Bar Headed Geese

The Bar Headed Geese, scientifically known as Anser indicus, is known for flying at extremely high altitudes across the Himalayas. The Bar-headed goose is pale grey and can be easily differentiated from the other grey geese.

Key Points for UPSC Prelims

• They breed in Central Asia during the summer and breed in South Asia, during the winters. They reach as far as Southern Indian Peninsular during winters.
• These birds migrate from Tibet, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Russia to cross the Himalayas and reach parts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
• During migration, these birds have the capability to fly for more than 1500 km per day, since they have a unique respiratory adaptation to absorb oxygen quickly.
• They eat plants and grass.
• Recently, a huge flock of Bar Headed geese has arrived at the Point Calimere Wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, for breeding in the wetland region.
• These geese are found on the wetland areas of the sanctuary. The birds are expected to stay till January or February in the sanctuary and then will fly back to their native places.

Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary

Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary is a protected area, spread over 21.47 square km, in Tamil Nadu. The sanctuary is located adjacent to and east of Point Calimere or Kodaikarai.  The sanctuary is surrounded by swampy backwaters and salt pans from the west and north, the Palk Strait from the south, and the Bay of Bengal from the east.

Himalayan Griffon vulture spotted at Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary

Himalayan Griffon vulture was also recently spotted at the Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary.  The huge vulture was spotted after 12 years in the sanctuary after the year 2008. IUCN has designated Himalayan Griffon vulture as a ‘Near Threatened’ species on its IUCN Red List.