Telangana’s State Bird Palapitta Declared ‘Near Threatened’ as Population Declines

The Indian Roller (Palapitta), the state bird of Telangana, has officially been moved to the ‘Near Threatened’ category on the IUCN Red List after a significant drop in its population. This is the first time the species has been listed on the Red List, shifting from ‘Least Concern’ based on expert recommendations.

According to the State of Indian Birds (SoIB)–2023 report, the Palapitta population has declined by 30% across India over the past 12 years. Further concern came from the Hyderabad Bird Atlas (HBA) 2025 survey, where only 26 Indian Rollers were spotted in February and just four in August out of more than 70,000 birds recorded. These alarming numbers reflect the bird’s rapid disappearance in urban and rural landscapes.

Another open-habitat species, the Indian Courser, has also been moved from ‘Least Concern’ to ‘Near Threatened’, highlighting the growing loss of grasslands and agricultural habitats. Wildlife photographer Sriram Reddy emphasized that open-habitat birds are among the fastest declining species due to habitat destruction.

However, there is some positive news. The IUCN also updated the status of 12 other Indian bird species, including four found in Telangana. Two of them showed population recovery:

Indian Spotted Eagle improved from Vulnerable to Near Threatened

Alexandrine Parakeet moved from Near Threatened to Least Concern

Experts are urging immediate conservation efforts. Sriram Reddy called on the government to protect the Palapitta, while Pradeep Nair, founder of the Animal Warriors Conservation Society, demanded strict action against poaching, especially during Dasara celebrations when the bird is illegally hunted.

The change in status serves as a warning sign and a call to protect Telangana’s iconic state bird before it faces a more serious threat of extinction.