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Bharathapuzha, the second largest west-flowing river in the Western Ghats, originates from the northern and southern parts of the Palghat gap and debouches into the Arabian Sea at Ponnani. This river is exposed to high levels of anthropogenic pressures. This study looks into avifaunal assemblage patterns and the factors influencing the structure of bird communities in different ecological zones of the Bharathapuzha River Basin. The syntropic birds and flocking birds contribute variations in the bird community assemblage in the river basin. For the water-dependent and water-associated birds, mudflats, water flow, riverside vegetation, and distance from the forest were found to be the influencing factors in the migratory season. The study also emphasized the importance of protecting these river-associated habitats for the conservation of birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bharathapuzha River is the second largest, west-flowing river in Kerala, Western Ghats. This river is exposed to high levels of anthropogenic and natural pressures. This study attempts to understand the diversity and distribution of birds in this river basin. The observations were made from October 2017 to July 2019 in 70*1 km2 grids distributed in three strata (i.e., upper, middle, and lower reaches). A total of 262 bird species were recorded from the river basin. The diversity and richness of birds were found high in the upper reaches of the river and the species abundance was found more in the lower reaches. Due to the high turnover of migratory species, the rank abundance model for upper and lower reaches showed a high degree of dominance while middle reaches showed a relatively even distribution of abundances. Deforestation, sand mining, and water pollution were found to be the major threats in the river basin. Hence the results show the importance of the protection and rejuvenation of the ecosystems associated with the river for the conservation of avian diversity in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We surveyed water birds in Haripura-Baur Reservoir using total count method between 2013 and 2015. A total of 65 species were recorded representing eight orders and 14 families. Numerically Anatidae was the dominant family followed by Ardeidae and Scolopacidae. Common Coot Fulica atra, Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina, Common Pochard Aythya ferina, Gadwall Anas strepera, and Tufted Pochard Aythya fuligula were dominant species in the reservoir. The Shannon diversity of water birds was more or less consistent over the years and ranged between 2.56 (2013–14) and 2.23 (2015–16). The reservoir supports water birds having declining population trends globally (41% of species), including three Vulnerable (Asian Woollyneck Ciconia episcopus, Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus, and Sarus Crane Grus antigone and four Near Threatened species (Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, and River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii). Bird species belong to four feeding guilds with the domination of the carnivore group. The current information is expected to serve as preliminary database of water birds for further research and monitoring.

The present study focused on the status of birds in two wildlife sanctuaries, Neyyar and Peppara, located in Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, Kerala State, India. A total of 197 bird species representing 16 orders and 57 families are reported from the study area. According to the IUCN Red List, one Endangered, two Vulnerable, and nine Near Threatened bird species occur in the landscape. Black Bulbul was the most abundant species with highest density, followed by Yellow-browed Bulbul and Crimson-backed Sunbird. Despite many bird species being broadly distributed across elevations, most endemic species occur or breed at elevations above 1,200m, dominated by southern hilltop evergreen forest. This highlights the prominence of these high altitude species and their habitats. A customized conservation plan is needed for the whole elevation gradient with greater emphasis on high elevation forest.

We surveyed water birds in Haripura-Baur Reservoir using total count method between 2013 and 2015. A total of 65 species were recorded representing eight orders and 14 families. Numerically Anatidae was the dominant family followed by Ardeidae and Scolopacidae. Common Coot Fulica atra, Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina, Common Pochard Aythya ferina, Gadwall Anas strepera, and Tufted Pochard Aythya fuligula were dominant species in the reservoir. The Shannon diversity of water birds was more or less consistent over the years and ranged between 2.56 (2013-14) and 2.23 (2015-16). The reservoir supports water birds having declining population trends globally (41% of species), including three Vulnerable (Asian Woollyneck Ciconia episcopus, Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus, and Sarus Crane Grus antigone and four Near Threatened species (Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, and River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii). Bird species belong to four feeding guilds with the domination of the carnivore group. The current information is expected to serve as preliminary database of water birds for further research and monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sacred groves are patches of vegetation preserved due to religious or cultural tradition. They are protected through spiritual beliefs. Sacred groves provide an excellent abode to the biodiversity of the region where they are located. Scientific exploration of fauna from sacred groves of India is few and far between. The present study was conducted to explore the bird diversity and abundance in 15 selected sacred groves of northern Kerala, eight from Kannur District and seven from Kasargod District each. A total of 111 bird species were observed belonging to 49 families and 16 orders. The sacred groves of northern Kerala support many of the ‘forest-birds’ such as the Grey Junglefowl Gallus sonneratii, Asian Fairy-bluebird Irena puella, Tickell’s Blue-flycatcher Cyornis tickelliae, Malabar Trogon Harpactes fasciatus, Heart-spotted Woodpecker Hemicircus canente, Malabar Whistling-Thrush Myophonus horsfieldii, Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra, etc. The sacred groves of northern Kerala also support two endemic bird species of the Western Ghats, such as the Malabar Grey Hornbill Ocyceros griseus and Rufous Babbler Turdoides subrufa. Five species of raptors and four owl species were reported from the sacred groves of north Kerala during the present study. The breeding of the White-bellied Sea-Eagle has been reported at Edayilakadu Kavu, a sacred grove in Kasargod District. The sacred groves of northern Kerala also supported 17 species of long distant migratory birds. Thazhe Kavu, recorded the Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus, a Near-Threatened bird according to IUCN.

The present study focused on the status of birds in two wildlife sanctuaries, Neyyar and Peppara, located in Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, Kerala State, India. A total of 197 bird species representing 16 orders and 57 families are reported from the study area. According to the IUCN Red List, one Endangered, two Vulnerable, and nine Near Threatened bird species occur in the landscape. Black Bulbul was the most abundant species with highest density, followed by Yellow-browed Bulbul and Crimson-backed Sunbird. Despite many bird species being broadly distributed across elevations, most endemic species occur or breed at elevations above 1,200m, dominated by southern hilltop evergreen forest. This highlights the prominence of these high altitude species and their habitats. A customized conservation plan is needed for the whole elevation gradient with greater emphasis on high elevation forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sacred groves are patches of vegetation preserved due to religious or cultural tradition. They are protected through spiritual beliefs. Sacred groves provide an excellent abode to the biodiversity of the region where they are located. Scientific exploration of fauna from sacred groves of India is few and far between. The present study was conducted to explore the bird diversity and abundance in 15 selected sacred groves of northern Kerala, eight from Kannur District and seven from Kasargod District each. A total of 111 bird species were observed belonging to 49 families and 16 orders. The sacred groves of northern Kerala support many of the 'forest-birds' such as the Grey Junglefowl Gallus sonneratii, Asian Fairy-bluebird Irena puella, Tickell's Blue-flycatcher Cyornis tickelliae, Malabar Trogon Harpactes fasciatus, Heart-spotted Woodpecker Hemicircus canente, Malabar Whistling-Thrush Myophonus horsfieldii, Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra, etc. The sacred groves of northern Kerala also support two endemic bird species of the Western Ghats, such as the Malabar Grey Hornbill Ocyceros griseus and Rufous Babbler Turdoides subrufa. Five species of raptors and four owl species were reported from the sacred groves of north Kerala during the present study. The breeding of the White-bellied Sea-Eagle has been reported at Edayilakadu Kavu, a sacred grove in Kasargod District. The sacred groves of northern Kerala also supported 17 species of long distant migratory birds. Thazhe Kavu, recorded the Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus, a Near-Threatened bird according to IUCN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]