Abstract
An observation on avian species composition, density, and diversity was carried out at three selected water bodies of Khanapur Taluka, Belagavi District, for a period of 11 months in 2014. During the study, a total of 28 species belonging to 12 families from five orders were recorded. Of these, Ciconiiformes was represented by seven families followed by Coraciiformes by two families while Anseriformes, Charadriiformes and Gruiformes were represented by one family each. Among the three water bodies studied, maximum species composition (26 species) was recorded from Nandgad pond which also hosts Lesser Adjutant Stork and Wooly-necked Stork categorized as ‘Vulnerable’ and Painted Stork, River Tern and Oriental White Ibis as ‘Near Threatened’ by the IUCN Red List. Bidi Minor Irrigation Tank stands second with 17 species while the minimum was recorded at Hebbal Minor Irrigation Tank with 11 species. Based on our observation, a smaller habitat with habitat heterogeneity can attract more assemblages of avifauna and also result in increased species richness and diversity.
Highlights
IntroductionBirds occupy a significant position in ecology and human society and play prominent and diverse roles as pollinators, seed dispersers, pest controlling agents, bio-indicators of an ecosystem, and in religion & culture
MATERIALS AND METHODS J TTNeelgund & KadadevaruBirds occupy a significant position in ecology and human society and play prominent and diverse roles as pollinators, seed dispersers, pest controlling agents, bio-indicators of an ecosystem, and in religion & culture
Ciconiiformes was represented with seven families followed by Coraciiformes with two families while Anseriformes, Charadriiformes, and Gruiformes were represented with one family each
Summary
Birds occupy a significant position in ecology and human society and play prominent and diverse roles as pollinators, seed dispersers, pest controlling agents, bio-indicators of an ecosystem, and in religion & culture. Since time immemorial, they have been a source of food, medicine, feathers for ornaments, and amusements. Rajashekara & Venkatesha (2010) recorded diversity and abundance of water birds from Bangalore City lakes, Basavarajappa (2006) has studied avifauna of agro-ecosystems from maidan region of Davangere. Assessment and status, diversity, and threats of loss of wetlands of Davangere District by Harisha & Hosetti (2018). Richness and conservational threats of migratory wetland birds of Magadi Bird Sanctuary, Gadag District was studied by Kaulgud et al (2016)
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