Abstract
The aim of the present study is to evaluate the waterbird diversity, distribution, and conservation status in the northern avifaunal region of Sri Lanka, which includes two of the four richest waterbird regions in Sri Lanka, namely Jaffna and Mannar. We compiled data from the annual waterbird censuses and monthly records of the Ceylon Bird Club from 2011 to 2017 and from a systematic survey carried out by us from October 2014 to March 2016. We recorded a total of 116 species of waterbirds belonging to 23 families. Among them are species confined to the northern region including the rare breeding residents the Crab Plover ( Dromas ardeola ), Indian Courser ( Cursorius coromandelicus ), Spot-billed Duck ( Anas poecilorhyncha ), and Saunders’s Tern ( Sternula saundersi ). The Greater Flamingo ( Phoenicopterus roseus ), which is now uncommon elsewhere in Sri Lanka, was recorded in high numbers. The Spot-billed Duck, which was a very rare migrant to Sri Lanka until recently, was found to have established breeding populations in the region. The Glossy Ibis ( Plegadis falcinellus ) and Comb Duck ( Sarkidiornis melanotos ), which are extirpated breeding residents in Sri Lanka, were recorded as part of the migrant population. The Common Coot ( Fulica atra ), which was previously considered a very rare breeding resident, was found to be abundant with over 1,000 individuals in some localities.
Highlights
Bird diversity in the South Asian regionAt present, of the 10,000 or more known species of birds in the world, some 1,800 species are found in the Oriental Region (Clements et al, 2016)
We recorded a total of 116 species of waterbirds belonging to 23 families in the study region
The present study area has a number of important sites for waterbird conservation
Summary
Bird diversity in the South Asian regionAt present, of the 10,000 or more known species of birds in the world, some 1,800 species are found in the Oriental Region (Clements et al, 2016). Bird diversity in the South Asian region. Some 143 bird species (11%) are endemic to the South Asian region. This region is critical for the preservation of avian biodiversity. Several factors contribute to the avian species richness in the South Asian region. These include altitudinal variation (from sea level up to the Himalayas, the world’s tallest mountain range), variability in climate and associated vegetation diversity, and its geographical location within the major Central Asian migrant flyway. Most species in the region are Oriental (IndoMalayan) species, typified by minivets and ioras; some are Palearctic species, including accentors, and a small number originate in Africa and these include creepers
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