Journal of Research in Biology An International Scientific Research Journal

Original Research

A study on the wetland avian species of , ()

Authors: ABSTRACT: Girish Chopra, Anil K. Tyor and The present study was conducted in Sultanpur National Park Gurgaon, Seema Kumari* Haryana (India) from February, 2011 to January, 2013 to analyze the avian diversity along with its status and abundance. During the study period, a total of 79 wetland species belongings to 10 orders, 23 families and 56 genera were identified. The order Anseriformes was the most dominant represented by 18.9% of the total identified wetland avian species followed by Charadriiformes (17.72%), Passeriformes (16.45%), Ciconiiformes (15.18%) and Pelecaniformes (5.06%). The order Apodiformes and Institution: Podicipediformes were the least represented order (1.26%) with one species each, Department of Zoology, namely, Swift, Apus apus and Little Grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis respectively. Out of University, total 79 wetland avian species, 31 were ‘occasional’ species, 13 were ‘uncommon’ Kurukshetra- 136119, species, 12 were ‘abundant’ species, 11 were ‘common’ species and 12 were ‘rare’ Haryana (India) species. Based on the frequency of sighting, Pied King Fisher, Ceryle rudis; Chestnut Headed Bee-Eater, Merops leschenaultia; Cotton Pygmy Goose, Nettapus coromandelianus; Eurasian Spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia; Little-ringed Plover, Charadrius dubius; Pheasant-Tailed Jacana, Hydrophasianus chirurgus were ‘rarely sighted’ wetland species.

Corresponding author: Keywords: Seema Kumari Wetland, Wetland Species, Water Birds, Water Associated Birds, Sultanpur National Park.

Email Id: Article Citation: Girish Chopra, Anil K. Tyor and Seema Kumari A study on the wetland avian species of Sultanpur National Park Gurgaon, Haryana (India) Journal of Research in Biology in Biology Research Journal of Web Address: Journal of Research in Biology (2013) 3(5): 1032-1040 http://jresearchbiology.com/ documents/RA0370.pdf. Dates: Received: 24 July 2013 Accepted: 30 July 2013 Published: 23 Aug 2013

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1032-1040 | JRB | 2013 | Vol 3 | No 5 Journal of Research in Biology An International Scientific Research Journal www.jresearchbiology.com Chopra et al., 2013

INTRODUCTION of wetland ecosystem, as they form important links in the The wetlands can be defined as transitional lands food web and nutrient cycles. between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem where the From time to time various ornithologists have water table is near the surface or land is covered by studied flora and fauna in various wetland ecosystems in shallow water (Mitsch and Gosselink, 1986). One of the protected areas (Saxena, 1975; Hussain et al., 1984; best functions of wetlands is that these provide the best Singh and Roy, 1990; Hosetti et al., 2001; Bhat et al., preferred ground for feeding, breeding, nesting, roosting 2009; Chopra and Sharma, 2012). for birds as well as rearing site for their young ones Sultanpur National Park is one of the famous (Stewart, 2007). According to Vyas, (1992), freshwater wetlands in northern India. This national park is wetland alone support 20% of known range of considered as a major habitat for the cross boundary biodiversity in India Therefore, monitoring of these sites migratory birds. Keeping in view of the conservational provides valuable information about the ecological values of wetland birds, systematic efforts have been health and status thereof, which can be a key tool for made during the present study with an objective to developing awareness regarding the importance and prepare the exhaustive checklist of wetland and wetland conservation value of wetlands. wetlands are used by dependent/associated birds of Sultanpur National Park. birds for the purpose of feeding, nesting and roosting and these birds are generally classify as „water birds‟ or MATERIALS AND METHODS popularly known as waterfowls and waders. According Sultanpur National Park (28°28‟ N latitude and to Kumar et al., (2011), bird groups like kingfishers, 76° 53‟ E longitudes) (Fig. 1) is located in a raptors and some passerines are also ecologically depend predominantly agricultural landscape with an area of on wetlands, hence known as wetland dependent/ 13,727 ha and includes its core area of 143 ha of low- associated birds. These birds are the essential component lying marshes, which were notified as a bird sanctuary

