Avifaunal Diversity of Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India

Home , Cotton pygmy goose, Indian roller, Ipomoea

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 February 2014 | 6(2): 5464–5477

Avifaunal diversity of Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India

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Short Communication Short Kante Krishna Prasad , Bagari Ramakrishna , Chelmala Srinivasulu & Bhargavi Srinivasulu Online 0974–7907 Print 0974–7893 1,2,3,4 Wildlife Biology Section, Department of Zoology, University College of Science, Osmania University, Hyderabad, OPEN ACCESS Andhra Pradesh 500007, India 3,4 Systematics, Ecology & Conservation Laboratory, Zoo Outreach Organization (ZOO), 96 Kumudham Nagar, Vilankurichi Road, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641035, India, 1 [email protected], 2 [email protected], 3 [email protected] (corresponding author), 4 [email protected]

Abstract: A total of 164 bird species belonging to 53 families were of wetland habitats that act as ideal wintering grounds recorded in the Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary. Of these 107 species for migratory water birds. The state of Andhra Pradesh is were resident, 55 species were winter migrants and 2 species were summer migrants. The population of the each species in different home to as many as 16 sites identified as Important Bird habitats was estimated. Species richness was observed to be more Areas of avifaunal significance (Islam & Rahmani 2005). in agriculture habitat followed by scrubland, grassland and marshy Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary is one such Important areas, whereas species diversity was observed to be more in scrubland habitat followed by agriculture lands, grasslands and marshy areas. Bird Area in Andhra Pradesh. Manjeera Wildlife Similarity Index analysis showed that the habitats of agriculture land- Sanctuary is located 50km northwest of Hyderabad, in scrubland are more similar whereas, habitats of scrubland-marshy area show dissimilarity in the sanctuary. Medak District, Andhra Pradesh. It is recognized as an important wetland for migratory birds. The water body Keywords: Andhra Pradesh, avian diversity, India, Manjeera Wildlife provides considerable ecological diversity to support Sanctuary, Medak. a large population of wetland birds (Islam & Rahmani 2005). One of the important tributaries of the Godavari Birds are ideal bio-indicators and useful models for River system is the river Manjeera. The Manjeera River studying a variety of environmental problems as they are originates in the Balaghat Hills in Madhya Pradesh, flows very sensitive to the slightest of environmental changes thorough Latur District in Maharashtra and Bidar District and are important health indicators of the ecological of Karnataka entering into Medak District of Andhra conditions and productivity of an ecosystem (Newton Pradesh before emptying into the Godavari River at 1995; Desai & Shanbhag 2007; Li & Mundkur 2007). India Basara near Nizamabad District (Prasad et al. 2012). The has a rich avian diversity as it provides for a wide variety Manjeera basin encompasses an area of 30,914km2 of

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.o3505.5464-77 | ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:755506CF-AD17-49D0-9048-B41D4C538FD2

Editor: V. Santharam, Institute of Bird Studies & Natural History, Chittoor, India. Date of publication: 26 February 2014 (online & print)

Manuscript details: Ms # o3505 | Received 28 January 2013 | Final received 16 November 2013 | Finally accepted 23 January 2014

Citation: Prasad, K.K., B. Ramakrishna, C. Srinivasulu & B. Srinivasulu (2014). Avifaunal diversity of Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 6(2): 5464–5477; http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.o3505.5464-77

Copyright: © Prasad et al. 2014. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. JoTT allows unrestricted use of this article in any medium, reproduction and distribution by providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of publication.

Funding: Field survey was supported by grants from Andhra Pradesh Forest Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh; Department of Biotechnology, Government of India and University Grants Commission, New Delhi

Competing Interest: The authors declare no competing interests.

Acknowledgements: The authors acknowledge the encouragement and facilities provided by Head, Department of Zoology, Osmania University, Hyderabad and also are thankful for the encouragement and financial assistance provided by Chief Wildlife Warden, Andhra Pradesh Forest Department, and Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife), Medak Division, for crocodile census in Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary.

