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WSN 74 (2017) 209-237 EISSN 2392-2192

Status and diversity of avifauna in coastal areas of South ,

Arajush Payra1,*, Krishnendu Mondal2, Rabindra Kumar Mishra1, Srustidhar Rout1 1Department of Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation, North Orissa University, Mayurbhanj, Baripada, Orissa, India 2Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, , India *E-mail address: [email protected]

ABSTRACT The status and diversity of avifauna was studied in coastal areas of South Bengal, India from January 2014 to June 2016. The entire survey was comprehensively carried out by walking along the fixed paths/trails, for documentation of avifauna. In total, 171 species representing 18 orders and 54 families were recorded. Depending on movement and seasonality of occurrence, were classified as resident, winter migrant and local migrant. Depending on the frequency of sightings, birds were classified as: abundant, common, occasional and rare. Out of the 171 bird species, 100 were resident, 51 were winter visitor and 20 was local migrants. The maximum similarity of birds were observed between village woodland and coastal forest and lowest similarity observed between Village woodland and Sea Shore. Among the total species observed, 9.94% species were abundant, 32.75% common, 40.94% occasional and 16.37% rare. Out of the 171 species bird species recorded in the study area, three species "near threatened"; and the remaining 168 species were "least concern", according to IUCN. The present study contributed the abundance of avifauna for the first time in the coastal region of South Bengal along-with their primary habitats and migratory status.

Keywords: Bird, Coastal area, Diversity, Habitat, Status

World Scientific News 74 (2017) 209-237

1. INTRODUCTION

Amongst all the vertebrate faunal taxa, avifauna shows maximum diversity. Indian subcontinent encompasses 1340 species of birds which contribute more than 15% of the world’s bird species (9,900 birds of the world) (Ali and Ripley, 1987; Anula, 2015; Cox, 2010). Indian subcontinent is well-known for its rich and diverse bird species whose , distribution and habitat characteristics are well documented in India (Ali and Ripley, 1987; Grimmett et al., 1998; Manakadan and Pittie, 2001; Grimmett et al., 2011; Kazmierczak, 2006). Hence, it is very indispensable to understand the diversity and structure of bird communities to describe the importance of regional or local landscapes for avian conservation. Also, assessment of bird community has become an important tool in biodiversity conservation for identifying conservation actions in areas of high human pressure (Kremen, 1992; Safiq et al., 1997). Most of the birds are aesthetically significant to mankind and Bird-watching has become one of the most popular recreational activities around the world (Kronenberg, 2014; Ma et al.,2013; Sekercioglu, 2002; White et al., 2014), and has direct economic benefits as well as indirect benefits through numerous citizen science programs involving bird-watchers (Greenwood, 2007). Birds recording data plays a significant role in providing the baseline data regarding distribution of a particular species in a particular area and also offer useful information for identifying priority areas for conservation (Daniels et al., 1991; Peterson et al., 2000; Colin, 2000). The diversity of birds is one of the most important ecological indicators to evaluate the habitat quality both qualitatively and quantitatively (Bilgrami, 1995; Manjunath and Joshi, 2012). Birds are also essential group of an ecosystem and numerous bird species maintain a trophic level via their foraging ecology. These services include scavenging carcasses, destroyers of pests and vermin, nutrient cycling, seed dispersal, pollination, and pest control. They have their functional role in the ecosystem as potential pollinators and scavengers and are rightly called as bio-indicators (Schwartz and Schwartz, 1951; Nason, 1992; Bruford, 2002; Gregory et al., 2003; Padoa–Schioppa et al., 2006). Due to both natural and anthropogenic disturbances such as floods, drought, deforestation, change in land use, natural resources and seasonal climatic changes, global diversity of birds is decreasing continually (Maurer, 1981; Wiens, 1989; Rapoport, 1993; Rahayuninagsih et al., 2007; Chen et al., 2011). Although, habitat destruction is considered as one of the main reason for decreasing in bird population. Most of the birds require specific habitats from season to season for nesting, foraging, roosting and loss of such habitats may lead to their extinction (Chauhan et al., 2008; Chaudharfi-Pachpande and Pejaver, 2016). Habitat alteration and indiscriminate destruction of natural habitats by cutting nesting trees and foraging plants, are the major factors responsible for restrict in avian habitats. Therefore, many species of birds may be forced to reside in the urban areas for breeding and feeding purpose. Hence, detail study on avifauna and their ecology is a primary requisite to ensure protection measure for them. Numerous ornithological studies on diversity, and its status, have been carried out in different regions of West Bengal by vast number of scientists/ researchers/ bird watchers. Sivakumar (2006) reported a number of 284 species from , West Bengal. Pramanik et al. (2010) studied plant and animal diversity in Kulik Bird Santuary in Raigang, west Bengal and observed 29 bird species with 20 families. Roy et al. (2011) found 73 bird species belonging to 25 families from Neora Valley National Park. Roy et al. (2012) reported

