JoTT Co m m u n i c a t i o n 3(4): 1663–1676

Ornithofauna and its conservation in the wetlands, southern portion of -Kole Ramsar site,

S. Prasanth Narayanan 1, A.P. Thomas 2 & B. Sreekumar 3

1,2 Advanced Centre of Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development (ACESSD), School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Priyadarsini Hills, , 686560, India 3 Kottayam Nature Society, Sri Nilayam, Near Union Club, Kottayam, Kerala 686001, India Email: 1 [email protected] (corresponding author)

Date of publication (online): 26 April 2011 Abstract: The avifauna of Kuttanad was studied from January 1995 to June 2007. Date of publication (print): 26 April 2011 Two-hundred-and-twenty-five taxa of birds belonging to 15 orders and 59 families were ISSN 0974-7907 (online) | 0974-7893 (print) recorded. Among the birds recorded, 38% were migrants. Fifty-five species were found to breed in the area. Family Scolopaceidae showed maximum species diversity. Editor: P.O. Nameer Coracias garrulus recorded during this study is the first report of this Manuscript details: species from Kerala. Ten globally threatened species were recorded. Kuttanad wetland Ms # o1870 shows greater species diversity, especially in the wetland birds, than the Kole wetlands Received 10 October 2007 of Kerala. heronry holds 8% of the biogeographical population of the Near Final received 14 March 2011 Threatened Oriental . Landscape alteration, hunting, felling of nesting trees and Finally accepted 18 March 2011 pesticides are the major detrimental factors for the survival of birds. Conservation aspects of birds of this region are discussed. Citation: Narayanan, S.P., A.P. Thomas & B. Sreekumar (2011). Ornithofauna and its conservation in the Kuttanad wetlands, southern Keywords: Avifauna, conservation, Kuttanad, Ramsar site, threats. portion of Vembanad-Kole Ramsar site, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 3(4): 1663-1676.

Copyright: © S. Prasanth Narayanan, A.P. Introduction Thomas & B. Sreekumar 2011. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. JoTT allows unrestricted use of this article in any medium for non-profit purposes, reproduction Wetlands are complex and productive ecosystems (Maltby 1986; Unni and distribution by providing adequate credit to 2002) that occupy about six percent of the Earth’s land surface (Maltby & the authors and the source of publication. Turner 1983). Wetlands are known as “biological supermarkets” because For Author Details and Author Contribution see end of this article. of the extensive food chains and rich biodiversity they support, providing unique habitats for a wide range of flora and fauna (Mitsch & Gosselink Acknowledgements: We are indebted to Dr. V.P. Sylas and to the members of Kottayam 2000). Wetlands are important habitats for birds, which use them for Nature Society, who shared information and accompanying us during the field visits. We are feeding, roosting, nesting and rearing young (Weller 1999; Stewart 2001). also grateful to C. Sashikumar, J. Praveen and The use of wetlands by birds during the breeding cycle ranges widely, J. Ranjini for valuable comments and correction on the earlier drafts of the manuscript. We also with some depending almost totally on wetlands for breeding, feeding or thank the anonymous referees for comments that improved the manuscript. shelter during their breeding cycles. Kuttanad wetland is located at the southern portion of India’s largest Ramsar site the Vembanad-Kole wetland. Ali (1984), Ali & Ripley (1987), Neelakantan (1996), Chandy (2003), Narayanan (2004), Sreekumar & Narayanan (2004), Rakesh et al. (2004), Narayanan et al. (2005a,b) reported various aspects of the avifauna of this wetland. The only detailed study regarding birds in this region is the midwinter water bird count. Nature Education Society, , organized the first water bird survey

in the Vembanad Lake (NEST 1993). Since 2001, regular Midwinter Waterbird Count is being carried out at different parts of Kuttanad wetlands by Kottayam Nature Society (KNS) in association with Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department (Sreekumar 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005),

but most of the surveys were concentrated in and around the premises

OPEN ACCESS | FREE DOWNLOAD of Vembanad Lake. Existing information available on the avifauna of

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | April 2011 | 3(4): 1663–1676 1663 Birds of Kuttanad wetlands S.P. Narayanan et al. this region is based on surveys conducted by KNS and Study Area mainly in view to the wetland birds. Hence this work was taken with the following objectives (i) to make an Kuttanad is primarily a deltaic formation of five river inventory of the avifauna of Kuttanad wetlands with systems: , Pamba, , breeding birds, status, occurrence, (ii) to find and list and Achencovil, located in the fertile low-lying areas the major factors which threatens the bird fauna, and of Vembanad Lake (Fig. 1) (Shari & Chitra 2005). It (iii) to propose the action plan for the conservation of spreads over , Kottayam and birds and wetlands of Kuttanad. districts of Kerala and forms an integral part of the Vembanad-Kole Ramsar site. This region lies between 9017’–9040’N & 76019’–76033’E and is separated from