Fig. 1(a) Location of study site within the Fig.1(b) Diagrammatic presentation of map of Haryana Sultanpur National Park

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by the Haryana State Government in 1971 (Kalpavriksh, RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 1994). Sultanpur Lake is a seasonal lake with irregular Besides being ideal indicators of the health of margins and fluctuating water level throughout the year, wetland, the wetland birds play a significant role in being maximum water level in rainy season and winters, human lives culturally, socially and scientifically and nearly dried condition during hot summer season. (Stewart, 2007). As a wetland ecosystem, Sultanpur Periodic fortnightly visits were conducted from National Park provided varied habitats, including forest February, 2011 to January, 2013 in terrestrial and aquatic patch and low laying marshy areas for nesting and habitats in the area in the early morning and later in the feeding of various types of birds. evening to record avian species. Line transects method During the study period of two years from (Sale and Berkmuller, 1988) and point count methods February, 2011 to January, 2013, 79 wetland species (Blondel, et al., 1981) were used to enumerate the belongings to 10 orders, 23 families and 57 genera were population of birds‟ species. Binoculars (Nikon 7×50 reported from Sultanpur National Park (Table 1). These CF) were used to locate/identify the distant birds, Sony include both water bird species and water associated bird handy cam models DCR-HC-42E and digital camera species; former were significantly more than latter. A Nikon L-120 model were used to take photograph of the checklist of the wetland birds observed during the study birds encountered. Later, the wetland populations were period along with their conservation status and identified with the help of different field guides (Ali and abundance is represented in Table 1. Ripley, 1987; Grimmett et al., 1998 and Inskipp et al., Earlier studies have also revealed the existence 1999). of significant number of wetland avian species in the Seasonal variation in avian diversity was wetland area of Haryana (Harvey, 2003; Gupta and recorded in different season‟s viz., winter, summer, Kaushik, 2008; Gupta et al., 2011 and Chopra and monsoon and autumn seasons. On the basis of frequency Sharma, 2012). Harvey (2003) reported a total of 102 of sighting, the observed birds were segregated following wetland avian species which includes 58 species Srinivasulu and Nagulu (2002), as Ab-abundant occasional and 44 species of uncommon bird in the (encounter rate 95 % to 100 %); Cm- common wetland of Sultanpur region of (encounter rate 65% to 95%); Uc- uncommon (encounter (Haryana). Gupta and Kaushik, (2008) reported a total of rate 40% to 60%) Oc - occasional (encounter rate 20% to 80 wetland avian species belonged to 10 orders and 20 40%); and Rr- rare (encounter rate less than 20%). families in northern Haryana. Gupta and Kaushik, (2011) Status of the birds were categorized as: RS- resident reported 47 species of wetland birds belonging to 9 species (found in the study area throughout the year); orders and 13 families in the wetland area of WM- winter migrant species (found in the study area District (Haryana). Chopra and Sharma, only in winter season); LM- local migrant species (found (2012) reported 88 wetland avian species belonging to 17 irregularly in study site but resident of India); SM- orders and 32 families in the wetland area of summer migrant species (found in the study area only district of Haryana. during summer season) and SU- status unknown species During the present study, out of total reported 79 (not observed in any of the above mentioned categories). wetland avian species, 20 (25.3%) were „resident‟ species and 59 (74.6%) were „migrant‟ species. The migrant species included 11 (14%) local migrants, 43 (55%) winter migrants and only 5(6%) summer migrants

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Table 1: Systematic position, status and abundance of wetland species in Sultanpur National Park Gurgaon, Haryana (India).

