Granthaalayah

AVIFAUNAL COMPOSITION OF VARIOUS MICROHABITATS OF SOUTHERN NAGAUR (PARBATSAR, KUCHAMAN, NAWA AND MAKRANA), RAJASTHAN

 

Rounak Choudhary 1, Praveen Mathur 1, Vivek Sharma *1Envelope

*1 Department of Environmental Sciences, M.D.S. University, Ajmer, India

 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.29121/granthaalayah.v8.i11.2020.2318

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Article Type: Research Article

 

Article Citation: Rounak Choudhary, Praveen Mathur, and Vivek Sharma. (2020). AVIFAUNAL COMPOSITION OF VARIOUS MICROHABITATS OF SOUTHERN NAGAUR (PARBATSAR, KUCHAMAN, NAWA AND MAKRANA), RAJASTHAN. International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH, 8(11), 112-128. https://doi.org/10.29121/granthaalayah.v8.i11.2020.2318

 

Received Date: 01 November 2020

 

Accepted Date: 30 November 2020

 

Keywords:

Avifauna

Microhabitats

Nagaur

Parbatsar

Nawa

Kuchaman

Makrana

Feeding Guilds
ABSTRACT

Present study comprises a comprehensive dataset about the Avifaunal diversity of one of the climatic transition zone i.e., Southern Nagur, Rajasthan. The Study was conducted under the classified six different microhabitats i.e., Agricultural Field Plains, Sambhar Lake and Other Waterbodies, Aravalli Hill Patches, Urban Settlements, Scrub Thorn Forest and Open Grasslands & Wastelands. The key aspect of present study is to provide well structured and extensive information on the avian diversity, their distribution and their habitat association at the study area. A total of 191 Avifaunal species belonging to 21 Orders and 61 Families were recorded from study area. A total of 7 Feeding Guilds were observed in the study area viz., Carnivores, Frugivores, Granivores, Herbivores, Insectivores, Nectivores and Omnivored. The Migratory status and IUCN status of the observed species was also assessed. Jaccard and Sorenson index’s was highest for the Agricultural and Grassland Microhabitats.



 

1.      INTRODUCTION

 

The state of Rajasthan can be divided into two major climatic zones i.e. Arid and Semiarid, by the Aravalli Mountain ranges. The districts lying near Aravalli mountain ranges act as a transition zone between such two climatic zones. With variety of microhabitats in the state of Rajasthan along with two Ramsar Sites i.e., are Keoladeo National Park and Sambhar Lake (Islam and Rahmani, 2004). Rajasthan is rich in various floral and faunal components including the avifaunal diversity with estimation of about 500 species of birds (BNHS, 2011b).

Birds are one of the best indicators of environmental quality, health and they easily depicted significant variations against changes in the microhabitat quality in both the terms spatial as well as temporal. Birds also exhibit the relationship with the structure and characteristics of the microhabitat (Cody, 1978). The population and community structure of bird is directly affected by the food availability, nest site availability, human exposure and presence of other threat (Wiens, 1989). Studying the bird population is useful to monitor the long term changes in habitat quality and responses of birds to both natural and anthropogenic induced environmental changes (Wiens, 1989).

As, this is well known fact, that the transition zones exhibited greater amount of diversity as they shared nearly all characteristics of both the nearby microhabitats. Inspite of such importance still many transition zones including the Nagaur district are not evaluated properly for their faunal diversity including the avifaunal compositions. The present study is an approach to fulfill such gap as it comprises the avifaunal diversity of southern region of Naguar district in classified six different microhabitats i.e., Agricultural Field Plains, Sambhar Lake and Other Waterbodies, Aravalli Hill Patches, Urban Settlements, Scrub Thorn Forest and Open Grasslands & Wastelands. The main purpose of this study is to provide well structured and extensive information on the avian diversity, distribution and habitat association of avifauna of southern region of Nagaur, administratively comes under the Parbatsar, Nawa, Makrana and Kuchaman towns of Nagaur District.

 

1.1. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

 

The objective of present study is to prepare an avifaunal inventory of the study area by observing all six microhabitats and to identify the feeding guild (Simberloff and Dayan 1991), IUCN Status (IUCN, 2020) and Migration Pattern (Able, 1995) of the documented bird species of the study area.

     

2.      MATERIALS AND METHODS

 

2.1. PROFILE OF STUDY AREA

 

The study was carried out in six microhabitats at southern region of Nagaur district, Rajasthan. The study area located between 26°54'20.1"N 74°46'31.5"E at transition zone between arid and semiarid climatic zones of Rajasthan.