Figure 1. Six divisions of Kuttanad wetlands

1664 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | April 2011 | 3(4): 1663–1676 Birds of Kuttanad wetlands S.P. Narayanan et al. the Arabian Sea by a narrow strip of land. Much of this Asian countries and northern areas of the Indian sub- region lies 0.6 to 2.2 m below mean sea level, hence continent); local migrant (LM) - resident to the state the area remains water-logged almost throughout the but found in Kuttanad region only during a specific year and is subjected to continued flood submergence season; straggler from the hill (SH) - species usually during the monsoon and saline water ingression found in the hilly areas of the state but recorded from during the summer months. Kuttanad is rightly called this area; and vagrant (V) - birds which accidentally the “Rice Bowl of Kerala”, contributing nearly 20% came to the region from its normal range, which is of the total state rice production. It consists of 53,639 hundreds of miles away. The status of many birds hectares distributed among 1086 units where rice is oberved in Kuttanad Wetland is different from their cultivated (Sudhikumar & Sebastian 2005). Most of Kerala State status. Abundance of each species was these fields are inundated during the non-crop season derived following Nameer et al. (2000). According and water has to be pumped out to the canal systems to the feeding habits, birds were divided as aquatic and backwaters before the commencement of the herbivores, aquatic insectivore, aquatic omnivores, cultivating season (Sashikumar & Palot 2002). Based piscivores, carnivores, insectivores, omnivores, on the soils, geomorphology and salinity intrusion, granivores, frugivores, nectarivores. The taxonomical Kuttanad is subdivided into six agro-ecological zones classification and common names follow Manakadan viz., (i) Upper Kuttanad (ii) Kayal lands (iii) & Pittie (2002). Kari (iv) Lower Kuttanad (v) and (vi) Kari (Indo-Dutch Mission 1989). Major portion of the Vembanad estuary is situated in Kuttanad Results and Discussion Wetland, which is the biggest estuary in the southwest coast of India. It experiences warm climate with fairly Total 225 taxa of birds belonged to 15 orders 59 uniform temperature throughout the year ranging from families were identified from Kuttanad wetlands 21–36 0C. Humidity in general is very high all through (Table 1). Neelakantan (1996) listed out 483 species the year (Shari & Chitra 2005). The average annual from Kerala out of which around 47% of bird species rainfall received is around 3000mm (Shari & Chitra were recorded during this study. Order Passeriformes 2005) of which about 83% is received during south posses the most diversified families (26) and species west monsoon months. (78). Maximum number of species was recorded from the families Scolopaceidae and Ardeidae (Table 1). Though a wetland-dominated area, 52.5% birds belong Material and Methods to non-wetland category. Most of the land birds were seen at the eastern boundaries of Kuttanad, where This study was carried out from January 1995 to Kuttanad wetlands meet midland areas of Kerala. June 2007. Observations were carried out during the Hence high number of species reported from that area weekdays mainly from 0700 to 1100 hr and occasional could be due to edge effect. Among the birds recorded, sightings of birds during non-birding trips were also 38% constitute migrants and 38% residents (Fig. 2). included. Birds were identified with the help of Wetland and wetland dependent birds formed major different field guides (Ali 1984; Ali & Ripley 1987; portion of these migrants. The composition of birds in Neelakantan 1996; Grimmet et al. 2000; Grewal et major feeding guilds in the study area showed that the al. 2002) using Bushnell (7x35mm) binoculars. The insectivore guild was the most common with 37.33% species list (Table 1) includes those that were recorded species, followed by piscivores (Fig. 3). in the present study and also from various other Ten globally threatened species were recorded. works, compiled from published and unpublished Among these Greater Spotted Aquila clanga materials and personal communications. As per the is listed under Vulnerable category. Species, such occurrence in the Kuttanad wetlands, species were as Ferruginous Pochard Aythya nyroca, Painted classified as: resident (R) - found in all suitable habitats Mycteria leucocephala, Oriental White throughout the year; migrant (M) - found only during Threskiornis melanocephalus, Spot-billed a specific season (this includes birds from Central Pelecanus philippensis, Anhinga

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | April 2011 | 3(4): 1663–1676 1665 Birds of Kuttanad wetlands S.P. Narayanan et al.

Table 1. Checklist of the birds of Kuttanad wetlands with its status

Bree- Bree- Scientific name Common name Status Scientific name Common name Status ding ding Platalea leucorodia Eurasian Podicipedidae 25 U, M Linnaeus, 1758 Tachybaptus ruficollis 1 Little C, R √ (Pallas, 1764) Dendrocygna javanica Lesser Whistling- Pelecanidae 26 C, R √ (Horsfield, 1821) Pelecanus philippensis Spot-billed 2 O, M Tadorna ferruginea Brahminy Gmelin, 1789 Pelican 27 V (Pallas, 1764) # Shelduck # Phalacrocoracidae Nettapus Phalacrocorax niger 28 coromandelianus (Gmelin, Cotton Teal C, R √ 3 Little A, R √ (Vieillot, 1817) 1789) Phalacrocorax fuscicollis Anas poecilorhyncha J.R. 4 Indian Shag C, R √ 29 Spot-billed Duck U, LM? Stephens, 1826 Forester, 1781 Phalacrocorax carbo Anas clypeata Linnaeus, Northern 5 U, R √ 30 O, M (Linnaeus, 1758) 1758 Shoveller Anas acuta Linnaeus, Anhingidae 31 C, M 1758 Anhinga melanogaster 6 Darter C, R √ Anas querquedula Pennant, 1769 32 C, M Linnaeus, 1758 Ardeidae Anas crecca Linnaeus, 33 Common Teal U, M Egretta garzetta 1758 7 Little A, R √ (Linnaeus, 1766) Aythya nyroca Ferruginous 34 O, M Egretta gularis (Bosc, Western Reef- (Guldenstadt, 1770) Pochard 8 U, M 1792) Egret Ardea cinerea Linnaeus, 9 Grey U, LM Elanus caeruleus Black-shouldered 1758 35 U, LM (Desfontaines, 1789) Ardea purpurea Linnaeus, 10 C, R √ Milvus migrans (Boddaert, 1766 36 U, R √ 1783) Casmerodius albus 11 Large Egret C, R √ Haliastur indus (Boddaert, (Linnaeus, 1758) 37 C, R √ 1783) Mesophoyx intermedia 12 Median Egret C, R √ Circus (Wagler, 1829) Western Marsh- 38 aeruginosus(Linnaeus, C, M Bubulcus ibis (Linnaeus, 1758) 13 Cattle Egret A, M 1758) Circus pygargus Montagu’s 39 O, M Ardeola grayii (Sykes, Indian Pond- (Linnaeus, 1758) # Harrier # 14 A, R √ 1832) Heron Greater Grey- Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus Butorides striatus Little Green 40 # headed Fish- O, SH 15 U, R (Horsfield, 1821) # (Linnaeus, 1758) Heron Eagle Nycticorax nycticorax Black-crowned Accipter badius (Gmelin, 16 C, R √ 41 C, R √ (Linnaeus, 1758) Night-Heron 1788) Ixobrychus sinensis Accipiter nisus (Linnaeus, Eurasian 17 Yellow U, R 42 O, M, a (Gmelin, 1789) 1758) Sparrowhawk Ixobrychus cinnamomeus Aquila nipalensis 18 Chestnut Bittern U, R √ 43 U, M (Gmelin, 1789) Hodgson, 1833 Dupetor flavicollis Aquila clanga Pallas, Greater Spotted 19 Black Bittern U, R √ 44 # U, M (Latham, 1790) 1811 Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus Ciconidae 45 U, M (Gmelin, 1788) # Mycteria leucocephala 20 O, M (Pennant, 1769) Pandionidae Anastomus oscitans - Pandion haliaetus 21 U, M 46 C, M (Boddaert, 1783) Stork (Linnaeus, 1758) Ciconia episcopus White-necked 22 U, LM (Boddaert, 1783) Stork Falco tinnunculus 47 O, SH Threskiornidae Linnaeus, 1758 # Plegadis falcinellus Falco peregrinus Tunstall, 23 C, M 48 # U, M (Linnaeus, 1766) 1771 Threskiornis melano- Oriental White 24 C, R √ cephalus (Latham, 1790) Ibis

1666 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | April 2011 | 3(4): 1663–1676 Birds of Kuttanad wetlands S.P. Narayanan et al.

