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61-542: The Gangetic Dolphin have been declared as the national aquatic animal of India . This decision was taken in the first meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Monday, 5 October 2009. The Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS) has been notified for the protection and conservation of Gangetic dolphin in the 60 km stretch of

122-460: A couple months. South Asian river dolphins reach sexual maturity at around ten years, though males may not reach their adult size until 20 years. Growth layers in the teeth suggest South Asian river dolphins can live up to 30 years. As of 2022, the IUCN Red List of mammals lists both South Asian river dolphins as endangered . Two assessments in 2014 and 2015 estimated populations of 3,500 for

183-496: A critical determinant of dolphin presence. Fishes of small sizes serve as dolphin's food. Some of the fish species recorded in VGDS are: There are approximately 198 species of birds identified by the experts and researchers. Several species are threatened and near threatened (critically endangered-1, endangered-2, vulnerable-6 and near threatened-13). The best time to visit is October and June. Bhagalpur Junction railway station serves as

244-466: A diversity of cochlea shapes, though Platanista was unusual in that it developed flatter spirals with larger gaps between them. During the middle Miocene, the ancestor of Platanista entered the Indo-Gangetic Plain , then covered by inland seas , and remained there when sea levels dropped in the late Neogene and its environment converted to freshwater. River dolphins likely traveled from

305-597: A foraging trip will frequently copulate on return, as this increases the chances of his sperm fertilizing the eggs rather than a different male. Both the male and female take part in nest building, incubation and care of chicks. The typical clutch size is 2 or sometimes 3 eggs. The incubation period varies from 30 to 34 days. Chicks of the Indian population stay at the nest for nearly two months. Chicks hatched later in European populations appear to fledge faster. The care of young by

366-507: A range of prey items from insects to medium-sized mammals, with a number feeding on carrion and a few feeding on fruit) includes Black Kite , Black-winged Kite , Shikra , Crested Serpent Eagle , species like Eastern Imperial Eagle , Greater Spotted Eagle , Indian Spotted Eagle , Pallas's Fish Eagle , declared as Vulnerable as per IUCN Red List could also be spotted here also Osprey and Peregrine Falcon are sighted in this area. Fishes are an important food for Gangetic Dolphin , and hence

427-559: A result of feeding on poisoned voles in agricultural fields have been noted. They are also a major nuisance at some airports , where their size makes them a significant birdstrike hazard. As a large raptorial bird, the black kite has few natural predators. However, they do have a single serious predator: the Eurasian eagle-owl ( Bubo bubo ). The eagle-owl freely picks off kites of any age and eagle-owls were noted to precipitously decrease kite breeding success when nesting within kilometres of

488-951: Is buoyant and the bird glides effortlessly, changing directions easily. They will swoop down with their legs lowered to snatch small live prey, fish , household refuse and carrion , for which behaviour they are known in British military slang as the shite-hawk . They are opportunist hunters and have been known to take birds , bats , and rodents . They are attracted to smoke and fires, where they seek escaping prey. Kites are also known to spread wildfires in northern Australia by picking up and dropping burning twigs so as to flush prey, leading to them being known in some circles as "firehawks". The Indian populations are well adapted to living in cities and are found in densely populated areas. Large numbers may be seen soaring in thermals over cities. In some places, they will readily swoop and snatch food held by humans. In Delhi, where black kites breed within

549-562: Is a city with a Municipal Corporation situated on the southern bank of the Ganga. It is the third largest city in Bihar and the largest city in eastern Bihar . It is one of the major educational and commercial cities of this region. Area of the city is 110 square kilometers. Kahalgaon (formerly known as Colgong during British rule) is a town and a municipality in Bhagalpur district. It is located close to

610-411: Is brown but the head and neck tend to be paler. The patch behind the eye appears darker. The outer flight feathers are black and the feathers have dark cross bars and are mottled at the base. The lower parts of the body are pale brown, becoming lighter towards the chin. The body feathers have dark shafts giving it a streaked appearance. The cere and gape are yellow, but the bill is black (unlike that of

