Studies Find Uttarakhand's State Bird, the Monal, Retreating Uphill and Changing Its Call Due to Human Noise
Two five-year studies by Uttarakhand researchers show the Himalayan monal, the state bird, is being pushed to higher altitudes by crowding in alpine meadows and is altering the pitch of its calls to be heard over human and tourism noise.
Current Summary
Two separate five-year studies led by researchers from Uttarakhand have found that rising human activity is reshaping the behaviour of the monal, a Himalayan pheasant that is the state bird of Uttarakhand and the national bird of Nepal. One study found monals are being forced to move further up the mountains as their traditional alpine-meadow habitat above the tree line becomes crowded by infrastructure development and tourism. The second study found the bird is changing the pitch of its calls to cut through rising noise in busy valleys, affecting how it communicates with potential mates and rivals. Dr Rajeev Lochan, who led both studies, told the BBC the monal was chosen because of its narrow, seasonally shifting habitat range. Environmental practitioner Vishal Singh said the findings serve as a warning sign for other, more vulnerable Himalayan species that may be responding to the same pressures in less visible ways.
What We Know
- Two separate five-year studies by Uttarakhand-based researchers examined the monal, the state bird of Uttarakhand and national bird of Nepal.
- One study found monals are moving to higher altitudes as alpine meadow habitat becomes crowded due to infrastructure development and tourism.
- A second study found the bird is altering the pitch of its calls to be heard over increasing human noise in valleys.
- Lead researcher Dr Rajeev Lochan said the monal was studied because of its narrow habitat range.
- Environmental practitioner Vishal Singh said the findings are a warning sign for how more vulnerable Himalayan species may be affected.
What Is Still Unclear
- The specific valleys or districts where the studies were conducted were not detailed in available reporting.
- Publication details or journal names for the two studies were not specified.
- Whether any conservation measures are planned in response to the findings.
What Changed
- 6 Oct, 11:21 pmSignal detected: Studies Find Uttarakhand's State Bird, the Monal, Retreating Uphill and Changing Its Call Due to Human Noise
Background
The monal, known for the male's iridescent green, blue and copper plumage, holds deep cultural and folklore significance across the Himalayan region and is closely tied to Uttarakhand's identity as the state bird.