International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences	ISSN: 2455-9571
Volume 3, Issue 2, pp: 426-439, 2018	http://www.ijzab.com
Research Article
Avifaunal diversity of Anantapuramu (semi-arid) District, Andhra Pradesh, India V.V. Bala Subramanyam* Department of Zoology, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapuramu, Andhra Pradesh, India
Article History: Received 26^th January 2018; Accepted 31^st March 2018; Published 5^th June 2018
Abstract The present study was undertaken as a part to update and document the available bird species from Anantapuramu district in Andhra Pradesh, India. A total of 124 bird species belonging to the 52 families with Accipitridids as the most dominant family, while insectivorous (55 species), followed by carnivorous (26 species), granivore (10 species), Omnivorous (3) and Frugivore (2 species). By studying the diversity of birds in Anantapuramu district, this study is intended to facilitate a further investigation of these avian fauna in dry land regions like Anantapuramu district, in terms of their contribution to ecosystem services. Keywords: Avifauna, Semi-arid, Dryland, Ecosystem.

Introduction

Indian sub-continent is declared as one of the twelve mega diversity countries of the world (Sinha et al., 2010) with two biodiversity hot spots, the Himalaya and the Western Ghats of a total of 35 such sites identified throughout the globe (ENVIS Online 2016). Around 1.2 million species of plants, animals and micro-organisms have been reported so far from India of which, the animal species constitute 7.28 per cent of the total world animal species. Zoologists are of the view that 4, 00,000 species are yet to be explored and identified, a majority of which are expected to be micro-organisms and invertebrates (MoEF and Kalpavriksh, 2004).

The Indian sub-continent possesses a rich avian diversity and is home to 1,300 species of birds (Grimmettet et al., 2000). Ornithological studies have been conducted in Andhra Pradesh which includes Ali’s (1933–34), Abdulali (1945) and Ripley et al. (1987–88), etc. The recent works carried out on avifauna of united Andhra Pradesh by earlier workers such as Anand (2000), Srinivasulu (2004), Kannan et al. (2008), David et al. (2011), Narayana et al. (2013) and Prasad et al. (2014) and Subramanyam et al. (2016); Subramanyam (2017a). Revised documented information on the current status of avian fauna does not exist other than above mentioned studies.

Knowledge about the status and threats to dry land biodiversity of this region is limited. Many species of dry land are under threat of extinction due to natural causes or anthropogenic activities. Therefore, it is essential to prepare and document a checklist of avian species found in the entire Anantapuramu district. It is the largest district in Andhra Pradesh covering a vast area of 19,130 square kmsand the 7^th largest district in India (Srivastava, Dayawanti et al. (2010). It is an attempt to provide up-to-date documented information of avifauna and their habitat utilization pattern, as part of broader baseline information for future conservation programmes. This study further facilities wider scope of understanding avian diversity in semi-arid region of Anantapuramu district in terms of their contribution to ecosystem services.

Material and Methods

Study area

Anantapuramu district lies between 13'-40' and 15'-15 Northern Latitude and 76'-50' and 78'-30' Eastern Longitude (Figure 1). The District may be divided into 3 Natural divisions i.e., Northern zone with 12 mandalscomprising larger areas of black cotton soils; Central division with 15 mandals which are mainly made up of arid Treeless, expanse of poor Red Soils; and High Level terrain of the district circles with 4 mandals connected to Mysore plateau at a higher elevation of the

rest of the District (Table 1) (Subramanyam and Khan 2017). This part has average sandy red soils of normal productivity. This region experiences extremes of weather

conditions with maximum temperatures fluctuating from 39 to 43°C. Further, the geographical location of Anantapuramu district is such that it does not get the full

benefit of either of the monsoons. The district falls under the rain shadow area with the normal rainfall being 553 mm. Dry land farming (arid agro-ecosystem) is the major agricultural practice noticed in the surrounding landscapes of the study area. Bengal gram, groundnut and paddy are the major crops grown.

Figure 1. Location map of Anantapuramu District.

Table 1. Natural geographical divisions of Anantapuramu district.

