The Endangered Birds of Marshland: Survival of the Wetland Hens at Stake in Swat

Have you ever noticed a brisk movement across bushes in a wetland that made you stopped at the moment as you held your breath back? You feelings are worth noting.

Your muscles tighten, and a strange current runs through your mind by the primal fear of a snake perhaps, ready to strike. But then, in a flash of gold and brown, a golden moorhen - one of the endangered birds of wetland - darts across your path. Relief floods your body, and you exhale deeply, with a smile creeping across your face at your own panic, now replacing the awe.

The Endangered Birds of Marshland: Nature's Elusive Performers

The flightless but now endangered birds of Marshland are masters of stealth, known for their swift movements and agility. With long legs and strong, slender toes, they nimbly walk across the uneven terrain of wetlands. They live around the vegetated marshes of the Kanju area in Swat Valley. The locals call them 'Ghaza' or the hens of marshes in local vernacular. 

The Secretive birds of Marshland:

These endangered birds of Marshland are the most secretive birds. Slinking through narrow passages in dense vegetation, they are deep-bodied but narrow birds with amazing flexibility. They are a sight to behold with their long thin toes, short chicken-like tails, bright red eyes, and golden-hued feathers shimmering in sun.

However, they are now more visible with shrinking marsh ponds, making them move away from  protection of dense cattails to forage at water’s edge to take advantage of the food available. The fast environmental changes and the resultant shrinking of the marsh ponds have made these elusive birds to leave the protection of thick cattails. This makes them even more visible, and also more vulnerable to the threats out. 

Terrestrial Habits and Lifestyle:

These endangered birds of Marshland, part of the rail family, thrive in areas rich in aquatic vegetation-reeds, sedges, and water lilies provide them both food and cover. While often solitary, they can be seen moving in small family groups. Being ground-dwelling by nature, they display remarkable adaptability and independence as they navigate their fragile habitat.

A Bond for Life: The Monogamous Swamphens

Typically monogamous, these endangered birds of Marshland form strong breeding pairs that last through the season. They build nests out of reeds and grasses in the dense vegetation near water bodies. A typical clutch contains 3–6 eggs, incubated by both parents. After hatching, the chicks are cared for by both the parents, giving them a better chance of surviving the challenges of the wetland life.

On the Brink of Extinction:

Sadly, these captivating birds of the Marshland now face the threat of extinction. Their numbers have plummeted drastically. Habitat destruction is the primary culprit. The recent construction of a bypass road through the marshes has devastated their environment. Farmers and the landowners are filling the wetlands for agriculture and urban expansion, encroaching upon the streams, springs, and even public pathways through the fields.

Conservation: A Race Against Time

Wetlands are not just homes to these birds, but they’re vital ecosystems that support biodiversity and regulate our environment. Without immediate action, the golden moorhen could be lost forever. The time to save these precious birds is running out of our hands. They must be protected, with conservation efforts focusing on protecting and restoring the wetland habitats. This includes initiating captive breeding programs, and enforcing legal protections, as well as raising public awareness. 

Final Thoughts:

Let us act before these endangered birds of Marshland vanish into memory. The marshes of Swat still whisper with life, and it's our responsibility to keep them singing.