Avian Assessment in Jagatpur Wetland in District Bhagalpur, Bihar, India

Indian Institute of Technology - Guwahati (IITG), Assam, is an ecologically rich campus hosting different species of birds, butterflies and mammals. It accommodates several migratory and resident species of birds across different seasons. However, information is scanty on avian diversity with respect to the different habitats of the campus. Therefore, the present study attempts to gain insight into avian diversity with respect to habitat heterogeneity by considering the species presence-absence dataset collected for three years (2017–2020). A multivariate Beta (β) diversity analysis is carried out for the IITG campus constituted of five primary habitats, viz., secondary growth, eco–forest, water bodies, swampy-marshy area, and constructions. Of 152 bird species observed in the IITG campus, the highest number is reported from secondary growth, followed by eco-forest. The multivariate analysis shows that the average β–diversity for the IITG campus is approximately equal to 79%, which is in accordance with another published study. These observations are examined in light of hypotheses and phenomena documented in the literature, such as habitat heterogeneity hypothesis, niche-based hypothesis and anthropogenic impact on habitats. The study also establishes that the IITG is among the educational institutes and campuses that host many migratory bird species. Lastly, based on the outcomes of β–diversity analysis, it is suggested that the conservation effort for avian species in the campus should be directed towards individual habitats uniformly.

The physical and chemical parameters of habitats are known to influence the populations of both migratory and resident bird species. Nevertheless, research on the impacts of water quality parameters on avian diversity and abundance within the Lake Tana biosphere reserve remains limited. The present study investigated spatial and temporal relationships of water physicochemical parameters at different sites based on anthropogenic disturbance, namely, urban, cultivar, grazing, and island sites with bird diversity, abundance, and distribution, using the point count method. A total of 209 bird species from 60 families and 21 orders, including 47 migrants, nine threatened species, and five endemic species, were recorded. Our findings show that avifaunal diversity and abundance are lower in disturbed urban and cultivated habitats that exhibit elevated levels of suspended solids (SS) and turbidity, along with the lowest recorded levels of dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH, indicating that the Lake Tana biosphere reserve is in poor health. Species richness and abundance exhibited a positive correlation with both pH levels and DO. The findings showed that anthropogenic factors adversely affected the physicochemical parameters at the selected sampling sites to a varying degree. Across sampling sites, the mean spatial and seasonal pH measurements remained within the acceptable range, tending towards alkalinity, which is conducive to the majority of aquatic biota. The study highlights the necessity for effective management strategies focused on enhancing water quality and reducing the effects of anthropogenic disturbances to secure the long-term sustainability of the Lake Tana ecosystem and its avian biodiversity. Moreover, the presence of threatened, endemic, and migratory species, such as Necrosyrtes monachus, Gyps africanus, Aquila rapax, Clanga clanga, Balearica pavonina, Oxyura maccoa, Bostrychia carunculata, and Agapornis taranta emphasizes the importance of avifaunal conservation in Lake Tana and its surrounding habitats.

Avian diversity is among the key components of the earth’s biodiversity that serve as unique barometers for environmental change. Bird diversity in unprotected habitats such as reservoirs in the Tigray region is less known. A study was conducted to assess the avian diversity in highland reservoirs of the Tigray region, particularly at Maygundi and Maysye reservoirs and their adjoining habitats from August 2022 to March 2023, covering both wet and dry seasons. A line transect and point count methods aided by binoculars were used to estimate avian species diversity and distribution. Biodiversity indices and Two-way ANOVA were used to analyze the data. A total of 1,813 individual birds belonging to 151 species, 17 orders and 51 families were recorded during the study period. Egyptian goose was the most abundant species (19.58 %), followed by Little Grebe (10. 86 %), Eurasian Coot (7.00 %), Ruff and Yellow Mantle Widowbird (3.31 % for each). A significant variation in the number of bird species between wet and dry seasons (F = 1225, df = 1, P = 0.02) and between reservoirs (F = 484, df = 1, P = 0.03) was observed. However, there was no significant difference in abundance of birds between wet and dry seasons in both reservoirs (P > 0.05). Maysye reservoir had high bird species diversity (H′ = 3.66), while Maygundi reservoir had the lowest (H′ = 3.24). The study shows that sedimentation and habitat destruction due to anthropogenic activities, including the expansion of settlements; agriculture and livestock grazing were the main threats to bird diversity. The highland reservoirs and their adjoining habitats support high avian species diversity including endemic and endangered species revealing the importance of the sites for bird conservation. Therefore, urgent conservation measures are recommended for long-term bird conservation.