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a total of 117 bird species belonging to 42 families from three National parks and Reserve Forest of and. Patra and Chakrabarti (2014) found 86 bird species belonging 10 orders and 35 families in Digha in West Bengal. Mystry (2015) reported 64 species of birds belonging to 34 families from Berhampore, Murshidabad. Mukherjee (2015) found 105 bird species belonging to 43 families from Gandheswari River Bank of District during winter season. Ghosh (2016) reported 91 species belonging to 16 orders and 45 families from Khanyan and adjoining areas of Hooghly District. Hossain and Aditya (2016) studied avian diversity in Agricultural Landscape from Burdwan and recorded 144 bird species under 51 families and 19 orders. Despite the recent publications, the knowledge on the occurrence of birds from the coastal regions of South Bengal is poor. To palliate this gap, several surveys were undertaken by the authors in these regions between 2014 and 2016. The aim of the present study was to understand the occurrence and distribution of birds in Coastal region of Purba Medinipur District South Bengal, India.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 2. 1. Study area The present study was carried out in the coastal regions of Purba Medinipur district of South Bengal, India which has an area of 4151.64 km2 and is a part of the Lower Ganga Plain (Coastal Belt on the Bay of Bengal) (Figure 1). The district is surrounded by Bay of Bengal in the south. The climate of this area is tropical. During summer days (March-June) temperature of this region ranges from 30-38 °C and in winter (November-February) temperature ranges from 15-25 °C. Monsoon generally starts from the first week of June and extends up to September. Average annual rainfall 1700 mm. The coastal tract of Purba Medinipur district is more than 60 km in length, representing 27% coastal environment of West Bengal (21°30ʹ N to 22°2ʹ N; 87°5ʹ E to 88°5ʹ E ) (Chakraborty 2010). There were six intensive study sites in the study area, such as Digha-site 1, Shankarpur- site 2, Mandarmoni-site 3, Soula-site 4, Juneput-site 5, Petuaghat-site 6) and the study was conducted from January 2014 to June 2016. Among the six selected sites Digha, Shankarpur and Mandarmoni are famous tourist places. All the Selected study sites have been located within 3 km of the shore. The habitats of the study sites are mainly sea shore, coastal forest, Mangroves, aquaculture lands, agriculture fields and village woodlands. The vegetation of coastal forest is mainly dominated by Casuarina equisetifolia, Acacia auriculoformis, Acacia nilotica, the mangrove patches are mainly confined to Site 5 and Site 2, and the major species of mangroves are Avicennia marina, Bruguiere gymnorrhiza, Excoecaria agallocha, Rhizophora mucronata etc.

2. 2. Methodology The entire survey was comprehensively carried out by walking along the fixed paths/ trails, for the documentation of avian species from January 2014 to June 2016. All field surveys were performed in the morning from 06.00 to 09.00 hours and in the afternoon from 02.00 to 05.00 hours, because these are the peak activity periods of birds. Six sites were regularly surveyed during the study period and birds were observed in each site with the help of binoculars and photographs were taken using Nikon P900 and Nikon D3200 to support with further identification. Birds were identified using standard field guides (Ali and Ripley,

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1987; Grimmet et al., 1998; Manakadan and Pittie, 2001; Ali, 2002; Grewal et al., 2002; Kumar et al., 2005; Grimmet et al., 2011). Depending on movement and seasonality of occurrence, the birds were classified as resident (species found throughout the year), winter migrant (species migrates from outside India during winter) and local migrant (species found irregularly but is resident to India). Depending on the frequency of sightings during the study period, birds were classified as: abundant (Sighted on 9-10 out of 10 field visits), common (Sighted on 6-8 out of 10 field visits), occasional (Sighted on 3-5 out of 10 field visits) and rare (Sighted on 2 and less than 2 out of 10 field visits). There were six major habitat types (land use/ land cover types) were identified in the study area namely village woodlands (VW), mangroves (MG), sea shore (SS), coastal forest (CF), aquaculture lands (AQ) and agriculture fields (AG), and all bird records were classified according to these habitat types. To find out the similarity in bird species composition and their abundance between different habitat types, Jaccard’s (1908) similarity index was applied. This index refers to the ratio of number of species shared to total species among the various entities compared: J = NC/N1 + N2-NC (Where NC-number of species in common; N1- number of species in the first habitat and N2-number of species in the second habitat).

3. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

In total, we recorded a total of 171 bird species representing 18 orders and 54 families (Table 1; Figure 2 to 9). The order Passeriformes alone represents 62 bird species followed by Charadriiformes (n = 43), Columbiformes (n = 11). Rest of the orders with number of bird species sighted are (n = 10), Coraciiformes (n = 9), Accipitriformes (n = 5), Anseriformes (n = 4), Gruiformes and Strigiformes (n = 3), Ciconiiformes, Suliformes, Caprimulgiformes and Psittaciformes (n = 2), Podicipediformes, Apodiformes, Bucerotiformes and Falconiformes (n = 1) (Table 1). The highest number of species were found in the family Scolopacidae (n = 18), followed by Columbidae (n = 11), Ardeidae (n = 10), Laridae (n = 10), Muscicapidae (n = 10), Charadriidae (n = 8), Alcedinidae (n = 6), Motacillidae (n = 6), Accipitridae (n = 5), Picidae (n = 5), Anatidae (n = 4), Cisticolidae (n = 4), Dicruridae (n = 4), Estrildidae (n = 4), Sturnidae (n = 4), Alaudidae (n = 3), Corvidae (n = 3), Megalaimidae (n = 3), Pycnonotidae (n = 3), Rallidae (n = 3), Caprimulgidae (n = 2), Ciconiidae (n = 2), Jacanidae (n = 2), Laniidae (n = 2), Meropidae (n = 2), Monarchidae (n = 2), Nectariniidae (n = 2), Passeridae (n = 2), Phalacrocoracidae (n = 2), Phylloscopidae (n = 2), Psittaculidae (n = 2), Recurvirostridae (n = 2), Strigidae (n = 2), Acrocephalidae (n = 1), Aegithinidae (n = 1), Apodidae (n = 1), Artamidae (n = 1), Burhinidae (n = 1), Campephagidae (n = 1), Coraciidae (n = 1), Dicaeidae (n = 1), Falconidae (n = 1), Fringillidae (n = 1), Glareolidae (n = 1), Hirundinidae (n = 1), Leiothrichidae (n = 1), Oriolidae (n = 1), Paridae (n = 1), Ploceidae (n = 1), Podicipedidae (n = 1), Rostratulidae (n = 1), Turdidae (n = 1), Tytonidae (n = 1) and Upupidae (n = 1) (Table 1). Out of a total of 171 species, 100 were resident, 51 were winter visitor and 20 was local migrants (Table 1). The Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea, Gadwall Anas strepera, Siberian Rubythroat Calliope calliope, Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassinus, Bluethroat Luscinia svecica, Gray-bellied Cuckoo Cacomantis passerines, Rusty-tailed Flycatcher Muscicapa ruficauda, Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa latirostris, Terek Sandpiper Xenus

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cinereus, Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea, Sanderling Calidris alba, Dunlin Calidris alpine, White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus are some important winter migratory birds. Some winter migrants such as Little Stint Calidris minuta, Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea, Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii, are also seen during the month of July- August. Among the total species observed, 17 (9.94%) species are abundant, 56 (32.75%) common, 70 (40.94%) occasional and 28 (16.37%) rare (Table 1). The most abundant species in the study area are little egret Egretta garzetta, Indian pond- Ardeola grayii, black- winged stilt Himantopus himantopus, red-wattled lapwing Vanellus indicus, pied kingfisher Ceryle rudis, Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis, Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus, House Crow Corvus splendens, Jungle Crow Corvus macrorhynchous, Asian Pied Starling Gracupica contra, Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus and Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis. The Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus, Siberian Rubythroat Calliope calliope, Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus, Savanna Nightjar Caprimulgus affinis, Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus, Indian Thick-knee Burhinus indicus, Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris, Rusty-tailed Flycatcher Muscicapa ruficauda, White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus, Orange-headed Thrush Zoothera citrina and Gray-bellied Cuckoo Cacomantis passerines were recorded only once during the entire survey period. Among the six study sites maximum number of species were found in Site-2 (n = 153), followed by Site-5 (n = 100), Site-1 (n = 91), Site-4 (n = 75), Site-3 (n = 66) and Site-6 (n = 56). Out of the six different habitat types within the study area highest number of species observed in Aquaculture land (n = 90), followed by Coastal forest (n = 76), Agriculture field (n = 60), village woodland (n = 37), Sea shore (n = 32) and Mangroves (n = 30) (Table 2). Similarity index between different habitat types varied from 0.01 to 0.35. The maximum similarity index of birds were observed between Village woodland and Coastal Forest and the lowest index observed between Village woodland and Sea Shore (Table 3). Birds such as Little Egret Egretta garzetta, Indian Pond-Heron Ardeola grayii, House Crow Corvus splendens, Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis, and Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus were observed in all the habitats and this is an indication of their adaptability to different kind of habitats. While birds like, Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia, Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus, Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata, Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus, Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea, Sanderling Calidris alba, Dunlin Calidris alpine, Black- headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus, Pallas's Gull Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus, White- winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus, Little Tern Sternula albifrons and Common Tern Sterna hirundo were found to be restricted only to aquaculture land and sea shore. Generally, the Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus is known to be a freshwater inland birds, but on 21th May 2016 we observed six individual of male Pheasant-tailed Jacana were floating in Sea approximately 20-25 meters away from the coastline. Habitat selection of birds mostly influenced by prey availability and accessibility, also the availability of feeding grounds determines the abundance of birds. Among the feeding grounds, muddy flats provided important habitat for a variety of planktonic and benthic organisms and abundance of benthic organisms is higher than other types namely sandy and sediments. Such kind of habitats play significant role in the conservation of resident birds, migratory and endangered birds. Out of the 171 species bird species recorded in the study area, three species are classified as “near threatened”; and the remaining 168 species are “least concern”, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).