Order Family Common name Zoological name Status Abundance 1.Podicipediformes Podicipedidae Little Grebe 1.Tachybaptus ruficollis RS Oc 2.Pelecaniformes Phalacrocoracidae Little Cormorant 2.Phalacrocorax niger RS Cm Great Cormorant 3. Phalacrocorax carbo L M Oc Indian Cormorant 4. Phalacrocorax fuscicollis RS Cm Darter 5. Anhinga melanogaster L M Oc 3.Ciconiiformes Ardeidae Grey Heron 6. Ardea cinerea L M Uc Purple Heron 7. Ardea purpurea RS Oc Indian Pond Heron 8. Ardeola grayii RS Ab Great Egret 9. Casmerodius albus L M Oc Little Egret 10. Egretta garzetta L M Uc Cattle Egret 11. Bubulcus ibis RS A b Intermediate Egret 12. Mesophoyx intermedia L M Oc Painted Stork 13. Mycteria leucocephala RS A b Ciconiidae Black Necked Stork 14. Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus W M Rr Open Billed Stork 15. Anastomus oscitans L M Uc Threskiornithidae Black headed Ibis 16. Threskiornis melanocephalus W M Oc Eurasian Spoonbill 17. Platalea leucorodia SM Rr 4.Anseriformes Anatidae Greylag Goose 18. Anser anser W M Ab Bar Headed Goose 19. Anser indicus W M Ab Spot Billed Duck 20. Anas poecilorhyncha W M Ab Common Pochard 21. Aythya ferina W M Cm Eurasian Wigeon 22. Anas penelope W M Ab Tufted Pochard 23. Aythya fuligula W M Uc Cotton Pygmy Goose 24. Nettapus coromandelianus W M Rr Ruddy Shelduck 25. Tadorna ferruginea W M Uc Northern Pintail 26. Anas acuta W M Oc Mallard 27. Anas platyrhynchos W M Cm Gadwall 28. Anas strepera W M Cm Northern Shoveler 29. Anas clypeata W M A b Lesser Whistling 30.Dendrocygna javanica W M Cm Duck Common Teal 31. Anas crecca W M Cm Garganey 32. Anas querquedula W M Cm 5.Falconiformes Accipitridae Black Kite 33. Milvus migrans L M Oc Black Eagle 34. Ictinaetus malayensis L M Rr Shikra 35. Accipiter badius RS Uc Brahminy Kite 36. Haliastur Indus L M Oc Black winged Kite 37. Elanus caeruleus W M Uc Sparrow Hawk 38. Accipiter nisus W M Oc Pied Harrier 39. Cir cus melanoleucos L M Oc

