Journal of Threatened
Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 October 2024 | 16(10): 25990–26000
ISSN 0974-7907
(Online) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Print)
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9032.16.10.25990-26000
#9032 | Received 17 March 2024 | Final received 13 September 2024 |
Finally accepted 27 September 2024
Importance based on avian
diversity of Pakhibitan Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary, Jalpaiguri District,
West Bengal, India
Arjan Basu Roy 1 , Tarak
Samanta 2 , C.S. Samrat 3 , Anjan Guha 4 , Debarpan
Datta 5, Abhik Rong 6 & Lina Chatterjee 7
1,2,3,5,6,7 Nature Mates-Nature Club, 6/7
Bijoygarh, Kolkata, West Bengal 700032, India.
2 Department of Environmental
Science, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata, West
Bengal 700019, India.
4 Divisional Forest Officer,
Purulia Division, Department of Forest,
Government of West Bengal, Ranchi Road, Purulia, West Bengal
723101, India.
6Department of Zoology,
Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Centenary College (Autonomous), Chowdhary Para,
Rahara, Khardaha, West Bengal 700118, India.
7Department of Environmental
Science, Indira Gandhi National Open University, College Rd, Ravenshaw
University Campus, Cuttack, Odisha 753003, India.
1 basuroyarjan@gmail.com, 2 taraksamanta995@gmail.com,
3 cssamrat1997@gmail.com, 4 anjanguhawbfs@gmail.com, 5
debarpan86.naturemates@gmail.com, 6 amritorong@gmail.com, 7
pakhibitan2019@gmail.com (corresponding author)
Editor: H. Byju, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. Date of publication: 26
October 2024 (online & print)
Citation: Roy,
A.B., T. Samanta, C.S. Samrat, A. Guha, D. Datta, A. Rong & L. Chatterjee (2024). Importance
based on avian diversity of Pakhibitan Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary,
Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 16(10):
25990–26000. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9032.16.10.25990-26000
Copyright: © Roy et al. 2024. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. JoTT allows
unrestricted use, reproduction, and distribution of this article in any medium
by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of publication.
Funding: Nature Mates - Nature Club.
Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.
Author details: Arjan Basu Roy holds the position of secretary of
Nature Mates-Nature Club in India. The primary area of his research centres
around the preservation of wildlife in West Bengal, as well as on a
nationwide scale throughout India. He is intrigued by inclusive development,
habitat creation and restoration in urban areas, and bottom-up conservation
strategies. He has authored numerous books and academic articles. Tarak Samanta has completed his postgraduate degree in environmental science from
the University of Calcutta. Now he is a research associate at the Nature
Mates-Nature Club (NGO), Kolkata. His study is based on biodiversity monitoring and
conservation, EIA & other biodiversity-related surveys, and
research. C.S. Samrat is a research affiliate of Nature
Mates-Nature Club. His works are focused on monitoring biodiversity and
analysing the data. Anjan Guha is divisional forest officer of
the Purulia Division, West Bengal. He is a nature enthusiast and
fond of observing biodiversity and documenting them. He has also authored many
books and articles. Debarpan Datta is a naturalist at Nature
Mates-Nature Club. He visits various fields and observe the biodiversity. Abhik Rong holds master’s degree in zoology from Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda
Centenary College. He is also affiliated to Nature Mates-Nature Club and
assists in research works and analysing the data. Lina Chatterjee is a research affiliate of Nature
Mates-Nature Club, who skilfully represents
scientific knowledge on wildlife and conservation through her literary works
for over a decade in a comprehensible way. She has published numerous journals
and books. She also uses art and creativity to spark students’ interest in nature.
Author contributions: ABR provided supervision and helped with the data collection and
infrastructural facilities. TS, CSS and AR performed the result analysis and
prepared original draft of the manuscript. LC collected the data and clicked pictures of the bird species and DD assisted in data
collection in the field. AG provided support and guidance for
the study. All authors reviewed the paper.
Acknowledgements: We express our heartfelt gratitude to Dr.
Bulganin Mitra from Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Centenary College for his
invaluable assistance in preparing the manuscript and providing timely
technical guidance. The boatman has offered many sorts of aid in guiding us
across the wetland, for which the writers express their gratitude. We express
our gratitude to the Nature Mates-Nature Club members for their valuable help.
