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Abstract
The present study was carried out in the recently established Warathenna-Hakkinda EPA in the Kandy District, Sri Lanka to investigate the avifaunal diversity and conservation threats. Sampling was conducted in two main habitat types: river islands and riverine forests. Both point count (10 m radius) and line transect (200 m long) methods were utilized and maximum of 30 minutes was used to sample the birds in each point. Food habit, niche type, endemism, abundance, and diversity indices (Shannon & Margalef) were calculated to compare the two habitats in this area. A total of 74 bird species belonging to 61 genera and 35 families were encountered from the study site. Among these, seven species are endemic: Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Sri Lanka Green Pigeon, Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Crimson-fronted Barbet, Yellow-fronted Barbet, and Sri Lanka Hill Mynah; while six were migratory: Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Indian Pitta, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Yellow Wagtail, and Grey Wagtail and the rest were non-endemic natives. Most of them were canopy and sub canopy dwellers associated with riverine forests and islands. According to the National Red List of Sri Lanka, three species, the Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon, Sri Lanka Hill Mynah, and Alpine Swift, are listed as threatened. Ardeidae, Alcedinidae, Columbidae, Accipitridae, and Apodidae were the most species rich families in this habitat. Out of the sampled species, 31% and 25% of the birds were carnivores and insectivores, respectively, while 5% were nectarivores. According to the avifauna, the riverine forests are more diverse (Shannon index H’= 2.55; Margalef’s index M= 10.92) than the river islands (H’= 2.29; M= 5.07) in this landscape. The variety of habitats along the Mahaweli River at Warathenna appears to aid in sustaining a rich bird community and this Environmental Protection Area will help create a safe haven for the birds.
Highlights
Sri Lanka and the Western Ghats of India is considered a global biodiversity hotspot due to the high diversity and species endemicity (Bossuyt et al 2004)
This study was conducted to investigate the avifaunal diversity in the Warathenna-Hakkinda Environmental Protection Area (EPA) in the Kandy district located in the Wet Forest Avian Zone (Harrison & Worfolk 1999; MoMD&E 2019)
The present study aimed to evaluate the species composition of the bird community in this EPA
Summary
Sri Lanka and the Western Ghats of India is considered a global biodiversity hotspot due to the high diversity and species endemicity (Bossuyt et al 2004). Sri Lanka is renowned for the diversity and endemicity of its vertebrate fauna, including its diverse avifauna (de Silva Wijeyeratne 2014; Weerakoon 2015). Sri Lanka is home to 240 breeding resident species, 216 purely migrant species, and 72 vagrant species of birds. Of the total 453 species, 27 are endemic, and six are proposed as endemics (Gunawardena & Weerakoon 2012), while 43 species, including five winter migrants are considered endemic to the southern Asian region (Kotagama & Wijeyasinghe 1998; Kotagama 2000; Santiapillai & Wijesundara 2002; Rasmussen & Anderson 2005; Wijesundara & de Silva 2005; Chandrasiri et al 2018). This study was conducted to investigate the avifaunal diversity in the Warathenna-Hakkinda Environmental Protection Area (EPA) in the Kandy district located in the Wet Forest Avian Zone (Harrison & Worfolk 1999; MoMD&E 2019)
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