Drigh Lake, a Ramsar wetland in Sindh, Pakistan, is experiencing increasing ecological stress due to anthropogenic activities and hydrological disturbances. This study presents an integrated ecological assessment linking water quality, macrophyte composition, fish diversity, and avian assembles to evaluate the habitat condition and biodiversity status of the lake. Water samples were collected from four sampling stations and analyzed for key physicochemical parameters. Most parameters remained within National Environmental Quality Standards; however, total dissolved solids, hardness, and chlorides exceeded World Health Organization guidelines, particularly during seasonal low-water conditions. The lake supported notable biological diversity, including 10 macrophyte species, 15 fish species, and 44 bird species comprising resident and migratory waterbirds. Field observations revealed dense macrophyte growth, reduced open-water areas, and the presence of invasive fish species, which collectively influenced bird distribution and habitat use. Seasonal water fluctuations, nutrient enrichment from agricultural runoff, and habitat disturbance were identified as key drivers of ecological degradation. The decline in several migratory bird species highlights the sensitivity of avifauna to changes in water quality and habitat structure. The findings emphasize the need for improved freshwater inflow management, control of invasive species, reduction of pollution sources, and implementation of targeted conservation strategies to restore ecological balance and protect biodiversity at this Ramsar site.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the avian diversity of Nazare Dam and its surrounding habitats located near Jejuri in Pune District, Maharashtra, India. The dam, a freshwater reservoir encompassed by agricultural fields, open grasslands, and scrub vegetation, provides heterogeneous ecological conditions that support a wide range of avifaunal communities. Field investigations were carried out from June 2024 to July 2025 using standard line transect and point count methods during early morning and evening hours to record both resident and migratory bird species. A total of 69 bird species belonging to 39 families and 16 orders were recorded during the study period. The most dominant avian orders included Passeriformes, Pelecaniformes, and Accipitriformes, with representative families such as Ardeidae, Accipitridae, Sturnidae, and Muscicapidae. Aquatic and semi-aquatic species, including the Indian Spot-billed Duck (Anas poecilorhyncha), Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus), Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala), and Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus), were frequently observed in the reservoir zone, while terrestrial species such as the Indian Robin (Saxicoloides fulicatus), Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer), and Large Grey Babbler (Argya malcolmi) dominated the adjacent vegetated areas. Migratory species such as the Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos), and Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) were predominantly recorded during the winter months, with maximum species richness observed from June 2024 to July 2025. The occurrence of Near Threatened species including the Painted Stork and Black-headed Ibis highlights the ecological significance and conservation value of this wetland ecosystem. Anthropogenic activities such as agricultural runoff, pollution, unregulated fishing, and habitat encroachment pose potential threats to the avian diversity of the site. The findings underscore the importance of Nazare Dam as a vital refuge for both resident and migratory avifauna and emphasize the need for regular monitoring, public awareness, and sustainable management strategies to ensure long-term conservation of its biodiversity.

