Nilgiri Pipit

Nilgiri Pipit
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Motacillidae
Genus:	Anthus
Species:	A. nilghiriensis
Binomial name
Anthus nilghiriensis Sharpe, 1885

The Nilgiri Pipit, Anthus nilghiriensis is a 17 centimetres (6.7 in) long^[1] near threatened ^[2] bird species endemic to the Western Ghats in South India.

It is closely associated with short montane grasslands interspersed with marshy grounds and small streams mostly in hill slopes above 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Large populations are found in Upper Bhavani River basin and Bangitappal village areas at the southern end of Mukurthi National Park.^[3] Among 3,321 hectares (8,210 acres) of surveyed area, 14 hectares (35 acres) of Upper Bhavani has the highest breeding density of the Nilgiri Pipit. They are also found in the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.^[4]

The Nilgiri Pipit breeds between March and June. It nests inside the marshy grasslands near streams and uses the surrounding grass areas for feeding. Loss of habitat to various anthropogenic activities is the primary reason for decline in the population of the Nilgiri Pipit.^[5]

References

1. ^ 2005-2007 Birds and birding in India.Birds and birding in India.
2. ^ Birdlife International (2001)Birdlife International
3. ^ Ministry of Environment & Forests, (2005-2006) "Status and Ecology of the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon and Nilgiri Pipit", Annual Report, Ch 7 - Research, retrieved 4/19/2007 Status and Ecology of the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon and Nilgiri Pipit
4. ^ Johnsingh A. J. T. 2/10/2001) "The Kalakad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve: A global heritage of biological diversity",CURRENT SCIENCE, VOL. 80, NO. 3, retrieved 4/19/2007 The Kalakad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve:
5. ^ Uma J. Vinod & Lalitha Vijayan (1–2 December 2005) "Marshy grasslands in the Western Ghats: the crucial habitat for the rare and endemic Nilgiri Pipit", Division of Conservation Ecology., Sálim Ali Center for Ornithology and Natural History, Anaikatty, Coimbatore, 2nd National Conference of the Western Ghats Forum 'Marshy grasslands in the Western Ghats

External links

• Red data book entry