Abstract: A comprehensive inventory of
faunal and floral species in a specific region holds significant value for
scientific investigation. This study was conducted between 2015 and 2021,
especially during the winter season, in Pakhibitan Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary
(also known as Gajoldoba wetland) in West Bengal, which was established in
2016. This wetland surrounded by forests is located on the upper section of the
Teesta Barrage in the Dooars region of Jalpaiguri District, and it attracts
birds from the Central Asian Flyway. Around 124 bird species belonging to 14
orders and 37 families were documented. Passeriformes with 32 species, and
Anatidae with 23 species, are the most abundant groups. Based on the IUCN Red
Data Book (2022–23), six species are Near Threatened, four are Vulnerable, and
one Endangered. About 50% of birds were resident, 44% migratory, and 6% local
migrants.
Keywords: Avian communities, Central Asian
Flyway, conservation efforts, Gajoldoba, habitat detoriation, migratory birds,
protected areas, Ramsar site, Teesta barrage, wetland.
Introduction
The Ramsar Convention recognizes
the global significance of wetlands, especially as a habitat for waterfowl.
According to the Convention’s text (Article 1.1), wetlands are described as
areas that can be natural or man-made, permanent or temporary, with either
still or flowing water. They can be marshes, fens, peatlands, or bodies of
water, including marine areas not deeper than 6m at low tide. Wetlands are
crucial ecosystems, interconnected both socially and physically with processes
occurring in a broader region. The Ramsar Convention aims to conserve the
worldwide degradation of wetlands through sustainable management. It is an
intra-governmental treaty that supports national action (Chandra et al. 2021;
Roy et al. 2022). As India has increased the Ramsar sites to 85, many wetlands
in India still face the threat of degradation and loss due to expanding
developmental and commercial activities (Byju et al. 2023a). The risk of
wetlands in Ramsar sites has increased with global warming and the rising sea
level (Xi et al. 2020). They play a vital role in facilitating the movement of
aquatic animals and promoting local species diversity (Amezaga et al. 2002).
The shallow and unpredictable water regimes support unique biotic communities
characterized by varied plants and animals adapted to these conditions (Weller
1999). The decline and deterioration of wetlands have negatively impacted
waterbirds depending on wetlands for survival. Well-managed wetlands can serve
as alternative or supplementary habitats for waterbirds and other associated
birds, helping to alleviate the adverse effects of wetland decline and
deterioration (Ma et al. 2010; Brandolin et al. 2013).
An example of a significant
controlled wetland is the Pakhibitan Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary, also known
as the Gajoldoba wetland, located in the northern region of West Bengal, India
in the Dooars region of Jalpaiguri District in the Himalayan foothills. The
upper section of the Teesta Barrage was the first reservoir constructed in the
Teesta Basin for irrigation. Due to the dam construction, migratory birds have
gathered in this landlocked water body surrounded by forests within the Central
Asian Flyway (CAF). The wetland diversity of Gajoldoba, the newly established
Pakhibitan Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary, has no detailed studies on the
diversity of birds. In this background, the current study highlights the status
and diversity of birds.
Materials
and Methods
Study Area
The Pakhibitan Bird &
Wildlife Sanctuary is situated near the eastern bank of the Teesta barrage,
specifically between 26.751N and 88.575E (Image 14). The mean temperature in
this region varies 6.9–32.8 0C, and the yearly precipitation is
approximately 3,160 mm. The monsoon season, which occurs from June to
September, accounts for around 78% of the region’s total rainfall. In contrast,
the winter months of December to February contribute only 0.98% of the region’s
precipitation. The water level at Pakhibitan Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary
peaks during the winter due to the closure of most of the barrage gates (Datta
2011). The sanctuary is approximately 64km from Siliguri in the Dooars region of
West Bengal, India. It is a small yet picturesque area with rich biodiversity
and natural beauty. The sanctuary is bounded by the lush and dense tropical
forests of Baikunthapur, part of the Terai region of western Dooars. The
Mahananda River flows to the west of the sanctuary, while the river Teesta
meanders along its eastern side. This forested area supports a diverse array of
wildlife, including a population of wild elephants. The sanctuary is divided
between two districts: one part lies in the Jalpaiguri district, while the
other area is in the Darjeeling district. Additionally, the Apalchand forest is located adjacent to the
eastern bank of the Teesta River, further enhancing the ecological significance
of the region. The sanctuary’s location in Malbazar within the Jalpaiguri
district places it in a vital position for conservation efforts and
biodiversity studies. The construction of the Teesta barrage, initiated by Late
Jyoti Basu, the former Chief Minister of West Bengal, on January 19, 1987, has
played a crucial role in shaping the current ecological landscape
of the sanctuary.