5464 Avifauna of Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary Prasad et al.

Figure 1. Map of the Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary, Medak District, Andhra Pradesh, India which agriculture lands occupy almost 59.4%, followed with Acacia sp., Prosopis juliflora, Pithecelobium dulce, by pasture lands (39.5%), forest (0.65%) and water Tamarindus indicus, Butea monosperma and Azadirachta (0.45%) (Stalnacke et al. 2012). It is the main source of indica as the major species. Other plant species found drinking water to Medak, Nizamabad districts and also here are Chrozophora rottleri, Nymphoides hydrophylla, to the twin cities of Hyderabad. This is the abode for a Polygonum glabrum, Leucas aspera, Centella asiatica, number of resident and migratory birds in addition to Abutilon indicum, Ipomea cornea, Ipomea cairica, being home for the Marsh Crocodile Crocodylus palustris. Argemone mexicana, Xanthium strumarium, Spilanthus Density and abundance are the essential ecological calva, Pistia stratiotes, Eichhornia crassipes, Hydrilla information required for population ecology (Buckland verticillata, Vallisneria spiralis and Marsilea quadrifolia. et al. 1993, 2001). In the present study, we studied the Grass species like Bothriochloa pertusa, Chloris barbata, population density, diversity and distribution of avian Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus rotundus, Heteropogon fauna in different habitats of the Manjeera Wildlife contortus, and Dactyloctenium aegyptium are present Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India. in the sanctuary and its surroundings. This wetland, apart from being the abode for the mugger crocodile, Material and Methods is home to five species of cultured fishes; 60 species Study Area: The Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary located of butterflies, 10 species of amphibians; 26 species of at 17057’52”N & 78002’22”E (Fig. 1) in Medak District, reptiles, 18 species of mammals (Prasad et al. 2012). Andhra Pradesh. An area of 2,800 ha between Singoor The Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary experiences a tropical and Manjeera Barrage was declared as a sanctuary. The climate with temperatures ranging between 420C in sanctuary follows the course of river Manjeera over the summers to 150C in the winters and receives about a length of 36km. The Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary 1000–1100 mm of rainfall annually. The soil type here is has nine islands with extensive marshy fringes, which red loamy, sandy and black cotton soil, fertile for growing provide good nesting sites for waterbirds. The reservoir cotton, rice, jowar, maize and sugarcane. supports submergent and emergent vegetation. A Data Collection: Surveys were conducted between narrow margin of Typa sp., Ipomoea sp. and Acacia sp. December 2010 and October 2012. The line transect fringe the waterline, while agriculture lands surround method (Burnham et al. 1980) was used for conducting the reservoir and the river. The forest tracts are a typical surveys to estimate abundance of different species of tropical scrub forest type (Champion & Seth 1968) birds, their diversity and to calculate richness indices.

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 February 2014 | 6(2): 5464–5477 5465 Avifauna of Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary Prasad et al.

The number of transects was based on the relative (Table 1; Images 1–84). A total of three Vulnerable extents of the habitats. Separate transects were species (Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus, Greater established in each habitat and data was collected and Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga and Indian Skimmer analyzed. Observations were carried out both in the Rynchops albicollis) and three Near Threatened species mornings and evenings when the birds were the most (Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Oriental White active between 06:00–10:00 hr and 16:00–18:00 hr. Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus and Darter Anhinga Four habitat types were chosen namely marshy areas, melanogaster) were recorded. The relative abundance grassland, agriculture lands and scrubland. Surveys of species in the four different habitats indicated that were conducted along 2km long transects with an the birds showed high preference for marsh land habitat average nine transects per habitat (6–12 transects per followed by agriculture lands in comparison to scrubland habitat). Birds were detected and count was kept using and grassland habitats (Table 2). The Simpson’s Diversity binoculars. Photographic record of the birds detected and Shannon’s Diversity Indices show that diversity was maintained using a 14.5 mega pixels digital camera of birds was high in scrubland followed by agricultural (Canon Power Shot 35X). Species identification was lands, grasslands and marshy area (Table 3), while done using standard literature (Grimmett et al. 2002) evenness and equitability indices were high in grassland and the listing follows Manakadan & Pittie (2001). and scrub land habitats (Table 3). The comparison We assigned the abundance of the species observed of species richness of the birds and the number of during the study based on the frequency and number individuals in the different habitats in the sanctuary of individuals sighted. The data is presented as ACOR indicates that the species richness is high in agriculture ratings, with abundant being those species which were lands then followed by scrubland, grassland and marshy sighted in many numbers during all transect surveys, area while the number of individuals of birds is high common being those species which were sighted in in marshy areas then agriculture lands, scrubland and good numbers during all transect surveys, occasional grassland. The Sorensen’s similarity index indicates being those species which were sighted in low numbers that habitats of agriculture lands-scrubland, grassland- during some transect surveys and rare being those agriculture lands and grassland-scrubland are more species which were sighted in very low numbers similar (Fig. 2) where as, habitats of scrubland-marshy throughout the study period. Alpha and beta diversities are key concepts for understanding the functioning of ecosystems, for the conservation of biodiversity and for ecosystem management (Magurran 2004). We measured the alpha and beta diversities of the habitats of the sanctuary using the below given formulae D = [ni(ni-1)/N(N-1)] ni = the total number of organisms of a particular species N = the total number of organisms of all species Cs = 2C/ (2C + S1 + S2) where, S1 = the total number of species recorded in the first community S2= the total number of species recorded in the second community c = the number of species common to both communities All statistical analysis was carried out using ecological analysis package Biodiversity-Pro (Biodiversity professional beta version 2.0.0.0), (McAleece et al. 1997).