Bree- Bree- Scientific name Common name Status ding Scientific name Common name Status ding

Rallidae stagnatilis 75 Marsh U, M (Bechstein, 1803) Amaurornis phoenicurus White-breasted 49 C, R √ (Pennant, 1769) Waterhen Tringa nebularia (Gunner, Common 76 C, M 1767) Greenshank Rallina eurizonoides Slaty-legged 50 U, M (Lafresnaye, 1845) Crake Tringa ochropus 77 C, M Linnaeus, 1758 Galliarallus striatus Blue-breasted 51 O, M Linnaeus, 1766 # # Tringa glareola Linnaeus, 78 C, M 1758 Porzana pusilla (Pallas, 52 Baillon’s Crake # O, M 1776) # Actitis hypoleucos Common 79 C, M Linnaeus, 1758 Sandpiper Porzana fusca (Linnaeus, Ruddy-breasted 53 U, M 1766) Crake Calidris temminckii 80 Temminck’s Stint C, M (Leisler, 1812) Gallicrex cinerea (Gmelin, 54 Watercock C, R 1789) Calidris minuta (Leisler, 81 U, M 1812) Porphyrio porphyrio 55 Purple Moorhen C, R (Linnaeus, 1758) Calidris ferruguinea 82 O, M (Pontoppidan, 1813) Sandpiper Gallinula chloropus Common 56 U, M (Linnaeus, 1758) Moorhen Calidris subminuta 83 Long-toed Stint # O, M, a (Midendorff, 1853) # Fulica atra Linnaeus, 57 Common Coot U, M? 1758 Phuilomachus pugnax 84 O, M (Linnaeus, 1758) Hydrophasianus chirurgus Pheasant-tailed 58 C, R (Scopoli, 1786) Jacana Himantopus himantopus Black-winged 85 U, R √ (Linnaeus, 1758) Stilt Metopidius indicus Bronze-winged 59 C, R (Latham, 1790) Jacana

Rostratulidae Glareola lactea 86 Small U, LM Temminck, 1820 Rostratula benghalensis Greater Painted- 60 U, R (Linnaeus, 1758)

Charadridae Larus ichthyaetus Pallas, 87 Pallas’s # O, M 1773 # Pluvialis fulva (Gmelin, Pacific Golden- 61 C, M 1789) Larus brunnicephalus Brown-headed 88 U, M Jerdon, 1840 Gull Pluvialis squatarola 62 U, M (Linnaeus, 1758) Larus ridibundus Black-headed 89 C, M Linnaeus, 1766 Gull Charadrius dubius Little Ringed 63 U, M Scopoli, 1786 Plover Gelochelidon nilotica 90 Gull-billed C, M (Gmelin, 1789) Charadrius alexandrinus 64 Kentish Plover U, M Linnaeus, 1758 Sterna caspia Pallas, 91 O, M 1770 Charadrius mongolus Lesser Sand 65 C, M Pallas, 1776 Plover Sterna bengalensis Lesser Crested 92 O, M Lesson, 1831 # Tern # Charadrius leschemaultii Greater Sand 66 O, M Lesson, 1826 Plover Sterna bergii Lichtenstein, Large Crested 93 O, M 1823 # Tern # Vanellus malabaricus Yellow-wattled 67 O, LM (Boddaert, 1783) Sterna albifrons Pallas, Little/Saunders’s 94 O, M 1764 # Tern Vanellus indicus Red-wattled 68 C, R (Boddaert, 1783) Lapwing Sterna aurantia J.E. Gray, 95 River Tern O, LM 1831 Scolopacidae

Sterna fuscata Linnaeus, # Gallinago gallinago 96 # V 69 C, M 1766 (Linnaeus, 1758) Chlidonias hybridus Limosa limosa (Linnaeus, Black-tailed 97 C, M 70 C, M (Pallas, 1811) 1758) Childonias leucopterus White-winged Numenius phaeopus 98 O, M 71 Whimbrel U, M (Temminck, 1815) (Linnaeus, 1758) Numenius arquata 72 U, M (Linnaeus, 1758) Columba livia Gmelin, Blue Rock 99 C, R √ 1789 Pigeon Tringa totanus (Linnaeus, Common 73 C, M 1758) Redshank Streptopelia chinensis 100 O, LM (Scopoli, 1786) Tringa erythropus (Pallas, Spotted 74 O, M 1764) Redshank

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | April 2011 | 3(4): 1663–1676 1667 Birds of Kuttanad wetlands S.P. Narayanan et al.

Bree- Bree- Scientific name Common name Status ding Scientific name Common name Status ding

Chalcophaps indica Cypsiurus balasiensis 101 Emerald Dove U, LM 126 Asian Palm- C, R √ (Linnaeus, 1758) (J.E. Gray, 1829)

Ducula badia (Raffles, Mountain Alcedinidae 102 U, SH 1822) Imperial-Pigeon Alcedo atthis (Linnaeus, Small Blue 127 C, R √ Treron pompadora Pompadour 1758) 103 U, LM (Gmelin, 1789) Green-Pigeon Ceyx erithaca (Linnaeus, Oriental Dwarf O, 128 Psittacidae 1758) # Kingfisher # SH, a Loriculus vernalis Indian Hanging- Halcyon capensis Stork-billed 104 U, LM 129 C, R (Sparrman, 1787) (Linnaeus, 1766) Kingfisher Psittacula krameri Rose-ringed Halcyon smyrnensis White-breasted 105 C, R √ 130 C, R √ (Scopoli, 1769) Parakeet (Linnaeus, 1758) Kingfisher Psittacula cyanocephala Plum-headed Halcyon pileata Black-capped 106 C, R 131 U, M (Linnaeus, 1766) Parakeet (Boddaert, 1783) Kingfisher

Cuculidae Ceryle rudis (Linnaeus, 132 C, R √ 1758) Clamator jacobinus Pied Crested 107 O, M, a (Boddaert, 1783) Meropidae