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6.Gruiformes Gruidae Sarus Crane 40.Grus antigone RS Oc Rallidae White Breasted Waterhen 41.Amaurornis phoenicurus WM Oc Common Moorhen 42.Gallinula chloropus WM Oc Purple Swamphen 43.Porphyrio porphyrio WM Cm Common Coot 44.Fulica atra WM A b 7.Charadriiformes Charadriidae Little-ringed Plover 45.Charadrius dubius WM Rr Red-wattled Lapwing 46.Vanellus indicus RS A b White-tailed Lapwing 47.Vanellus leucurus WM Oc Jacanidae Pheasant-Tailed Jacana 48.Hydrophasianus chirurgus SM Rr Scolopacidae Common Redshank 49.Tringa tetanus WM Uc Spotted Redshank 50.Tringa erythropus WM Uc Common Sandpiper 51.Actitis hypoleucos WM Oc Wood Sandpiper 52.Tringa glareola WM Oc Green Sandpiper 53.Tringa ochropus WM Oc Marsh sandpiper 54.Tringa stagnatilis WM Rr Little Stint 55.Calidris minuta WM Rr Ruff 56.Philomachus pugnax WM Uc Recurvirostridae Black-winged Stilt 57.Himantopus himantopus RS A b Black-necked Stilt 58.Himantopus mexicanus WM Rr 8.Apodiformes Apodidae Swift 59.Apus apus RS Oc 9.Coraciiformes Alcedinidae White Throated Kingfisher 60.Halcyon smyrnensis RS Cm Pied Kingfisher 61.Ceryle rudis WM Rr Meropidae Green Bee-eater 62.Merops orientalis RS Cm Blue Cheeked Bee-eater 63.Merops persicus R Oc Chestnut Headed Bee-eater 64.Merops leschenaulti SM Rr Coraciidae Indian Roller 65.Coracias benghalensis RS Oc Bucerotidae Indian Grey Hornbill 66.Ocyceros birostris RS Oc 10.Passeriformes Hirundinidae Red Rumped Swallow 67.Hirundo daurica WM Oc Plain Martin 68.Riparia paludicola RS Oc Oriolidae Eurasian Golden Oriole 69.Oriolus oriolus WM Uc Dicruridae Black Drongo 70.Dicrurus macrocercus RS A b Muscicapidae Hodgson Bush Chat 71.Saxicola insignis WM Oc Orange Headed Thrush 72.Zoothera citrina WM Oc Blue-throat 73.Luscinia svecica WM Oc Rusty-tailed Flycatcher 74.Muscicapa ruficauda SM Uc Red -throated Flycatcher 75.Ficedula parva SM Oc Motacillidae Paddy-field Pipit 76.Anthus rufulus RS Oc White Wagtail 77.Motacilla alba WM Oc Large -pied Wagtail 78.Motacilla maderaspatensis WM Uc Yellow Wagtail 79.Motacilla flava WM Rr RS = Resident species LM = local migrant species SM = summer migrant species WM = winter migrant species Ab = abundant species Oc = occasional species Cm= common species Uc = uncommon species Rr rare species

(Fig 2). The present study revealed that local migrants site. Maximum numbers of migrant species were such as, Great Egret (Casmerodius albus), Open Billed reported in the winter season because migratory water Stork (Anastomus oscitans) and Pacific Reef Egret birds species like Bar headed Goose (Anser indicus), (Egretta sacra) were observed irregularly from the study Grey Leg Goose (Anser anser), Cotton Pygmy Goose

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Fig 2: Percentage composition of residential status of Fig 3: Percentage composition of abundance status wetland bird species of Sultanpur National Park, of wetland bird species of Sultanpur National Park, Gurgaon (India) Gurgaon (India)

(Nettapus coromandelianus), Gadwall (Anas strepera) Sultanpur lake was elevated. and Eurasian Wigeon (Anas Penelope) visit this place During the present study among 79 wetland from December to February. Minimum numbers of water species, 12 (15%) species were „abundant‟, 11(14%) bird were observed in the month of May and June. species were „common‟, 31 (39%) species were Wetland species adapt differently to different „occasional‟, 14 (18%) species were „uncommon‟ and 11 water levels as the food preference of water birds (14%) species were „rare‟ (Fig 3). On the basis of changes with fluctuation in the water level (Mukherjee, frequency of sighting common wetland species included 1972). Red Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) and Little Cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger), Indian Black Winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) (Order- Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis), Common Gruiformes) were observed at variable water levels of Pochard (Aythya ferina), Mallard (Anas platyrhyncos), the lake but other representatives of this avian order, Gadwall, (Anas strepera), Lesser Whistling Duck namely, Spotted Sandpiper (Tringa erythropus), (Dendrocygna javanica), Common Teal (Anas crecca), Common Red Shank (Tringa tetanus) and Ruff Garganey (Anas querquedula), Purple Swamphen (Philomachus pugnax) occupied the lake only in shallow (Porphyrio porphyrio) on the other hand, Grey Heron regions. Their arrival coincided with the reduction in (Ardea cinerea), Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), Open water level in the lake so that, they could avail the food Billed Stork (Anastomus oscitans), Tufted Pochard easily by probing into the mud. Similar observations (Aythya fuligula), Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea), were made earlier on water birds of Sunderban Common Redshank (Tringa tetanus), Spotted Redshank (Mukherjee, 1972) and Anekere wetland of Karnataka (Tringa erythropus), Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) were (Bhat et al., 2009). The present study also revealed that the „uncommon‟ wetland birds and Pied King Fisher Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) (Order- (Ceryle rudis), Chestnut Headed Bee-Eater (Merops Ciconiformes) was observed throughout of the year even leschenaultia), Cotton Pygmy Goose (Nettapus when the water level in the lake was drastically reduced coromandelianus), Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea in summer months (May and June), while another leucorodia), Little-ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius), representative of this order, i.e., Black neck Stork Pheasant-Tailed Jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus) (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) was sighted during the were „rarely sighted‟ wetland species. Maximum wetland starting of winter season when the water level in the bird species in the study area belonged to order 1037 Journal of Research in Biology (2013) 3(5): 1032-1040 Chopra et al., 2013

