India is home to a diverse array of bird species, some of which play important ecological roles as scavengers. Scavenger birds fulfill the critical function of consuming dead animal remains, helping to recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem. Of the many avian scavengers found across India, a few key species stand out as the primary carrion feeders in their ranges.
Vultures
Vultures are likely the most well known of India’s scavenging birds. With large wingspans, bald heads, and sharp beaks, these birds are uniquely adapted to spotting and consuming carrion. Vultures have very strong stomach acid that allows them to safely ingest rotting flesh infected with bacteria like anthrax and botulism. They are able to feed on carcasses that would sicken or kill most other animals.
Once abundant across India, vulture populations have declined severely in recent decades. Of the nine vulture species found in India, three are listed as Critically Endangered and four are listed as Endangered by the IUCN Red List.
The Oriental white-backed vulture, long-billed vulture, and slender-billed vulture have experienced catastrophic population drops of more than 95% from ingesting livestock carcasses treated with the veterinary drug diclofenac. Efforts are underway to ban diclofenac and help revive these dwindling vulture species.
Oriental White-backed Vulture
With a wingspan up to 8 feet, the oriental white-backed vulture (Gyps bengalensis) is the most common and widespread vulture across the Indian subcontinent. However, its populations have declined precipitously from an estimated tens of millions of birds in the 1980s to only several thousand today.
Long-billed Vulture
The long-billed vulture (Gyps indicus) inhabits northern India and other parts of southern Asia. This large vulture was once abundant but its populations crashed by over 96% from eating diclofenac-laced livestock. About 1,000 breeding adults remain in India.
Slender-billed Vulture
The slender-billed vulture (Gyps tenuirostris) has a restricted range in parts of India, Pakistan and Nepal. With fewer than 1,000 birds left, it is one of the rarest raptors on Earth. Ongoing conservation efforts include breeding captive vultures for re-release.
Other Vulture Species in India
While the oriental white-backed, long-billed and slender-billed vultures have been the hardest hit by diclofenac poisoning, other vultures in India have also experienced declines though not as drastic. These include:
- Himalayan griffon vulture
- Cinereous vulture
- Red-headed vulture
- Egyptian vulture
- Bearded vulture
Kites
Kites are medium-sized birds of prey in the family Accipitridae. There are several species found widely across India that frequently consume carrion as part of their diet.
Black Kite
The black kite (Milvus migrans) is one of the most common raptors in India, found in most open habitats across the country. An opportunistic feeder, it scavenges for carcasses along with preying on small live animals.
Brahminy Kite
Most often seen soaring overhead near water bodies, the Brahminy kite (Haliastur indus) feeds on dead fish and other carrion. It is distinguished by its reddish-brown plumage and contrasting white head and breast.
Black-eared Kite
The black-eared kite (Milvus migrans lineatus) is a carrion-feeding species found across much of India except for the northeast. It can be identified by the distinctive black patches on the sides of its head behind the eyes.
Crows and Ravens
Crows and ravens are highly intelligent corvid birds common throughout India. They have adapted to urban environments and regularly scavenge on human refuse. Key scavenging corvid species include:
House Crow
The house crow (Corvus splendens) thrives in towns and cities across India, consuming garbage and carrion. Its populations have exploded with urbanization, causing conflict with humans.
Large-billed Crow
The large-billed crow (Corvus macrorhynchos) occurs in various habitats from urban to rural settings. It is an omnivorous scavenger and even preys on small animals.
Jungle Crow
The jungle crow (Corvus macrorhynchos) is very widespread across India and often found in more natural settings than the house crow. It scavenges dead animals but also preys on eggs, nestlings and small creatures.
Rufous Treepie
The rufous treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda) inhabits wooded areas and adjacent open country. It feeds on carrion, human refuse and eggs stolen from nests.
Adjutant Storks
Adjutant storks are very large, predominantly scavenging birds found in wetlands across India and Southeast Asia. They have massive bills used for tearing flesh.
Greater Adjutant
The greater adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius) is an Endangered species due to habitat loss. With a wingspan up to 8 feet, this is one of the largest storks. It feeds almost exclusively on carrion and garbage.
Lesser Adjutant
The wide-ranging lesser adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) consumes carrion, fish, amphibians and other wetland creatures. Though still declining, it remains more common than the endangered greater adjutant.
Other Scavengers
Some additional birds found in India that consume carrion regularly or opportunistically include:
- White-rumped vulture
- Cinereous vulture
- Indian vulture
- Palm-nut vulture
- Crested serpent eagle
- Short-toed snake eagle
- Western marsh harrier
- Pallas’s fish eagle
- White-bellied sea eagle
- Grey-headed fish eagle
- Brown fish owl
- Jungle owlet
- Indian roller
- River tern
- Black kite
- Black drongo
Threats to Scavenger Birds
While scavenger birds play an extremely important ecological role, many of India’s avian clean-up crews face grave threats to their survival. Once widely abundant, three key vulture species have experienced catastrophic declines of over 95% in recent decades primarily due to the veterinary drug diclofenac. Habitat loss, reduced food availability, nest destruction, electric infrastructure and wind turbines also pose significant dangers. Targeted conservation programs aim to stabilize and restore populations of endangered vultures and other threatened avian scavengers across India.
Importance of Scavengers
Scavenging birds perform an essential ecosystem service by consuming carrion and organic waste. This recycling of nutrients sustains food webs and prevents the spread of diseases that can occur when animal remains are left to rot. Vultures and other carrion feeders have coevolved with their environments and fill an important niche other animals cannot. India’s vultures once numbered in the tens of millions and were highly efficient at locating and cleaning carcasses across huge areas. Their drastic declines have left ecosystems out of balance, with feral dogs and rats taking over the scavenging role in places but much less effectively. Conserving scavenger bird populations is vital for maintaining healthy ecosystems and environments free of pollution and contamination from decaying organic materials.
Conclusions
A variety of birds fill the vital ecological role of scavengers across India’s diverse landscapes. Vultures were once the predominant avian carrion feeders in many regions but have experienced catastrophic population crashes in recent decades primarily from accidental poisoning. Kites, crows, ravens, storks, fish eagles and other birds also consume carrion regularly as part of their varied diets. While scavenger species have declined significantly from threats like habitat loss, poisoning and infrastructure collisions, they provide essential ecosystem services and targeted conservation efforts can help revive their populations.