Four seasons are recognized at the study area based on rainfall i.e., Summer (April-June), Pre-monsoon (July-September), Monsoon (October-December) and Post-monsoon (January-March). The December to January is the coolest time period and May to June is the warmest period at the study area. The study area is well dominated by Agricultural Lands followed by Scrub Thorn Forest and Wasteland. The western parts of the study area are covered by Aravalli Mountain Ranges. Soils are relatively fertile and support all agricultural activity in the study area. Four types of soils have been reported from the study area viz., Clay, Clay Loam, Sandy Loam and Sandy Soil. The area lies under the transition zone of arid and semiarid climate and is represented by chiefly Dry mixed deciduous thorn forest along with some bushy plants Anogeissus pendula and Capparis decidua. The plainer parts of the study area is dominated by Acacia nilotica, Acacia senegal, Salvadora persica etc. The nearby of seasonal rivers and streams the soil is of sandy with good amount of moisture and mainly populated by the Dalbergia sissoo as the common tree, while other important species are Azadirachta indica, Prosopis cineraria and Prosopis juliflora. The degraded areas at the catchment are dominated by an invasive plant Prosopis juliflora. Due to high saline condition the other species does not survive easily at the study area but the growth of Prosopis juliflora is in abundance.

Agro-Ecosystems or Agricultural area covers the largest portion of study area. The area is mostly cultivated during the monsoon season. Some of the important crops like Pearl millet, Cluster bean, Sesame, Green gram, Moth bean are the main seasonal crops. However, in more fertile soil groundnut, wheat, cumin, cotton, mustard and gram are also grown on fairly large scale.

 

Fullscreen capture 24-08-2020 090042 AM.bmp.jpg

Figure 1: (A) Satellite map of Study Area, (B) With highlighted microhabitats

 

2.2. DATA COLLECTION

 

Regular field surveys were carried out from August 2019 to August 2020 resulting in a total 52 surveys in six microhabitats: 20 in summer, 20 in winter and 12 in monsoon. The length of transect remained constant in all the surveys that is 1000 m (1KM). The time remained constant in all microhabitat, morning surveys was carried out from 6:00 Am to 9:00 Am and evening surveys was carried out from 4:00 Pm to 7:00 Pm. Olympus Binocular 10*50X was used for on field observations and Canon- Eos 1300D camera was used for photography. For identification of birds “Book of Indian Birds” by Salim ali (Ali, 1992) and “A field guide on the birds of the Indian subcontinent” Grimmett (Grimmett et al., 1998) was referred. Checklist was prepared using various methods like Adhoc, Area Search Method, Point Count Method, Rolling Bird Survey Method and Call Based Identification Method (Urfi et al., 2005).

 

2.3. DATA ANALYSIS

 

Relative Diversity Index (RDi)

The relative diversity (RDi) of families was calculated (Torre-Cuadros et al., 2007).

 

 

Sorenson Index

To assess the association of species between two study sites, Sorensen’s index of similarity (Sorenson, 1948) was calculated.

 

 

Where j = number of species common to both sites; a = number of species at site A; b = number of species at site B

 

Jaccard Index

To assess the association of species between two study sites, Jaccard index of similarity was calculated.

 

 

Where j = number of species common to both sites; a = number of species at site A; b = number of species at site B.

 

3.      RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

 

A total of 191 Avifaunal species were recorded from study area (Table 1). Total 21 Orders were recorded from the study area (Table 2). Order Passeriformes dominated the study area with 71 Bird species followed by order Charadriiformes (28), Anseriformes (14), Pelecaniformes (13) and Accipitriformes (12). A total of 61 Families were recorded from study area (Table 3). Family Anatidae dominated the study area with 14 species followed by Muscicapidae (12), Accipitridae (11) and Scolopacide (11) with relative diversity value of 7.33%, 6.28%, 5.76% and 5.76% respectively. A total of 7 Feeding Guilds were observed in the study area viz., Carnivores, Frugivores, Granivores, Herbivores, Insectivores, Nectivores and Omnivored based on the food preferences of the Avifauna (Table 4 & Fig. 2).

Most Birds in study area preferred Insectivore feeding guild as of 77 species of total 191 are insectivore followed by Carnivores (45), Granivores (24), Omnivores (23), Herbivores (11), Frugivores (10) and only one species of Nectivores. 119 out of total 191 species recorded in study area were identified as residential species of the area, 72 species were identified as Migratory species out of which 5 as Summer Migratory and 67 as Winter Migratory (Table 5 & Fig. 3).