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Despite their many roles in Coastal ecosystems, birds are in danger by different human induced pressures such as human settlement, unsustainable tourism and agriculture, associated habitat modification and alteration that is conversion of wetlands, sandbanks and mudflats to human settlement and tourist facilities as well as unplanned urbanized developments within the coastal areas. Climate change also resulting in the form of sea level rising, salt water intrusions and food insecurity due to unpredictable weather patterns has heightened the overwhelming effects of mankind on bird species. This has led to diminishing bird population assemblages and diversity in coastal areas. However, a long-term study on avifaunal diversity in this area and the factors governing their distribution may lead to a broader understanding to formulate fruitful conservation measures in this landscape, and to eventually combat effect of climate change and anthropogenic causes.

Table 1. Distribution of number of species with orders, families and status of avifauna in adjoining coastal area of Purba Medinipur District, India

Migratory status Abundance status No of No of Orders families species RE WM LM A C O R

Anseriformes 1 4 - 2 2 - - 2 2

Podicipediformes 1 1 1 - - - 1 - -

Ciconiiformes 1 2 1 - 1 - 1 - 1

Suliformes 1 2 1 - 1 - 1 1 -

Pelecaniformes 1 10 10 - - 2 3 4 1

Accipitriformes 1 5 4 - 1 - 1 3 1

Gruiformes 1 3 3 - - - 2 - 1

Charadriiformes 8 43 7 30 6 5 12 19 7

Columbiformes 1 11 8 2 1 1 4 4 2

Strigiformes 2 3 3 - - - 1 1 1

Caprimulgiformes 1 2 2 - - - - 1 1

Apodiformes 1 1 1 - - - 1 - -

Bucerotiformes 1 1 - 1 - - 1 - -

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Coraciiformes 3 9 6 - 3 3 2 3 1

Piciformes 2 8 8 - - - 5 3 -

Falconiformes 1 1 - 1 - - - - 1

Psittaciformes 1 2 2 - - - 1 1 -

Passeriformes 26 63 43 15 5 6 20 28 9

Total 54 171 100 51 20 17 56 70 28 [RE- Resident, WM- Winter migrants, LM- Local migrants, A- Abundant, C- Common, O- Occasional, R- Rare]

Table 2. Checklist and status of Avifauna recorded from the adjoining coastal area of Purba Medinipur District, India

rea Order/Family/ S. No. Scientific Name

Common Name

status

Status

Habitats

Abundance Abundance StudyA IUCN status IUCN

Anseriformes: Anatidae Lesser Whistling- Dendrocygna S1,S2, 1. LM O AG,AQ LC Duck javanica S4,S5 2. Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea WM R S2 AQ LC Cotton Pygmy- Nettapus 3. LM O S1,S2 AQ,AG LC Goose coromandelianus 4. Gadwall Anas strepera WM R S2 AQ LC Podicipediformes: Podicipedidae Tachybaptus S1,S2, 5. Little Grebe RE C AQ LC ruficollis S5 Ciconiiformes: Ciconiidae S1,S2, CF, AG, 6. Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans RE C S3,S4, LC AQ S5,S6 Woolly-necked 7. Ciconia episcopus LM R S2 AQ LC Stork Suliformes: Phalacrocoracidae Phalacrocorax 8. Indian Cormorant LM O S5,S6 AQ LC fuscicollis

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S1,S2, AQ,AG, 9. Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger RE C S3,S4, LC MG S5,S6 Pelecaniformes: Ardeidae S1,S2, 10. Yellow sinensis RE O AG,MG LC S5 Ixobrychus S1,S2, 11. Cinnamon Bittern RE O AG LC cinnamomeus S5 Ixobrychus 12. Black Bittern RE R S1,S2 AG LC flavicollis S2,S4, 13. Gray Heron Ardea cinerea RE C AQ LC S5 14. Great Egret Ardea alba RE O S2,S4 AQ LC S1,S2, Intermediate Mesophoyx 15. RE C S3,S4, AQ,MG LC Egret intermedia S5,S6 S1,S2, AG,AQ, 16. Little Egret Egretta garzetta RE A S3,S4, SS,MG, LC S5,S6 CF S1,S2, AQ,CF, 17. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis RE C S3,S4, MG,AG, LC S5,S6 VW S1,S2, Indian Pond- AQ,AG, 18. Ardeola grayii RE A S3,S4, LC Heron MG,VW S5,S6 Black-crowned Nycticorax 19. RE O S2,S5 MG,CF LC Night-Heron nycticorax Accipitriformes: Accipitridae Black-shouldered 20. Elanus caeruleus RE O S2,S4 AQ LC Kite Oriental Honey- 21. Pernis ptilorhynchus LM O S2,S3 VW,AG LC buzzard S1,S2, AQ,AG, 22. Shikra Accipiter badius RE C S3,S4, LC VW S5,S6 S1,S2, 23. Black Kite Milvus migrans RE O AQ,AG LC S4,S5 24. Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus RE R S5 SS LC Gruiformes: Rallidae S1,S2, White-breasted Amaurornis 25. RE C S3,S4, AG,AQ LC Waterhen phoenicurus S5,S6