Northern region mandals (NRM)	Central region mandals (CRM)	High level Land mandals (HLM)
Rayadurg, Kanekal, Beluguppa, Gooty, Guntakal,Vajrakarur, Uravakonda, Vidapanakal, Yadiki, Tadipatri, Putlur and Yellannur containing larger areas of Black Cotton soils.	Kalyandurg, Kambadur, Settur, Brahmasamudram, Ramagiri, Kanaganapalli, C.K. Palli, Dharmavaram, Bathalapalli, Tadimarri, Mudigubba, Anantapuramu, Kudair, Pamidi and Peddavadugur which are mainly made up of arid, expanse of poor Red Soils.	Penukonda, Roddam, Gudibanda and Agali which connect with Mysore plateau at a higher elevation of the rest of the District. This part has average sandy red soils of normal productivity.

Vegetation cover of Anantapuramu district: According to Champion and Seth (1968) classified these forests as 6A/C1 Southern Tropical Thorn Forests, which is thin and scanty andthis type of forest is found within almost all drier parts of Andhra Pradesh. The main floral species in this forest include Acacia chundra, Albizla amara, Balanites aegyptiaca, Anisochilus carnosus, Canthium parviflorum, Erythroxylon monogynum, Fiacourtia indica, Prernna tomentosa, Ziziphus spp., Podonaea viscosa, Euphorbia antiquorum, Dichrostachis cinera, Capparisore vispina, Maytenus, Carissa spinarum, Grewia tenax, Albizzia amara, Chloroxylon sweitenia, Feronia limonia, Canthium didynium, Wrightia tinctoria, Cassia fistula, Bauhinia rasimosa, Acacia arabica, Acacia sundra, Dichrostachis cinerea, Dolichendron falcata, Cassia carandus, Randia dumetorum, Gymnosporia montana, Gmelina asiatica, Zizyphus numularia, Ixora arborea, Cadaba fruiticosa, Cassia auriculata., Euphorbia antiquorum, Acacia ferruginea, Acacia planifrons, Acacia torta, Acacia horrida, Ziziphus glabrata, Scutia myrtina, Rhus mysurensis, Canthium coromandelianum, Capparisssp, Sennaalex andrina, Grasses include Sympopogan collaratus, Heteropogan contortus, Panicum repens, Cynodon dactylone, etc. (Pullaiah and Yesoda 1989; Subramanyam 2017 b).

Methodology

We have conducted an Extensive Avian Survey for revised documented information on current status of avian fauna in the study area for one year, from August 2015 to September 2017 by employing the following standard methods. 1) Line-transect method; and 2) Point count method. Line-transect method: Underthis method, a straight line of one km is drawn, and all birds heard or seen up to a range of 25 m on either side of the transect are recorded. Point count method: Underthis method, the observer will stand at in a haphazardly chosen point and

record bird species seen and heard overa 50 m radius for 5 minutes. This observation run is conducted/ repeated atanother point at least 300 m from the first point. In addition to this, opportunistic bird sightings were recordedwhile travelling within the study region (Emlen, 1974; Sutherlad, 2006; Rajashekara, 2015 and Nautiyal 2015) and observations were made twice a day when avifauna is usually most active (05:00 am to 10 am and evening 03:00 pm to 06:00 pm). Birds were observed with the help of an Olympus Binocular (8X42) and photographs taken using a Canon EOS 700D SLR camera. Sometimes, birds were identified on the basis of their calls. Identification of birds was done by using standard field guides (Ali et al., 1983; Manakadan, 2011 and Arlott, 2014).

The first survey was conducted inthe central region of the district covering 16 mandals, while a subsequent survey run was carried out in the northern region of the district comprising12 mandals and the finalsurvey was carried out in the high level terrain consisting of 4 mandals in avian distribution were also recorded across the three regions.

Results

A total of 124 bird species belonging to the 52 families were recorded acrossvarious landscapes of the study area (Table 2). Accipitridae was found to be the most dominant family consistingof 16 species in the study area, followed by Muscicapidae (7 species), Motacillidae (6 species), Cisticolidae and Cuculidae (each five species), Alaudidae and Columbidae (each four species) (Figure 2). The maximum number of bird species belong to Onlyinsectivorous (55 species), followed by carnivores (26 species), granivore (10 species), Omnivores (threespecies) and Frugivore (two species) (Table 3). The habitat details of all bird speciesrecorded from study area are given in Table 2.

Figure 2. Avian faunal diversity among various families in Anantapuramu district.

