Checklist of riparian avifauna of Meenachil river basin, Kerala, South India

Abstract

The riparian zones of Meenachil river basin of Kerala state were surveyed during January 2009 to December 2015. A total of 92 bird species belonging to 36 families in 15 orders were recorded. Passeriformes dominated the list with 47 followed by Charadriiformes with seven species. 85% of the bird species recorded was resident forms and 15% migrants. Among the birds reported from the Meenachil river basin, the Oriental Darter, Anhinga rufa melanogaster was considered near threatened. Eight species of waterbirds were reported from the study area.