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Ruddy-breasted 26. Porzana fusca RE R S2 AG LC Crake S1,S2, 27. Eurasian Coot Fulica atra RE C AG LC S3,S5 Charadriiformes: Burhinidae 28. Indian Thick-knee Burhinus indicus WM R S2 SS LC Charadriiformes: Recurvirostridae S1,S2, Black-winged Himantopus 29. RE A S3,S4, AQ,AG LC Stilt himantopus S5,S6 Recurvirostra 30. Pied Avocet WM O S2,S4 AQ LC avosetta Charadriiformes: Charadriidae S1,S2, Pacific Golden- AQ,AG, 31. Pluvialis fulva WM C S3,S4, LC Plover SS,MG S5,S6 Yellow-wattled Vanellus 32. LM O S5 AQ,AG LC Lapwing malabaricus Gray-headed 33. Vanellus cinereus LM O S2 AQ,AG LC Lapwing S1,S2, Red-wattled AQ,AG, 34. Vanellus indicus RE A S3,S4, LC Lapwing SS,MG S5,S6 Lesser Sand- Charadrius S1,S2, AQ, 35. WM O LC Plover mongolus S3 SS Greater Sand- Charadrius S1,S2, AQ, 36. WM C LC Plover leschenaultia S4 SS S1,S2, Charadrius AQ, 37. Kentish Plover WM C S3,S4, LC alexandrines SS S5,S6 S1,S2, Little Ringed MG,SS, 38. Charadrius dubius LM A S3,S4, LC Plover AQ S5,S6 Charadriiformes: Rostratulidae Greater Painted- Rostratula 39. RE O S5 AG LC Snipe benghalensis Charadriiformes: Jacanidae Pheasant-tailed Hydrophasianus AG,SS, 40. RE O S2 LC Jacana chirurgus AQ Bronze-winged S1,S2, 41. Metopidius indicus RE C AG LC Jacana S3,S5

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Charadriiformes: Scolopacidae 42. Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus WM O S2 AQ,SS S1,S2, Common AQ,AG, 43. Actitis hypoleucos WM A S3,S4, LC Sandpiper SS,MG S5,S6 44. Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus WM O S2 AQ, LC 45. Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus WM C S2,S4 AQ LC Common S1,S2, 46. Tringa nebularia WM C AQ LC Greenshank S3,S4 47. Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis WM R S2 AQ LC S1,S2, 48. Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola WM C S3,S4, AQ,AG LC S5,S6 S1,S2, Common 49. Tringa tetanus LM A S3,S4, AQ LC Redshank S5,S6 50. Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus WM O S2,S4 AQ LC 51. Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata WM O S2,S5 AQ,SS NT Black-tailed 52. Limosa limosa WM O S2 AQ NT Godwit 53. Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea WM O S2 AQ LC S1,S2, AQ,AG, 54. Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii WM C S3,S4, LC SS S5,S6 55. Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta WM R S1 AQ LC 56. Sanderling Calidris alba WM O S2,S4 AQ,SS LC 57. Dunlin Calidris alpine WM O S2 AQ LC S1,S2, AQ,SS, 58. Little Stint Calidris minuta WM C S3,S4, LC AG S5,S6 59. Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago LM R S2, AQ LC Charadriiformes: Glareolidae 60. Small Pratincole Glareola lacteal LM O S2,S4 AQ,SS LC Charadriiformes: Laridae Black-headed Chroicocephalus S1,S2, 61. WM O SS LC Gull ridibundus S3,S5

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Brown-headed Chroicocephalus S1,S2, 62. WM O SS LC Gull brunnicephalus S3,S5 Ichthyaetus S1,S2, 63. Pallas's Gull WM C SS LC ichthyaetus S5 S1,S2, 64. Little Tern Sternula albifrons RE C S3,S4, SS,AQ LC S5 65. Common Tern Sterna hirundo WM O S2,S5 SS LC Gelochelidon S1,S2, 66. Gull-billed Tern WM O SS, LC nilotica S5 S1,S2, 67. Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia WM R SS LC S5 White-winged Chlidonias 68. WM R S2 SS LC Tern leucopterus S1,S2, 69. Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrid WM C SS,AQ LC S3,S4, Lesser Crested Thalasseus 70. RE R S2 SS LC Tern bengalensis Columbiformes: Columbidae S1,S2, 71. Rock Pigeon Columba livia RE A S3,S4, CF,AG LC S5,S6 Eurasian Streptopelia 72. RE O S5 CF,AG LC Collared-Dove decaocto S1,S2, Streptopelia 73. Spotted Dove RE C S3,S4, AG,CF, LC chinensis S5,S6 74. Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica RE O S2 CF LC Yellow-footed Treron S1,S2, 75. RE O CF LC Pigeon phoenicopterus S5 Common Hawk- S1,S2, 76. Hierococcyx varius LM C CF LC Cuckoo S4,S5 Cacomantis S1,S2, 77. Plaintive Cuckoo WM O CF LC merulinus S5 Gray-bellied Cacomantis 78. WM R S2 VW LC Cuckoo passerines S1,S2, Eudynamys 79. Asian Koel RE C S3,S4, CF,VW LC scolopaceus S5,S6 S1,S2, CF,VW, 80. Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis RE C S3,S5, LC AG S6 Centropus 81. Lesser Coucal RE R S2 CF,VW LC bengalensis