Methods
The survey was conducted during
the winter season every week from 2015 to 2021. The species checklist was
recorded through direct observation from 0600 h to 1600 h. The direct observation
method used in this study (Bibby et al. 2000) emphasizes systematic and
repeatable observations for accurate data collection in ornithological studies.
Birds were observed from a boat using Olympus binoculars (10 x 50) for close-up
observations. Species photography was carried out using a Nikon B600 camera.
The checklist of birds was prepared following Grimmett et al. (2016). The IUCN
status of the birds was determined using website (IUCN, 2023). Based on their
movements and seasonal occurrence, the birds were categorized into three
groups: Migratory (M), Local Migrant (LM), and Resident (R). Statistical
analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel.
Results
A total of 124 bird species
representing 14 orders and 37 families were observed in the current study. The
order Passeriformes was the most prevalent, with 15 families and 32 species. It
was followed by Anseriformes, which had one family and 23 species,
Charadriiformes with seven families and 21 species, Accipitriformes with two
families and 12 species, Pelecaniformes with two families and 11 species,
Gruiformes with one family and six species, and Coraciiformes with two families
and four species. Orders Ciconiiformes, Falconiformes, Podicipediformes, and
Suliformes, consist of one family with three species each. In the case of
Caprimulgiformes, Columbiformes, and Cuculiformes, each order has one family
with one species each (Table 1, Images 1–12). Out of the 124 species
documented, 77 bird species from 10 orders and 18 families were shown to have a
direct dependence or association with the wetland.
Out of the 124 species of
avifauna listed in Table 1, 113 are classified as ‘Least Concern’ (LC)
according to the IUCN Red List. Six species—Ferruginous Pochard Aythya
nyroca, Falcated Duck Mareca falcata, Himalayan Griffon Gyps
himalayensis, Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, River Lapwing Vanellus
duvaucelii, and Great Thick-knee Esacus recurvirostris—are
categorized as ‘Near Threatened’ (NT). Four species classified as ‘Vulnerable’
(VU) are the Common Pochard Aythya ferina (VU), Indian Spotted Eagle Clanga
hastata (VU), Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca (VU), and Lesser
Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus (VU). The Steppe Eagle Aquila
nipalensis is classified as ‘Endangered’ (EN).
The residential status of
observed species shows that 50% of the total species were resident (R) and 44%
were migratory (M). Rest 6% of birds were local migrants (LM) (Table 3). Among
the avian families, Anatidae and Ardeidae are the only dominant avian families
from Winter Migrant and Resident status, respectively.
Discussion
The avian diversity observed in
Pakhibitan Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary underscores the ecological
significance of this wetland habitat (Image 13). This study provides crucial
insights into the bird species composition and their conservation status, which
can make targeted conservation efforts. The results of this study showed a
dominance of Passeriformes and Anatidae consistent with what has been observed
in similar wetland habitats across India. For instance, the Dighal Wetland in
Haryana and Beas River in Punjab, another significant bird habitat, report a
similarly high diversity of bird species within these orders (Kumar & Kler
2021; Kumar & Kumar 2023). The richness of species in these families
highlights the sanctuary’s role as a crucial habitat for both resident and
migratory birds. The sanctuary is home to a wide variety of bird species,
showing its importance as a haven for birds. The different species recorded
indicated a healthy ecosystem with diverse habitats and resources. This
diversity is crucial for conservation and highlights the sanctuary’s
significance as a key area for protecting birds in the region.