In recorded 191 species, a total of 4 IUCN Red List Categories out of 7 was observed in the study area. 178 Species out of 191 were identified as Least Concerned Species. 8 Species were identified as Near Threatened species which are Ferruginous pochard, Great thick knee, River tern, Black tailed godwit, Painted Stork, Oriental White Ibis, Lesser Flamingo, Alexendrine Parakeet. 3 Species i.e. Common Pochard, Woolly Necked Stork, Southern Grey Shrike were identified as Vulnerable, And 2 Species viz., Egyptian Vulture and Steppe Eagle as Endangered (Table 6 & Fig. 4). 

During the entire period of study the maximum species was observed from the Water bodies microhabitat (95 species) followed by Scrub forest microhabitats (89). In contrast the minimum species represented by Urban settlements microhabitat (38 species). The higher amount of species diversity indicated the better quality and resource availability at that particular microhabitat.

Jaccard and Sorenson index’s increasing values indicates the similarity between two microhabitats. The Agricultural and Grassland Microhabitats have highest values (Jaccard= 0.559, Sorenson= 0.717) are much similar to each other.

 

Table 1: Order, Family, Common Name, Scientific Name, Feeding Guild, Migratory Status and IUCN Status of Observed Species

S.NO

Order

Family

Common name

Scientific name

Feeding Guild

Migratory Status

IUCN Status

1

Accipitriformes

Accipitridae

Black winged kite

Elanus axillaris

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

2

Accipitriformes

Accipitridae

Black kite

Milvus migrans

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

3

Accipitriformes

Accipitridae

Shikra

Accipiter badius

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

4

Accipitriformes

Accipitridae

Oriental honey buzzard

Pernis ptilorhynchus

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

5

Accipitriformes

Accipitridae

White eyed buzzard

Butastur teesa

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

6

Accipitriformes

Accipitridae

Eurasian Marsh harrier

Ciircus aeruginosus

Carnivorous

W

Least concern

7

Accipitriformes

Accipitridae

Egyptian vulture

Neophron percnopterus

Carnivorous

R

Endagered

8

Accipitriformes

Accipitridae

Montagu's harrier

Circus pygargus

Carnivorous

W

Least concern

9

Accipitriformes

Accipitridae

Long leg buzzard

Buteo rufinus

Carnivorous

W

Least concern

10

Accipitriformes

Accipitridae

Steppe eagle

Aquila nipalensis

Carnivorous

W

Endagered

11

Accipitriformes

Accipitridae

Common buzzard

Buteo buteo

Carnivorous

W

Least concern

12

Accipitriformes

Pandionidae

Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

13

Anseriformes

Anatidae

Bar headed goose

Anser indicus

Omnivorous

R

Least concern

14

Anseriformes

Anatidae

Ruddy Shelduck

Tadorana ferruginea

Omnivorous

W

Least concern

15

Anseriformes

Anatidae

Common pochard

Aythya ferina

Omnivorous

W

Vulnerable

16

Anseriformes

Anatidae

Ferrogenous pochard

Aythya nyroca

Omnivorous

W

Near Threatened

17

Anseriformes

Anatidae

Graylag goose

Anser anser

Herbivorous

W

Least concern

18

Anseriformes

Anatidae

Knob billed duck

Sarkidiornis melanotos

Herbivorous

R

Least concern

19

Anseriformes

Anatidae

Lesser whistling duck

Dendrocygna javanica

Herbivorous

R

Least concern

20

Anseriformes

Anatidae

Northern Pintail

Anas acuta

Herbivorous

W

Least concern

21

Anseriformes

Anatidae

Common teal

Anas crecca

Herbivorous

W

Least concern

22

Anseriformes

Anatidae

Spot billed duck

Anas poecilorhyncha

Herbivorous

R

Least concern

23

Anseriformes

Anatidae

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

Herbivorous

W

Least concern

24

Anseriformes

Anatidae

Gadwall

Anas strepera

Herbivorous

W

Least concern

25

Anseriformes

Anatidae

Garganey

Anas querquedula

Herbivorous

W

Least concern

26

Anseriformes

Anatidae

Northern shoveler

Anas clypeata

Carnivorous

W

Least concern

27

Apodiformes

Apodidae

House swift

Apus affinis

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

28

Bucerotiformes

Upupidae

Common hoopoe

Upupa epops

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

29

Bucerotiformes

Bucerotidae

Indian grey hornbill

Ocyceros birostris

Frugivorous

R

Least concern

30

Charadriiformes

Burhinidae

Great thick knee

Esacus recurvirostris

Carnivorous

W

Near threatened

31

Charadriiformes

Burhinidae

Indian thick knee

Burhinus oedicnemus

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

32

Charadriiformes

Charadriidae

Kentish Plover

Charadrius alexandrinus

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