Results and Discussion During the present study a total of 164 species of birds belonging to 53 families were recorded, of which Figure 2. Similarity between habitats with respect to species 107 species were resident, 55 species were winter richness at Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary, Medak District, Andhra migrants and two species were summer migrants Pradesh, India

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Table 1. List of birds of Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abund- Abund- Common Name Scientific Name Status* Common Name Scientific Name Status* ance** ance** Podicipedidae 30 Northern Pintail Anas acuta WM C Tachybaptus 1 Little Grebe R C 31 Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata WM O ruficollis 32 Common Teal Anas crecca R C Phalacrocoracidae Phalacrocorax 33 Garganey Anas querquedula WM C 2 Great Cormorant R A carbo Red-crested Rhodonessa 34 WM C Phalacrocorax Pochard rufina 3 Indian Shag R C fuscicollis 35 Common Pochard Aythya ferina WM C Phalacrocorax 4 Little Cormorant R C niger 36 Tufted Pochard Aythya fuligula WM O Anhingidae Accipitridae Anhinga 37 Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus R C 5 Darter R C melanogaster† Western Marsh- Circus 38 WM R Ardeidae Harrier aeruginosus

Black-crowned Nycticorax Greater Spotted †† 6 R C 39 Aquila clanga WM R Night Heron nycticorax Eagle 7 Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii R C 40 Black Kite Milvus migrans R C Black-Shouldered 8 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea WM C 41 Elanus caeruleus R C Kite 9 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea R C 42 Shikra Accipiter badius R O 10 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis R C Short-toed Snake- 43 Circaetus gallicus WM R

11 Little Egret Egretta garzetta R C Eagle Mesophoyx Pandionidae 12 Median Egret R C intermedia 44 Osprey Pandion haliaetus WM R Casmerodius 13 Large Egret R C albus Falconidae Ixobrychus 45 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus R R 14 Chestnut Bittern R R cinnamomeus Phasianidae Ciconiidae 46 Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus R C Mycteria 15 Painted Stork R A leucocephala† Francolinus 47 Grey Francolin R C Asian Openbill- Anastomus pondicerianus 16 SM C Stork oscitans Rallidae White-necked White-breasted Amauronis 17 Ciconia episcopus WM C 48 R C Stork Waterhen phoenicurus Lesser Adjutant- Leptoptilos Gallinula 18 †† WM O 49 Common Moorhen R C Stork javanicus chloropus Threskiornithidae Porphyrio 50 Purple Moorhen R C Threskiornis porphyrio 19 Oriental White Ibis R A melanocephalus† 51 Common Coot Fulica atra R C Pseudibis 20 Black Ibis R A Jacanidae papillosa Plegadis Pheasant-tailed Hydrophasianus 21 Glossy Ibis SM A 52 R C falcinellus Jacana chirurgus Platalea Bronze-winged Metopidius 22 Eurasian Spoonbill WM C 53 R C leucorodia Jacana indicus Anatidae Charadriidae Lesser Whistling- Dendrocygna Yellow-wattled Vanelles 23 R C 54 R R Duck javanica Lapwing malabaricus Red-wattled 24 Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus WM C 55 Vanelles indicus R C Lapwing Brahminy (Ruddy) Tadorna Charadrius 25 WM C 56 Kentish Plover WM O Shelduck ferruginea alexandrinus Sarkidiornis Little Ringed 26 Comb Duck WM C 57 Charadrius dubius WM O melanotos Plover Nettapus 27 Cotton Teal R C Scolopacidae coromandelianus Common 28 Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope WM C 58 Tringa totanus WM O Redshank Anas 29 Spot-billed Duck R A 59 Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis WM C poecilorhyncha