Table 2: Per cent distribution of avian species belonging to different orders and families Order No. of species (%) Family No. of species (%) 1.Podicipediformes (1) 1.26 % Podicipedidae (1) 1.26 % 2.Pelecaniformes (4 ) 5.06 % Phdlacrocoracidae (4) 5.06 % 3.Ciconiiformes (12) 15.18 % Ardeidae (7) 8.86 % Ciconiidae (3) 3.79 % Threskiornithidae (2) 2.53 % 4.Anseriformes (15) 18.90 % Anatidae (15) 18.90 % 5.Falconiformes (7) 8.86 % Accipitridae (7) 8.86 % 6.Gruiiformes (5) 6.32 % Gruidae (1) 1.26 % Rallidae (4) 5.06 % 7.Charadriiformes (14) 17.72 % Charadriidae (3) 3.79 % Jacanidae (1) 1.26 % Scolopacidae (8) 10.12 % Recurvirostridae (2) 2.53 % 8.Apodiformes (1) 1.26 % Apodidae (1) 1.26 % 9.Coraciiformes (7) 8.86 % Alcedinidae (2) 2.53 % Meropidae (3) 3.79 % Coraciidae (1) 1.26 % Bucerotidae (1) 1.26 % 10. Passeriformes (13) 16.45 % Hirundinidae (2) 2.53 % Oriolidae (1) 1.26 % Dicruridae (1) 1.26 % Muscicapidae (5) 6.32 % Motacillidae (4) 5.06 % Anseriformes (15, 18.9%) followed by Charadriiformes and representative of this order utilize grassland and (14, 17.72%), Passeriformes (13, 16.45%), terrestrial ecosystem for feeding, breeding and roosting Ciconiiformes (12, 15.18%), Falconiformes (7, 8.86%), purpose (Sundar, 2005; Urfi et al., 2005 Shahabuddin et Gruiiformes (5, 6.32%) and Pelecaniformes (4, 5.06%) al., 2006; Sultana et al., 2007; Pande et al., 2007, Chopra while the representative of the order Apodiformes and et al., 2012). However, during the present study in Podicipediformes were represented by single species, i.e, Sultanpur National Park only 13 wetland avian species, Swift (Apus apus) and Little Grebe (Tachybaptus i.e., 16.45% of the total sighted wetland avian fauna ruficollis) respectively (Tables 1 and 2). All the 15 represented this order (Table 2). members of order Anseriformes belonged to the single During the present study most of wetland avian family, i.e., Anatidae constituting 18.9% of the total species were observed near the submerged vegetation of wetland avian species, whereas representative of the wetland area and utilized these vegetation for nesting, order Charadriiformes belonged to 4 families namely, roosting and feeding ground whereas, Painted Stork Charadriidae (3), Jacanidae (1), Scolopocidae (8) and (Mycteria leucocephala), Open Billed Stork (Anastomus Recurvirostridae (2) consitituting 3.79%; 1.26%; 10.12% oscitans) and Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis and 2.53% respectively. The families, Bucerotidae, melanocephalus) were found to utilize the wetland area Coraciidae (Order- Coraciiformes); Oriolidae, Dicruridae for feeding purpose and trees were mainly used for (Order- Passeriformes); Apodidae (Order- Apodiformes); nesting and roosting by these species. Gruidae (Order- Gruiiformes) and Jacanidae (Order- Charadriiformes) were represented by single species CONCLUSION (Table-2). In the terrestrial habitats, majority of the It is revealed that a total of 79 wetland species reported avian species belonged to order Passeriformes were observed which includes 12 species of abundant