Clamator coromandus Red-winged Merops philippinus Blue-tailed Bee- 108 O, M, a 133 C, M (Linnaeus, 1766) # Crested Cuckoo # Linnaeus, 1766 eater Merops orientalis Latham, Hierococcyx varius (Vahl, 134 Small Bee-eater C, R 109 Brainfever Bird C, LM 1801 1797) Merops leschenaulti Chestnut-headed Cuculus micropterus 135 RR, LM 110 O, M Vieillot, 1817 # Bee-eater # Gould, 1838 Coracidae Cacomantis passerinus Indian Plaintive 111 U, M (Vahl, 1797) # Cuckoo # Coracias benghalensis 136 C, R √ (Linnaeus, 1758) Eudynamis scolopacea 112 C, R √ (Linnaeus, 1758) Coracias garrulus 137 European Roller # V Linnaeus, 1758 # Centropus sinensis 113 C, R √ (Stephens, 1815) Bucerotidae Tytonidae Ocyceros griseus Malabar Grey O, 138 (Latham, 1790) # # SH, a 114 Tyto alba (Scopoli, 1769) Barn C, R √ Upupidae Strigidae Upupa epops Linnaeus, 139 Common U, LM 1758 Otus bakkamoena Collared Scops- 115 U, R Pennant, 1769 Owl Capitonidae Ketupa zeylonensis Brown Fish- Megalaima viridis White-cheeked 116 # # U, R? 140 C, R √ (Gmelin, 1788) Owl (Boddaert, 1783) Barbet Strix ocellata (Lesson, Mottled Wood- 117 U, R? Megalaima haemacephala Coppersmith 1839) Owl 141 C, R (P.L.S. Müller, 1776) # Barbet Glaucidium radiatm 118 C, R (Tickell, 1833) Picidae Brown- Athene brama (Temminck, Dendrocopos nanus 119 U, R? 142 capped Pigmy U, LM 1821) (Vigors, 1832) # # Ninox scutulata (Raffles, 120 Brown -Owl U, R √ Dendrocopos Yellow-fronted 1822) 143 mahrattensis (Latham, Pied Woodpecker O, R # # Caprimulgidae 1801) Lesser Golden- Dinopium benghalense Caprimulgus atripennis Jerdon’s Nightjar 144 backed C, R √ 121 # # SH, a (Linnaeus, 1758) Jerdon, 1845 Woodpecker Apodidae Celeus brachyurus Rufous 145 O, SH (Vieillot, 1818) # Woodpecker # Apus affinis (J.E. Gray, 122 House Swift C, LM 1830) Pittidae Apus pacificus (Latham, brachyura (Linnaeus, 123 Pacific Swift SH 146 UN, M 1801) 1766) Tachymarptis melba 124 Alpine Swift U, LM Alaudidae (Linnaeus, 1758) Eremopterix grisea Ashy-crowned Hirundapus giganteus Brown-backed 147 O, LM 125 U, SH (Scopoli, 1786) Sparrow- (Temminck, 1846) Needletail-Swift

1668 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | April 2011 | 3(4): 1663–1676 Birds of Kuttanad wetlands S.P. Narayanan et al.

Bree- Bree- Scientific name Common name Status ding Scientific name Common name Status ding

Galerida malabarica Malabar Crested Lanidae 148 O, LM (Scopoli, 1786) Lark Lanius cristatus Linnaeus, 173 Brown U, M Alauda gulgula Franklin, 1758 149 Eastern Sky Lark U, LM 1831 Lanius schach Linnaeus, Rufous-backed 174 O, LM Hirundinidae 1758 # Shrike

Hirundo rustica Linnaeus, Common Turdinae 150 C, M 1758 Orange-headed 175 Zoothera citrina cyanotus O, LM Hirundo daurica Linnaeus, Red-rumped Thrush 151 C, LM 1771 Swallow Copsychus saularis Oriental - 176 C, R √ Hirundo smithii Leach, Wire-tailed (Linnaeus, 1758) Robin 152 U, LM 1818 # Swallow # Saxicoloides 177 O, LM Hirundo fluvicola Blyth, Streak-throated U, LM, fulicata(Linnaeus, 1776) 153 1855 # Swallow a Saxicola torquata Common 178 O, M Hirundo tahitica Gmelin, O, (Linnaeus, 1766) # Stonechat # 154 House Swallow 1789 SH, a Saxicola caprata 179 Pied Bushchat O, LM Riparia diluta (Sharpe & (Linnaeus, 1766) 155 V, a Wyatt, 1893) Luscinia svecica 180 Bluethroat # O, M (Linnaeus, 1758) #

Dendronanthus indica Timalinae 156 Forest Wagtail # C, M (Gmelin, 1789) # Turdoides affinis (Jerdon, White-headed 181 U, R Motacilla alba Linnaeus, 1847) Babbler 157 C, M 1758 Turdoides striatus 182 C, R Motacilla cinerea Tunstall, (Dumont, 1823) 158 C, M 1771 Sylviinae Motacilla flava Linnaeus, 159 Yellow Wagtail A, M Prinia hodgsonii Blyth, 1758 183 Franklin’s Prinia U, R 1844 Motacilla citriola Pallas, 160 Citrine Wagtail U, M Cisticola juncidis Streaked Fantail- 1776 184 C, R √ (Rafinesque, 1810) Warbler Motacilla Large Pied 161 maderasparensis Gmelin, C, R √ Prinia socialis Sykes, Wagtail 185 C, R 1789 1832 Anthus rufulus Vieillot, Prinia inornata Sykes, 162 C, LM 186 Plain Prinia C, R √ 1818 1832

Campephagidae Acrocephalus dumetorum Blyth’s Reed- 187 C, M Blyth, 1849 Warbler Coracina macei (Lesson, Large Cuckoo- 163 U?, LM 1830) # shrike # Acrocephalus stentoreus Indian Great 188 (Hemprich & Ehrenberg, C, R √ Coracina melanoptera Black-headed Reed-Warbler 164 U?, LM 1833) (Rüppell, 1839) # Cuckoo-shrike # Orthotomus sutorius Common Pericrocotus 189 C, R 165 Small Minivet U?, LM (Pennant, 1769) Tailorbird cinnamomeus Phyoscopus trochiloides Greenish Leaf- Pericrocotus flammeus 190 C, M 166 Scarlet Minivet # U?, LM (Sundevall, 1837) Warbler (Forster, 1781) # Phyoscopus magnirostris Large-billed Leaf- Tephrodornis 191 O, M Common Blyth, 1843 # Warbler # 167 pondicerianus (Gmelin, U?, LM Woodshrike # 1789) # Muscicapinae Pycnonotidae Muscicapa dauurica Asian Brown 192 U, M Pallas, 1811 # Flycatcher # Pycnonotus jocosus Red-whiskered 168 U, R (Linnaeus, 1758) Monarchinae Pycnonotus Red-vented Terpsiphone paradisi Asian Paradise- 169 C, R √ 193 C, M cafer(Linnaeus, 1766) Bulbul (Linnaeus, 1758) Flycatcher

Irenidae Black-naped Hypothymis azurea Chloropsis 194 Monarch- O, SH Jerdon's (Boddaert, 1783) 170 cochinchinensis (Gmelin, U, R √ Flycatcher Chloropsis 1788) Rhipidurinae Chloropsis aurifrons Gold-fronted 171 O, LM White-browed (Temminck, 1829) Chloropsis Rhipidura aureola Lesson, 195 Fantail- O, LM? 1830 # Aegithina tiphia Flycatcher # 172 Common C, R √ (Linnaeus, 1758)

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | April 2011 | 3(4): 1663–1676 1669 Birds of Kuttanad wetlands S.P. Narayanan et al.