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Abund- Abund- Common Name Scientific Name Status* Common Name Scientific Name Status* ance** ance** Common 60 Tringa nebularia WM C Caprimulgidae Greenshank Common Indian Caprimulgus 90 R R 61 Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus WM C Night jar asiaticus 62 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola WM C Apodidae Common Cypsiurus 63 Actitis hypoleucos WM C 91 Asian Palm-Swift R C Sandpiper balasiensis Gallinago 64 Common Snipe WM O 92 House Swift Apus affinis R C gallinago 65 Little Stint Calidris minuta WM R Alcedinidae Small Blue Black tailed 93 Alcedo atthis R C 66 Limosa limosa WM O Godwit Kingfisher Philomachus White-breasted Halcyon 67 Ruff WM R 94 R C pugnax Kingfisher smyrnensis Lesser Pied Recurvirostridae 95 Ceryle rudis R O Kingfisher Himantopus 68 Black-winged Stilt R C Meropidae himantopus Glareolidae 96 Small Bee-eater Merops orientalis R C Blue-tailed Bee- Merops 69 Small Pratincole Glareola lactea R R 97 WM C eater phillippinus Laridae Coraciidae Brown-headed Larus Coracias 70 WM C 98 Indian Roller R C Gull brunnicephalus benghalensis 71 Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus WM C Upupidae Chlidonias 72 Whiskered Tern WM C Upupa epops hybridus 99 Common Hoopoe R C Gelochelidon Bucerotidae 73 Gull-billed Tern WM C nilotica Indian Grey 100 Ocyceros birostris R C 74 River Tern Sterna aurantia R C Hornbill

75 Little Tern Sterna albifrons R C Capitonidae Coppersmith Megalaima Rynchopidae 101 R C Barbet haemacephala Rynchops 76 Indian Skimmer WM O albicollis†† Picidae Lesser Golden- Columbidae Dinopium 102 backed R R Eurasian Collared- Streptopelia benghalense 77 R C Woodpecker Dove decaocto Alaudidae Streptopelia 78 Little Brown Dove R C senegalensis Ashy-crowned Eremopterix 103 R C Streptopelia Sparrow-Lark grisea 79 Spotted Dove R C chinensis 104 Syke’s Crested Lark Galerida deva R C 80 Blue Rock Pigeon Columba livia R C Hirundinidae Psittacidae 105 Common Swallow Hirundo rustica R C Rose-ringed 81 Psittacula krameri R C Wire-tailed Parakeet 106 Hirundo smithii R A Swallow Plum-headed Psittacula 82 R C Red-rumped Parakeet cyanocephala 107 Hirundo daurica R A Swallow Cuculidae 108 Dusky Crag-Martin Hirundo concolor R C Small Green-billed Phaenicophaeus 83 R O Malkoha viridirostris Motacillidae Eudynamys Motacilla 84 Asian Koel R C 109 Large Pied Wagtail R C scolopacea maderaspatensis Centropus 85 Greater Coucal R C 110 Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola WM C sinensis Hierococcyx 111 Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava WM C 86 Brainfever Bird R C varius 112 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea WM C Pied-crested Clamator 87 WM C Cuckoo jacobinus 113 White Wagtail Motacilla alba R C Rufous-bellied Cacomantis 88 WM R 114 Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus R C Plaintive Cuckoo merulinus Campephagidae Strigidae Large Cuckoo 115 Coracina macei R C 89 Spotted Owlet Athene brama R C Shrike

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Abund- Abund- Common Name Scientific Name Status* Common Name Scientific Name Status* ance** ance** Black headed Coracina Nectarinea 116 R O 142 Purple Sunbird R C Cuckoo Shrike melanoptera asiatica Pericrocotus 117 Small Minivet R R Zosteropidae cinnamomeus Zosterops 143 Oriental White-eye R R Pycnonotidae palpebrosus 118 Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer R C Emberizidae White-browed Pycnonotus Red-headed Emberiza 119 R C 144 WM C bulbul luteolus Bunting bruniceps Black-headed Emberiza Irenidae 145 WM C Bunting melanocephala 120 Common Iora Aegithina tiphia R C Estrildidae Laniidae Lonchura 146 Spotted Munia R C 121 Bay-backed Shrike Lanius vittatus R C punctulata White-throated Lonchura Rufous-backed 147 R C 122 Lanius schach WM C Munia malabarica Shrike Black-headed Lonchura 148 WM C 123 Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus WM O Munia malacca Red Munia (Red Amandava Sylviidae 149 WM C Avadavat) amandava Turdoides 124 Common Babbler R C caudatus Passeridae Turdoides Passer 125 Large Grey Babbler R C 150 House Sparrow R C malcolmi domesticus White-headed Yellow-throated Petronia 126 Turdoides affinis R C 151 R C Babbler Sparrow xanthocollis 127 Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus R C Ploceidae Rufous-bellied Dumetia Ploceus 128 R C 152 Baya Weaver R C Babbler hyperythra philippnius Blyth's Reed- Acrocephalus Black-breasted Ploceus 129 WM C 153 R C Warbler dumetorum Weaver benghalensis 130 Booted Warbler Hippolais caligata WM C 154 Streaked Weaver Ploceus manyar WM C Common Tailor Orthotomus 131 R C Sturnidae Bird sutorius Sturnus 155 Brahminy Starling WM C Cisticolidae pagodarum 132 Plain Prinia Prinia inornata R C 156 Rosy Starling Sturnus roseus WM C