33

Charadriiformes

Charadriidae

Little Ringed Plover

Charadrius dubius

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

34

Charadriiformes

Charadriidae

Red wattled lapwing

Vanellus indicus

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

35

Charadriiformes

Charadriidae

Yellow wattled lapwing

Vanellus malabaricus

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

36

Charadriiformes

Glareolidae

Small pratincole

Glareola lactea

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

37

Charadriiformes

Laridae

Black headed gull

Chroicocephalus ridibundus

Omnivorous

W

Least concern

38

Charadriiformes

Laridae

Brown Headed Gull

Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus

Omnivorous

W

Least concern

39

Charadriiformes

Laridae

Gull billed tern

Gelochelidon nilotica

Carnivorous

W

Least concern

40

Charadriiformes

Laridae

Pallas gull

Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus

Carnivorous

W

Least concern

41

Charadriiformes

Laridae

River tern

Sterna aurantia

Carnivorous

W

Near Threatened

42

Charadriiformes

Laridae

Whiskered tern

Chlidonias hybrida

Carnivorous

W

Least concern

43

Charadriiformes

Recurvirostridae

Black winged stilt

Himantopus himantopus

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

44

Charadriiformes

Recurvirostridae

Pied avocet

Recurvirostra avosetta

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

45

Charadriiformes

Rostratulidae

Greater painted snipe

Rostratula benghalensis

Omnivorous

R

Least concern

46

Charadriiformes

Scolopacidae

Black tailed godwit

Limosa limosa

Insectivorous

W

Near Threatened

47

Charadriiformes

Scolopacidae

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucosa

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

48

Charadriiformes

Scolopacidae

Little stint

Calidris minuta

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

49

Charadriiformes

Scolopacidae

Ruff

Calidris pugnax

Herbivorous

W

Least concern

50

Charadriiformes

Scolopacidae

Common snipe

Gallinago gallinaggo

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

51

Charadriiformes

Scolopacidae

Spotted redshank

Tringa erythropus

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

52

Charadriiformes

Scolopacidae

Common redshank

Tringa totanus

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

53

Charadriiformes

Scolopacidae

Green sandpiper

Tringa ochropus

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

54

Charadriiformes

Scolopacidae

Wood sandpiper

Tringa glareola

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

55

Charadriiformes

Scolopacidae

Temminck's stint

Calidris temminckii

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

56

Charadriiformes

Scolopacidae

Curlew sandpiper

Calidris ferruginea

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

57

Charadriiformes

Turnicidae

Barred button quail

Turnix suscitator

Granivorous

R

Least concern

58

Ciconiiformes

Ciconiidae

Asian openbill

Anastomus oscitans

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

59

Ciconiiformes

Ciconiidae

Painted stork

Mycteria leucocephala

Carnivorous

R

Near Threatened

60

Ciconiiformes

Ciconiidae

Woolly necked stork

Ciconia episcopus

Carnivorous

R

Vulnerable

61

Columbiformes

Columbidae

Blue rock dove

Columba livia

Granivorous

R

Least concern

62

Columbiformes

Columbidae

Laughing Dove

Spilopelia senegalensis

Granivorous

R

Least concern

63

Columbiformes

Columbidae

Spotted dove

Spilopelia chinensis

Granivorous

R

Least concern

64

Columbiformes

Columbidae

Red-collared dove

Streptopelia tranquebarica

Granivorous

R

Least concern

65

Columbiformes

Columbidae

Eurasian collared dove

Streptopelia decaocto

Granivorous

R

Least concern

66

Columbiformes

Columbidae

Yellow footed green pigeon

Treron phoenicoptera

Frugivorous

R

Least concern

67

Coraciiformes

Alcedinidae

Common kingfisher

Alcedo atthis

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

68

Coraciiformes

Alcedinidae

Pied kingfisher

Ceryle rudis

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

69

Coraciiformes

Alcedinidae

White throated kingfisher

Halcyon smyrnensis

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

70

Coraciiformes

Coraciidae

European roller

Coracias garrulus

Insectivorous

S

Least concern

71

Coraciiformes

Coraciidae

Indian roller

Coracias benghalensis

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

72

Coraciiformes

Meropidae

Green bee-eater

Merops orientalis

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

73

Coraciiformes