Bree- Bree- Scientific name Common name Status ding Scientific name Common name Status ding

Paridae Dicruridae Parus major Linnaeus, Dicrurus macrocercus 196 Great # C, R √ 218 Black C, R √ 1758 # Vieillot, 1817

Dicaeidae Dicrurus leucophaeus 219 Ashy Drongo O, M Vieillot, 1817 Dicaeum erythrorh-ynchos Tickell’s 197 C, R (Latham, 1790) Dicrurus aeneus Vieillot, 220 # U, LM 1817 # Nectarinidae Dicrurus paradiseus Greater Racket– Nectarinia zeylonica Purple-rumped 221 # # C, R 198 C, R (Linnaeus, 1766) tailed Drongo (Linnaeus, 1766) Artamidae Nectarinia asiatica 199 Purple Sunbird U, R (Latham, 1790) Artamus fuscus Vieillot, Ashy 222 C, R √ 1817 Woodswallow Nectarinia lotenia 200 Loten’s Sunbird C, R (Linnaeus, 1766)

Zosteropidae Dendrocitta vagabunda 223 Indian Tree Pie C, R √ (Latham, 1790) Zosterops palpebrosus Oriental White- 201 O, SH (Temminck, 1824) # eye # Corvus splendens Vieillot, 224 House C, R √ 1817 Corvus macrorhynchos Lonchura striata White-rumped 225 Jungle Crow C, R 202 C, R Wagler, 1827 (Linnaeus, 1766) Munia Lonchura punctulata R - Resident; M - Migrant; LM - Local Migrant; SH - Straggler from hill; V 203 Spotted Munia U, R (Linnaeus, 1758) - Vagrant; A - abundant; C - Common; UN - Uncommon; O - Occasional; BV - Breeding visitor; a - Sightings made by others but validated by Lonchura malacca Black-headed author(s); # - Not recorded from Kole wetlands; 204 U, LM (Linnaeus, 1766) Munia

Passeridae Passer domesticus 205 House Sparrow U, R √ (Linnaeus, 1758) # Petronia xanthocollis Yellow-throated U, M 206 √ (Burton, 1838) # Sparrow (BV)

Ploceinae Residents Migrants Ploceus philippinus 207 C, R √ (Linnaeus, 1766) Ploceus manyar 208 Streaked Weaver U, R √ Local migrants (Horsfield, 1821) Straggler Sturnidae from the Sturnus malabaricus hills Grey-headed 209 malabaricus (Gmelin, C, M Vagrants 1789)

210 Sturnus malabaricus blythi Blyth’s Myna O, SH Figure 2. Status of the birds recorded from the Kuttanad Acridotheres tristis wetlands 211 C, R √ (Linnaeus, 1766) Acridotheres fuscus 212 C, R √ (Wagler, 1827) melanogaster, Greater Grey-headed Fish-Eagle Sturnus roseus (Linnaeus, 213 # Rosy Starling U, M 1758) Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus, Black-tailed Godwit Sturnus pagodarum Brahminy 214 O, M Limosa limosa, Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata (Gmelin, 1789) # Starling and European Roller Coracias garrulus are listed in Oriolidae the Near Threatened category (IUCN 2010). Oriolus oriolus (Linnaeus, Eurasian Golden 215 C, M 1758) Oriole Among the 225 species of birds recorded, 55 Oriolus chinensis Black-naped species are found to breed in the Kuttanad wetlands. 216 # # O, M Linnaeus, 1766 Oriole Kumarakom heronry is the biggest of all heronries Oriolus xanthornus Black-headed 217 C, R √ (Linnaeus, 1758) Oriole reported from Kuttanad and so far 12 species of wetland birds were found to breed in this heronry. The Near Threatened Oriental Darter and Oriental

1670 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | April 2011 | 3(4): 1663–1676 Birds of Kuttanad wetlands S.P. Narayanan et al.

Figure 3. Percentage distribution of feeding guilds of birds in Kuttanad wetland

White Ibis were found to breed during monsoon. sightings from Kayal and Lower Kuttanad. Solitary Among the colonial nesting waterbirds Oriental White bird in a paddy field close to the Moncompu- Ibis, Indian Shag Phalacrocorax fuscicollis, Large Champakkulam road near Moncompu on 29 November Egret Casmerodius albus, Median Egret Mesophoyx 1996; one at Judgy Aarayiram paddy fields on 13 April intermedia were found to breed only in the Kumarakom 2003 (K.M. Sajith pers. comm. 2003); one individual heronry, and Little Phalacrocorax niger on flight at on 21 September 2003 and and Ardeola grayii were found to on the same day Dipu Sasi (pers. obs.) saw a flock of nest in more than two areas. Kuttanad wetland support seven individuals on flight at Kumarakom. relatively large flocks of Egret spp., Oriental White Tringa erythropus - A loose Ibis, Little Cormorants, Indian Shag, Darter, Glossy flock of 10 birds were located (04 November 2001) Ibis Plegadis falcinellus. on the mud flats of Erupathinaalayiram paddy field at The birds that are of interest owing to their rarity Kayal Kuttanad. This formed the second sight record as far as Kerala is concerned, and which were sighted of this species from Kerala State. during the period of the study period from Kuttanad Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta - Sighted and region are given below. photographed by Sathyan Meppayur, Tim Inskipp and Carol Inskipp from Pathinaalayiram paddy fields on Sightings of special interest 04 December 2006 (Sathyan Meppayur pers. comm. Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster - Zacharias 2008). This could be the first report of this species & Gaston (2003) reported that the Oriental Darter from Kerala. population had declined in Kerala during last three Ferruginous Pochard Aythya nyroca - One male decades. But it is one among the common species individual of this species has been sighted by the of wetland bird of this wetland. Narayanan & second author on December 1976 along with a Vijayan (2007) recorded about 8% of the South Asian Brahminy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea between population of Oriental Darter during the breeding Pathiramanal Island and Thannermukkom Bund. This season of 2004. is a very rare duck species and has very few records so Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala - A flock of far from Kerala State. six birds were sighted at Parippu in the Kayal Kuttanad Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata - A dead specimen with region on 05 January 2000. There were only a handful a ring on the tarsi, having the ring number DB26299 of sightings of this species from Kerala during the was found on 03 July 1998 at Puthenchantha, near period of study. Vaakathanam, Kottayam (9030’N & 76032’E). The Platelia leucorodia - four same was ringed at Bird Island, Seychelles (3041’N