133 Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis R C 157 Asian Pied Starling Sturnus contra WM C Acridotheres Muscicapidae 158 Common Myna R C tristis Saxicoloides 134 Indian Robin R C fulicata Oriolidae Oriental Magpie- Copsychus Eurasian Golden 135 R C 159 Oriolus oriolus R C Robin saularis Oriole Common 136 Saxicola torquata R C Dicruridae Stonechat Dicrurus 160 Black Drongo R C 137 Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata R C macrocercus Tickell’s Blue- White-bellied Dicrurus 138 Cyornis tickelliae R O 161 R C Flycatcher Drongo caerulescens Asian Brown Muscicapa 139 WM O Corvidae Flycatcher dauurica 162 House Crow Corvus splendens R C Monarchidae Corvus Asian Paradise- Terpsiphone 163 Jungle Crow R C 140 WM O macrorhynchos Flycatcher paradisi Dendrocitta 164 Indian Treepie R C Nectariniidae vagabunda Purple-rumped Nectarinia 141 R C Sunbird zeylonica

*Status: R - resident, WM - winter migrant, SM - summer migrant; **Abundance: A - Abundant, C - Common, O - Occasional, R - Rare Scientific Name with † symbol - Near Threatened, Scientific Name with †† symbol - Vulnerable

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Table 2. Habitat-wise species richness and other statistical parameters of birds of Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India

Variables Marshy Area Grassland Agriculture Lands Scrubland

Species Richness 80 87 136 108 Total Individuals 9841 1901 8425 4964 Range 0–750 0–140 0–640 0–322 (Mean±SE) (60.00±11.27) (11.59±1.7) (51.37±7.41) (30.26±4.2) Variance 20837.24 473.99 9017.30 2892.28

Mean Confidence Interval 3189.14 72.54 1380.10 442.66

Table 3. Diversity indices values of birds in different habitats of Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India

Indices Marshy Area Grassland Agriculture Lands Scrubland

Simpson Index (D) 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.02

Simpson's Index of Diversity (1 – D) 0.96 0.97 0.97 0.98

Simpson's Reciprocal Index (1 / D) 24.35 37.08 37.46 39.94

Shannon’s Index (H) 3.54 3.98 4.12 4.11

Evenness Index 0.43 0.61 0.45 0.57

Equitability Index (J) 0.81 0.89 0.84 0.88

Table 4. Sorensen’s similarity index values for birds species richness Table 5. Correlation coefficient values for birds species richness in in different habitats of Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra different habitats of Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, Pradesh, India India

Habitats Sorensen's Similarity Index Marshy Agriculture Habitat Grassland Scrubland Area Lands Marshy Area - Grassland 0.30 Marshy Area 1 * * * Grassland - Agriculture Lands 0.41 Grassland 0.09 1 * * Agriculture Lands - Scrubland 0.46 Agriculture Lands 0.1386 0.208 1 * Scrubland - Marshy Area 0.21 Scrubland -0.1768 0.0793 0.4285 1 Marshy Area - Agriculture Lands 0.34

Grassland - Scrubland 0.40

value of species richness (14 species) and was followed areas show dissimilarity (Table 4). The correlation of by the families Scolopacidae (10 species) and Ardeidae bird diversity was high in agriculture lands-scrubland, (nine species). Anatidae and Scolopacidae have most agriculture lands-grasslands and marshy area-agriculture of all winter migratory birds except the resident birds lands, while was low in scrubland-grassland and marshy like Lesser Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna javanica, area-grassland (Table 5). The relationship between the Cotton Teal Nettapus coromandelianus, Spot-billed marshy area and scrubland showed inverse correlation Duck Anas poecilorhyncha, and Common Teal Anas indicating that the marshy area habitats have higher bird crecca. Family Ardeidae has all resident birds, with an diversity compared to scrubland habitat. exception of Purple Heron Ardea purpurea which is a Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its rich winter migrant. Members of the family Scolopacidae avian diversity and has been accorded Important Bird are all winter migrants. Asian Openbill-Stork Anastomus Area (IBA) status (Kumar 1994a; Kumar & Choudhury oscitans (Ciconiidae) and Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus 1994, 1999; Islam & Rahmani 2005). Published records (Threskiornithidae) are only the summer migratory list around 73 species of birds from this site (Kumar birds. 1994a; Kumar & Choudhury 1994, 1999), including Kumar & Choudhury (1994, 1999) and Kumar (1994b) many species of Biome-11, the Indo-Malayan Tropical reported 14 species of birds breeding in the Manjeera Dry Zone. We recorded 164 bird species belonging Wildlife Sanctuary. Darter Anhinga melanogaster, Asian to 53 families in the sanctuary and its immediate Openbill Anastomus oscitans, Painted Stork Mycteria surroundings. The family Anatidae had the highest leucocephala, Coot Fulica atra and Black-crowned Night