The sanctuary hosts six NT, four VU, and one EN species according to the IUCN
Red List (2022), highlighting its importance for avian conservation. This
corroborates findings from the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, where the presence of
threatened species has increased conservation efforts (Verma 2009; Bhadouria et
al. 2012). The residential status analysis revealed that 41.94% of the species
are residents, 44.35% are migratory, and 13.71% are local migrants. The
predominance of migratory species underscores the sanctuary’s importance as a
stopover and wintering site for migratory birds, aligning with the findings of
Byju et al. (2023b), which highlighted the critical role of Indian wetlands in
supporting migratory bird populations. Among the avian families, Anatidae and
Ardeidae are dominant during the winter migration and resident status periods,
respectively. This pattern is consistent with findings from other wetland
ecosystems, such as the Chilika Lake (Balachandran et al. 2020), where these
families were also prominent. Furthermore, the dependence of 77 species on the
wetland environment highlights the sanctuary’s ecological significance for
water-associated birds. This aligns with the studies of Sundar & Kittur
(2013), who emphasized the crucial role of wetlands in supporting diverse avian
communities in India. The family-wise distribution indicates that although
Anatidae is the most abundant, several families are represented by only one
species each, indicating a need for diversified conservation strategies to
support all avian families present in the sanctuary.
Conclusion
The Pakhibitan Bird &
Wildlife Sanctuary is a vital habitat for diversity bird species, including
several that are threatened. The findings of this study highlight the urgent
need for conservation actions to protect this biodiversity hotspot. By
implementing effective management strategies and fostering community and
governmental involvement, the sanctuary can be preserved for future
generations, ensuring the continued survival of its avian inhabitants.
Table 1.
List of observed species from Pakhibitan Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary 2015 to
2021.
|
|
Common name |
Scientific name |
IUCN Red List status |
Migration status |
Dependence on waterbodies |
|
Order: Anseriformes |
|||||
|
Family: Anatidae |
|||||
|
1 |
Lesser Whistling-duck |
Dendrocygna javanica (Horsfield, 1821) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
2 |
Cotton Pygmy-Goose |
Nettapus coromandelianus (Gmelin, 1789) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
3 |
Bar-headed Goose |
Anser indicus (Latham, 1790) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
4 |
Bean Goose |
Anser fabalis (Latham, 1787) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
5 |
Greylag Goose |
Anser anser (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
6 |
Common Shelduck |
Tadorna tadorna (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
7 |
Ruddy Shelduck |
Tadorna ferruginea (Pallas, 1764) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
8 |
Gadwall |
Mareca strepera (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
9 |
Eurasian Wigeon |
Mareca penelope (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
10 |
Northern Shoveler |
Spatula clypeata (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
11 |
Mallard |
Anas platyrhynchos (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
12 |
Garganey |
Spatula querquedula (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
13 |
Northern Pintail |
Anas acuta (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
14 |
Common Teal |
Anas crecca (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
15 |
Red-crested Pochard |
Netta rufina (Pallas, 1773) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
16 |
Common Pochard |
Aythya ferina (Linnaeus, 1758) |
VU |
M |
WA |
|
17 |
Ferruginous Pochard |
Aythya nyroca (Güldenstädt,