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category, 11 species of common category, 31 species of Foothills” (India) Nature and Science. 10 (7): 86-93. occasional category, 13 species were of uncommon Chopra G, Tyor AK, Kumari S and Rai D. 2012. category with 12 species were rare sighted wetland Status and conservation of avian fauna of Sultanpur species. Though, Sultanpur National Park has a rich National Park Gurgaon, Haryana (India) Journal of diversity of flora and fauna and important attracting Applied and Natural Science. 4 (2): 207-213. wetland area for Anseriformes, increased anthropogenic factors such as habitat fragmentation and destruction, Grimmett R, Inskipp T and Inskipp C. 1998. Birds of tourism pressure and scarcity of water during the the Indian subcontinent. Delhi: Oxford University. 888. summer season impose threats to these avian fauna. Gupta RC and Kaushik TK. 2011. Insight into wetland Besides, the herds of Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), winter Migratory avian biodiversity in Hathnikund Stray dogs and wild cattle also occasionally trampled the Barrage in Haryana State in India. International Journal chicks and eggs of water birds in this national park. of Life Science. 5 (1): 39-43. Successful conservation of the avian species will depend on improved understanding of ecological requirements Gupta RC and Kaushik TK. 2008. Studies on the and number of visitor birds. Further survey and intensive natural history of avian fauna of natural village ponds in studies in different seasons will be helpful in drafting northern Haryana. Ph.D thesis, Department of Zoology, conservational strategies of the wetland in general and Kurukshetra University Kurukshetra. wetland birds in particular. Harvey B. 2003. Checklist of the birds of Sultanpur. Retrieved August, 18, 2010 from http:// ACKNOWLEDGMENTS www.delhibird.net/content/view/73/89. The authors are grate full to Wildlife Department Panchkula for giving permission to work in protected Hosetti BB, Somanath BC and Naik KL. 2001. Eco- area. The corresponding author dully acknowledges ornithological studies on Gudavi Bird Sanctuary, UGC fellowship for financial support. Shimoga, Karnataka, India, cited. In: Trends in wild life biodiversity conservation and management. Daya REFERENCES Publishing House, Delhi. 269-289. Ali S and Ripley SD. 1987. Compact handbook of the Hussain SA, Mohopatra KK and Ali S. 1984. birds of India and Pakistan. 2nd edition Delhi: Oxford Avifaunal profile of Chilka Lake, A case for University Press. conservation. J. Bombay Nat. His. Soc. Bombay, Bhat IP, Cristopher SS and Hosetti BB. 2009. Technical report-4: 1-46. Avifaunal diversity of Anekere wetlands, Karkala Udupi Inskipp C, Inskipp T and Grimmet R. 1999. A Pocket district, Karnataka, India. J. Environment Biology. 30 Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent. Delhi: (6): 1059-1062. Oxford University Press. Blondel J, Ferry C and Frochet B. 1981. Point counts Kalpavriksh. 1994. Small and beautiful Sultanpur with unlimited distance. Stud. Avian Biol., 6: 414-420. National Park. Kalpavriksh, . Chopra G and Sharma SK. 2012. Avian Biodiversity Kumar NVN, Sailaja K and Nagarjuna A. 2011. In and Around Major Wetlands of “Lower Shivalik Avian Biodiversity Indices and Comparative

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