Birds that follow cattle — UPSC Prelims PYQ 2014

If you walk through countryside, you are likely to see some birds stalking alongside the cattle to seize the insects, disturbed by their movement through grasses. Which of the following is/are such bird/birds?

Painted Stork
Common Myna
Black-necked Crane

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 2
2 only
2 and 3
3 only

Explanation

Painted Stork is incorrect

Painted stork is a large shorebird endemic to the Indian subcontinent and SE Asia.
It is a wading bird that primarily feeds in shallow water on fish and aquatic organisms, not insects disturbed by cattle.
Distribution: River plains of the Indian subcontinent and mainland SE Asia.
Habitat: Freshwater marshes, lakes and reservoirs, flooded fields, river banks, etc.
Threats: Hunting, pollution, invasive species.
IUCN:LC

Common Myna is correct

Common mynas (Acridotheres tristis) are native to south Asia.
Ecological Role: Plays a role in pest control but can compete with native species for resources.
Their natural breeding range is from Afghanistan through India and Sri Lanka to Bangladesh.
This bird is frequently observed near cattle. It opportunistically feeds on insects flushed out by grazing animals, making the statement correct
IUCN: LC

Photograph shows three myna birds standing on ground with blurred natural background. Adjacent map highlights countries in South Asia and Oceania, likely indicating myna bird distribution or habitat range.

Black-necked Crane

The Black-necked crane is the state bird of UT of Ladakh (it was the state bird of erstwhile J&K).
Distribution: It is native to Ladakh, Sichuan (China) and Tibet. It migrates to Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan during the winter.
It inhabits wetlands and high-altitude regions, feeding mainly on plants, grains, and small animals; it is not associated with cattle-following behavior.
Habitat: Inland grassy wetlands at high elevation.
IUCN: NT | CITES: Appx I | CMS: Appx I | WPA: Sch I

Photograph of a black-necked crane standing on grass next to a map showing its habitat range in parts of India, China, and surrounding regions. The map uses orange shading to highlight key areas of the crane's distribution across the Tibetan Plateau and nearby locations.