Meropidae

Blue tailed bee-eater

Merops philippinus

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

74

Coraciiformes

Meropidae

Blue cheeked bee-eater

Merops persicus

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

75

Cuculiformes

Cuculidae

Jacobin cuckoo

Clamator jacobinus

Insectivorous

S

Least concern

76

Cuculiformes

Cuculidae

Common hawk cuckoo

Hierococcyx varius

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

77

Cuculiformes

Cuculidae

Asian koel

Eudynamys scolopaceus

Frugivorous

R

Least concern

78

Cuculiformes

Cuculidae

Greater coucal

Centropus sinensis

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

79

Falconiformes

Falconidae

Common kestrel

Falco tinnunculus

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

80

Galliformes

Phasianidae

Grey Francolin

Francolinus pondicerianus

Granivorous

R

Least concern

81

Galliformes

Phasianidae

Common quail

Coturnix coturnix

Granivorous

S

Least concern

82

Galliformes

Phasianidae

Rain quail

Coturnix coromandelica

Granivorous

R

Least concern

83

Galliformes

Phasianidae

Indian peafowl

Pavo cristatus

Omnivorous

R

Least concern

84

Galliformes

Phasianidae

Rock bush quail

Perdicula argoondha

Herbivorous

R

Least concern

85

Gruiformes

Gruidae

Common crane

Grus grus

Omnivorous

W

Least concern

86

Gruiformes

Gruidae

Demoiselle crane

Grus virgo

Omnivorous

W

Least concern

87

Gruiformes

Rallidae

White breasted water hen

Amaurornis phoenicurus

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

88

Gruiformes

Rallidae

Grey headed swamp hen

Porphyrio poliocephalus

Omnivorous

R

Least concern

89

Gruiformes

Rallidae

Common moorhen

Gallinula chloropus

Omnivorous

R

Least concern

90

Gruiformes

Rallidae

Common coot

Fulica atra

Omnivorous

R

Least concern

91

Passeriformes

Alaudidae

Indian bushlark

Mirafra erythroptera

Granivorous

R

Least concern

92

Passeriformes

Alaudidae

Crested lark

Galerida cristata

Granivorous

R

Least concern

93

Passeriformes

Alaudidae

Rufous tailed lark

Ammomanes phoenicura

Granivorous

R

Least concern

94

Passeriformes

Alaudidae

Singing bushlark

Mirafra cantillans

Granivorous

R

Least concern

95

Passeriformes

Alaudidae

Greater short toed lark

Calandrella brachydactyla

Granivorous

W

Least concern

96

Passeriformes

Alaudidae

Ashy crowned sparrow lark

Eremopterix griseus

Granivorous

R

Least concern

97

Passeriformes

Campephagidae

Small minivete

Pericrocotus cinnamomeus

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

98

Passeriformes

Campephagidae

Large cuckoo shrike

Coracina macei

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

99

Passeriformes

Certhiidae

Indian spotted creeper

Salpornis spilonotus

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

100

Passeriformes

Cisticolidae

Rufous fronted prinia

Prinia buchanani

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

101

Passeriformes

Cisticolidae

Plain prinia

Prinia inornata

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

102

Passeriformes

Cisticolidae

Ashy prinia

Prinia socialis

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

103

Passeriformes

Cisticolidae

Grey breasted prinia

Prinia hodgsonii

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

104

Passeriformes

Cisticolidae

Jungle prina

Prinia sylvatica

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

105

Passeriformes

Cisticolidae

Common tailorbird

Orthotomus sutorius

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

106

Passeriformes

Corvidae

Rufous treepie

Dendrocitta vagabunda

Omnivorous

R

Least concern

107

Passeriformes

Corvidae

House crow

Corvus splendens

Omnivorous

R

Least concern

108

Passeriformes

Dicruridae

Black drongo

Dicrurus macrocercus

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

109

Passeriformes

Dicruridae

White bellied drongo

Dicrurus caerulescens

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

110

Passeriformes

Emberizidae

Crested bunting

Emberiza lathami

Granivorous

R

Least concern

111

Passeriformes

Emberizidae

Red headed bunting

Emberiza bruniceps

Granivorous

W

Least concern

112

Passeriformes

Estrildidae

Indian silverbill

Euodice malabarica

Granivorous

R

Least concern

113

Passeriformes

Hirundinidae

Dusky crag martin

Hirundo concolor

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

114

Passeriformes

Hirundinidae

Streak throated swallow

Hirundo fluvicola

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

115

Passeriformes

Hirundinidae

Wire tailed swallow

Hirundo smithii

