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{{Use Indian English|date=March 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{non-free|date=September 2013}}

The '''Common Bird Monitoring Program''' is a citizen science bird [[Environmental monitoring#Parameters|monitoring program]] of India. It is a pioneer project that aims to engage general public in the collection of baseline data on 18 common bird species. Data collected will be used to map [[Abundance (ecology)|species abundance]] and [[Species distribution|distribution]] throughout the [[Indian subcontinent]].

The program is an initiative of the [[Nature Forever Society]], supported by the [[Jaypee Group]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/jaypeegroup/posts/367413316614406|title=Jaypee Group|website=Facebook.com|accessdate=7 January 2019}}</ref> It was launched in the city of [[Mumbai]] on World Sparrow Day, 20 March 2012. [[Bombay Natural History Society]] (BNHS), Mumbai, launched its '''Common Bird Monitoring Program''' in 2015. BNHS follows a scientific methodology and recommends following the Line Transect Method. In this method the participant walks along a predetermined route at a fixed pace and records the birds on or near the line. The observations are recorded in a standard data sheet provided by BNHS. It is recommended that each site be visited thrice in a year covering three major seasons in India, summer, winter and monsoon. The count should ideally start around 0700 hrs and not later than 0900 hrs. The monsoon bird count was conducted on 11 September 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forevernews.in/bnhs-organizes-count-of-common-birds-on-11th-september-59286|title=BNHS organizes count of common birds on 11th September|date=6 September 2016|website=Forevernews.in|accessdate=7 January 2019}}</ref> BNHS is conducting workshops of bird watchers across the country to train them in this methodology so that the data is robust and correct.

==Importance of monitoring==
Biological monitoring helps to establish a baseline for [[Population dynamics|natural variability]] in species abundance and distribution. Once established, this baseline can serve as an important tool for identifying changes that might indicate population decline in some areas. This can act as an early warning system to initiate conservation measures to help prevent further population decline, and ultimately help support biodiversity.

In this project, data gathered will help to map the abundance and distribution of 18 species of birds common to India. Over a period of time, these baseline data will fill a critical gap in the knowledge of these birds' ecologies. In the future, statistical analyses of these data can be utilized for directing [[Conservation biology|conservation]] efforts and may help to initiate measures to protect these bird species from decline.

These data are important for avian biodiversity in India and can be used as an [[Environmentalism#Environmental movement|advocacy]] tool. This program will also help to raise awareness and interest in the public regarding the conservation of common birds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbmi.in|title=''CBMI Website'', 28 September 2013|website=Cbmi.in|accessdate=7 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190316082022/http://www.cbmi.in/|archive-date=16 March 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Past examples of species that might have been helped by this kind of program include the critically endangered [[white-rumped vulture]]. A once abundant and widespread species in Southeast Asia, this species declined rapidly in the 1990s. A detailed monitoring program may have alerted researchers to the decline of its populations and provided opportunities to conserve it.

==History of common bird monitoring programs==
International examples of bird monitoring programs involving citizens include the [[Christmas Bird Count]] in the United States, an annual event since 1900.

==Monitoring format==
Participants spend a minimum of fifteen minutes observing birds from any location, including their homes. A bird guide is provided to assist with identification. They then enter the data in a simple online form.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbmi.in|title=''CBMI Website'', monitoring form on the website, 28 September 2013|website=Cbmi.in|accessdate=7 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190316082022/http://www.cbmi.in/|archive-date=16 March 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> Participants can travel to perform observations at multiple locations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/Common-bird-monitoring-program-launched/articleshow/12368323.cms|title=Common bird monitoring program launched - Times of India|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|accessdate=7 January 2019}}</ref>

==Objectives==
Objectives of the project include:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/14247/1/SR%2049(6)%2028-31.pdf|title=''Science Reporter, June 2012'', article by Mrityunjay Bose, 28 September 2013|website=Nopr.niscair.res.in|accessdate=7 January 2019}}</ref>
*Assisting in avian conservation efforts
*Generating statistical data on common birds
*Developing long-term conservation plans
*Acting as an early warning system to prevent species declines
*Helping policy makers, town planners, and researchers in conservation
*Increasing the science literacy of the citizens of India

==Species==
[[File:Merops orientalis - Pak Thale.jpg|thumb|right|[[Green bee-eater]] (''Merops orientalis'')]]
The 18 species of birds currently being monitored are:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Sr.No !! Common name !! Scientific name
|-
| 1 || [[Coppersmith barbet]] || ''Megalaima haemacephala''
|-
| 2 || [[Hoopoe|Common hoopoe]] || ''Upupa epops''
|-
| 3 || [[White-throated kingfisher]] || ''Halcyon smyrnensis''
|-
| 4 || [[Green bee-eater]] || ''Merops orientalis''
|-
| 5 || [[Greater coucal]] || ''Centropus sinensis''
|-
| 6 || [[Rose-ringed parakeet]] || ''Psittacula krameri''
|-
| 7 || [[Rock dove|Rock pigeon]] || ''Columba livia''
|-
| 8 || [[Black kite]] || ''Milvus migrans''
|-
| 9 || [[Cattle egret]] || ''Bubulcus ibis''
|-
| 10 || [[House crow]] || ''Corvus splendens''
|-
| 11 || [[Black drongo]] || ''Dicrurus macrocercus''
|-
| 12 || [[Indian robin]] || ''Saxicoloides fulicatus''
|-
| 13 || [[Common myna]] || ''Acridotheres tristis''
|-
| 14 || [[Barn swallow]] || ''Hirundo rustica''
|-
| 15 || [[Red-vented bulbul]] || ''Pycnonotus cafer''
|-
| 16 || [[Ashy prinia]] || ''Prinia socialis''
|-
| 17 || [[Purple sunbird]] || ''Nectarinia asiatica''
|-
| 18 || [[House sparrow]] || ''Passer domesticus''
|}

==See also==
*[[List of endangered animals in India]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Birds of India| ]]
[[Category:Ornithological citizen science]]

Common Bird Monitoring of India - Revision history

>InternetArchiveBot at 09:22, 13 November 2019