1770) |
NT |
M |
WA |
|
18 |
Tufted Duck |
Aythya fuligula (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
19 |
Falcated Duck |
Mareca falcata (Georgi, 1775) |
NT |
M |
WA |
|
20 |
Common Merganser |
Mergus merganser (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
21 |
Red-breasted Merganser |
Mergus serrator (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
22 |
Smew |
Mergellus albellus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
23 |
Common Goldeneye |
Bucephala clangula (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
Order: Podicipediformes |
|||||
|
Family: Podicipedidae |
|||||
|
24 |
Little Grebe |
Tachybaptus ruficollis (Pallas, 1764) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
25 |
Great-crested Grebe |
Podiceps cristatus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
26 |
Black-necked Grebe |
Podiceps nigricollis (Brehm, 1831) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
Order: Ciconiiformes |
|||||
|
Family: Ciconiidae |
|||||
|
27 |
Asian Openbill |
Anastomus oscitans (Boddaert, 1783) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
28 |
Lesser Adjutant |
Leptoptilos javanicus (Horsfield, 1821) |
VU |
R |
WA |
|
29 |
Black Stork |
Ciconia nigra (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
Order: Pelecaniformes |
|||||
|
Family: Threskiornithidae |
|||||
|
30 |
Glossy Ibis |
Plegadis falcinellus (Linnaeus, 1766) |
LC |
LM |
WA |
|
31 |
Red-naped Ibis |
Pseudibis papillosa (Temminck, 1824) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
Family: Ardeidae |
|||||
|
32 |
Indian Pond Heron |
Ardeola grayii (Sykes, 1832) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
33 |
Grey Heron |
Ardea cinerea (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
34 |
Purple Heron |
Ardea purpurea (Linnaeus, 1766) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
35 |
Cattle Egret |
Bubulcus ibis (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
R |
|
|
36 |
Intermediate Egret |
Ardea intermedia (Wagler, 1829) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
37 |
Great Egret |
Ardea alba (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
38 |
Little Egret |
Egretta garzetta (Linnaeus, 1766) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
39 |
Yellow Bittern |
Ixobrychus sinensis (Gmelin, 1789) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
40 |
Black Bittern |
Ixobrychus flavicollis (Latham, 1790) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
Order: Suliformes |
|||||
|
Family: Phalacrocoracidae |
|||||
|
41 |
Little Cormorant |
Microcarbo niger (Vieillot, 1817) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
42 |
Indian Cormorant |
Phalacrocorax fuscicollis (Stephens, 1826) |
LC |
LM |
WA |
|
43 |
Great Cormorant |
Phalacrocorax carbo (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
LM |
WA |
|
Order: Columbiformes |
|||||
|
Family: Columbidae |
|||||
|
44 |
Spotted Dove |
Spilopelia suratensis (Gmelin, 1789) |
LC |
R |
|
|
Order: Cuculiformes |
|||||
|
Family: Cuculidae |
|||||
|
45 |
Greater Coucal |
Centropus sinensis (Stephens, 1815) |
LC |
R |
|
|
Order: Accipitriformes |
|||||
|
Family: Accipitridae |
|||||
|
46 |
Black Kite |
Milvus migrans (Boddaert, 1783) |
LC |
R |
|
|
47 |
Himalayan Griffon |
Gyps himalayensis (Hume, 1869) |
NT |
R |
|
|
48 |
Eurasian Marsh Harrier |
Circus aeruginosus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
M |
|
|
49 |
Indian Spotted Eagle |
Clanga hastata (Lesson, 1831) |
VU |
R |
|
|
50 |
Steppe Eagle |
Aquila nipalensis (Hodgson, 1833) |
EN |
M |
|
|
51 |
Booted Eagle |
Hieraaetus pennatus (Gmelin, 1788) |
LC |
M |
|
|
52 |
Eastern Imperial Eagle |
Aquila heliaca (Savigny, 1809) |
VU |
M |
|
|
53 |
Shikra |
Accipiter badius (Gmelin, 1788) |
LC |
R |
|
|
54 |
Pied Harrier |
Circus melanoleucos (Pennant, 1769) |
LC |
M |
|
|
55 |
Long-legged Buzzard |
Buteo rufinus (Cretzschmar,
1827) |
LC |
M |
|
|
56 |
Short-toed Snake Eagle |