Table 2. Check list of Avifauna along with their feeding habits and habitat types and conservation status in the study area.

S.No.		Scientific name	Common Name	Feeding Habit	Location of the district	Type of habitat	IUCN Status
Family: Accipitridae
1		Accipiter badius	Shikra	C	NRM	Found in dry areas with trees.	LC
2		Accipiter nisus	Eurasian Sparrow Hawk	C	CRM	Inhabits a wide variety of forest types.	LC
3		Aquila rapax	Tawny Eagle	C	CRM	Semi-desert and arid; only absent from forest	LC
4		Circaetus gallicus	Short - Toed Snake-Eagle	C	NRM	Varied habitats in warm regions	LC
5		Circus aeruginosus	Eurasian Marsh Harrier	C	NRM	Typically in extensive areas of marsh vegetation.	LC
6		Circus macrourus	Pallid Harrier	C	CRM	During breeding, found mainly on natural grassy plains and in flat undulations.	NT
7		Circus pygargus	Montagu's Harrier	C	HLM	Open areas with grass or shrubs; generally flat or undulating ground, less often in steeper terrain	LC
8		Elanus caeruleus	Black Winged Kite	C	CRM	Open grasslands with scattered bushes and small trees.	LC
9		Haliastur indus	BrahminyKite	C	NRM	Rivers, lakes, swamps, reservoirs, rice fields and urban areas	LC
10		Hieraaetus fasciata	Bonelli'sEagle	C	NRM	Mainly warm, sunny mountainous or broken terrain, normally with cliffs. Vegetation.	LC
11		Hieraaetus pennatus	Booted Eagle	C	CRM	Forests and open areas.	LC
12		Ictinaetus malayensis	Black Eagle	C	HLM	Forested hills and mountains.	LC
13		Milvus migrans	Black Kite	C	NRM	Ubiquitous, occurring from semi desert, grassland.	LC
14		Neophron percnopterus	Egyptian Vulture	C	CRM	Extensive open areas mainly in dry or arid region	EN
15		Pernis ptilorhynchus	Oriental Honey Buzzard	C	CRM	Wooded areas, preferring broad-leaved trees, in wide variety of bio-climatic conditions	LC
16		Spizaetus cirrhatus	Crested Hawk Eagle	C	HLM	Deciduous, secondary forest and gallery forest.	LC
Family: Acrocephalidae
17		Acrocephalus dumetorum	Blyth's Reed Warbler	C	CRM	Adapted to varied habitats, not necessarily close to water.	LC
18		Acrocephalus stentoreus	Clamorous Red Warbler	C	CRM	Ponds and along rivers	LC
19		Iduna rama	Sykes's Warbler	C	NRM	Sand or clay deserts and semi-deserts with scattered vegetation.	LC
Family: Aegithinidae
20		Aegithina nigrolutea	Marshall's Iora	O	CRM	Exclusively at plains level where favours thorny Acacia jungle	LC
21		Aegithina tiphia	Common Iora	O	HLM	Forest inhabited permanently.	LC
Family : Alaudidae
22		Ammomanes phoenicura	RufousTailed Lark	G,I	NRM	Dry open habitats with sparse vegetation; often found together with other species	LC
23		Eremopterix griseus	Ashy Crowned Sparrow Lark	G,I	NRM	Dry open habitats with scattered low vegetation	LC
24		Galerida deva	Sykes's Lark	G,I	HLM	Dry, stony areas with sparse scrubby vegetation and dry cultivation	LC
25		Mirafra erythroptera	Indian Bushlark	G,I	NRM	Arid, preferably somewhat scrubby and often rocky areas	LC
Family: Alcedinidae
26		Alcedo atthis	Common Kingfisher	C,I	NRM	Still or gently flowing water with plentiful small fish, and with reeds, rushes or shrubs	LC
27		Cerylerudis	Pied Kingfisher	C	NRM	Small and large lakes, large rivers, estuaries, coastal lagoons, mangroves and sandy and rocky.	LC
28		Halcyon smyrnensis	White-Throated Kingfisher	C,I,P	All regions of district	Agricultural areas and near water bodies	LC
Family : Anatidae
29		Anas poecilorhyncha	Indian Spot-billed Duck	feeds by dabbling for plant food	NRM	Various types of wetlands	LC
Family: Apodidae
30		Apus nipalensis	House Swift	I	NRM	Familiar in towns and cities, though scarcer elsewhere.	LC
31		Cypsiurus balasiensis	Asian Palm Swift	I	NRM	Primary dependence on palms (Livistona, Borassus, Corypha)	LC
Family: Ardeidae
32		Ardeola grayii	Indian Pond Heron	C	NRM	Very varied, including rivers, streams, lakes, marshes, paddy fields, reservoirs, tidal and mudflats	LC
33		Bubulcus ibis	Cattle Egret	I	NRM	All kinds of wet lands	LC
34		Egretta garzetta	Little Egret	C	NRM	Wide variety, frequenting all kinds of open wetlands, both ephemeral and permanent, with shallow waters.	LC
Family: Bucerotidae