Agricultural intensification is a leading cause of biodiversity loss worldwide. However, the traditional agroecosystems are often associated with high avian diversity because of their landscape heterogeneity, offering available niches to different bird species. Here, we focused on the temporal changes in taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity of avian communities from Satoyama traditional agricultural landscapes of Japan. We found significant temporal trends (e.g. increasing) in overall species richness, forest specialist species richness, phylogenetic diversity, and phylogenetic relatedness within avian assemblages, regardless of the land use composition surrounding the sites. The simultaneous increase in species richness and phylogenetic relatedness could highlight a process of biotic homogenization, typical of anthropized environments. Avian diversity was also significantly affected by the proportion of water bodies (e.g. increasing functional richness and dispersion, but decreasing functional evenness or redundancy) and other land use types (e.g. a negative association between species richness and the proportion of fields). The proportion of paddy fields affected each type of bird richness differently: an inverse U‐shape for forest generalists, negative for forest specialist species, and positive for open land specialists. When assessing the temporal stability of bird community composition, we found that such stability was significantly correlated with the proportion of grasslands, waterbodies, and urban landscapes. Specifically, avian communities surrounded by grasslands were characterized by higher species replacement over time. Additionally, very low or very high proportions of urban landscapes were associated with a relative instability of bird community composition. Our findings support the hypothesis that traditional farming systems represent valuable landscapes supporting avian diversity. However, the relative composition of land use types is crucial in shaping different taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity components in bird assemblages and their temporal stability.


 Birds are important bio-indicators and provide various ecosystem services including pollination, dispersal, and pest control. However, they are threatened by habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation. Study on species diversity, relative abundance, and habitat associations of avifauna were conducted in Tara Gedam Monastery forest patch and associated habitats from July 2016 to April 2017. Stratified random sampling approach was used to classify habitats and select sampling plots based on vegetation type. Consequently, forest, bushland, farmland, and plantation habitats were used for data collection. Point count and line transect methods were used to collect data, and Shannon-Weiner and Simpson’s diversity indices were used to estimate the avian species diversity. One-way ANOVA was conducted to compare avian relative abundance and richness among the different habitat types. A total of 98 species of birds belonging to 14 orders and 41 families were recorded in Tara Gedam Monastery forest and associated habitats. Eighty-seven resident bird species and eleven Palearctic migrants were identified of which seven species are endemic to Ethiopia and Eritrea. The highest avian diversity (H’=4.23) was recorded in the study area during the wet season.The highest species similarity index (SI=0.47) was recorded between forest and bushland habitats during the wet season, while the lowest similarity index (SI=0.07) was found between bush-land and farmland habitats during the dry season. Species richness and relative abundance of bird species varied between the wet and dry seasons. Besides birds, Tara Gedam Monastery forest supports a large number of other wild fauna species, which indicates the area’s potential to support biodiversity. Therefore, there must be a collaborative work between the monastery and different governmental and non-governmental organizations to protect the entire ecosystem in order to conserve the whole biodiversity of the area in general and the avifauna in particular.

Avian diversity was studied in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, India at different elevations. A total of 174 bird species belonging to 38 families were identified along with the elevational zone of forest habitats. We sampled in different elevational forest habitats to understand the vegetation structure and its effect on avian community. Field studies were conducted during January 2006 to January 2008. Results illustrate that bird community value in terms of species richness (7.74) and species diversity (3.68) was higher at mid elevation (1450 to 1700 m asl). Avian species diversity and richness were positively correlated (r = 0.21, 0.78, 0.22, 0.95, 47, 92, 0.95 and 0.83) with the plant species diversity (BSD versus PSD, r = 0.95 and BSR versus PSD, r = 0.83) and foliage height diversity (BSR versus FHD, r = 0.78 and BSR versus FHD, r = 0.92). It is suggested that vegetation structure of the habitat seems to be one of the key features which influence the avian species at local level. Key words: Avian diversity, vegetation association, elevation zone, Nainital district, bird species diversity.

The study on avian diversity at Govt. Serchhip College was conducted from January to December 2024, documenting the presence of both resident and migratory bird species that contribute to the region's ecological balance and biodiversity. A total of 40 bird species were recorded, with their local names (Mizo), common names (English), scientific classifications, and conservation statuses based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The findings emphasize the significance of preserving natural habitats to support avian diversity. Notably, all documented species are classified as

