Abstract

The present study dealt with the diversity, resident/migratory status, abundance, diversity indices and habitat used by the bird communities within five different habitats Cultivated Area (CA), Coniferous Forests (CF), Mixed Deciduous Forests (MDF) scrubby areas (SA) and Urban Areas (UA) of Udhampur of Jammu and Kashmir. During study a total of 3884 birds were counted belonging to 66 species, 11 orders and 27 families with annual abundance 946, 287, 928, 819 and 904 at CA, CF, MDF, SA and UA respectively. Mixed Deciduous forests were found to support maximum number of bird species (58) because of food and nesting sites availability. Order Passeriformes dominated among the four bird communities with 37 species. Shannon weaver index, Marglef richness Index and Reciprocal Simpson Index were found maximum at Mixed Deciduous Forest (MDE). Simpson diversity index was found maximum at Urban areas. Cultivated area and Scrubby Area were found more similar with highest value of Sorenson’s Quotient of similarity (Q/S) (86.95%). The dominant species of CA, MDF, CF, SA and UA were House Sparrow, White–rumped Vulture, White-Cheeked Bulbul, Indian Blue Rock Pigeon and Common Myna respectively.80.33 % of species were resident, 3.03% were winter migrant and 13.63% were summer migrant. Of the total 66 species reported, 51.51% were insectivorous, 22.72% carnivorous, 12.12% grainivorous, 7.5% omnivorous, 4.5% frugivorous and 1.5% bark feeders.

Keywords

Udhampur, Diversity, Avifauna, Mixed Deciduous Forests, Scrubby area, Bird Community.

Received on 09/05/2021, Accepted on 26/05/2021, Published on 15/06/2021