Circaetus gallicus (Gmelin, 1788) |
LC |
R |
|
|
Family: Pandionidae |
|||||
|
57 |
Osprey |
Pandion haliaetus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
Order: Falconiformes |
|||||
|
Family: Falconidae |
|||||
|
58 |
Common Kestrel |
Falco tinnunculus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
M |
|
|
59 |
Peregrine Falcon |
Falco peregrinus (Tunstall, 1771) |
LC |
M |
|
|
60 |
Red-necked Falcon |
Falco ruficollis (Swainson, 1837) |
LC |
M |
|
|
Order: Gruiformes |
|||||
|
Family: Rallidae |
|||||
|
61 |
White-breasted Waterhen |
Amaurornis phoenicurus (Pennant, 1769) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
62 |
Ruddy-breasted Crake |
Zapornia fusca (Linnaeus, 1766) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
63 |
Baillon's Crake |
Zapornia pusilla (Pallas, 1776) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
64 |
Common Moorhen |
Gallinula chloropus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
65 |
Eurasian Coot |
Fulica atra (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
LM |
WA |
|
66 |
Grey-headed Swamphen |
Porphyrio porphyrio(Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
Order: Charadriiformes |
|||||
|
Family: Charadriidae |
|||||
|
67 |
Northern Lapwing |
Vanellus vanellus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
NT |
M |
WA |
|
68 |
Red-wattled Lapwing |
Vanellus indicus (Boddaert, 1783) |
LC |
R |
|
|
69 |
River Lapwing |
Vanellus duvaucelii (Lesson, 1826) |
NT |
R |
WA |
|
70 |
Pacific Golden Plover |
Pluvialis fulva (Gmelin, 1789) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
71 |
Little-ringed Plover |
Charadrius dubius (Scopoli, 1786) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
72 |
Kentish Plover |
Charadrius alexandrinus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
LM |
WA |
|
73 |
Lesser Sand Plover |
Charadrius mongolus (Pallas, 1776) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
Family: Jacanidae |
|||||
|
74 |
Bronze-winged Jacana |
Metopidius indicus (Latham, 1790) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
75 |
Pheasant-tailed Jacana |
Hydrophasianus chirurgus (Scopoli, 1786) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
Family: Scolopacidae |
|||||
|
76 |
Common Greenshank |
Tringa nebularia (Gunnerus, 1767) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
77 |
Common Redshank |
Tringa totanus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
78 |
Wood Sandpiper |
Tringa glareola (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
79 |
Common Sandpiper |
Actitis hypoleucos (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
80 |
Little Stint |
Calidris minuta (Leisler, 1812) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
81 |
Temminck's Stint |
Calidris temminckii (Leisler, 1812) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
Family: Recurvirostridae |
|||||
|
82 |
Black-winged Stilt |
Himantopus himantopus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
LM |
WA |
|
Family: Laridae |
|||||
|
83 |
Pallas’s Gull |
Larus ichthyaetus(Pallas, 1773) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
84 |
Brown-headed Gull |
Larus brunnicephalus (Jerdon, 1840) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
85 |
Black-headed Gull |
Larus ridibundus (Linnaeus, 1766) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
Family: Glareolidae |
|||||
|
86 |
Small Pratincole |
Glareola lactea (Temminck, 1820) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
Family: Burhinidae |
|||||
|
87 |
Great Thick-knee |
Esacus recurvirostris (Cuvier, 1829) |
NT |
LM |
WA |
|
Order: Caprimulgiformes |
|||||
|
Family: Apodidae |
|||||
|
88 |
Asian Palm Swift |
Cypsiurus balasiensis (Gray, 1829) |
LC |
R |
|
|
Order: Coraciiformes |
|||||
|
Family: Alcedinidae |
|||||
|
89 |
White-breasted Kingfisher |
Halcyon smyrnensis (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
90 |
Common Kingfisher |