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& 55013’E) by British Museum on 08 September 1997 individual of this forest species were recorded from and this bird has moved 2800km in 328 days (Dave Kumarakom heronry on 16 February 2005 by P. Manoj Anning in litt. 17 August 2001). (pers. comm. 2005). White-winged Black Tern Childonias leucopterus Rufous Woodpecker Celeus brachyurus - The - Total three sightings of this species from Kuttanad. species was recorded only once from in Eight individuals of these birds were seen on Vembanad the Upper Kuttanad region on 23 February 1997. Lake on 11 April 2003, a loose flock of 12 individuals Large-billed Leaf-Warbler Phylloscopus on 13 April 2003 and two individuals at Chama paddy magnirostris - Once heard on 10 January 2004 from the field near on 02 October 2003. tree-dominated area of Ayamanam. This is essentially Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis - Recorded a bird of the evergreen forests of the hills. from Vembanad Lake on 19th January 2003 and Pacific SwiftApus pacificus - A huge flock of around Kavanattinkara on 21 January 2007. Mainly a winter 2000 individuals from Kumarakom and adjacent areas visitor to the northern areas of the country. (north Kuttanad and Vaikomkari divisions) by David V. Aquila clanga - Four Raju (pers. comm. 2006) and various visiting birders individuals were recorded on three occasions. Two to this area on 24–26 December 2006 and a flock of individuals were recorded from in the more than 500 individuals on 29 December 2006. Lower Kuttanad region on 19 January 2003; one Pale Martin Riparia diluta - Sighted and individual at Kaippuzhamuttu on 18 January 2004 and photographed by Sathyan Meppayur, Tim Inskipp and the last one was from Thollayiram Kayal (16 January Carol Inskipp from Pathinaalayiram paddy fields on 2005). Mainly a winter visitor to the northern areas of 04 December 2006 (Sathyan Meppayur pers. comm. the country. 2008). This is the first report of this species from Greater Grey-headed Fish-Eagle Icthyophaga Kerala. icthyaetus - This species has been recorded from Pathiramanal Island in the Vembanad Lake by Major threats to the avifauna of this region Sethumadhavan C.P. and Saju Vasan on 20 January salt-water barrage (1250m 2002. This is the only record of this species from long) commissioned in 1975 was constructed across the Kuttanad part of Vembanad Lake, even though the narrow portion of the Vembanad Lake to prevent Saju Vasan has another sighting of the same from the the saltwater intrusion during summer from sea Chithrappuzha, District. and to spill out floodwater during monsoon. The Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula badia - These Thanneermukkom barrage has greatly influenced the are mainly a birds of the forest biotope and it seldom ecology of the region. When this regulator is closed, seen on the wetlands. An uncommon bird - first record there is virtually no flow of water beyond it on the of this was in 05 August 2003. After the first record, southern side making the entire Kuttanad a static pool. regular sightings during monsoon seasons from the At present the barrage is open from 22 December to Kayal Kuttanad and North Kuttanad. 22 March. Water with heavy loads of pesticides and Ocyceros griseus - An fertilizers from the paddy fields were drained into endemic species of . One individual this stagnant water body. Persistence of these kinds recorded on 15 January 2005 by P. Manoj (pers. of situations triggered several ecological backlashes comm. 2005) at Kumarakom heronry. A small like proliferation of weed growth, deterioration of the relict population of this species is still surviving at water quality, increased morbidity among the local Ponthanpuzha forest in the midlands of Kottayam fish population and destruction of subsistence fishery District. Individual sighted from Kumarakom would on which the local fishermen depended (Abhilash et be from the Ponthanpuzha population. al. unpublished). Barrage also impaired the migration European Roller Coracias garrulus - One individual of marine and estuarine fauna. Horizontal and vertical was seen at Erupathinaalayiram paddy fields of Kayal shrinkage of Vembanad Lake, vanishing mangroves, Kuttanad, 29 September 2002. This was the first report eutrophication, increased interventions in the area by of this species from Kerala State. tourism, spillway, sewage and industrial Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher Ceyx erithaca - One pollution etc. are the major problems of Kuttanad