35		Ocyceros birostris	Indian Grey Hornbill	C,I	NRM	Deciduous and open thorn-forest	LC
Family: Campephagidae
36		Coracina melanoptera	Black-headed Cuckooshrike	F,I	NRM	Open forest, secondary growth, scrub-jungle; also in gardens, orchards and hedgerows.	LC
37		Pericrocotus cinnamomeus	Small Minivet	I	CRM	Forest, woodland, mangrove forest, thorn-forest and casuarinas.	LC
38		Pericrocotus speciosus	Scarlet Minivet	I	CRM	Broadleaf, semi-evergreen and deciduous forests.	LC
Family: Caprimulgidae
39		Caprimulgus asiaticus	Indian Nightjar	I	CRM	Highly variable throughout range, but typically scrubland or wooded country. Light scrub jungle.	LC
40		Caprimulgus atripennis	Jerdon'sNightjar	I	NRM & CRM	Mainly forest, deciduous forest, and dry forest.	LC
Family: Charadriidae
41		Vanellus indicus	Red WattledLapwing	I	NRM	Dry and open habitats, including cultivated and fallow fields and wasteland.	LC
42		Vanellus malabaricus	Yellow WattledLapwing	I	NRM	Dry and open habitats, including cultivated and fallow fields and wasteland.	LC
Family: Ciconiidae
43		Ciconia episcopus	Woolly Necked Stork	C,I	NRM	Open foraging in streams, pools, marshes, riverbanks.	VU
44		Ciconia nigra	Black Stork	C,I	NRM	Undisturbed open woodland, foraging in streams, pools, marshes, and riverbanks	LC
45		Mycteria leucocephala	Painted Stork	C,P	NRM	Mostly frequents shallow freshwater at a diversity of wetland types, such as lakes, grassy.	NT
Family: Cisticolidae
46		Orthotomus sutorius	Common tailor bird	I	NRM	Favors bushy cover by villages, gardens, and parks, even shrubbery in city centers, and in forest area.	LC
47		Prinia buchanani	Rufous fronted prinia	I	NRM & HLM	Semi-desert plains and foothills with scrub, including dry fields with scattered shrubs.	LC
48		Prinia hodgsonii	Grey breasted prinia	I	NRM	Favours scrubby areas in open forest, forest edge, riverside thickets such asLantana	LC
49		Prinia inornata	Plain prinia	I	CRM	Scrubby grassland	LC
50		Prinia socialis	Ashy prinia	I	NRM	Bushy places, from scrubby grassland to garden shrubbery, including Lantana thickets	LC
Family: Colubridae
51		Treron phoenicopterus	Yellow-footed Green-pigeon	F	HLM	Forest, scrubland, parks and gardens in lowlands and foothills; avoids high mountains	LC
Family: Columbidae
52		Columba livia	Blue rock pigeon	G	CRM & HLM	Rocky sandstone and limestone plateau	LC
53		Spilopelia senegalensis	Laughing dove	F,G	CRM	Bushy places, from scrubby grassland to garden shrubbery	LC
54		Streptopeliadecaocto	Eurasian collared dove	F,G	NRM	inhabits semi-desert and arid regions	LC
55		Streptopelia tranquebarica	Red collared dove	G	HLM	Inhabits open country with trees, scrub, jungle and dry woodland	LC
Family: Coraciidae
56		Coracias benghalensis	Indian roller	I	NRM	Open farmland, pasture, stubble, plantations, palm groves, dry Acacia and Prosopisspp	LC
Family: Corvidae
57		Corvus macrorhynchos	Large-Billed Crow	F,O	NRM	Favors primary forest, in both lowlands and hills, and found more locally	LC
58		Dendrocitta vagabunda	Rufoustreepie	C,I,O	NRM	Open deciduous woodland of all kinds, from dry forest to moist broadleaf woodland	LC
Family: Cuculidae
59		Centropus sinensis	Greater coucal	C,I	NRM	Secondary forest, tall grassland, thickets, scrub near cultivation and paddy fields	LC
60		Clamator jacobinus	Jacobin cuckoo	I	NRM & CRM	Open woodland and scrub, dry thorn, thorny jungle, plains.	LC
61		Eudynamys scolopaceus	Asian koel	F,I	NRM	Open forest, and scrub, gallery forest, riverside scrub, plantations	LC
62		Phaenicophaeus viridirostris	Blue faced malkoha	C,F,I	NRM	Secondary woodland, thorn scrub and bush, especially with Euphorbia antiquorum.	LC
63		Phaenicophaeus leschenaultii	Sirkeermalkoha	C,F,I	HLM	Dry deciduous secondary forest, scrub and bush, with undergrowth of lantana and thick grass, thorn.	LC
Family: Dicruridae
64		Dicrurus macrocercus	Black drongo	I	NRM	Mostly open country and farmland with scattered trees; very common also in villages and suburbs	LC
Family: Emberizidae
65		Emberiza buchanani	Grey-necked bunting	G	HLM	Dry, rocky mountainsides, ravines and upland plateau, with grassy clumps and weedy vegetation	LC
