It is pretty heartbreaking to see how many bird species are getting endangered because of the actions we humans are doing, especially right here in India. Gone are the days when you used to see a lot of varieties of birds in the sky or near your house, now it is like you only see them in some bird sanctuary or something. That’s not how things should be. And just to spread awareness about these bird species, we’re here with a list of the top 10 endangered birds in India. So, if you really feel for these little feathery creatures, probably the most beautiful ones in nature, then just keep on reading.
1. The Great Indian Bustard
Have you ever heard of God of Grasslands? Yes, that’s something people of India refer to as The Great Indian Bustard, and it sure is a special bird. Unfortunately, this species today, a total of about 100 individuals of this endangered species, reside mainly in Rajasthan and some parts of Gujarat. Sure enough, once this magnificent bird was seen across the breadth and length of India, but today one hundred or fewer survive due to the reasons of habitat destruction, human encroachments, and infrastructure projects, and those are big issues we must consider. At this point, it is pure survival for this species of bird, and conservation efforts are at the highest for these birds in India as of 2025.
2. Bengal Florican
One of the shyest birds on this list, yes, the Bengal Florican is found right here in India, but they’re nearly extinct, just so you know, there are only about 350 to 1,300 left in the wild. We don’t know the actual number, but that’s pretty much the range. Most of them are in Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and the Terai foothills. Though, on conservation grounds, people work tirelessly in places like Manas Tiger Reserve and Orang National Park to study the elusive bird, it is still largely at risk.
3. Lesser Florican
Well, if you have never experienced a bird dancing in mid-flight or mid-air, then you should definitely get to know a little more about the Lesser Florican. This breathtaking critter is known for its courtship displays amid the rains, however, it is now critically endangered, with numbers dwindling to 300 to 400 individuals, and that’s pretty concerning. Once thriving on grasslands across Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, the bird’s habitat has been destroyed by farming and human activity. Conservationists now stress that it is paramount to secure its breeding grounds before the dance ultimately fades, you know?
4. Forest Owlet
A bird that was declared extinct but turned out to be discovered decades later, the Forest Owlet is a small species that can be found nowhere else but in India. And just so you know, currently, its number hovers around 200-250 individuals, and this rare owl has its habitat in the dry deciduous forests of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. Sure enough, just like any other species on this list, threats for this bird include deforestation and fragmentation of habitat. We must do something about that.
5. White-bellied Heron
At almost 4 feet tall, the White-bellied Heron makes its way more into the mythical than the rare category, just one look at it and you’ll know precisely why. You see, for now, this critically endangered bird has a mere less than 250 individuals left in the world. Not just that though, found along pristine river banks in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, its dependency on untouched rivers for feeding really makes it vulnerable to sand mining, fishing, and most of all deforestation.
6. Jerdon’s Courser
Then, this very bird species was rediscovered in 1986 after it had been thought totally extinct. Jerdon’s Courser remains one of India’s greatest ornithological mysteries. They have very specific scrub forest habitats in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where the populations are counted between 50 and 200 and probably have dropped down to less than that, you know? This one though avoids flying, is nocturnal in behavior, and prefers to run along the ground, rendering it vulnerable to habitat destruction through agricultural and developmental activities in the country.
7. Spoon-billed Sandpiper
Impossible to mistake with a beak shaped like a spoon, this tiny bird breeds in Russia, but migrates to the coasts of eastern India, especially the Sundarbans during winter, you know? As per the data out there, you see, currently, the global population of the species is less than 500 individuals and its habitat is severely destroyed by coastal development and destruction of mudflats. Conservation organizations throughout the world are striving for the survival of this unique bird. But time is running short.
8. Sociable Lapwing
Next on the list, you see, almost a common migratory visitor, Sociable Lapwing has shown a drastic decline over the last several decades, with the population declining steeply by more than 50% in this period, and that’s just pure concerning. It breeds mostly in Kazakhstan and further south in Russia during summer, while it migrates to Gujarat and Rajasthan during winter.
9. Green Avadavat
Sure enough, as bright and loud as this little delicate bird could be, it is in fact endangered. There are now less than 6,000 individuals left, and this bird is mainly found in Mount Abu, Rajasthan, some parts of Madhya Pradesh, and central India, just so you know. Illegal pet trade remains one if not the biggest threat to this little species together with loss of habitat due to deforestation.
10. Red-headed Vulture
Can you even imagine that the Red-headed Vulture used to soar across the skies of India, but its population has decreased by over 90% just in the last few decades? Now, critically endangered, this bird occurs in isolated patches across northern and central India. With its bare, reddish head and massive wingspan, this vulture actually is of utmost importance to the ecological balance of the area, like wherever it is found.
Conclusion
There you have it. These had to be the top endangered bird species in India. There are a lot of efforts to save these birds and regrow their population, but only time will tell how things work out. Well, at least we all can hope for something good and do our part in saving them.