Alcedo atthis(Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
91 |
Pied Kingfisher |
Ceryle rudis (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
Family: Meropidae |
|||||
|
92 |
Asian Green Bee-eater |
Merops orientalis (Latham, 1802) |
LC |
R |
|
|
Order: Passeriformes |
|||||
|
Family: Dicruridae |
|||||
|
93 |
Black Drongo |
Dicrurus macrocercus (Vieillot, 1817) |
LC |
R |
|
|
Family: Artamidae |
|||||
|
94 |
Ashy Woodswallow |
Artamus fuscus (Vieillot, 1817) |
LC |
R |
|
|
Family: Sturnidae |
|||||
|
95 |
Common Myna |
Acridotheres tristis (Linnaeus, 1766) |
LC |
R |
|
|
96 |
Jungle Myna |
Acridotheres fuscus (Wagler, 1827) |
LC |
R |
|
|
97 |
Asian Pied Starling |
Gracupica contra (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
R |
|
|
Family: Corvidae |
|||||
|
98 |
House Crow |
Corvus splendens (Vieillot, 1817) |
LC |
R |
|
|
99 |
Large-billed Crow |
Corvus macrorhynchos (Wagler, 1827) |
LC |
R |
|
|
Family: Hirundinidae |
|||||
|
100 |
Barn Swallow |
Hirundo rustica (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
LM |
WA |
|
Family: Laniidae |
|||||
|
101 |
Brown Shrike |
Lanius cristatus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
M |
|
|
102 |
Grey-backed Shrike |
Lanius tephronotus (Vigors, 1831) |
LC |
M |
|
|
103 |
Long-tailed Shrike |
Lanius schach (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
R |
|
|
Family: Alaudidae |
|||||
|
104 |
Sand Lark |
Alaudala raytal (Blyth, 1844) |
LC |
R |
|
|
105 |
Bengal Bushlark |
Mirafra assamica (Horsfield, 1840) |
LC |
R |
|
|
Family: Cisticolidae |
|||||
|
106 |
Plain Prinia |
Prinia inornata (Sykes, 1832) |
LC |
R |
|
|
107 |
Zitting Cisticola |
Cisticola juncidis (Rafinesque, 1810) |
LC |
R |
|
|
108 |
Common Tailorbird |
Orthotomus sutorius (Pennant, 1769) |
LC |
R |
|
|
Family: Ploceidae |
|||||
|
109 |
Baya Weaver |
Ploceus philippinus (Linnaeus, 1766) |
LC |
R |
|
|
Family: Estrildidae |
|
||||
|
110 |
Scaly-breasted Munia |
Lonchura punctulata (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
R |
|
|
111 |
Tricolored Munia |
Lonchura malacca (Linnaeus, 1766) |
LC |
R |
|
|
Family: Acrocephalidae |
|||||
|
112 |
Clamorous Reed Warbler |
Acrocephalus stentoreus (Hemprich &
Ehrenberg, 1833) |
LC |
M |
|
|
113 |
Paddyfield Warbler |
Acrocephalus agricola (Jerdon, 1845) |
LC |
M |
|
|
Family: Locustellidae |
|||||
|
114 |
Striated Grassbird |
Megalurus palustris (Horsfield, 1821) |
LC |
R |
|
|
Family: Muscicapidae |
|||||
|
115 |
White-capped Water-redstart |
Phoenicurus leucocephalus (Vigors, 1831) |
LC |
R |
|
|
116 |
Common Stonechat |
Saxicola torquatus (Linnaeus, 1766) |
LC |
R |
|
|
Family: Pycnonotidae |
|||||
|
117 |
Red-vented Bulbul |
Pycnonotus cafer (Linnaeus, 1766) |
LC |
R |
|
|
Family: Motacillidae |
|||||
|
118 |
Citrine Wagtail |
Motacilla citreola (Pallas, 1776) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
119 |
White Wagtail |
Motacilla alba (Linnaeus, 1758) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
120 |
White-browed Wagtail |
Motacilla maderaspatensis (Gmelin, 1789) |
LC |
R |
WA |
|
121 |
Grey Wagtail |
Motacilla cinerea (Tunstall, 1771) |
LC |
M |
WA |
|
122 |
Rosy Pipit |
Anthus roseatus (Blyth, 1847) |
LC |
M |
|
|
123 |
Paddyfield Pipit |
Anthus rufulus (Vieillot,
1818) |
LC |
R |
|
|
124 |
Olive-backed Pipit |
Anthus hodgsoni (Richmond, 1907) |
LC |
R |
|
EN—Endangered | NT—Near
Threatened | VU—Vulnerable | LC—Least Concern | R—Resident | LM—Local Migrant |
M—Migratory | WA—Water Associated.
For
figures & images - - click here for full PDF
References
Amezaga,
J.M., L. Santamaría & A.J. Green (2002). Biotic wetland connectivity—supporting
a new approach for wetland policy. Acta Oecologica 23(3): 213–222. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1146-609X(02)01152-9
Balachandran,
S., A.K. Pattnaik, P. Gangaiamaran & T. Katti (2020). Avifauna of Chilika, Odisha: assessment of spatial and temporal
changes, pp. 335–363. In: Finlayson, C., G. Rastogi, D. Mishra & A.
