New study reveals India's bird population in decline

Much of India's bird population has sharply declined in the past few decades, according to a major study.

The State of India's Birds report relied on the observations of more than 15,000 birdwatchers who helped assess the status of 867 species of birds.

It found the greatest decline in the numbers of eagles, vultures, warblers and migrating shorebirds.

Hunting and habitat loss are the two main reasons behind the decline, while collision with electricity lines is also a"prime current threat" to birds, according to the study.

Speaking on the study’s findings, the co-founder of the Nature Conservation Foundation said: "In the long-term trend assessment, there was appropriate data available only for 261 species, of which 52% had declined [in numbers].

“For current trends, there was data only for 146 species, of which [numbers of] nearly 80% were declining.”