Family: Estrildidae
66		Amandava amandava	Red avadavat	I	NRM	Grassland, low marshy plains, damp grass, reeds, rice fields, sugar-cane fields	LC
67		Lonchura malabarica	Indian silverbill	G,I	NRM	Open country, semi-desert and scrub, open dry woodland, cultivated areas, and towns and villages	LC
68		Lonchura punctulata	Scaly breasted munia	G	NRM	Grassland with bushes, trees and scrub and rice fields.	LC
Family: Falconidae
69		Falco tinnunculus	Common kestrel	C	NRM	Adaptable to great variety of open or moderately wooded terrains, normally with herbaceous	LC
Family: Hirundinidae
70		Cecropis daurica	Red-rumped swallow	I	NRM & HLM	Open hilly country and mountains, river gorges, valleys, sea cliffs, cultivation, and human dwellings	LC
71		Hirundo rustica	Barn sparrow	I	NRM	cultivation, human habitations	LC
72		Ptyonoprogneconcolor	Dark crag martin	I	HLM	Mountains, crags and coastal cliffs; also around human habitations	LC
Family: Laniidae
73		Lanius vittatus	Bay-backed shrike	I	NRM	Variety of open, dry bushy areas with scattered trees, also cultivated areas	LC
74		Lanius schach	Long tailed shrike	I	CRM	Open country with scrub, and bushes, mainly in cultivated areas, also steppe areas	LC
75		Lanius meridionalis	Southern grey shrike	I	NRM & CRM	Fairly open country dotted with thorny bushes in dry and warm, sunny lands	VU
Family: Leiothrichidae
76		Turdoides caudata	Common babbler	I		Semi-desert, dry plains, stony lower hills, xerophytic thorn scrub-jungle, scrubland, sandy locations	LC
77		Turdoides affinis	Yellow billed babbler	I	NRM	Scrub, secondary growth, thorn-jungle, brushwood, scrub-covered eroded ravines	LC
Family: Meropidae
78		Merops orientalis	Small Green Bee eater	I	NRM	Arid woodland with scattered trees on mainly bare soil or sand, and Acacia, Commiphora	LC
Family: Monarchidae
79		Terpsiphone paradisi	Asian paradise flycatcher	I	NRM	Wide range inhabits, deciduous mountain forest, shady and well-watered groves, light forest	LC
Family: Motacillidae
80		Anthus hodgsoni	Olive-backed pipit	I	NRM	Breeds on edge of taiga, on grassy and bracken-covered slopes, rocky ground	LC
81		Anthus campestris	TwanyPipit	I	CRM	Open dry habitats, from sand dunes, sandy heaths, dry grassland and clear-felled areas	LC
82		Anthus rufulus	Paddy Field Pipit	I	NRM	Open country, short grassland, paddy fields, stubble fields and cultivations, also airfields,	LC
83		Anthus similis	Long-billed Pipit	I			LC
84		Motacilla maderaspatensis	White browed Wagtail	I	NRM	Watercourses. Favours streams and rivers, especially smooth-flowing rivers with rocks and stony	LC
85		Motacilla cinerea	Grey Wagtail	I	NRM	Fast-flowing mountain streams and rivers with riffles and exposed rocks	LC
Family: Muscicapidae
86		Copsychus saularis	Oriental Magpie Robin	I	NRM	Dry deciduous forest but preferring presence of shady evergreen trees.	LC
87		Ficedula parva	Red Breasted Flycatcher	I	CRM	Woodland, mainly mixed deciduous forest	LC
88		Monticola solitaries	Blue rock Thrush	I	NRM & CRM	Breeds on precipitous cliffs, in steep rocky valleys and defiles, ravines and gorges, on crags	LC
89		Muscicapa dauurica	Asian Brown Flycatcher	I	CRM	Lowland open temperate and subtropical mature and secondary broadleaf forests, secondary.	LC
90		Phoenicurus ochruros	Black Redstart	I	NRM	Sparsely vegetated rocky areas, including stony slopes with xerophytic vegetation	LC
91		Saxicola caprata	Pied bush Chat	I	HLM	Open terrain with some low to mid-height vegetation	LC
92		Saxicola maurus	Siberian Stonechat	I	CRM	Open, usually rather barren landscapes.	LC
Family:Nectariniidae
93		Cinnyris asiaticus	Purple Sunbird	I,N	NRM	Usually around flowering shrubs and trees in dry and deciduous forests, thorn-scrub, cultivation	LC
94		Leptocoma zeylonica	Purple-rumpedSunbird	I,N	NRM	Various types of forest and jungle, including secondary forest, at forest edge	LC
Family: Passeridae
95		Passer domesticus	House Sparrow	G	NRM	Primarily associated with man, living around buildings from isolated farms to urban centers	LC
Family: Phalacrocoracidae