Pattnaik (eds.). Ecology, Conservation, and Restoration of Chilika Lagoon,
India. Wetlands: Ecology, Conservation and Management. Vol 6. Springer, Cham, 438 pp. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33424-6_13
Bhadouria, B.S.,
V.B. Mathur, K. Sivakumar & K.R. Anoop (2012). A Survey of avifaunal diversity in
wetlands around Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India. Bird Populations 11: 1–6.
Bibby, C.J., N.D.
Burgess, D.A. Hill & S. Mustoe (2000). Bird Census Techniques, 2nd
ed. Academic Press, 257 pp. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-012095831-3/50003-1
Brandolin,
P.G., M.A. Ávalos & C. De Angelo (2013). The impact of flood control on
the loss of wetlands in Argentina. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and
Freshwater Ecosystems 23(2): 291–300. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.2305
Byju, H., N.
Raveendran, S. Ravichandran & R. Vijayan (2023a). A checklist of the avifauna of
Samanatham tank, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 15(9):
23857–23869. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.8419.15.9.23857-23869.
Byju, H., N.
Raveendran, S. Ravichandran & R. Kishore (2023b). Importance of conserving a critical wintering
ground for shorebirds in the Valinokkam Lagoon—a first study of the avifaunal
distribution of the southeastern coast of India. Journal of Threatened Taxa
15(8): 23696–23709. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.8494.15.8.23696–23709
Chandra K., D.
Bharti, S. Kumar, C. Raghunathan, D. Gupta, J.R.B. Alfred & B.R. Chowdhury
(2021). Faunal
Diversity in Ramsar Wetlands of India. Zoological Survey of India and
Wetland Division, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change,
Government of India, 292 pp.
Datta, T.
(2011). Human
interference and avifaunal diversity of two wetlands of Jalpaiguri, West
Bengal, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 3(12): 2253–2262. https://doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.o2739.2253-62
Grimmett, R., C.
Inskipp & T. Inskipp (2016). Birds of the Indian Subcontinent: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal,
Bhutan, Bangladesh and the Maldives. Bloomsbury Publishing, 505 pp.
IUCN (2023). The IUCN Red List of Threatened
Species. Version 2023-2. https://www.iucnredlist.org.
Accessed 04 June 2023.
Kumar, S.
& T.K. Kler (2021). Avian diversity at Beas River conservation reserve under urbanization
and intensive agriculture in Punjab, India, pp. 167–192. In: Kumar., V., S. Kumar, N. Kamboj, T.
Payum, P. Kumar & S. Kumari (eds.). Biological Diversity: Current
Status and Conservation Policies, Vol. 1. Agro Environ Meida, AESA, 400 pp. https://doi.org/10.26832/aesa2021-bdcp-011
Ma, Z., Y. Cai,
B. Li & J. Chen (2010). Managing wetland habitats for waterbirds: an international
perspective. Wetlands 30: 15–27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-009-0001-6
Parul & P.
Kumar (2023). Assessing avian diversity and
conservation status in Dighal wetlands, Haryana, India. Journal of
Threatened Taxa 15(10): 23996–24008. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.8283.15.10.23996-24008
Roy, M.B., S.
Nag, S. Halder & P.K. Roy (2022). Assessment of wetland potential
and bibliometric review: a critical analysis of the Ramsar sites of India. Bulletin
of National Research Centre 46: 59. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-022-00740-0
Sundar, K.S.G.
& S. Kittur (2013). Can wetlands maintained for human use also help conserve biodiversity?
Landscape-scale patterns of bird use of wetlands in an agricultural. Biological
Conservation 168: 49–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2013.09.016
Verma, A.
(2009). Occurrence
and abundance of waterbirds at Bundh Baretha reservoir, Bharatpur,
north-western India. Indian Birds 4(5): 150–153.
Weller, M.W.
(1999). Wetland Birds: Habitat
Resources and Conservation Implications. Cambridge University Press,
265 pp. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511541919
Xi, Y., S. Peng, P. Ciais, Y.
Chen (2020). Future
impacts of climate change on inland Ramsar wetlands. Nature Climate Change 11:
45–51. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-020-00942-2