A short-term survey report on the post-winter avian diversity in Corbett National Park and associated areas, Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

This study documents a short-term post-winter survey of avifaunal diversity in Corbett National Park and associated areas in Uttarakhand. Qualitative and quantitative avian diversity patterns were assessed from a biomonitoring and conservation perspective. A total of 94 species of birds belonging to 40 families under 15 orders were reported. Among these 10 were winter visitors, six summer visitors and one near-threatened species. Habitat distribution and foraging guild patterns are discussed. Insectivores and nectarivores were found to be the prominent foragers. Open woodland, cultivated land and forest edges provided shelter for many bird populations, while plantation areas supported the lowest numbers of species. The study area was exposed to varying levels of anthropogenic interventions, yet supported a healthy bird diversity with low dominance index.

Keywords

• anthropogenic intervention
• avifaunal diversity
• biomonitoring
• dominance index
• foraging guilds
• habitat distribution
• summer visitor
• winter visitor.