96		Micro carboniger	Little Cormorant	C	NRM	Chiefly occupies bodies of fresh water in lowlands, including ponds, rivers, lakes, swamps, canals	LC
Family: Phasianidae
97		Francolinus pondicerianus	Grey Francolin	G	All regions of district	Grassland and semi-thorny scrub; dry rolling plains and plateau, especially in areas near village.	LC
98		Pavo cristatus	Indian Peafowl	O	CRM&HLM	Open forest	LC
Family: Picidae
99		Dinopium benghalense	Black-rumpdFlameback	I	CRM	All types of moist to dry woodland, mostly deciduous; open woodland and light forest	LC
Family: Ploceidae
100		Ploceus philippinus	BayaWeaver	G	NRM	Grassland, scrub with scattered trees, mangroves and cultivated areas	LC
Family: Podicipedidae
101		Tachybaptus ruficollis	Little Grebe	I	NRM	Wide range of wetlands, normally small and shallow, including small lakes, ponds, canals;	LC
Family: Psittaculidae
102		Psittacula krameri	Rose-ringed Parakeet	F	NRM	Chiefly deciduous habitats ranging from semi-desert to light secondary jungle, mainly in lowlands	LC
Family:Pteroclididae
103		Pterocles exustus	Chestnut bellied Sand Grouse	G	NRM & CRM	Typically inhabits bare semi-desert, often with scattered thorny scrubs or trees, e.g. Acacia.	LC
104		Pterocles indicus	Painted Sand Grouse	G	NRM	Bare foothills and plateau, sparsely covered with scrub or thorn bushes of Acaciaspp	LC
Family: Pycnonotidae
105		Pycnonotus cafer	Red-vented Bulbul	G,F,N	NRM	Drier deciduous woodland, sparse secondary forest, scrub, orchards and gardens,	LC
106		Pycnonotus luteolus	White-browed Bulbul	F,I	NRM	Open and largely cultivated habitats. Occurs in dry woodland edge, second growth, scrub land	LC
Family: Recurvirostridae
107		Himantopus himantopus	Black-wingedStilt	I	NRM	Near water and wet lands	LC
Family: Saxicoloides
108		Saxicoloides fulicatus	Indian Robin	I	NRM	Palm groves, bare hillsides, open rocky places, newly burnt clearings, cultivated fields	LC
Family: Scolopacidae
109		Actitis hypoleucos	Common Sandpiper	I	NRM & CRM	Prefers margins of water bodies, mostly riverbanks, preferably with pebbles, sand or rocks	LC
110		Tringa ochropus	Green Sandpiper	I	NRM & CRM	Damp wooded areas	LC
Family: Strigidae
111		Athene brama	Spotted Owlet	I	NRM	Towns, agricultural fields, open forest, desert and semi-desert, and mango groves,	LC
112		Bubo bubo	Eurasian Eagle Owl	C	NRM	Mostly inhabits areas of sparse human settlement or of topographically inaccessible terrain	LC
Family: Sturnidae
113		Acridothres tristis	Common Myna	I	NRM	Open country, avoiding forest; dry open woodland, floodplains, grasslands, cultivated areas	LC
114		Pastor roseus	Rosy Starling	I	NRM & CRM	pen steppes where orthopterans (locusts and other grasshoppers) abundant	LC
115		Sturnia pagodarum	BrahminyStarling	F,I	NRM & CRM	Open deciduous forest, scrub, and cultivated areas near human habitation;	LC
Family: Sylviidae
116		Chrysomma sinense	Yellow eyed Babbler	I	NRM & CRM	Scrub, secondary growth, thorn-jungle, tamarisks, brushwood, scrub-covered eroded ravines,	LC
117		Sylvia althaea	Hume's Whitethroat	I	NRM	Broadleaf woodland	LC
118		Sylvia curruca	Lesser Whitethroat	I	NRM & CRM	open country or near forests in wide range of habitats rich in dense	LC
Family: Tephrodornithidae
119		Tephrodornis pondicerianus	Common WoodShrike	I	NRM & CRM	Open forest, dry deciduous forest, secondary growth, bamboo forest, woodland, scrub, orchards	LC
Family: Threskiornithidae
120		Threskiornis melanocephalus	Black-headed Ibis	C	NRM, CRM & HLM	Open country in marshes, swamps, flooded areas, margins of rivers and lakes, paddy fields and fallow.	NT
Family: Timaliidae
121	Dumetia hyperythra		Tawny-bellied Warbler	G	NRM & CRM	Tall moist grasslands, rolling grassy hillsides, also roadside patches of grassland	LC
Family: Turdidae
122		Turdus simillimus	Indian Blackbird	F,I	NRM & CRM	Deciduous and evergreen broadleaf forest, sholas, wooded ravines, dense scrub	LC
Family: Turnicidae
123		Turnix suscitator	Barred buttonquail	G,I	NRM, CRM & HLM	Open grass and agricultural lands.	LC
Family: Upupidae
124		Upupa epops	EusrasianHoo	I	NRM & CRM	Open country such as pastures, parkland, sand-heath land, olive groves, vineyards	LC