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

116

Passeriformes

Hirundinidae

Red Rumped Swallow

Hirundo daurica

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

117

Passeriformes

Laniidae

Bay backed shrike

Lanius vittatus

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

118

Passeriformes

Laniidae

Long tailed shrike

Lanius schach

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

119

Passeriformes

Laniidae

Southern grey shrike

Lanius excubitor

Insectivorous

R

Vulnerable

120

Passeriformes

Leiothrichidae

Common babbler

Argya caudata

Granivorous

R

Least concern

121

Passeriformes

Leiothrichidae

Large grey babbler

Turdoides malcolmi

Granivorous

R

Least concern

122

Passeriformes

Leiothrichidae

Jungle babbler

Argya striata

Granivorous

R

Least concern

123

Passeriformes

Motacillidae

White wagtail

Motacilla alba

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

124

Passeriformes

Motacillidae

White browed wagtail

Motacilla maderaspatensis

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

125

Passeriformes

Motacillidae

Citrine wagtail

Motacilla citreola

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

126

Passeriformes

Motacillidae

Yellow wagtail

Motacilla flava

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

127

Passeriformes

Motacillidae

Paddyfield pipet

Anthus rufulus

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

128

Passeriformes

Muscicapidae

Red-breasted flycatcher

Ficedula parva

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

129

Passeriformes

Muscicapidae

Bluethroat

Luscinia svecica

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

130

Passeriformes

Muscicapidae

Oriental magpie robin

Copsychus saularis

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

131

Passeriformes

Muscicapidae

Indian robin

Copsychus fulicatus

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

132

Passeriformes

Muscicapidae

Black redstart

Phoenicurus ochruros

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

133

Passeriformes

Muscicapidae

Common Stonechat

Saxicola maurus

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

134

Passeriformes

Muscicapidae

Desert wheatear

Oenanthe deserti

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

135

Passeriformes

Muscicapidae

Isabelline wheatear

Oenanthe isabellina

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

136

Passeriformes

Muscicapidae

Variable wheatear

Oenanthe picata

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

137

Passeriformes

Muscicapidae

Pied bushchat

Saxicola caprata

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

138

Passeriformes

Muscicapidae

Brown rockchat

Oenanthe fusca

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

139

Passeriformes

Muscicapidae

Blue rockthrush

Monticola solitarius

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

140

Passeriformes

Nectariniidae

Purple sunbird

Cinnyris asiaticus

Nectivorous

R

Least concern

141

Passeriformes

Oriolidae

Indian oriole

Oriolus oriolus

Frugivorous

S

Least concern

142

Passeriformes

Paridae

Great tit

Parus major

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

143

Passeriformes

Passeridae

Chestnut Shouldered petronia

Gymnoris xanthocollis

Granivorous

R

Least concern

144

Passeriformes

Passeridae

House sparrow

Passer domesticus

Granivorous

R

Least concern

145

Passeriformes

Phylloscopidae

Common chiffchaff

Phylloscopus collybita

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

146

Passeriformes

Phylloscopidae

Sulphur- bellied warbler

Phylloscopus griseolus

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

147

Passeriformes

Ploceidae

Baya weaver

Ploceus philippinus

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

148

Passeriformes

Pycnonotidae

White eared bulbul

Pycnonotus leucotis

Frugivorous

R

Least concern

149

Passeriformes

Pycnonotidae

Red vented bulbul

Pycnonotus cafer

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

150

Passeriformes

Rhipiduridae

White browed fantail

Rhipidura aureola

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

151

Passeriformes

Stenostiridae

Grey headed cannery flycatcher

Culicicapa ceylonensis

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

152

Passeriformes

Sturnidae

Brahminy starling

Sturnia pagodarum

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

153

Passeriformes

Sturnidae

Asian pied starling

Gracupica contra

Omnivorous

R

Least concern

154

Passeriformes

Sturnidae

Common starling

Sturnus vulgaris

Omnivorous

W

Least concern

155

Passeriformes

Sturnidae

