Avian Diversity and Their Feeding Guild Structure in Temperate Forests of Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

The study on avian diversity and their feeding guild structure with relation to their habitat use in temperate forest of district Pauri Garhwal was carried out between April 2015 to March 2017. Lines transect and direct visual methods were used to record the bird species diversity, their feeding habit and habitats. Frequent surveys were made in the study area and birds were counted. During the study period, a total of 152 species of birds belonging to 9 order and 43 families were recorded. The highest diversity index was recorded at Kandoliya (H¯= 3.98±0.06) and Adwani was recorded with minimum diversity (H¯= 3.34±0.08). The average bird diversity index at all sites was recorded as (H¯= 3.57±0.11). Further, on the basis of their feeding guilds the recorded birds were categorized into the six major categories such as insectivore (55.92%), omnivore (13.81%), grainivores (5.92%), carnivore (9.21%), nectarivorous (1.31), frugivore (5.92%) and 7.91% species remained unidentified. The insectivore guild was dominant in all the guild structures.