1672 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | April 2011 | 3(4): 1663–1676 Birds of Kuttanad wetlands S.P. Narayanan et al. wetlands (Abhilash et al. unpublished). The loss of are widely used in paddy cultivation all over the habitat through direct and indirect anthropogenic state. Studies conducted in the Kuttanad ecosystem activities causes immense threat to the birds especially show that these chemicals are present well above the the migratory birds of Kuttanad. The most important permissible limits. Seedikkoya & Shukkur (2004) threats to the wetland birds are the following. reported the presence of organochlorines such as DDT, Landscape alteration: The key threat factor is DDE, Dieldrin, Aldrin and heavy metals such as zinc the landscape alteration in Kuttanad. Encroachment (Zn) and copper (Cu) in the Indian Pond Heron, Little of the wetlands for the construction of new buildings Egret Egretta garzetta and Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis and settlements are very common in Kuttanad, even from northern Kerala. But such studies on birds are though it is legally banned. Before and after the year not yet conducted in Kuttanad. 1947, huge area of the Vembanad Lake has been Felling of nesting and roosting trees: Cutting converted to paddy fields to enhance the rising demand down of tall trees used by colonial nesting waterbirds for food. This adversely affected the migratory birds is rampant in Kuttanad, and small heronries in Kerala such as and teals by reducing available roosting face similar threats from local people. Loss of local place, foraging areas and food in the lake. Thus the flora is huge in Kuttanad wetland. The reduction formation of mudflats in the reclaimed areas provided in size or the total felling of sacred groves has also ideal foraging areas for the wintering waders. created trouble in the form habitat loss for land birds Hunting: Hunting pressure is intense in some areas and wetland birds; which uses tiny patches for feeding, of Kuttanad, Sashikumar & Palot (2002) have earlier roosting and nesting. The extent of mangrove trees in reported heavy poaching of the birds from this area. the Kumarakom heronry, Pathiramanal has drastically The main hunting methods involve a combination reduced. After the taking over of Kumarakom heronry of shooting, with hooks and line using fishes as bait, by KTDC, 13 hectares of the land was given to a venture picking of nestlings from nests, especially from company by KTDC. They cleared the mangrove belt heronries. The main species caught by shooting is along the lake and converted them into a lawn and winter migrants like ducks, and the species constructed a tourist jetty. With this, a species of belonging to the ardeidae family. Black-crowned mangrove Kandelia candel was totally wiped out from Night- and are the species heavily the Kumarakom heronry (Ramachandran & Mohanan trapped by hook and line method (S. Dipu pers. comm. 1990; Sreekumar 2001). 2004). Heavy poaching of nestlings of Purple Heron Tourism: Ali (1984) reported that large flocks of from the nests situated in the thickets of Phargmites wintering ducks roost in the calm waters of Vembanad karka is prevailing in the “R Block” area. Lake. At present, amplified promotion of tourism by Overgrowth of exotic vegetation: Infestation using boats and speedboats force migratory ducks to of the exotic waterweeds like Eichhornia crassipes, desert roosting place in the lake. Most of the tourist Slavinia molesta are causing serious harms to the water resorts in and around the Vembanad Lake and Kuttanad birds (Sashikumar & Palot 2002), but at the same time do not have any proper solid waste and waste-water this provides foraging areas for the species like Jacanas treatment facilities, therefore all waste materials are and Moorhens. Exotic vegetation also poses immense dumped into the lake during night hours. This activity threats to the native flora and fauna of this region. adversely affects self-sustaining capacity of the Lake. Vembanad Lake is covered by Eichhornia crassipes House boats discharge effluents and wastes directly which is drastically affecting the life of fishermen and into the lake and large amount of oil are spilled into the local people, who are dependent on this lake for their system. In the name of tourism the authorities, which basic needs. owns the Kumarakom heronry clear pure stands of Pesticides: Intensive use of chemical fertilizers Phragmites karka, where Black-crowned Night-Heron and pesticide as a part of the agriculture activities have Nycticorax nycticorax, Median Egret Mesophoyx played havoc on the traditional farming system and intermedia, and Large Egret Casemerodius albus life style of Kuttanad, affecting birds, other wildlife nests. This activity has drastically affected nesting as well as human beings (Sashikumar & Palot 2002). habitats of the breeding birds. Organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides Kuttanad wetlands show high diversity in terms of

Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | April 2011 | 3(4): 1663–1676 1673 Birds of Kuttanad wetlands S.P. Narayanan et al. number of species especially the wetland birds; this is fields in the paddy fields and the 1% threshold of Glossy higher than the total terrestrial species and total wetland Ibis is 250 (Kumar et al. 2005). Other than Darter, species recorded from the Kole wetland of Kerala species such as Oriental White Ibis, Indian Shag, (Sivaperuman & Jayson 2000). Thirty-eight species Black-crowned Night Heron, and in from the Kuttanad wetlands are not recorded from the the Kumarakom heronry during the breeding season is Kole wetlands (Table 1). According to Kumar et al. well above the limit of 1% biogeographic population (2005), 128 wetland birds were included in the revised (Narayanan 2004). Indo-Russian agreement on the migratory birds list; of this 50 species were recorded from different parts of Conservation action plan Kuttanad wetlands during the present study. In Upper The following action plan is proposed for the Kuttanad region and the eastern boundary of Kuttanad, conservation of birds and wetlands of Kuttanad. tree diversity is high compared to the main wetland. a. Active patrolling should be carried out by the Hence most of the land birds were recorded from this forest department, at least five groups with four forest area, some were restricted this area alone. guards are recommended for patrolling at different Indian Shag, Large Egret, Median Egret were parts of the Vembanad area to stop poaching. found to breed only in the Kumarakom heronry; b. Nature awareness programmes regarding birds, loss of nesting habitat and the disturbance caused mangrove forests and importance of wetland eco- by increased anthropogenic activities throughout the system for daily sustenance of life to be given to the Kuttanad wetlands may be reason for this situation. local people for the conservation of this eco-system. Little Cormorants and Indian Pond-Heron were A documentary film could be produced to with the found to nest in more than two nesting areas. Little prediction of future major changes in the Kuttanad Cormorants and Indian Pond Heron may have the titled “Kuttanad – after twenty years”. This will give capacity to withstand the disturbance caused by human a grim picture with a clear message to the people. beings; this could be the possible explanation for the c. Elevate the status of Kumarakom heronry to a use of more than two nesting sites compared to the full-fledged sanctuary as per Wildlife (Protection) Act other colonial nesting water birds, but most of the other for the protection of 11 species of breeding birds and colonial nesting water bird species are congregating at its unique nesting habitat. Kumarakom Heronry for breeding. During the 2004 d. “Pathiramanal”, an island in the Vembanad breeding season 157 nests of Darter were reported and Lake, should be protected giving a special status as 276 birds were counted in a single count (Narayanan “community reserve” for preserving the typical flora 2004). According to Rahmani et al. (2002) world and fauna of the Kuttanad region. population of Darter was estimated as 10,000. e. Regulation of inflow and outflow from the Kumarakom heronry holds about 8% of the South Asian Thanneermukkom saltwater barrage should be done biogeographical population of Darter (Narayanan properly according to the management strategies & Vijayan 2007), which qualifies Criterion 6 of the proposed in the earlier published works. Convention on Wetlands of International Importance f. Reclamation of wetlands for industrial, settlement, (Ramsar Convention). Kumarakom heronry has the plantation and cultivation purposes should be restricted biggest known breeding birds of Oriental White Ibis and Government departments should be persuaded to from Kerala (Narayanan 2004). Although the Ramsar have strict environmental impact assessment (EIA) site designated in 2002 includes both Vembanad Lake before the implementation of any new projects in the and Kole wetlands, there is no definite connection area. between Vembanad and the Kole wetlands, and both g. Restoration of mangroves in the area should be have the potential to become independent Ramsar sites executed. For the production of new plants, vegetative (Narayanan & Vijayan 2007). Hence, we propose that propagation and tissue culture methods can be opted. Vembanad Lake should be declared as a Ramsar site h. Remaining sacred groves must be preserved in its own right. under the guidance of forest department and local During the winter months massive flocks of Glossy owners like temple authorities. Ibis, which contains 500 or more birds visit the mud i. Solid waste and wastewater treatment facilities