Rosy starling

Pastor roseus

Omnivorous

W

Least concern

156

Passeriformes

Sturnidae

Common myna

Acridotheres tristis

Omnivorous

R

Least concern

157

Passeriformes

Sturnidae

Bank myna

Acridotheres ginginianus

Omnivorous

R

Least concern

158

Passeriformes

Sylviidae

Lesser white throat

Sylvia curruca

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

159

Passeriformes

Sylviidae

Yellow Eyed Babbler

Chrysomma sinense

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

160

Passeriformes

Vangidae

Common woodshrike

Tephrodornis pondicerianus

Insectivorous

S

Least concern

161

Passeriformes

Zosteropidae

Oriental white eye

Zosterops palpebrosus

Omnivorous

R

Least concern

162

Pelecaniformes

Ardeidae

Cattle egret

Bubulcus ibis

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

163

Pelecaniformes

Ardeidae

Little egret

Egretta garzetta

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

164

Pelecaniformes

Ardeidae

Intermediate egret

Ardea intermedia

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

165

Pelecaniformes

Ardeidae

Great egret

Ardea alba

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

166

Pelecaniformes

Ardeidae

Indian pond heron

Ardeola grayii

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

167

Pelecaniformes

Ardeidae

Purple Heron

Ardea purpurea

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

168

Pelecaniformes

Ardeidae

Grey Heron

Ardea cinerea

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

169

Pelecaniformes

Ardeidae

Little Green Heron

Butorides striatus

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

170

Pelecaniformes

Ardeidae

Black Crowned night heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

171

Pelecaniformes

Threskiornithidae

Black ibis

Pseudibis papillosa

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

172

Pelecaniformes

Threskiornithidae

Glossy ibis

Plegadis falcinellus

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

173

Pelecaniformes

Threskiornithidae

Oriental white ibis

Threskiornis melanocephalus

Carnivorous

R

Near Threatened

174

Pelecaniformes

Threskiornithidae

Eurasian Spoonbill

Platalea leucorodia

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

175

Phoenicopteriformes

Phoenicopteridae

Lesser flamingo

Phoenicopterus minor

Omnivorous

W

Near Threatened

176

Phoenicopteriformes

Phoenicopteridae

Greater flamingo

Phoenicopterus ruber

Omnivorous

W

Least concern

177

Piciformes

Megalaimidae

Coppersmith barbet

Psilopogon haemacephalus

Frugivorous

R

Least concern

178

Piciformes

Picidae

Eurasian wryneck

Jynx torquilla

Insectivorous

W

Least concern

179

Piciformes

Picidae

Yellow crowned woodpecker

Leiopicus mahrattensis

Frugivorous

R

Least concern

180

Piciformes

Picidae

Black rumped flamback

Dinopium benghalense

Insectivorous

R

Least concern

181

Podicipediformes

Podicipedidae

Little grebe

Tachybaptus ruficollis

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

182

Psittaciformes

Psittaculidae

Rose ringed parakeet

Psittacula krameri

Frugivorous

R

Least concern

183

Psittaciformes

Psittaculidae

Plum headed parakeet

Psittacula cyanocephala

Frugivorous

R

Least concern

184

Psittaciformes

Psittaculidae

Alexandrine parakeet

Psittacula eupatria

Frugivorous

R

Near Threatened

185

Pterocliformes

Pteroclidae

Chestnut bellied sand grouse

Pterocles exustus

Granivorous

R

Least concern

186

Strigiformes

Strigidae

Indian Eagle Owl

Bubo bengalensis

Carnivorous

W

Least concern

187

Strigiformes

Strigidae

Spotted owlet

Athene brama

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

188

Strigiformes

Tytonidae

Barn owl

Tyto alba

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

189

Suliformes

Phalacrocoracidae

Great cormorant

Phalacrocorax carbo

Carnivorous

W

Least concern

190

Suliformes

Phalacrocoracidae

Indian shag

Phalacrocorax fuscicollis

Carnivorous

W

Least concern

191

Suliformes

Phalacrocoracidae

Little cormorant

Phalacrocorax niger

Carnivorous

R

Least concern

 

Table 2: Order wise Occurrence of observed species

S. No.

Order

No. of Species

1

Accipitriformes

12

2

Anseriformes

14

3

Apodiformes

1

4

Bucerotiformes

2

5

Charadriiformes

28

6

Ciconiiformes

3

7

Columbiformes

6

8

Coraciiformes

8

9

Cuculiformes

4

10

Falconiformes

1

11

Galliformes

5

12

Gruiformes

6

13

Passeriformes

71

14

Pelecaniformes

13

15

Phoenicopteriformes

2

16

Piciformes

4

17

Podicipediformes

1

18

Psittaciformes

3

19

Pterocliformes

1

20

Strigiformes

3

21

Suliformes

3

 

 

 

 

 