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Strigiformes: Tytonidae 82. Barn Owl Tyto alba RE O S2,S5 CF,VW LC Strigiformes: Strigidae 83. Indian Scops-Owl Otus bakkamoena RE R S5 CF LC S1,S2, 84. Spotted Owlet Athene brama RE C CF LC S3,S5 Caprimulgiformes: Caprimulgidae Large-tailed Caprimulgus 85. RE O S2 CF LC Nightjar macrurus 86. Savanna Nightjar Caprimulgus affinis RE R S1 CF LC Apodiformes: Apodidae S1,S2, Cypsiurus 87. Asian Palm-Swift RE C S3,S4, AQ,AG LC balasiensis S5 Bucerotiformes: Upupidae S1,S2, 88. Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops WM C S3,S4, CF,AG LC S5 Coraciiformes: Alcedinidae S1,S2, Common AQ,AG, 89. Alcedo atthis RE C S3,S4, LC Kingfisher VW,MG S5,S6 Stork-billed S1,S2, AQ,AG, 90. Pelargopsis capensis LM O LC Kingfisher S5,S6 VW S1,S2, White-throated CF,AG, 91. Halcyon smyrnensis RE A S3,S4, LC Kingfisher AQ,MG S5,S6 Black-capped MG,AQ, 92. Halcyon pileata RE O S2,S5 LC Kingfisher CF, Collared 93. Todiramphus chloris LM R S2 CF LC Kingfisher S1,S2, AQ,AG, 94. Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis RE A S3,S4, SS,CF, LC S5,S6 MG Coraciiformes: Meropidae S1,S2, AG,CF, 95. Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis RE A S3,S4, MG,AQ, LC S5,S6 VW

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S1,S2, Blue-tailed Bee- AG,AQ, 96. Merops philippinus LM C S3,S4, LC eater MG S5 Coraciiformes: Coraciidae Coracias S1,S2, 97. Indian Roller RE O CF,VW LC benghalensis S4,S5 Piciformes: Megalaimidae S1,S2, Coppersmith Psilopogon CF,MG, 98. RE C S3,S4, LC Barbet haemacephalus VW S5 Brown-headed Psilopogon S1,S2, 99. RE C CF,VW LC Barbet zeylanicus S5 Blue-throated 100. Psilopogon asiaticus RE C S2,S6 CF,VW LC Barbet Piciformes: Picidae Fulvous-breasted 101. Dendrocopos macei RE O S2,S5 CF,VW LC Woodpecker S1,S2, Black-rumped Dinopium 102. RE C S3,S4, CF,VW LC Flameback benghalense S5,S6 Greater Chrysocolaptes 103. RE O S1,S2 CF LC Flameback guttacristatus S1,S2, Streak-throated 104. Picus xanthopygaeus RE C S3,S4, CF,VW LC Woodpecker S5,S6 Rufous Micropternus 105. RE O S5 CF LC Woodpecker brachyurus Falconiformes: Falconidae 106. Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus WM R S4 AQ LC Psittaciformes: Psittaculidae Rose-ringed S1,S2, 107. Psittacula krameri RE C CF,VW LC Parakeet S5,S6 Alexandrine 108. Psittacula eupatria RE O S1,S5 CF NT Parakeet Passeriformes: Artamidae S1,S2, Ashy 109. Artamus fuscus RE C S3,S4, CF,AQ LC Woodswallow S5,S6 Passeriformes: Aegithinidae 110. Common Iora Aegithina tiphia RE O S2 CF LC

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Passeriformes: Campephagidae Black-headed 111. Lalage melanoptera WM O S2 VW LC Cuckooshrike Passeriformes: Laniidae 112. Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus WM O S2 AQ LC S1,S2, AQ,CF, 113. Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus WM C S3,S4, LC MG,VW S5,S6 Passeriformes: Oriolidae S1,S2, Black-hooded CF,AQ, 114. Oriolus xanthornus RE C S3,S4, LC Oriole AG,VW S5,S6 Passeriformes: Dicruridae S1,S2, CF,AQ, Dicrurus 115. Black Drongo RE A S3,S4, AG,MG, LC macrocercus S5,S6 VW Dicrurus 116. Ashy Drongo LM R S5 CF LC leucophaeus 117. Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus RE O S2,S5 CF LC Hair-crested Dicrurus 118. RE O S2 CF LC Drongo hottentottus Passeriformes: Monarchidae Black-naped 119. Hypothymis azurea LM O S2 CF LC Monarch Indian Paradise- Terpsiphone 120. LM O S2 CF LC Flycatcher paradise Passeriformes: Corvidae S1,S2, Dendrocitta CF,AQ, 121. Rufous Treepie RE C S3,S4, LC vagabunda AG,MG S5,S6 S1,S2, CF,AQ, 122. House Crow Corvus splendens RE A S3,S4, LC AG,MG S5,S6 S1,S2, Corvus CF,AQ, 123. Jungle Crow RE A S3,S4, LC macrorhynchous AG,MG S5,S6 Passeriformes: Alaudidae Ashy-crowned 124. Eremopterix griseus RE O S2,S3 AQ, LC Sparrow-Lark