Landscape changes due to habitat alteration and fragmentation can result in complex changes in biodiversity. In the present study, Narsinh Mehta Lake located on the center of Junagadh city was studied for avian diversity during March 2021 to December 2022. The lake, a vital ecosystem within an urban setting, presents a unique opportunity to investigate how avian species composition and abundance are influenced by various water quality parameters. A total of 85 avian species belongs to 14 orders and 36 families and 69 genera are recorded including 5 near threatened and 3 vulnerable species. Amongst the recorded species, 22 were migratory and 63 resident birds. The carnivorous feeding habit was shown by the maximum number of species while nectarivores and frugivorous bird species were in the least numbers. The rich avifaunal diversity of Narsinh Mehta Lake confirms it as a suitable habitat for both migrant and resident bird species. Furthermore, variations in water parameters appear to influence the distribution and behavior of avian species, highlighting the importance of maintaining suitable water conditions for avian populations. Such insights are critical for effective conservation and management strategies aimed at preserving both avian diversity and the integrity of Narsinh Mehta Lake ecosystem. It is worth to mention that the lake is selected for beautification to attract tourists which may affect the biodiversity of the lake.

The study of avian species diversity and abundance at the Taunsa Barrage Ramsar site was carried out from September 2019 to March 2020. Taunsa Barrage is an important wetland for international and local migratory birds, including waterfowls, waders, and long-distance migrant avifauna. Data were collected by direct counts made on four-point transects representing a disturbance gradient due to humans and different habitats. Species diversity indices, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and other statistical methods were used to analyze data. A total of 150 avian species of 19 orders and 53 families were recorded. These included 66 migrant species and 84 resident species. The spotting of ten globally threatened species also highlights the importance of wetland for avian species. On average, 1511 ± 373 ( mean ± SD ) species of birds were recorded every month. Shannon’s diversity index indicated that Transect Point 2 had higher species diversity ( H ′ = 3.779 ), followed by Transect Points 3, 4, and 1 ( H ′ = 3.769 , H ′ = 3.491 , and H ′ = 3.457 , respectively). Evenness index showed that birds evenly distributed in September ( E = 0.5584 ) than November ( E = 0.310 9). ANOVA showed a significant difference ( F = 4.800 , df = 3 , P = 0.002 ) of avian diversity and abundance among the transect points. But there was no statistically significant interaction between months ( F = 1.23 , df = 6 , P = 0.233 ). The results showed that the Taunsa Barrage Ramsar site harbors plenty of resident migratory and threatened bird species. Hence, it is important to protect its habitat and need to protect avian diversity by overcoming major threats.

We examined relationship between avian diversity in urban woodlots and the surrounding environment. We surveyed bird communities and vegetation structures in 9 woodlots (6.87-52.26 ha) in Tokyo Metropolis and Saitama Prefecture during both wintering and breeding seasons in 2005. We measured area, latitude, and longitude of each woodlot by GIS, and estimated quality of the surrounding environment of each woodlot, using NDVI values in 250 m and 2,500 m buffers of each woodlot calculated from EOS-Terra/ASTER satellite imagery. We analyzed relationship between bird species richness and vegetation structure by correlation analysis, and constructed multiple regression models explaining bird species richness, using woodlot area, latitude, longitude, and surrounding environment. Effect of woodlot area and the amount of vegetation cover in each layer on bird species richness was little in both seasons. Total and migrant bird species richness in wintering season was explained by latitude, longitude, and NDVI in 2,500 m buffers. Resident bird species richness in both seasons and bird species richness in breeding season were explained by latitude, longitude, and NDVI in 250 m buffers. Influence of surrounding environment on migrant bird species and that on resident bird species may differ.

