.
• Scientific name – Sypheotides indicus.
• Locally, the bird is known as Kharmor (grass peacock) in Gujarat and Khar titar (grass pheasant) in Rajasthan.
• Family – Otididae.
• Habitat – It prefers open, semi-arid grasslands, often near agricultural fields, and in on-breeding months, it can inhabit wooded lands and scrublands, along with grasslands.
• Distribution – It has a widespread presence in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
• Diet – Being omnivorous, their diet ranges from small insects and critters to herbs and shoots.
• Characteristics –
  • They are usually solitary and shy & males and females look different.
  • Appearance - Males are smaller, lighter, and have striking black-and-white feathers with decorative black head plumes.
  • Females are larger, brownish, and blend into grassy habitats thanks to their dull, camouflaged coloring.

• Conservation status
  • IUCN - Critically Endangered.
  • Wild life Protection Act, 1972 –Schedule-I.
• Threats – Habitat loss & degradation, invasive species, hunting, collisions with power lines, etc.

References

1. The Hindu | Justice P.S. Narasimha reviews on endanger species
2. Birdlife | Lesser Florican
3. Wildlife SOS | Lesser Florican