Avifauna of four protected areas of Terai-Arc Landscape, India: significant records and a checklist of species

Abstract

Protected areas (PAs) in Terai-Arc landscape are relatively poorly explored as far as bird communities are concerned. Here we report a checklist and significant records of birds recorded during opportunistic observations and systematic bird surveys in four PAs: Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (2001–2004, 2006, 2008, and 2015); Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (2014–15); Valmiki Tiger Reserve (2014–17), and Udaipur Wildlife Sanctuary (2018). We have compiled a checklist of 424 species that includes 358 species in the Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, 306 species in the Valmiki Tiger Reserve, 236 species in the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, and 128 species in Udaipur Wildlife Sanctuary. Most species belong to the Insectivore guild (190 species, 44.8%), while the nectivorous guild was the least represented (10 species, 2.35%). A total of 9% of species in the region were either globally threatened (6 Critically Endangered, 5 Endangered, and 8 Vulnerable) or Near Threatened (19 species). Sightings of species of conservation importance have been discussed.