The Rufous-tailed Lark/ Rufous-tailed Finch-lark, is a ground bird found in the drier open stony habitats of India and parts of Pakistan. Like other species in the genus it has a large finch-like bill with a slightly curved edge to the upper mandible.

Update - 13 September 2025:

The Rufous-tailed Lark (Ammomanes phoenicura) has been moved to the ‘Near Threatened’ category on the IUCN Red List highlighting the shrinking grasslands and agricultural lands in India. The species has most recently been assessed for The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in May 2025 and its status has been updated to Near Threatened under criteria A2b+4b.

Notably, all four species - the Rufous-tailed Lark, Indian Courser, Indian Roller & the Long-billed Grasshopper-warbler - that have been uplisted depend upon open natural ecosystems, which include habitats like grasslands, semi-arid landscapes, desert, croplands, hilly scrublands, and fallow lands. These ecosystems have been under pressure from the expansion of power infrastructure, intensification of agriculture, introduction of invasive species, and interestingly, conversion into woodlands through afforestation.The decline of bird species that rely on these ecosystems highlights the critical need to conserve such open habitats.

Conservation must extend beyond protected areas and embrace coordinated efforts across agencies to safeguard birds surviving in human-dominated landscapes.

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The Indian Roller is a brightly coloured bird with various shades of blue on the wings, tails, & belly that are more prominent in flight. There are longitudinal white streaks on the throat and breast. They are generally silent, but vocal in the breeding season with harsh calls. Preferring open areas, including agricultural landscapes, they sit on exposed perches including electric wires, occasionally pumping their tail slowly.

Update - 13 September 2025:

The Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis), the state bird of Telangana and locally known as the palapitta, has been moved to the ‘Near Threatened’ category on the IUCN Red List following a sharp population decline. The State of Indian Birds–2023 report and recent Hyderabad Bird Atlas survey highlight the species’ alarming drop. The species has most recently been assessed for The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in June 2025 and its status has been updated to Near Threatened under criteria A2bc+4bc.

#wildartworks #telanganastatebird #openhabitatbird #conservationphotography #IndianRoller #Roller #nearthreatened

The Indian Courser is an elegant and stately large plover-like bird. It has an erect posture, a strong black-and-white brow pattern, an orange-suffused crown and chest, and slightly down curved dark bill. The Indian Courser inhabits dry open spaces, including rocky plains and arid areas with scattered scrubs and gathers in small flocks outside of the breeding season.

Update - 13 September 2025:

The Indian Courser (Cursorius coromandelicus) has been moved to the ‘Near Threatened’ category on the IUCN Red List highlighting the shrinking grasslands and agricultural lands in India. The species has most recently been assessed for The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in May 2025 and its status has been updated to Near Threatened under criteria A2bce+4bce.

#wildartworks #grasslandbird #openhabitatbird #conservationphotography #indiancourser #courser