Bird records from Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

Arunachal Pradesh is known for its rich biodiversity, including avifauna. However, some areas in Arunachal Pradesh still need to be surveyed to document its biodiversity and avian diversity. In order to document the avian diversity in high altitude areas, especially in the north-western region bordering Myanmar and southern China, I carried out surveys in Tawang district, an important eco-region selected for the proposed Biosphere Reserve, which has similarity in bird assemblages with those of neighbouring Bhutan and southern China. Studies were carried out in four phases from November 2007 to March 2012, with more than three surveys of 14 days durations covering 24 localities of Tawang district. The main aim of the surveys was to document the seasonal bird diversity of Zimmithang-Nelya, an Important Bird Area (IBA) in the Eastern Himalaya. The surveys recorded 113 species of birds, including 25 migrant species. Significant records include the Snow Partridge Lerwa lerwa, Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola, and Broad-billed Warbler Tickellia hodgsoni.