Shorebird from Australia spotted over 7,400 km away on island in Andamans: Expert
“The sighting marks the first recorded re-sighting of a tagged bird on Narcondam,” said the former assistant director of the Bombay Natural History Society
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Context
A tagged migratory shorebird, the Sanderling, was recently spotted on the remote Narcondam Island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago after travelling over 7,400 km from South Australia. This rare sighting underscores the importance of global migratory flyways and highlights the pristine, isolated habitats of the Andaman region.
UPSC Perspectives
Geographical
is a remote, oceanic volcanic island situated in the Andaman Sea and serves as India's easternmost island. It is classified as an extinct or dormant volcano, which is an important distinction from , the only active volcano in South Asia. The recent spotting of the Sanderling shorebird highlights Narcondam's geographical significance as an isolated landmass that provides a vital resting ground for transcontinental avian travelers. For UPSC Prelims, aspirants must know its exact location in the Andaman Sea and its volcanic origin, as map-based questions frequently target the lesser-known islands of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago.
Environmental
Migratory birds rely on established global geographic routes known as flyways to travel between their breeding and wintering grounds. The (EAAF) is a massive migratory corridor stretching from the Arctic tundra down to Australia and New Zealand. The Sanderling's 7,400 km journey from South Australia to Narcondam perfectly illustrates how birds utilize these trans-hemispheric routes. India is a critical stopover for multiple flyways; while the Indian mainland is primarily dominated by the , the Andaman and Nicobar Islands fall under the EAAF. UPSC often tests knowledge of these ecological corridors and related global conservation treaties, such as the UN's (also known as the Bonn Convention), to which India is a signatory.
Ecological
Island ecosystems are characterized by high levels of endemism (species unique to a specific geographic region) due to their extreme isolation. is globally renowned for the , a flagship endemic bird restricted entirely to this tiny 6.8 sq. km habitat. Although the Sanderling is a transient migratory visitor, its presence underscores the ecological value of the island's undisturbed coastal habitat. The is heavily protected under Schedule I of the , and its IUCN conservation status is closely monitored due to its small population. UPSC frequently asks about the unique flora and fauna of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the vulnerability of island species to habitat disruption.