The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is leading a unique study to track the migration patterns of the Pied Cuckoo Bird, also known as the Jacobin Cuckoo or Chaatak. For the first time in India, satellite transmitters will be used to follow the bird’s course. This research is a cooperative effort with the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) and the Department of Biotechnology under the Government of India. The IIRS is a part of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and its main office is located in Dehradun.
The Study’s Aim
This study has a dual purpose. Firstly, it aims to document the migratory routes of the Pied Cuckoo, a task never before undertaken in India. Secondly, it intends to collect critical data on climate change and monsoon patterns.
Pied Cuckoos have a unique relationship with the monsoon season in India. Their arrival is often seen as an indicator that the monsoon is about to begin, which is especially useful for farmers planning their seed sowing schedules. This investigation is part of the larger Indian Bioresource Information Network (IBIN) project, funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Government of India. The IBIN project seeks to make important information about Indian bioresources available and accessible online.
Benefits of the Research
Understanding the migration patterns of the Pied Cuckoo could provide significant insights into climate variations. Given the bird’s association with the monsoon, tracking its movement could offer valuable information about monsoon winds, unpredictable rainfall, seasonal changes, and water vapour pressure.
Moreover, changes in migratory patterns can indicate shifts in ecological conditions. For instance, species tend to move from less favourable areas to more accommodating ones in response to environmental changes.
About the Pied Cuckoo
The Pied Cuckoo is a black and white bird distinguished by its ornate crest. Its official scientific name is Clamator jacobinus. This species has a wide geographical range, found throughout Africa and Asia.
India is home to two varieties of Pied Cuckoos. The first group migrates to the northern and central parts of the country just before monsoon season and leaves by early winter. These birds are believed to travel from Africa to the foothills of the Himalayas, demonstrating high site fidelity as they return to the same locations year after year.
The second group of Pied Cuckoos resides in the southern part of India. Unlike their migratory counterparts, these birds stay in one place year-round. Notably, Pied Cuckoos are mostly arboreal, living primarily in trees. They exhibit brood parasitism behaviour, laying their eggs in the nests of other bird species.
Interestingly, the Pied Cuckoo is one of the few species that migrates to India during the summer, while most other migratory birds visit in the winter. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Pied Cuckoo is categorized as a species of “Least Concern.”