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Heron Nycticorax nycticorax being the most significant have not been reported or sighted during recent times. breeders (Kumar 1994b; Kumar & Choudhury 1999). We Habitat loss is the major factor affecting the observed all resident birds to be breeding at Manjeera population of migratory and resident birds directly Wildlife Sanctuary (Table 1). or indirectly. The populations of farmland birds like The Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary is a bird haven buntings, larks, weavers etc. are very low, compare (Choudhury & Pittie 1983; Taher 1998; Moorty 1999). to waterbirds population because of loss of habitat As the Manjeera Reservoir is the main source of drinking and excessive use of pesticides in agriculture lands water to Greater Hyderabad, water is always stored as compared to the last two decade in the sanctuary and properly managed ensuring that water is present surroundings (C. Srinivasulu unpub. data). Pesticides throughout the dry season too. The backwaters of the can affect farmland birds in a number of different ways reservoir, as well as the main area, have several islands and use of pesticides within different farming systems with extensive marshy fringes, which provide good have led to a decline in farmland bird populations (Burn nesting sites for water birds. The availability of fishes 2000). Waterbirds which were nesting on the Prosopis in the river for water birds and availability of grains and juliflora plants in the sanctuary decreased because of insects in the agriculture lands and grass lands, fleshy the habitat loss, due to the collection of firewood by fruits in the scrubland and secure shelter for nesting are the villagers. Hence, habitat reserves are an essential attractive to birds in the sanctuary. Agriculture affects element in an ecosystem to conserve biological diversity. natural ecosystems in more diverse ways, including These four types of habitats of the Manjeera Wildlife modifications of landscape, soils, and water supply Sanctuary support large numbers of migratory and through deforestation, erosion, channeling, flooding, resident species of birds. Availability of food in different draining, etc., as well as the elimination or propagation seasons, different types of vegetation, agricultural lands, of selected species of plants and animals (Steadman accessibility of water in the area, field activities and 1996). Compared to the last two decades, increasing of good weather conditions were observed for favorable agriculture lands by the irrigation facility from Manjeera conditions for birds to survive in this area. Birds are a River in the area surrounding the sanctuary attracts good medium for dispersing seeds, pollinating plants, more bird diversity. biological control and they are important to continue Species like the Bar-headed Goose, Ruddy Shelduck the ecological cycle. Long term assessment of bird and Demoiselle Crane that visit the Manjeera Wildlife species richness will help in understanding the impact Sanctuary represent 1–3 % of their bio-geographic of changing environment on birds and also support in population threshold determined by Wetlands creating a scientific database for proper management International (Finlayson et al. 2002) thus leading to of the ecosystem to ensure better conservation, both of its recognition as an Important Bird Area (Islam & the habitats and the avian diversity. Rahmani 2005). Past records denote that the Manjeera wildlife sanctuary is very suitable for winter migratory References birds. According to Kumar (1994a), a Greater Flamingo Buckland, S.T., D.R. Anderson, K.P. Burnham & J.L. Laake (1993). Phoenicopterus ruber, ringed in 1971–74 in Lake Distance Sampling: Estimating Abundance of Biological Populations. Rezaiyeh, Azerbaijan, Iran was recovered at Manjeera Chapman and Hall, London, 446pp. Wildlife Sanctuary in the winter of 1986–87. In January Buckland, S.T., D.R. Anderson, K.P. Burnham, J.L. Laake, D.L. Borchers & L. Thomas (2001). Introduction to Distance Sampling. Oxford 1987, about 3,000 Demoiselle cranes were seen in University Press, Oxford, 432pp. Manjeera (Kumar 1994c) which according to recent Burn, A.J. (2000). Pesticides and their effects on lowland farmland population estimates by Finlayson et al. (2002), would birds, pp. 89–104. In: Aebischer, N.J., A.D. Evans, P.V. Grice & J.A. Vickery (eds.). Ecology and Conservation of Lowland Farmland Birds. be 3% of the total population of this species wintering British Ornithologists’ Union, Tring. in the Indian subcontinent. Large congregations Burnham, K.P., D.R. Anderson & J.L. Laake (1980). Estimation of density from line transect sampling of biological population.Wildlife of Common Teal Anas crecca, Cotton Pygmy-goose Monograph 72: 1–202. Nettapus coromandelianus and Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna Champion, F.W. & S.K. Seth (1968). A Revised Survey of the Forest ferruginea were also reported from Manjeera (Kumar Types of India. Manager, Government of India Press, Delhi, India, 404pp. & Choudhury 1999). During the present study period, Choudhury, B.C. & A. Pittie (1983). Birdwatching at Manjira with no such large congregation was observed. The Lesser Birdwatcher’s Club of Andhra Pradesh. Mayura 3(3–4): 5–6. Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus and Indian Skimmer Desai, M. & A. Shanbhag (2007). Birds breeding in unmanaged monoculture plantations in Goa, India. Indian Forester 133: 1367– Rynchops albicollis, both vulnerable species, that have 1372. been sighted at Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary in the past Finlayson, C.M., G.W. Begg, J. Howes, J. Davies, K. Tagi & J. Lowry