Table 3: Family wise Occurrence of observed species along with their RDi

S. No.

Family

No. of Species

RDi%

1

Accipitridae

11

5.76

2

Pandionidae

1

0.52

3

Anatidae

14

7.33

4

Apodidae

1

0.52

5

Upupidae

1

0.52

6

Bucerotidae

1

0.52

7

Burhinidae

2

1.05

8

Charadriidae

4

2.09

9

Glareolidae

1

0.52

10

Laridae

6

3.14

11

Recurvirostridae

2

1.05

12

Rostratulidae

1

0.52

13

Scolopacidae

11

5.76

14

Turnicidae

1

0.52

15

Ciconiidae

3

1.57

16

Columbidae

6

3.14

17

Alcedinidae

3

1.57

18

Coraciidae

2

1.05

19

Meropidae

3

1.57

20

Cuculidae

4

2.09

21

Falconidae

1

0.52

22

Phasianidae

5

2.62

23

Gruidae

2

1.05

24

Rallidae

4

2.09

25

Alaudidae

6

3.14

26

Campephagidae

2

1.05

27

Certhiidae

1

0.52

28

Cisticolidae

6

3.14

29

Corvidae

2

1.05

30

Dicruridae

2

1.05

31

Emberizidae

2

1.05

32

Estrildidae

1

0.52

33

Hirundinidae

4

2.09

34

Laniidae

3

1.57

35

Leiothrichidae

3

1.57

36

Motacillidae

5

2.62

37

Muscicapidae

12

6.28

38

Nectariniidae

1

0.52

39

Oriolidae

1

0.52

40

Paridae

1

0.52

41

Passeridae

2

1.05

42

Phylloscopidae

2

1.05

43

Ploceidae

1

0.52

44

Pycnonotidae

2

1.05

45

Rhipiduridae

1

0.52

46

Stenostiridae

1

0.52

47

Sturnidae

6

3.14

48

Sylviidae

2

1.05

49

Vangidae

1

0.52

50

Zosteropidae

1

0.52

51

Ardeidae

9

4.71

52

Threskiornithidae

4

2.09

53

Phoenicopteridae

2

1.05

54

Megalaimidae

1

0.52

55

Picidae

3

1.57

56

Podicipedidae

1

0.52

57

Psittaculidae

3

1.57

58

Pteroclidae

1

0.52

59

Strigidae

2

1.05

60

Tytonidae

1

0.52

61

Phalacrocoracidae

3

1.57

Total

191

100.00

 

Figure 2: Observed Species in Different Classified Microhabitats

 

Table 4: Feeding Guild and their Percentage in Overall Population of Observed Species at Study Area

S. No.

Feeding Guild

No. of Species

Percentage

1

Carnivorous

45

23.5%

2

Frugivorous

10

5.2%

3

Granivorous

24

12.5%

4

Herbivorous

11

5.7%

5

Insectivorous

77

40.3%

6

Nectivorous

1

0.5%

7

Omnivorous

23

12%

 

 

Figure 3: Feeding Guild of species in study area

 

Table 5: Migratory Status of Observed Species at Study Area

S. No.

Migratory Status

No. of Species

1

Residential

119

2

Summer Migratory

5

3

Winter Migratory

67

 

Figure 4: Migratory status of species in study area

Table 6: IUCN Status of Observed Species at Study Area

S. No.

IUCN Status

No. of Species

1

Endangered

2

2

Least concern

178

3

Near Threatened

8

4

Vulnerable

3

 

Figure 5: IUCN status of species in study area

 

4.      CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

 

A total of 191 Avifaunal species belonging to 21 Orders and 61 Families were recorded from study area. The dominance among families was exhibited by family Anatidae (14 species with 7.33%, RDi) followed by Muscicapidae (12 species with 6.28% RDi), Accipitridae (11 species with 5.76% RDi) and Scolopacide (11 species with 5.76% RDi) respectively. Seven Feeding Guilds were identified during the study i.e., Insectivore (77 species) followed by Carnivores (45 species), Granivores (24 species), Omnivores (23 species), Herbivores (11 species), Frugivores (10 species) and Nectivores (1 species) based on the food preferences of the Avifauna. Out of 191 species recorded 72 species were Migratory (5 Summer Migratory & 67 Winter Migratory).

178 Species listed as Least Concern Species, 8 Species listed as Near Threatened species, 3 Species listed as Vulnerable and 2 Species were listed as Endangered under the IUCN Categories.

Most of birds inhabiting these areas are vulnerable to habitat degradation due to flaws in existing legal frameworks. In addition, community knowledge enhancements also should be strengthened for a sustainable conservation of bird species while maintaining their ecological interactions. Meanwhile Nagaur district act as a transition zone between Arid and Semi-arid habitats of Rajasthan but unfortunately still does not have any Important Bird & Biodiversity Area (IBA), it is strongly recommended to propose an Important Bird & Biodiversity Area (IBA). Simultaneously, further long-term studies are recommended that covering migratory seasons for the bird species along with and documentation and population assessment of other components of biodiversity that ultimately enhance the knowledge about the diversity and its importance to the people at the study area.

SOURCES OF FUNDING

 

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

 

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

 

The author have declared that no competing interests exist.

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

 

None.

 

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