Srinagar, July 01: In a significant contribution to avian biodiversity documentation, Dr. Muzaffar A Kichloo & co. have released an updated and comprehensive checklist of the birds of Jammu & Kashmir featuring 599 documented species.
According to a press release issued to Greater Kashmir, the new checklist documents 599 bird species from the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, marking a substantial revision from the previously published list. The earlier version of the checklist, published in 2024 in Indian BIRDS (Volume 19, Issue 6), and well received by the scientific and birdwatching communities documented 592 species in 21 orders and 88 families. This updated compilation incorporates recent records, taxonomic revisions, and corrections based on the latest ornithological literature and extensive field observations from across the region.
Speaking about the updated checklist, Dr. Kichloo said, “Jammu & Kashmir, with its rich mosaic of landscapes and ecosystems ranging from subtropical forests to alpine meadows, harbors one of the most diverse avifauna in India. This revised list not only reflects additions from recent discoveries and sightings but also aligns with contemporary taxonomic updates, ensuring its utility for researchers, conservation planners, and bird enthusiasts alike.”
He further acknowledged the vital role of the birdwatching community, adding: “I gratefully acknowledge the valuable contributions of both local birdwatchers and visiting birders, whose keen observations, photographic records, and field notes have played a pivotal role in documenting several of the new and noteworthy records included in this updated checklist. Their collective efforts continue to enrich our understanding of the region’s avifaunal diversity.”
The checklist also includes IUCN threat categories of the bird species, their State of India’s Birds (SoIB) Conservation Concern, Widlife (Protection) Act Schedules, Appendices of CITES and CMS and their endemic status in Western Himalayas. The updated checklist is accessible through the Indian BIRDS website at:
This effort is expected to serve as a valuable reference for future ecological and conservation initiatives in the region, while promoting awareness about the avifaunal wealth of Jammu & Kashmir.