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 February 2014 | 6(2): 5464–5477 5471 Avifauna of Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary Prasad et al. K.K. Prasad © K.K. Prasad © © K.K. Prasad

Image 3. Indian Pond Heron © K.K. Prasad Ardeola grayii Image 2. Darter Anhinga Image 4. Purple Heron Image 1. Great Cormorant melanogaster Phalacrocorax carbo Ardea purpurea K.K. Prasad ©

Image 7. Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala K.K. Prasad © K.K. Prasad ©

Image 6. Cattle Egret K.K. Prasad Image 5. Grey Heron Bubulcus ibis © Ardea cinerea Image 8. Asian Openbill-Stork Anastomus oscitans K.K. Prasad © © K.K. Prasad Image 11. Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Image 9. White-necked Stork Image 10. Oriental White Ibis Image 12. Lesser Whistling- Ciconia episcopus Threskiornis melanocephalus Duck Dendrocygna javanica

Image 15. Nothern Pitail © K.K. Prasad K.K. Prasad

Anas acuta © © K.K. Prasad

Image 13. Cotton Teal Image 14. Eurasian Wigeon

Nettapus coromandelianus Anas penelope © K.K. Prasad

Image 17. Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus

Image 16. Garganey Anas querquedula

5472 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 February 2014 | 6(2): 5464–5477 Avifauna of Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary Prasad et al. © K.K. Prasad K.K. Prasad © K.K. Prasad © K.K. Prasad © Image 18. Greater Spotted Eagle Image 20. Shikra Image 21. Indian Peafowl Aquila clanga Accipiter badius Pavo cristatus Image 19. Black-Shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus

K.K. Prasad Image 24. Purple Moorhen Image 25. Pheasant-tailed Ja- © Porphyrio porphyrio cana Hydrophasianus chirurgus © K.K. Prasad Image 23. Common Moorhen Image 22. White-breasted Wa- Gallinula chloropus terhen Amauronis phoenicurus K.K. Prasad © K.K. Prasad ©

Image 28. Little Ringed Plover Image 29. Wood Sandpiper Charadrius dubius Tringa glareola K.K. Prasad K.K. Prasad © © Image 26. Bronze-winged Image 27. Yellow-wattled Lap- Jacana Metopidius indicus wing Vanelles malabaricus K.K. Prasad © © K.K. Prasad © K.K. Prasad Image 32. River Tern Image 33. Eurasian Collared- Image 31. Whiskered Tern Sterna aurantia K.K. Prasad Chlidonias hybridus Dove Streptopelia decaocto © Image 30. Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 February 2014 | 6(2): 5464–5477 5473 Avifauna of Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary Prasad et al. © K.K. Prasad © K.K. Prasad © K.K. Prasad

Image 34. Little Brown Dove Streptopelia senegalensis Image 35. Spotted Dove Strep- topelia chinensis K.K. Prasad

Malkoha Phaenicophaeus K.K. Prasad viridirostris Image 40. Pied-crested Cuckoo © Image 39. Brainfever Bird Hiero- Clamator jacobinus Image 41. Small Blue Kingfisher coccyx varius Alcedo atthis © K.K. Prasad © K.K. Prasad

Image 43. Small Bee-eater Image 44. Blue-tailed Bee-eater © Merops orientalis Merops phillippinus Image 45. Indian Roller Cora- cias benghalensis © K.K. Prasad

Image 47. Indian Grey Hornbill K.K. Prasad backed Woodpecker Dinopium

5474 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 February 2014 | 6(2): 5464–5477 Avifauna of Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary Prasad et al. © K.K. Prasad © K.K. Prasad K.K. Prasad © K.K. Prasad

Image 51. Wire-tailed Swallow © Hirundo smithii Image 50. Ashy-crowned Spar- Image 52. Red-rumped Swallow Image 53. Large Pied Wagtail row-Lark Eremopterix grisea Hirundo daurica Motacilla maderaspatensis