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Rufous-tailed Ammomanes 125. RE O S2,S4 AQ LC Lark phoenicura S2,S5, 126. Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula RE O AQ,AG LC S6 Passeriformes: Hirundinidae S2,S3, 127. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica RE C S4,S5, AQ,SS LC S6 Passeriformes: Paridae 128. Cinereous Tit Parus cinereus LM O S2 CF LC Passeriformes: Pycnonotidae S1,S2, Red-vented CF,AG, 129. Pycnonotus cafer RE C S3,S4, LC Bulbul AQ,MG S5,S6 S1,S2, Red-whiskered 130. Pycnonotus jocosus RE A S3,S4, CF,MG, LC Bulbul S5,S6 White-browed 131. Pycnonotus luteolus RE O S2 CF LC Bulbul Passeriformes: Phylloscopidae Blyth's Reed- Acrocephalus S2,S3, CF,AG, 132. RE O LC Warbler dumetorum S5 AQ Tickell's Leaf S1,S2, AQ,CF, 133. Phylloscopus affinis RE C LC Warbler S3,S5 MG Passeriformes: Acrocephalidae Clamorous Reed- Acrocephalus AQ,MG, 134. RE O S2,S5 LC Warbler stentoreus CF Passeriformes: Cisticolidae 135. Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis RE O S5 AQ LC S1,S2, Common 136. Orthotomus sutorius RE C S3,S4, AQ,MG, LC Tailorbird S5,S6 137. Jungle Prinia Prinia sylvatica LM R S5 AG LC 138. Plain Prinia Prinia inornata RE C S2,S5 AG LC Passeriformes: Leiothrichidae S1,S2, AG,AQ, 139. Jungle Babbler Turdoides striata RE C S3,S4, LC CF S5,S6

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Passeriformes: Muscicapidae Asian Brown Muscicapa 140. WM R S2 CF LC Flycatcher latirostris Rusty-tailed 141. Muscicapa ruficauda WM R S2 CF LC Flycatcher S1,S2, Oriental Magpie- CF,AQ, 142. Copsychus saularis RE C S3,S4, LC Robin AG S5,S6 143. Indian Robin Copsychus fulicatus RE O S1 CF LC Verditer 144. Eumyias thalassinus WM O S1,S2 CF LC Flycatcher Phoenicurus 145. Black Redstart WM O S2 CF,AQ LC ochruros 146. Bluethroat Luscinia svecica WM O S2 AQ LC S1,S2, 147. Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla WM C AQ,CF LC S5 Siberian 148. Calliope calliope WM R S1 AQ LC Rubythroat 149. Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata RE O S1 CF LC Passeriformes: Turdidae Orange-headed 150. Geokichla citrina RE R S2 CF LC Thrush Passeriformes: Sturnidae S1,S2, Asian Pied AQ,AG, 151. Gracupica contra RE A S3,S4, LC Starling CF,MG S5,S6 Chestnut-tailed S2,S4, 152. Sturnia malabarica RE C CF,VW LC Starling S5 S1,S2, AQ,AG, 153. Common Myna Acridotheres tristis RE A S3,S4, LC MG,CF S5,S6 154. Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus RE O S1,S2 CF LC Passeriformes: Dicaeidae Pale-billed Dicaeum 155. RE O S1 CF LC Flowerpecker erythrorhynchos Passeriformes: Nectariniidae S1,S2, Purple-rumped 156. Leptocoma zeylonica RE C S3,S4, CF, LC Sunbird S5,S6

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S1,S2, 157. Purple Sunbird Cinnyris asiaticus RE C S3S4, CF LC S5,S6 Passeriformes: Motacillidae Dendronanthus 158. Forest Wagtail WM R S2 CF LC indicus Eastern Yellow Motacilla 159. WM O S2,S4 AQ LC Wagtail tschutschensis 160. Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola WM O S2,S4 AQ LC S1,S2, 161. White Wagtail Motacilla alba WM C AQ,SS LC S3,S4 S1,S2, 162. Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus RE C S3,S4, AG,AQ LC S5 Olive-backed 163. Anthus hodgsoni RE O S2,S5 CF LC Pipit Passeriformes: Fringillidae Common Carpodacus 164. WM R S2 CF LC Rosefinch erythrinus Passeriformes: Passeridae S1,S2, 165. House Sparrow Passer domesticus RE C S3,S4, AG LC S5, Chestnut- Petronia 166. shouldered RE C S2 CF LC xanthocollis Petronia Passeriformes: Ploceidae S2,S4, 167. Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus RE O AQ LC S5 Passeriformes: Estrildidae 168. Indian Silverbill Euodice malabarica RE O S1,S2 AQ LC 169. Tricolored Munia Lonchura Malacca RE C S2, AG LC Amandava 170. Red Avadavat RE R S5 AG LC amandava Scaly-breasted 171. Lonchura punctulata RE O S2 AG LC Munia [RE- Resident, WM- Winter migrants, LM- Local migrants; A- Abundant, C- Common, O- Occasional, R- Rare; AG- Agriculture fields, AQ- Aquaculture lands, VW- Village woodlands, SS- Sea Shore, MG- Mangroves, CF- Coastal Forest; LC- Least Concern, NT- Near Threatened, CR- Critically Endangered; S1- Digha, S2- Shankarpur, S3- Mandarmoni, S4- Soula, S5- Juneput, S6- Petuaghat; S. No- Species Number]

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Table 3. Similarity of bird species between different habitat types in Coastal Areas of Puba Medinipur District, India.

