White-naped Tit foraging.

White-naped Tit (Parus nuchalis) is endemic bird and restricted to thorn forests with less than 1000 surviving individuals in India. Generally species that are endemic, with narrow geographic distribution and high habitat specificity are most at risk due to habitat change. The southern Aravalli hills that holds one of the major portions of thorn forests of India has not been assessed systemically and fully for this vulnerable species. Therefore it becomes critical to know the present status of the bird’s population and its habitat, seek means of involving stakeholders in conservation action and also experimental assessment of use of artificial nest box with the aim to ensure decreasing nesting competition for tree holes and long term survival of the species.

White-naped Tit.

The study would involve a set of activities starting from collation of existing information on this species, field surveys to know the exact population, preparation of distribution map using GIS, creating awareness through group discussion with communities residing within its habitat and finally setting up of nest boxes with the help of local people for this species as part of the conservation and awareness programme. This information would lead not only to conservation of this species but also would highlight the gaps in data that is needed for the long-term survival of this species.

White-naped Tit on Maytenus emarginatus.