Consider the following statements regarding the Bengal Florican: 1. The Bengal florican is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. 2. In India, the Bengal florican is found in UP, Bihar, and Assam. 3. Apart from India and Nepal, small populations of the Bengal florican are also found in Southeast Asia. 4. Despite their large size, they are adapted for long-distance or high-speed flight. Which of the above statements are correct?

The correct answer is 1, 2, and 3 only . In News The Hindu : An India Habitat Trust team conducting a survey of the critically endangered grassland species Bengal Florican at Dudhwa National Park , which was once this bird's habitat- It has not been spotted for the last few years now indicating a fall in numbers or extinction. Key Points Bengal florican : The Bengal florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) is a bird species that are found in the grasslands and wetlands of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is classified as a " Critically Endangered " species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Hence statement 1 is correct. In India, the Bengal florican is found in the following states: Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Hence Statement 2 is correct. In addition to India, the Bengal florican is also found in the following countries: Nepal Cambodia Vietnam Laos Hence Statement 3 is correct. Bengal floricans are primarily a terrestrial species , spending most of their time on the ground in grasslands and wetlands where they feed on insects, seeds, and other small invertebrates. They use their wings for display purposes during courtship and to help them navigate through grasslands, Actually, they are capable of flying at moderate speeds, but they are not known for their speed or endurance in flight. So, they are not adapted for long-distance or high-speed flight. Hence, statement 4 is incorrect. Their habitat loss and fragmentation are major threats to their survival, as they require large, open grasslands for breeding and feeding, which are increasingly rare due to human activities such as agriculture and urbanization. Other threats include hunting, trapping, and wildfires .