1674 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | April 2011 | 3(4): 1663–1676 Birds of Kuttanad wetlands S.P. Narayanan et al. must be developed in all tourist resorts in the Vembanad REFERENCES region. j. All tourist establishments must provide a fraction Abhilash, P.C., S.P. Narayanan & B. Ajayakumar of money from the yearly profit for the restoration (Unpublished). The Kuttanad wetland ecosystem: an endangered wetland system of Kerala, 24pp. activities of the Kuttanad wetlands through government Ali, S. & S.D. Ripley (1987). Handbook of the Birds of India and local NGO’s. and Pakistan I–X Vol. Compact Edition. Oxford University k. Mobile checking facilities should be initiated Press, New Delhi, 737pp. to seize polluting boats and its license should be Ali, S. (1984). Birds of Kerala. 2nd Edition. Oxford University withheld. Press, New Delhi, 444pp. l. A detailed study on the movements of the birds of Chandy, M. (2003). Study on the avifauna of rice fields in and around Vembanad Lake. PhD Dissertation, Mahatma this area should be conducted during various seasons Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala. to determine the spatial and temporal pattern of bird Grewal, B., B. Harvey & O. Pfister (2002). A Photographic migration and ecological reasons should be identified Guide to Birds of India and the Indian Subcontinent. to determine the drastic reduction in the population of Periplus Edition (HK) Ltd. Singapore, 513pp. many bird groups. Grimmet, R., C. Inskipp & T. Inskipp (2000). Pocket guide to the birds of the Indian Subcontinent. Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 384pp. Indo-Dutch Mission (1989). Kuttanad water balance study - Conclusions plant report. , Trivandrum, Kerala, 70pp. This study increased the information and knowledge Islam, Z.M & A.R. Rahmani (eds.) (2004). Important Bird available on the avifauna of Kuttanad wetlands. Areas in India: Priority for Conservation. Bombay Natural Kuttanad wetland is rich in wetland bird species. History Society, Mumbai, xviii+1133pp. IUCN (2010). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version Degradation of this unique wetland ecosystem, hunting 2010. . Downloaded on 29 March and habitat alteration is still prevailing in this part of 2010. the Vembanad-Kole Ramsar this threatens the birdlife Kumar, A., J.P. Sati, P.C. Tak & J.R.B. Alfred (2005). directly as well as indirectly. As Kole wetlands, Handbook on Indian Wetland Birds and their Conservation. Kuttanad wetland is also serving as halting area for the Zoological Survey of India, 468pp. trans-continental migrants; urgent measures should Maltby, E. & R.E. Turner (1983). Wetlands of the world. Geographical Magazine 55: 12–17. be taken to protect this wetland ecosystem for the Maltby, E.R. (1986). Waterlogged Wealth: Why Waste the conservation of birds especially migratory and breeding World’s Wet Places?. Earth scan, London, UK, 132pp. colonial nesting birds. This region holds more than Manakadan, R. & A. Pittie (2002). Standardized English and the estimated number of South Asian biogeographical common names of the birds of the Indian sub-continent population of six species of waterbirds. At present the –2002. Newsletter for Bird Watchers 42(3): 1–36. low lands of Kerala are under high threat of landscape Mitsch, W.J. & Gosselink (2000). Wetlands. John Wiley & Sons Inc, United States of America, 356pp. modification due to population growth, tourism and Nameer, P.O., R.R. , K.R. Anoop, S.G. Nair, S. Lekshmi other infrastructure developmental activities. Regular & P. Radhakrishnan (2000). Birds of Kerala Agricultural monitoring of wetland should be taken up. In-depth University campus, Thrissur. Zoos’ Print Journal 15(4): studies on the avifauna, especially endangered birds, 243–246. should be undertaken. Hence urgent conservation Narayanan, S.P. & L. Vijayan (2007). Status of the colonial measures have to be implemented and a protected area breeding waterbirds in Kumarakom heronry in Kerala, Southern India. Podoces 2(1): 22–29. has to be evolved for preserving the remaining tract of Narayanan, S.P. (2004). Kuttanadan pakshinamamgal (bird mangroves and faunal heritage of this unique region. names of Kuttanad). Malabar 2(3): 2–3. (In Local people should be made aware of the importance ). of wetlands, waterfowl (Sashikumar & Palot 2002) Narayanan, S.P., S. Dipu & L. Vijayan (2005a). Breeding of and other common birds. Without the involvement Black-winged Stilt in Kumarakom part of Vembanad Lake, of common people of this region conservation of the Kerala. Indian Birds 1(5): 116. Narayanan, S.P., M.S Sajith, S. Dipu, Ajay & B. Sreekumar wetlands will not be successful. (2005b). Sightings of Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula

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badia from the Vembanad wetlands. Malabar Trogon 3(2): 13. Author Details: S. Pr a s a n t h Na r a y a n a n is a research scholar at Mahatma Gandhi University. Neelakantan, K.K. (1996). Keralathile pakshikal (Birds of Kerala). Kerala Sahithya As part of his PhD programme, he is working on Academy, Trichur, (In Malayalam), 523pp. the ecology of the Oriental Darter of Kuttanad NEST (1993). Birds of Vembanad Lake: a survey report. Nature Education Society, wetlands. A.P. Th o m a s is the Director of the Advanced Thrissur, Vembanad Nature Club, , Alappuzha and Kerala Forest Centre of Environmental Studies and Department, Kerala, 18pp. Sustainable Development, an inter-university centre of Mahatma Gandhi University. He has Rahmani, A., S. Laad, Z. U. Islam & A. Malekar (eds.). (2002). Asian water bird contributed more than 50 research papers in census. Final report, India. Bombay Natural History Society, Bombay, 34pp. the field of environmental sciences. B. Sr e e k u m a r is a professional Rakesh, P.S., S.P. Narayanan & A.P. Thomas (2004). A study on the avifauna of orthopaedic surgeon and the President of Aymanam Panchayath, in Vembanad wetland, Kerala. Paper presented in National Kottayam Nature Society. Since 2001, who Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation. Sanadhana Dharma College, Alappuzha, regularly conducts the annual waterfowl census at Vembanad Lake and adjacent regions, Kerala, 7pp. with the help of Kerala Forest and Wildlife Ramachandran, K.K. & C.N. Mohanan (1990). The mangrove ecosystems in Department.

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