A preliminary checklist and seasonal diversity of wetland-associated birds in Bajali District, Assam, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.10447.18.8.29430-29446Keywords:
Abundance, avian assemblages, biodiversity monitoring, community stability, conservation planning, migratory status, seasonal variation, species richnessAbstract
Wetlands sustain diverse avian assemblages and provide indispensable habitats for resident and migratory waterbirds; however, many wetlands in northeastern India remain inadequately documented. This study presents the first preliminary checklist and diversity assessment of wetland-associated birds from selected wetlands in Bajali District, Assam, northeastern India, based on systematic point-count surveys conducted across five sites between April 2024 and March 2025. Seasonal variations in species composition, abundance, migratory status, feeding guilds, conservation status, and community diversity were comprehensively evaluated. A total of 44 wetland-associated bird species representing 14 families were recorded. Ardeidae was the most species-rich family (10 species; relative diversity index = 22.72%), followed by Scolopacidae (7 species). Bird abundance exhibited pronounced seasonal fluctuations, peaking during winter (2,835 individuals), followed by monsoon (2,601), autumn (2,064), and summer (2,009). Species richness attained its maximum during autumn and winter (44 species each) but declined markedly during the monsoon (29 species). Diversity metrics consistently revealed greater species richness, diversity, evenness, and community stability during the post-monsoon and winter seasons, whereas monsoon assemblages were characterized by reduced diversity and elevated species dominance. Resident species constituted 65.91% of the recorded avifauna, while 34.09% were winter visitors. Most species (95.46%) were classified as ‘Least Concern’, whereas the Lesser Adjutant and Asian Woollyneck were categorized as ‘Near Threatened’, underscoring the conservation significance of the study area. This study provides the first comprehensive documentation of wetland-associated birds in Bajali District and highlights the ecological importance of its wetlands in sustaining diverse resident and migratory bird assemblages. The findings establish a valuable reference for long-term biodiversity monitoring, conservation planning, and sustainable wetland management in the lower Brahmaputra floodplain.
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