671-399: Is not well supported. Five subspecies are recognised. Black kites can be distinguished from red kites by the slightly smaller size, less forked tail (visible in flight), and generally dark plumage without any rufous. The sexes are alike though the male is a little smaller and less aggressive (this is the case in most birds of prey). They weigh on average 735 grams. The upper plumage

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732-532: Is replaced by brownish-gray second down (preplumulae). After 9–12 days, the second down appears on the whole body except the top of the head. Body feathers begin to appear after 18 to 22 days. The feathers on the head become noticeable from the 24th to 29th day. The nestlings initially feed on food fallen at the bottom of the nest and begin to tear flesh after 33–39 days. They are able to stand on their legs after 17–19 days and begin flapping their wings after 27–31 days. After 50 days, they begin to move to branches next to

793-548: The Ganges River basin to the Indus via stream capture within the last five million years. The split between the two species is estimated to have occurred around 550,000 years ago based on mitochondrial DNA. South Asian river dolphins are stocky with broad, squared-off pectoral fins ; elongated, slender rostrums (snouts); and tiny triangular dorsal fins . Their neck joints give them great flexibility. Unusual among cetaceans,

854-763: The Himalayan foothills to the Ganges Delta , across the countries of Nepal , India and Bangladesh . It is unknown if they are present in Bhutan . Outflows of freshwater into the Bay of Bengal have allowed them to swim along the coast, and there is at least one record of an individual entering the Budhabalanga River , around 300 km (190 mi) southwest of the Ganges Delta. This species has maintained much of its range since

915-527: The Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Appendix 2 of Convention of Migratory Species. The sanctuary also contains rich diversity of other threatened aquatic wildlife, including the Indian smooth-coated otter ( Lutrogale perspicillata ), gharial ( Gavialis gangeticus ), a variety of freshwater turtles, and 135 species of waterfowl. Turtle are the key animals for cleaning the water which leads to cleaner and healthy water for all

976-780: The Pacific , out to the Hawaiian Islands . In India, the population of M. m. govinda is particularly large especially in areas of high human population. Here the birds avoid heavily forested regions. A survey in 1967 in the 150 square kilometres of the city of New Delhi produced an estimate of about 2200 pairs or roughly 15 per square kilometre. Another survey in 2013 estimated 150 pairs for every 10 square kilometres. Vagrants from Australia occasionally reach New Zealand, however, only one individual has persisted there (currently ~21 years old). Black kites are most often seen gliding and soaring on thermals as they search for food. Their flight

1037-532: The Planches Enluminées D'Histoire Naturelle which was produced under the supervision of Edme-Louis Daubenton to accompany Buffon's text. Neither the plate caption nor Buffon's description included a scientific name but in 1783 the Dutch naturalist Pieter Boddaert coined the binomial name Falco migrans in his catalogue of the Planches Enluminées . The type locality is France. The current genus Milvus

1098-413: The blowhole is slit-shaped. The finger bones can also be seen through the flippers. South Asian river dolphins possess some features that are " primitive " for a cetacean, such as a cecum connected to the gut and air sacs near the blowhole. The testes of the males are located closer to the underside than in marine dolphins and descend more. Their skin ranges from grey to greyish-brown in colour, though

1159-508: The melon and protrude forward over the rostrum. These likely help them focus their echolocation signals in their riverine environment. The Ganges species also has a protrusion near the frontal suture , which distinguishes it from the Indus species. The teeth of South Asian river dolphins are curved and longer in the front, where they remain exposed when the jaws are closed. Indus dolphins have more teeth than Ganges dolphins, averaging 33.2 teeth in

1220-494: The melon , which help direct their echolocation signals. These dolphins prey mainly on fish and shrimp and hunt them throughout the water column . They are active through the day and are sighted in small groups. Both species are listed as endangered by the IUCN Red List of mammals. Major threats include dams, barrages , fishing nets, and both chemical and acoustic pollution. South Asian river dolphins were traditionally considered to be one species, Platanista gangetica , with

1281-501: The national aquatic animals of India and Pakistan respectively. Black Kite 5, see text The black kite ( Milvus migrans ) is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae , which also includes many other diurnal raptors. It is thought to be the world's most abundant species of Accipitridae, although some populations have experienced dramatic declines or fluctuations. Current global population estimates run up to 6.7 million individuals. Unlike others of