AG AQ VW SS MG CF AG 1 0.35 0.24 0.12 0.29 0.18 AQ - 1 0.13 0.22 0.28 0.17 VW - - 1 0.01 0.22 0.35 SS - - - 1 0.15 0.04 MG - - - - 1 0.22 CF - - - - - 1 [AG- Agriculture fields, AQ- Aquaculture lands, VW- Village woodlands, SS- Sea Shore, MG- Mangroves, CF- Coastal Forest]

Figure 1. Locations of study areas for avifaunal survey in South Bengal, India from January 2014 to June 2016

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Figure 2. Photographs of Avifauna encountered in the present study: A-Dendrocygna javanica; B-Tadorna ferruginea; C-Nettapus coromandelianus; D-Anas strepera; E-Tachybaptus ruficollis, F-Anastomus oscitans; G-Ciconia episcopus; H-Phalacrocorax niger; I-Ixobrychus sinensis; J-Ardea cinerea; K-Ardea alba; L-Egretta garzetta; M-Bubulcus ibis; N-Ardeola grayii; O-Nycticorax nycticorax

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Figure 3. Photographs of Avifauna encountered in the present study: A-Elanus caeruleus; B-Accipiter badius; C-Milvus migrans; D-Amaurornis phoenicurus; E-Himantopus himantopus; F-Recurvirostra avosetta; G-Pluvialis fulva; H-Vanellus malabaricus; I-Vanellus cinereus; J-Vanellus indicus; K-Charadrius leschenaultia; L-Charadrius alexandrines; M-Charadrius dubius; N-Rostratula benghalensis, O-Hydrophasianus chirurgus

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Figure 4. Photographs of Avifauna encountered in the present study: A-Metopidius indicus; B-Xenus cinereus; C-Actitis hypoleucos; D-Tringa ochropus; E-Tringa erythropus; F-Tringa nebularia; G-Tringa tetanus; H-Numenius phaeopus; I-Numenius arquata; J-Limosa limosa; K-Calidris ferruginea; L-Calidris temminckii; M-Calidris minuta; N-Gallinago gallinago; O-Glareola lacteal

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Figure 5. Photographs of Avifauna encountered in the present study: A-Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus; B-Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus; C-Sternula albifrons; D-Sterna hirundo; E-Chlidonias leucopterus; F-Streptopelia chinensis; G-Treron phoenicopterus; H-Hierococcyx varius; I-Cacomantis merulinus; J-Cacomantis passerines; K-Centropus bengalensis; L-Athene brama; M-Caprimulgus macrurus; N-Caprimulgus affinis; O-Upupa epops

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Figure 6. Photographs of Avifauna encountered in the present study: A-Alcedo atthis; B-Halcyon smyrnensis; C-Halcyon pileata; D-Todiramphus chloris; E-Ceryle rudis; F-Merops orientalis; G-Merops philippinus; H-Coracias benghalensis; I-Psilopogon zeylanicus; J-Dendrocopos macei; K-Dinopium benghalense; L-Picus xanthopygaeus; M-Psittacula krameri; N-Artamus fuscus; O-Lanius cristatus

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Figure 7. Photographs of Avifauna encountered in the present study: A-Oriolus xanthornus; B-Dicrurus aeneus; C-Dicrurus hottentottus; D-Hypothymis azurea; E-Terpsiphone paradise; F-Eremopterix griseus; G-Hirundo rustica; H-Parus cinereus; I-Pycnonotus jocosus; J-Pycnonotus luteolus; K-Acrocephalus dumetorum; L-Orthotomus sutorius; M-Prinia sylvatica; N-Prinia inornata; O-Muscicapa latirostris

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Figure 8. Photographs of Avifauna encountered in the present study: A-Copsychus saularis; B-Eumyias thalassinus; C-Phoenicurus ochruros; D-Luscinia svecicas; E-Ficedula albicilla; F-Geokichla citrina; G-Sturnia malabarica; H-Dicaeum erythrorhynchos; I-Leptocoma zeylonica; J-Cinnyris asiaticus; K-Motacilla citreola; L-Motacilla alba; M-Anthus hodgsoni; N-Carpodacus erythrinus; O-Petronia xanthocollis

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Figure 9. Photographs of Avifauna encountered in the present study: A-Ploceus philippinus; B-Lonchura Malacca; C-Lonchura punctulata

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors are thankful to West Bengal Forest Department for their various help during the study. We would like to thank Mr. Tim Inskipp for identification of Birds. Authors are also thankful to Mr. Pijush Payra, Mr. Pallab Sahoo, Mr. Shantanu Payra, Mr. Sasanka Bera and Mr. Tapendu Maity for their assistance during field work.

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( Received 04 May 2017; accepted 19 May 2017 )

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