UPSC Prelims 2014 Question:

If you walk through the countryside, you are likely to see some birds stalking alongside the cattle to seize the insects disturbed by their movement through grasses.

Which one of the following is/are such bird/birds? 

1. Painted Stork 
2. Common Myna 
3. Black-necked Crane
   
   

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Explanation:

• The Painted Stork has got their name on account of their distinctive pink tertial feathers. They have a heavy yellow beak with a down-curved tip that gives them a resemblance to an ibis. They forage in flocks in shallow waters along rivers or lakes. They immerse their half-open beaks in water and sweep them from side to side and snap up their prey of small fish that are sensed by touch. On account of their large beaks, they are able to feed on fish and not on insects. So, point 1 is not correct.
  
  
• The common myna is a bird in the family Sturnidae, native to Asia. An omnivorous open woodland bird with a strong territorial instinct, the common myna has adapted extremely well to urban environments. They feed on the ground walking with occasional hops among grass looking for insects, and especially for grasshoppers. So, point 2 is correct.
  
  
• The high-altitude wetlands in the Tibetan plateau are the main breeding ground of the Black-necked Crane. These wetlands with small mounds provide an excellent habitat for the birds for breeding. These birds winter at lower altitudes where they feed mainly on the leftovers in rice and potato fields. This species is found in India, China, and Bhutan and breeds in high-altitude wetlands in the Tibetan plateau at elevations of 2950-4900 m above mean sea level. So, point 3 is not correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (2) is the correct answer.

Subject: Environment | Biodiversity and Conservation