Table 3. Feeding habits of Birds in Anantapuramu District.

Feeding habit	Total number of species
Carnivore	26
Frugivores	2
Granivore	10
Insectivore	55
Omnivore	3
Carnivore , Frugivores and insectivore	2
Carnivore and Insectivore	5
Carnivore, Insectivore and Omnivore	1
Carnivore, Insectivore and Piscivore	1
Carnivore and Piscivore	1
Frugivores and Granivore	2
Frugivores and Insectivore	5
Frugivores and Omnivore	1
Granivore, Frugivores and Nectarnivore	1
Granivore and Insectivore	6
Insectivore and Nectarnivore	2
Others	1
Total	124

Discussion

Anantapuramu district is a semi-arid and rain shadow region with extremes of temperature during summer. Districts vast area and natural geographical division’s makes avian habitat architecture more complex which perhaps supports more species as they provide more resources and opportunities for microhabitat segregation thus more species may co-occur per unit area, leading to a positive correlation between biological diversity and structural diversity. Most of the reserve forests are tropical dry deciduous, southern tropical thorn forests; vegetation cover is uniformly distributed in the district, and mostly concentred in central and high altitude mandals. Hence, richness and avifaunal diversity is greater in these regions. Vegetation is a potential factor in determining bird community composition. Research studies have found physiognomic attributes of vegetation such as foliage height diversity, foliage volume and percent vegetation cover has a direct correlation with bird species richness and diversity foraging ecology of birds often is limited by foliage structure.