Image 55. Grey Wagtail Mot- © K.K. Prasad acilla cinerea Image 56. Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus Image 54. Yellow Wagtail Mot- Image 57. Red-vented Bulbul acilla flava Pycnonotus cafer K.K. Prasad © K.K. Prasad K.K. Prasad ©

Image 64. Pied Bushchat Saxi- © K.K. Prasad cola caprata Image 65. Tickell’s Blue-Fly- K.K. Prasad Image 63. Common Stonechat

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 February 2014 | 6(2): 5464–5477 5475 Avifauna of Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary Prasad et al. © K.K. Prasad

K.K. Prasad Image 67. Purple Sunbird

Image 66. Purple-rumped K.K. Prasad

Sunbird Nectarinia zeylonica © Image 69. Black-headed Bunting Image 68. Red-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala Emberiza bruniceps © K.K. Prasad © K.K. Prasad K.K. Prasad © Image 71. White-throated

Image 72. Black-headed Munia K.K. Prasad Image 70. Spotted Munia Munia Lonchura malabarica Lonchura malacca © Lonchura punctulata Image 73. Red Munia Amandava amandava K.K. Prasad © K.K. Prasad ©

Image 76. Streaked Weaver Ploceus manyar K.K. Prasad

5476 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 February 2014 | 6(2): 5464–5477 Avifauna of Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary Prasad et al. © K.K. Prasad © K.K. Prasad

Image 83. House Crow

K.K. Prasad Corvus splendens

(2002). A Manual for an Inventory of Asian Wetlands: Version 1.0. Manakadan, R. & A. Pittie (2001).Standardized common and scientific Wetlands International Global Series 10, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. names of birds of the Indian subcontinent. Buceros 6: 1–37. xiv+72pp. McAleece, N., P.J.D. Lambshead & G.L.J. Paterson (1997). Biodiversity Grimmett, R., C. Inskipp & T. Inskipp (2002).Pocket Guide to the Birds Pro. The Natural History Museum, London. Downloaded from of the Indian Subcontinent. Christopher Helm, London, 384pp. http://www.sams.ac.uk/peter-lamont/biodiversity-pro Islam, M.Z. & A.R. Rahmani (2005). Important Bird Areas in India: Moorty, J.V.D. (1999). Field trip to Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary 21-3- Priority Sites for Conservation. Indian Bird Conservation Network, 1999. Pitta 96: 1–2. Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai and BirdLife International, Newton, I. (1995). The contribution of some recent research on birds UK, 574pp. to ecological understanding. Journal of Animal Ecology 64: 675–696; Kumar, V.V. (1994a). The birds of Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary. Mayura http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/5848 9: 12–16. Prasad, K.K., C. Srinivasulu, B. Srinivasulu & F.R.K. Rao (2012). A Kumar, V.V. (1994b). Breeding seasons of some wetland birds of contribution to the butterfly fauna of Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary, Manjira. Mayura 9: 19. Andhra Pradesh, India (Lepidoptera). Munis Entomology & Zoology Kumar, V.V. (1994c). Migration of Demoiselle Cranes Anthropoides 7(2): 1178–1184. virgo. Mayura 9: 21–22. Stalnacke, P., M. Tesfai & K.K. Reddy (2012). Water quality trends Kumar, V.V. & B.C. Choudhury (1994). A report on waterfowl study in in the Manjeera River, Godavari Basin, India. pp.123–142. In: Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India and its implication Nagothu, U.S., A.K. Gosain & K. Palanisami (eds.). Water and Climate in long-term management of this sanctuary. Pavo 32(1&2): 47–57. Change: An Integrated Approach to Address Adaptation Challenges. Kumar, V.V. & B.C. Choudhury (1999). Studies on Waterfowl of Manjira Macmillan, New Delhi, India. Wildlife Sanctuary, Medak District, Andhra Pradesh. Mayura 12: Steadman, D.W. (1996). Human-caused extinction of birds, pp. 20–35. 139–161. In: Reaka K., L. Marjorie, D.E. Wilson & E.O. Wilson Li, Z.W.D. & T. Mundkur (2007). Numbers and distribution of (eds.). Biodiversity 2: Understanding and Protecting our Biological waterbirds and wetlands in the Asia-Pacific region. Results of the Resources, Joseph Henry Press, Washington, D.C. Asian Waterbird Census: 2002–2004. Wetlands International, Kuala Taher, S.A. (1998). Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary. Pitta 86: 1–2. Lumpur, Malaysia. Magurran, A.E. (2004). Measuring Biological Diversity. Blackwell

Science, Oxford, UK, 256pp. Threatened Taxa

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