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1342-471: The yellow-billed kite ). The legs are yellow and the claws are black. They have a distinctive shrill whistle followed by a rapid whinnying call. Males and females have the same plumage but females are longer than males and have a little larger wingspan. Their wingspan is around 150 cm. The species is found in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. The temperate populations of this kite tend to be migratory while

1403-567: The 19th century but has disappeared from some northern and western rivers and waterways. The Indus river dolphin mainly lives in the Indus River of Pakistan , with three subpopulations between the Chashma , Taunsa , Guddu , and Sukkur barrages . Two other populations exist south of Sukkur and in the Beas River of India. In the 19th century, this species was reported to have occurred throughout

1464-465: The Ganga river from Sultanganj to Kahalgaon under the provisions of Wildlife (Protection), Act 1972. Being a riverine habitat, its boundary and expanse keep on changing due to changing geomorphology of the Ganga river. The sanctuary has been named after the famous archaeological remains of Vikramshila University that was once a famous center of Buddhist learning across the world along with Nalanda during

1525-610: The Ganges and Indus River populations being subspecies ( P. g. gangetica and P. g. minor , respectively). Heinrich Julius Lebeck named the Ganges river dolphin Delphinus gangeticus in 1801, while Johann Georg Wagler coined the genus name Platanista in 1830, a Latin word derived from the Greek "platanistēs", which may be related to the Greek words platē ("oar") or platē ("flat, broad"). This name

1586-410: The Ganges river dolphin and 1,500 for the Indus river dolphin. The Ganges species appears to be decreasing, while the Indus species may be increasing. The habitat of these river dolphins intersects with some of the most densely populated areas, leading to intense competition for water and resources. The creation of dams and barrages in the Indus River system have heavily fragmented the range of

1647-865: The Indus River system, from the Indus River Delta north to Kalabagh just south of the Himalayas, including all the main tributaries. The Indus river dolphin is reported to have disappeared between the Jinnah and Chashma barrages after 2001. South Asian river dolphins inhabit major river channels during the dry season and travel to smaller tributaries for the monsoon . They are most commonly found in stream pools , meanders , and confluences , and around river islands and shoals , which produce relatively stable waters. They can be found in pools over 30 m (98 ft) deep, but usually dwell in shallower water. South Asian river dolphins appear to be active throughout

1708-494: The Indus river dolphin, leading to a population decline of 80% since the 19th century. Around 50 such structures have been built in the historical range of the Ganges species. Fragmentation of populations makes these dolphins more vulnerable to inbreeding. The heavy extraction of water in these dense populations also puts the dolphins at risk. River dolphins accumulate high amounts of persistent organic pollutants , pesticides , and heavy metals in their system due to being at

1769-602: The Italian Alps tend to build their nest close to water in steep cliffs or tall trees. Nest orientation may be related to wind and rainfall. The nests may sometimes be decorated with bright materials such as white plastic and a study in Spain suggests that they may have a role in signalling to keep away other kites. After pairing, the male frequently copulates with the female. Unguarded females may be approached by other males, and extra pair copulations are frequent. Males returning from

1830-475: The Pala dynasty. Sultanganj , famous as an important religious centre in the Bihar , Bhagalpur famous as silk city and Kahalgaon known for the super thermal power plant of NTPC are important towns along the notified stretch of the sanctuary. Sultanganj is a city and a notified area in Bhagalpur district, situated on the south bank of Ganga River, approximately 25 kilometers west of Bhagalpur city. Bhagalpur

1891-407: The absence of statistical analyses; by the late 1990s, the two populations were again considered to be two subspecies of a single species. A 2014 mitochondrial DNA study found insufficient differences to support their classification as separate species. However, a 2021 study reanalyzed the two populations and found significant genetic divergence and major differences in skull structure; this led to

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1952-534: The archaeological remains of Vikramshila University and at the eastern end of the sanctuary bordering the state of Jharkhand . The Kahalgaon Super Thermal Power Plant, a unit of National Thermal Power Corporation is located near the town. Major attractions are the Ganges river dolphins (known as Soons by Locals) which are classified as endangered on the 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , included in Schedule-I of