This district is mostly dependent on dry agro economy, which is evident from LULC (Land Use Land Cover) images of the district; similarly agriculture land, water bodies and plantation are increasing from the year 2005. It is the good sign for agro economy which further has direct implication on the increased percentage of insectivorous and carnivorous birds due excellent availability of pests like caterpillars, large insects, lizards, mice and bird’s eggs and nestlings. Our observations on Seasonal changes, frequent drought conditions and change in agricultural pattern might have brought new adaptations in food habit of some insectivorous birds like Cattle egret, Small green bee-eater, Blue-tailed bee-eater, Common myna, Bank myna, Indian tree pie, Red-vented bulbul, Pied myna, Magpie robin, Black drongo, Jungle babbler, Pied crested cuckoo, Gray - headed myna, King fisher, Flycatcher, Large pied wagtail, Owl and Jungle crow (Ali, 1990). In this district there is increased percentage of insectivorous birds is due to its bests feeding adaptations suited to the agricultural practice in the district. Ali (1990) emphasised feeding behaviour of birds depends on various environmental factors such as geographical location, habitat, seasons, water quality, competition (intraspecific and interspecific) and scarcity of food. Observations on role of birds in agriculture pest control has reveled many species of caterpillars and moths were controlled by Magpie robin (Copsychus saularis), Black drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis) and Jungle babbler (Turdoides striatus). Weevils were eaten by Indian treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda). Large-pied wagtail (Motacilla maderaspatensis) was found to control the aphid. Owl, House crow (Corvus splendens) and Jungle crow (Corvus macrorhynchos) control the increasing populations of most destructive pest like rats and mice. Crabs, destructive to paddy, were eaten by Corvus splendens and Bubulcus ibis. Grasshoppers and small insects were eaten by Small green bee eater (Merops orientalis), Blue-tailed bee eater (Merops philippinus), Common myna (Acridotheris tristris), Bank myna (Acridotheris ginginianus), Indian tree pie (Dendrocitta vegabunda), and Red-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) (Inskipp and Inskipp 1985, Ali 1990, Richard 1993, Subba 2001).Waste land has decreased subsequently, in the year 2005 waste land area which was 2367.47 sq/km, in 2012 it was 2160.54 and in 2015 it is 1344.34 sq/ km. From LULC analysis in 2015 waste land was converted into scrub. Forest cover is not much changed as most of the forest area is declared as reserved forest. Positive correlation was observed in waste, scrub and forest land which may be attributed to frugivore bird’s population which are important components of forest ecosystem, as they influence plant regeneration through seed dispersal, however, foraging behaviour of birds may influence their effectiveness as dispersers. Similarly, insectivorous birds are important components of ecosystem they may control population of insects.

From LULC maps we identify that built up area is increasing gradually in the year 2005, total built up area was 234.4 sq/km,in 2012 area which was 373.54 and in 2015 it is increased up to 410.43 Sq.km. the this negative correlative changes can be attributed to the anthropogenic pressure on ecosystem is increasing due to technological advancements and government incentives on establishment of industrial parks, acquiring huge land for SEZ (Special Economic Zones), establishment of wind mills in wildlife areas and reserve forests, quarrying, blasting of hilly areas, indiscriminate use of agricultural pesticides, unrestricted grazing of livestock’s in reserve forests, and burning of grasslands, habitat fragmentation, loss of habitat, are prominent threats for avian fauna. Apart from this weather and rainfall also play a major role in the disturbing balance of ecosystems functionalities. Considering the significant role of Avifauna in monitors the ecological balance, there is greater need for the formulation of effective conservation policies (Nautiyal 2013).

CONCLUSION

The present study is an attempt in providing baseline information for devising further conservation strategies, especially keeping in view dry land regions such as Anantapuramu district in Andhra Pradesh.

Acknowledgment

We extend our sincere thanks to the Forest Department of Anantapuramu district, Andhra Pradesh for supporting us to carry out this study. The authors would also like to thanks to the faculty of Department of Zoology, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapuramu for their assistance during research work.

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