Diversity and distribution of birds in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India

Abstract

The current research focused on the study of birds checklist, systematic updates, diversity, distribution, abundance and present status at Jamnagar, Gujarat, India. A total of 04 urban and 13 rural sites of the study area surveyed throughout the 18 months from July 2015 to December 2016. Data collection with a visual encounter survey method at random 01 to 08 days every month by three man-hours. A total of 103 species of birds were recorded belonging to 42 families, 81 genera and 19 orders during the study period. Family Scolopacidae represents the significant number of species (13) and family Laridae represents the significant number of individuals (5535) during the survey. From local status 69 rare, 19 Occasional, 13 frequent, 01 common and 01 abundant species reported; As per International Union for Conservation of Nature status, total 90 Least Concern, 12 Nearly Threatened and 01 Vulnerable species were recorded; from migratory status, a higher number of species were recorded from Common resident (43) category. Urban site Lakhota Lake represents a significant number of individuals (12158) and species (45) during the survey. During October 2015 a significant number of individuals (22.4%) were recorded. Himantopus himantopus species was the highest occurrences in site wise (11) and month wise (14) distribution during the study period. Site wise and month wise ecological indices were calculated. This study is a first attempt of exploring a bird diversity and distribution in urban and rural areas of the Jamnagar.