2013-701: The black kite occurs only as a wanderer on migration. These birds are usually of the nominate race, but in November 2006 a juvenile of the eastern lineatus , not previously recorded in western Europe, was found in Lincolnshire . The species is not found in the Indonesian archipelago between the South East Asian mainland and the Wallace Line . Vagrants, most likely of the black-eared kite, on occasion range far into

2074-573: The cities, religious offerings of meat to the kites are common among those who practice Islam. The meat is thrown into the air and the kites dive-bomb for the meat. Humans who are in the vicinity may suffer serious injury due to the sharp talons of the kites. The reinforcement between human proximity and being fed have decreased the kite's fear of humans. Black kites in Spain prey on nestling waterfowl especially during summer to feed their young. Predation of nests of other pairs of black kites has also been noted. Kites have also been seen to tear and carry away

2135-414: The column. The most frequently taken prey are bagrid catfish , barbs , glass perches , spiny eels , gobies , and prawns . When hunting at the surface, dolphins listen for the movements of schooling fish which are then herded with spins, side-swimming, and lobtailing . Echolocation signals are not frequently used at the surface, since many fish at this level can hear ultrasound. At the mid-surface level,

2196-472: The conclusion that the two were indeed distinct species. South Asian river dolphins are the only surviving members of the family Platanistidae and the superfamily Platanistoidea. They are not closely related to other river dolphins of the families Lipotidae , Pontoporiidae , and Iniidae , which all independently adapted to freshwater habitats. The following cladogram is based on Gatesy and colleagues (2012) and McGowen and colleagues (2020); and shows

2257-1049: The day. Living in flowing waters, they swim almost constantly with only brief periods of sleep, which add up to seven hours per day. They swim on their sides when in shallow water. River dolphins generally surface with the rostrum, head, and dorsal fin breaking the water and rarely breach or raise the tail fluke, though surface activity can vary based on age, distance from shore and time of day. Diving may last as long as eight minutes among adults and subadults; dives of newborns and juveniles are not as long. River dolphins are typically seen alone or in groups of up to 10 individuals, though enough natural resources may attract up to 30 dolphins. Individuals do not appear to have strong social bonds, outside of mothers and calves. Living in shallow river environments with acoustic obstacles, these dolphins echolocate using repetitive clicks spaced 10 to 100 milliseconds apart. Their clicks are about one octave below those of oceanic toothed whales of comparable size, meaning that they provide less information about

2318-438: The dolphins use more echolocation clicks to find prey hidden in clutter and vegetation as far as 20 m (66 ft) away. They flush out bottom-dwelling prey by digging around. Little is known about reproduction in these river dolphins. Courtship and mating behaviour for the Ganges species has been documented from March to May, when the water level is lower, and involves multiple males chasing one female and ends with one of

2379-674: The earliest of which date back to the late Oligocene ( c.  25 million years ago). The number of species peaked around the early Miocene ( c.  19 million years ago) and declined afterward. Examples of ancient platanistids include the genera Otekaikea and Waipatia and the species Awamokoa tokarahi of late Oligocene New Zealand, the family Allodelphinidae of early Miocene North Pacific, and Notocetus vanbenedeni and Aondelphis talen of early Miocene Patagonia. Platanistidae fossils have been found in Miocene deposits in Europe and North America. Fossil Platanistoidea showed

2440-496: The eye to control access to the retina and prevent light scattering , similar to a pinhole . The ears are adapted to hearing low frequencies, having a short, flattened cochlea with widely spaced spirals. South Asian river dolphins inhabit the northern waterways of the Indian subcontinent . Ganges river dolphins live in the Ganges, Brahmaputra , Meghna , Karnaphuli , and Sangu rivers and their tributaries . Their range extends from

2501-797: The flora and fauna of the river Ganga. There are several species of turtles of conservation importance such as - Compiled information based on surveys done by researchers and experts, there are approximately 198 avifauna species recorded in the sanctuary area. However, out of these recorded species, several species are threatened and near threatened (Critically endangered-1, Endangered-2, Vulnerable-6 and near threatened-13). Faunas from different families such as Accipitridae , Alaudidae , Alcedinidae , Anatidae , Ardeidae , Chardriidae , Ciconidae , Hirundinidae , Laridae , Motacillidae , Scolopacidae , Threskiornithidae could be seen here. Accipitridae (a family of small to large birds with strongly hooked bills and variable morphology based on diet, which feed on