Background: Birds are one component of biodiversity. Ethiopia is rich in biodiversity resources. The avian diversity record is far from complete. There is no scientifically documented information on bird species composition and abundance at Nensebo forest. The objective of the study was to assess species composition, relative abundance and distribution of birds at Nensebo forest in southern Ethiopia. Methods: We employed a stratified random sampling technique with our study area stratified into two dominant habitat types: moist Afromontane forest and modified habitat. Within strata, we established 20 transect lines of 1km length and 0.25km width to sample 27.75% of the study area. We used line transect count methods aided by binoculars to estimate avian species diversity and distribution. We employed quantitative biodiversity indices, such as Shannon wiener diversity indexes to compare species diversity among habitat types and two way ANOVA to analyze the effect of season and habitat on bird species richness and abundance. Results: A total of 105 bird species consisting of 1 endemic, 8 near endemic, 1 globally threatened and 9 Palearctic migrants were recorded in Nensebo forest. Species richness and abundance varied between habitat types in Nensebo forest with mean species richness greater in modified habitat (mean= 4.70 ±1.65) as compared to moist Afromontane forest habitat (mean= 3.95 ±4.12, F=94.66 P<0.001). Additionally, modified habitat (Shannon diversity index= 4.131) harbored higher diversity of birds as opposed to Afromontane forest habitat (Shannon diversity index=3.79). Conclusion: The Nensebo forest has high avian species diversity including several endemic and endangered species revealing the importance of this site for bird conservation. Although we found that habitat heterogeneity favored bird species diversity, moist Afromontane habitat is critical for forest obligate species. Hence, sustainable bird conservation strategies including land use planning should be initiated for this area.

The geography of biological sound is a largely unexplored topic that exists at the boundary of ecoacoustics and biogeography. Identification and characterization of patterns of biological sound and soundscape variation across the planet may provide insight into the potential for acoustics as a tool for biodiversity monitoring and conservation. Ecoacoustic indices are audio signal measurements that can be useful for revealing, characterizing, and comparing such soundscape patterns. Some of these indices, such as the Acoustic Complexity Index (ACI), have been shown to correlate with biodiversity and avian vocalization activity in some systems. The goal of this study was to investigate broad-scale trends in the ACI by testing whether the acoustic complexity of dawn chorus soundscapes follows the known latitudinal gradient in avian biodiversity. The ACI was calculated for dawn chorus recordings from 187 sites worldwide, spanning from -45.4° to 68.1° latitude. Acoustic complexity was expected to be highest near the equator and decrease with absolute latitude, tracking the general avian diversity gradient, because higher avian diversity should result in more elaborate dawn chorus soundscapes. However, the ACI did not track the general avian latitudinal diversity gradient. The results and potential explanations for this trend will be discussed.

The research on impact of seasonal changes on avifauna diversity in Nguru Lake of Hadejia-Nguru Wetland was carried out in two different seasons for the period of six 6 months, from April to June (dry season) and July to September (wet season). The aim was to evaluate the impact of seasonal changes on avifauna diversity and the species richness in the study area. A reconnaissance survey was carried out to select study sites and sampling points. Five (5) different points were selected which comprises of Madauka, Kayayyashi, Farin Ruwa, Badum and Guzan respectively and Point count census techniques were adopted. In each counting station, bird observation was carried out twice daily; morning between 6:00 am and 10:00 am and evening between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm. Data compilation was done using Microsoft Excel and were analysed using statistical software Past 326b. Bird diversity was calculated using Shanon-Weiner diversity index. The findings of this research showed that the majority of birds identified were Resident species (12,225 individual birds), Migratory species (8,186 individual birds) and Palearctic Migrants (10,876 individual) species in the study area. Dominant bird species in Nguru lake were Philomachus pugnax, Actophilornis africanus and Phalacrocorax africanus. A total of 5,538 individual birds’ was identified (Dry Season) in Nguru lake ‘’ belonging to 21 families in which Ardeidae family had the highest (7) species of bird. Shannon Diversity Index’ has 2.55 in dry season, while in Wet Season’ has 3.40. This indicated that there was relatively equal and high diversity of bird species in Wet Season in the study area and has the total species richness of 6,711. Overgrazing and other anthropogenic activities which affect the population diversity of avifauna species serve as major threats to the continued existence of Wetlands. Typha grass also remained pressing problem which create microhabitats reducing critical habitat for feeding, nesting and roosting habitat for birds, as well as hampers the smooth flow of water used by many water bird species. In view of the findings of this study, effective monitoring and strategies for conservation to restore the population of bird species, provide public enlightenment of the people around the wetland and management of Hadejia-Nguru Wetland promptly advice the significant importance of the wetland in serving as home for resident and migratory birdspecies.