Which of the following is not a bird?
Contents15
- AGolden Mahseer
- BIndian Nightjar
- CSpoonbill
- DWhite Ibis
Show answer
Answer: (A) Golden Mahseer
The answer is (A) Golden Mahseer.
This is a simple identification question:
Golden Mahseer is a FISH, not a bird!
"Mahseer" literally means mahi (fish) + sher (tiger) = "tiger among fish."
It's a large freshwater sport fish found in Indian rivers.
The others are all birds:
- Indian Nightjar: A small nocturnal bird that makes a "jarring" sound at night
- Spoonbill: A large wading bird with a distinctive spoon-shaped bill
- White Ibis: A wetland bird with a long, curved beak
Memory tip: If you see "Mahseer" in any question, remember it's always a fish!
Golden Mahseer is India's national fish and a critically endangered species found in Himalayan rivers.
UPSC tests species identification across categories to check if students can distinguish between fish, birds, and mammals in conservation contexts.
Golden Mahseer Fish
Environment Golden Mahseer
Golden Mahseer: India's Tiger Fish & Conservation Status
Golden Mahseer is a large freshwater fish, not a bird - 'Mahseer' means mahi (fish) + sher (tiger)
Found in Himalayan and Western Ghat rivers, prized as sport fish
Critically endangered due to habitat loss and overfishing
Known as 'Tiger of Indian Rivers' due to its size and fighting ability
What is Golden Mahseer
Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora) is India's largest freshwater fish and most prized game fish. The name comes from 'mahi' (fish) + 'sher' (tiger), earning it the title 'Tiger of Indian Rivers' for its aggressive nature and golden coloration.
Key Characteristics
Can grow up to 9 feet long and weigh over 50 kg
Golden-bronze scales with large, powerful body built for fast currents
Omnivorous diet - feeds on insects, small fish, fruits, and vegetation
Long lifespan of 30-40 years in natural habitat
Spawns in monsoon season in rocky river beds
Mahseer Species in India
Species | Scientific Name | Habitat | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Golden Mahseer | Tor putitora | Himalayan rivers | Critically Endangered |
Deccan Mahseer | Tor khudree | Western Ghats | Endangered |
Blue-finned Mahseer | Tor tor | Gangetic plains | Near Threatened |
Red-finned Mahseer | Tor tambra | Brahmaputra basin | Vulnerable |
Question Context
This question tests basic species identification - distinguishing between fish and birds. Golden Mahseer was the obvious trap for students who might confuse animal names without knowing their actual classification.
Trap: The word 'Golden' might make it sound like a bird name (like Golden Oriole)
Remember: Any species with 'Mahseer' is always a fish - mahi = fish in Hindi
Don't confuse: Golden Mahseer (fish) vs Golden Oriole/Golden Pheasant (birds)
Indian Nightjar
Environment Indian Nightjar
Indian Nightjar: Nocturnal Ground Bird
Indian Nightjar is a small nocturnal bird with excellent camouflage
Active at dusk and night, feeds on flying insects
Nests on bare ground, eggs blend with surroundings
Identification Features
Indian Nightjar (Caprimulgus asiaticus) is a medium-sized nocturnal bird with cryptic brown plumage that provides perfect camouflage against dry leaves and soil. It makes distinctive 'chuk-chuk-chuk' calls at night.
Key Characteristics
Crepuscular and nocturnal - active during twilight and night hours
Cryptic plumage - mottled brown pattern for ground camouflage
Wide gape with bristles around mouth to catch flying insects
Silent flight with soft wing feathers like owls
Roosts motionless on ground during day, nearly invisible
Don't confuse: Nightjar (bird) vs Nighthawk (also a bird, but different family)
Remember: 'Jarring' sound at night gives it the name Nightjar
Spoonbill & Wading Birds
Environment Spoonbill
Spoonbills: Distinctive Wetland Birds
Spoonbills are large wading birds with distinctive spoon-shaped bills
Found in wetlands and shallow waters, feed by sweeping bill side to side
Eurasian Spoonbill is the species found in India
Spoonbill Characteristics
Spoonbills are large wading birds immediately recognizable by their spatulate (spoon-shaped) bills. This unique adaptation allows them to feed by sweeping their bills through water to catch small fish, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates.
Common Wading Birds in India
Bird | Bill Shape | Feeding Method | Habitat |
|---|---|---|---|
Spoonbill | Spoon-shaped | Sweeping motion | Shallow wetlands |
White Ibis | Long, curved down | Probing mud | Marshes, paddy fields |
Painted Stork | Large, slightly curved | Tactile feeding | Lakes, rivers |
Black-necked Stork | Long, straight | Spearing fish | Large wetlands |
Flamingo | Curved, with filters | Filter feeding | Salt lakes, mudflats |
Bill identification: Spoon = Spoonbill, Curved down = Ibis, Straight = Stork
Don't confuse: Spoonbill's spoon-shaped bill vs Pelican's pouch bill
White Ibis & Sacred Birds
Environment White Ibis
White Ibis: Sacred Wetland Bird
White Ibis is a wading bird with long, curved bill pointing downward
Feeds by probing mud and shallow water for invertebrates
Considered sacred in many cultures, associated with wisdom
White Ibis Features
White Ibis species are medium to large wading birds with distinctive long, curved bills that curve downward. They probe soft mud and shallow water for crustaceans, worms, and small fish. The Australian White Ibis and American White Ibis are well-known species.
Ibis Characteristics
Curved bill adaptation for probing soft substrates
Social birds - often feed and roost in flocks
Tactile feeders - locate prey by touch, not sight
Sacred symbolism - associated with Thoth in Egyptian mythology
Opportunistic - adapt to urban environments for food
Ibis Species Worldwide
# Ibis Family
## White Species
- American White Ibis
- Australian White Ibis
- Sacred Ibis
## Dark Species
- Glossy Ibis
- White-shouldered Ibis
## Crested Species
- Northern Bald Ibis
- Southern Bald Ibis
- Crested IbisRemember: Ibis = curved bill DOWN, Flamingo = curved bill with filters
Cultural significance: Sacred Ibis was mummified in ancient Egypt