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2562-474: The genus Platanista , which inhabit the waterways of the Indian subcontinent . They were historically considered to be one species ( P. gangetica ) with the Ganges river dolphin and the Indus river dolphin being subspecies ( P. g. gangetica and P. g. minor respectively). Genetic and morphological evidence led to their being described as separate species in 2021. The Ganges and Indus river dolphins are estimated to have diverged 550,000 years ago. They are

2623-430: The group, black kites are opportunistic hunters and are more likely to scavenge. They spend much time soaring and gliding in thermals in search of food. Their angled wing and distinctive forked tail make them easy to identify. They are also vociferous with a shrill whinnying call. The black kite is widely distributed through the temperate and tropical parts of Eurasia and parts of Australasia and Oceania , with

2684-502: The highest numbers seen from July to October, after the monsoons, and it has been suggested that they make local movements in response to high rainfall. The breeding season of the black kite in India begins in winter (mainly January and February ), the young birds fledging before the monsoons . The nest is a rough platform of twigs and sticks placed in a tree. Nest sites may be reused in subsequent years. European birds breed in summer. Birds in

2745-399: The location of an object, but the dolphins' maxillary crests likely compensate by providing greater directional sensitivity. Vocalisations used for communication include bursts and twitterings. River dolphins feed mainly on fish and shrimp. In one meta study , around 46% of prey items were found to be bottom-dwelling species, while 31% were near the surface, and 23% occupied the middle of

2806-423: The males earning the right to mate. Calves are born around a year later. Births in the Ganges river dolphin appear to be most frequent between December and January and between March and May. For Indus river dolphins, newborns are most commonly seen between April and May. Indus river dolphins calves are around 70 cm (28 in) long at birth and may nurse for up to a year. They eat their first solid food within

2867-617: The nearest railhead. Area between Sultanganj in west of Bhagalpur to Kahalgaon in east of Bhagalpur. Notably at Barari Ghat, where the Vikramshila Setu starts. The Manik Srakar ghat in monsoon season from July to mid-September provides one of the best sighting of this species. There are various conservation works going on the sanctuary area. Noted works are: South Asian river dolphin Platanista gangetica Platanista minor South Asian river dolphins are toothed whales in

2928-665: The nest. Birds are able to breed after their second year. Parent birds guard their nest and will dive aggressively at intruders. Humans who intrude the nest appear to be recognized by birds and singled out for dive attacks. Black-eared kites in Japan were found to accumulate nearly 70% of mercury accumulated from polluted food in the feathers, thus excreting it in the moult process. Black kites often perch on electric wires and are frequent victims of electrocution. Their habit of swooping to pick up dead rodents or other roadkill leads to collisions with vehicles. Instances of mass poisoning as

2989-401: The nests of baya weavers in an attempt to obtain eggs or chicks. In winter, kites form large communal roosts. Flocks may fly about before settling at the roost. When migrating, the black kite has a greater propensity to form large flocks than other migratory raptors, particularly prior to making a crossing over water. In India, the subspecies govinda shows large seasonal fluctuations with

3050-481: The only living members of the family Platanistidae and the superfamily Platanistoidea. Fossils of ancient relatives date to the late Oligocene . South Asian river dolphins are small but stocky cetaceans with long snouts or rostra , broad flippers, and small dorsal fins. They have several unusual features. Living in murky river waters, they have eyes that are tiny and lensless; the dolphins rely instead on echolocation for navigation. The skull has large crests over

3111-403: The parents also rapidly decreased with the need for adults to migrate. Siblings show aggression to each other and often the weaker chick may be killed, but parent birds were found to preferentially feed the smaller chicks in experimentally altered nests. Newly hatched young have down (prepennae) which are sepia on the back and black around the eye and buff on the head, neck and underparts. This

