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

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

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

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

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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