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3172-644: The relationship of South Asian river dolphins to other living toothed whale families:   Sperm whales (Physeteridae) [REDACTED]   Dwarf sperm whales (Kogiidae) [REDACTED]   South Asian river dolphins (Platanistidae) [REDACTED]   Beaked whales (Ziphiidae) [REDACTED]   Pontoporiidae [REDACTED]   Iniidae [REDACTED]   Oceanic dolphins (Delphinidae) [REDACTED]   Porpoises  (Phocoenidae) [REDACTED]   Belugas , narwhals (Monodontidae) [REDACTED] Several fossil species have been classified under Platanistoidea,

3233-819: The rostrum and surrounding areas may have some pinkish colouration. The Indus species tends to be more brownish. In one study sampling 46 Ganges river dolphins, the maximum length and weight recorded were 267 cm (8.76 ft) and 108 kg (238 lb). For the Indus species, the maximum length and weight were 241 cm (7.91 ft) and 120 kg (260 lb) (80 individuals sampled). Female Ganges dolphins are generally longer than Indus dolphins of both sexes, while male Ganges dolphins are shorter than Indus dolphins of both sexes. Indus dolphins tend to be proportionally heavier than Ganges dolphins, independent of sex. South Asian river dolphin skulls have unusual features. The maxilla (fixed upper jawbone) has pneumatic extensions or "crests" on each side which curve around

3294-814: The states they inhabit. They can be found in numerous protected areas, including ones established specifically for them, such as the Indus Dolphin Reserve in Pakistan and the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in India. International trade is prohibited by the listing of the South Asian river dolphins on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species . The Ganges and Indus river dolphins are considered to be

3355-507: The temperate region populations tending to be migratory. Several subspecies are recognized and formerly had their own English names. The European populations are small, but the South Asian population is very large. The black kite was described by the French polymath Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon in his Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux in 1770. The bird was also illustrated in a hand-coloured plate engraved by François-Nicolas Martinet in

3416-546: The top of their riverine food web . Hence, they are seen as bioindicators for the health of river systems. Fishermen compete with these animals for fish of certain sizes. Dolphins captured in fishing nets are usually accidental , but dolphin oil is sought after as a fish lure, and thus fishermen may be motivated to kill caught dolphins. Being nearly blind and relying on echolocation for navigation, river dolphins are also negatively affected by noise pollution from boats. South Asian river dolphins are protected by law in all

3477-528: The tropical ones are resident. European and central Asian birds ( subspecies M. m. migrans and black-eared kite M. m. lineatus , respectively) are migratory , moving to the tropics in winter, but races in warmer regions such as the Indian M. m. govinda ( small Indian/pariah kite ), or the Australasian M. m. affinis ( fork-tailed kite ), are resident. In some areas such as in the United Kingdom ,

3538-400: The upper jaw and the 32.9 in the lower jaw, as compared to 28.4 in the upper jaw and 29.4 in the lower. Living in murky waters, South Asian river dolphins are nearly blind, their tiny eyes having flattened corneas and no lens . The retina —which connects to a reduced optic nerve —does not form images but instead merely discerns light. The animal relies on a sphincter -like muscle around

3599-610: The yellow-billed African races parasitus and aegyptius differ significantly from black kites in the Eurasian clade , and should be considered a separate allopatric species: yellow-billed kite , M. aegyptius . They occur throughout Africa except for the Congo Basin and the Sahara Desert . There have been some suggestions that the black-eared kite ( M. m. lineatus ) should be elevated to full species status as M. lineatus , but this

3660-512: Was erected by the French naturalist Bernard Germain de Lacépède in 1799. Milvus is the Latin word for a red kite ; the specific migrans means "migrating" from the Latin migrare "to migrate". The red kite has been known to hybridize with the black kite (in captivity where both species were kept together, and in the wild on the Cape Verde Islands ). Recent DNA studies suggest that

3721-588: Was first given to the Ganges dolphin by Pliny the Elder in Naturalis Historia back in 77  CE . In 1853, Richard Owen described a specimen from the Indus and considered it to be the same species as the Ganges river dolphin, but a smaller form. Based on differences in skull and vertebrae structure, blood proteins, and lipids , scientists declared them to be separate species in the 1970s. The results of these studies were criticized for their small sample sizes and

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