A Preliminary Study on Distribution of Avian Fauna of Tehsil Sambrial, District Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan
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World Applied Sciences Journal 29 (12): 1569-1573, 2014 ISSN 1818-4952 © IDOSI Publications, 2014 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wasj.2014.29.12.13975 A Preliminary Study on Distribution of Avian Fauna of Tehsil Sambrial, District Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan 11Gulzaman William, Muhammad Usman, 2Abdul Qadir, 13Muhammad Azhar Ali and Muhammad Shahzad Tufail 1Department of Botany, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan 2College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan 3Department of Zoology, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan Abstract: Series of surveys were conducted in Tehsil Sambrial, District Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan from April 2012 to September 2013. A total of 35 bird species belonging to 12 orders 27 families were reported from study area. Out of these: 28 species are resident, 2 are summer breeder and 5 are year round visitor. Few species were recorded during monsoon season, when most of the species migrate for feeding and breeding. The study area provide diverse habitat in the form of agricultural land. House Sparrows, Red vented Bulbuls, Hose crows, common myna were prominent bird species of the study area which are adapted to diver’s habitat of Tehsil Sambrial. Human impacts such as Installation of industrial units, cutting of trees, use of insecticides in agricultural practices are major threats to avian communities. Conservation status (IUCN) of all reported species is least concern. Key words: Avian fauna Sialkot Sambrial Distribution UOG Pakistan INTRODUCTION Sambrial is an important agricultural land and despite of its ecological importance, very little work has been Climate change effects on birds have been done about the avifauna diversity of the area. Ali and increasingly studied during the last decade. Observed Ripley [7], Roberts, [8, 9], described avifauna changes include advances in phenology especially, timing distribution in whole country. Waite, [10] described of spring arrival [1] and breeding changes in reproductive the avifauna of Salt Range, Pakistan. Ali, [11] recorded performance [2], range shifts [3], changes in population the diversity of water birds of Taunsa barrage. dynamics [4] and micro evolutionary responses. Mehboob and Nisa, [12], observed the water bird and its Concerning avian phenology, good data exist for the ecology and threats at Head Trimmu, district Jhang. timing of spring migration and subsequent breeding. Munir, [13] and Altaf, [14] recorded the avifauna of Ravi Other parts of the yearly life cycle of birds have been less siphon and Head Qadirabad respectively. Irfan, [15] extensively studied. Timing of spring arrival has generally noted the biodiversity of Changa Manga. Present advanced during the last (30-40 years), in Eurasian study is unique in the sense that it is the first endeavor birds [1]. The rate of advance in spring arrival has been to explore the avifauna diversity of Tehsil Sambrial as (0.37 days), per year. Similar patterns have been found in bird fauna of the area has never been described North-Eastern North America where the overall advance separately. A large number of birds migrate from in arrival was (8 days), during the 20th century [5], with central Asian countries and Europe towards wetlands short distance migrants showing greater advances of Pakistan to avoid severe winter. There is seven fly (13 days) than long distance migrants (4 days). Pakistan zones all over the world and one zone ‘’Indus fly zone’’ possesses many climatic and vegetation zones within a present in Pakistan. The birds reach Pakistan flying relatively small area [6]. over Karakorum, Suleiman Ranges and Hindu Kush Corresponding Author: Gulzaman William, Department of Botany, University of Gujrat, Pakistan. 1569 World Appl. Sci. J., 29 (12): 1569-1573, 2014 along the Indus river, Falcons, cranes, swans, ducks, Upper Chenab Canal and lies to the west of the district flamingos, waders and geese are important migratory birds capital Sialkot. Sambrial is Tehsil of district Sialkot in in host country [11]. Punjab Pakistan consisting 160 villages having 17 union Birds occupy a wide range of ecological positions councils. Sambrial is a key town because of its central [16]. Depending on the taxonomic viewpoint, the number location among Sialkot, Gujrat and Gujranwala. of known living bird species varies anywhere from (9,800) to (10,050) [17]. In many respects biodiversity, both Study Period: The duration of the study period was from present and past is better understood for birds than for April 2012 to September 2013. any other major group of organisms. One basic approach in generating an indicator of the state of wildlife is to Study Design: Sampling sites were allocated in Tehsil measure diversity through time. Species loss or gain could Sambrial, District Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan. Bird then be used to gauge the trends in biodiversity [18]. censuring were made from 5:30 to 9 am in ten consecutive The ornithological data is used to indicate the effects of days per month. Bird species were viewed by naked environmental change on biodiversity. Bird indicators are eyes or binoculars and documented immediately after likely to form an important component of sets of viewing. indicators for biodiversity and habitats. The present climatic changes also had adverse effects in bird life and Species Identification: Species identification was made ecological balance. So it is necessary at this hour, to save according to Robson [22]. the bird species from the threats in order to maintain the biodiversity. Biodiversity conservation in urban areas Data Analysis: Documented bird species from sampling has become significant not only because of increasing sites for each month were assembled and made a list human population in urban centers but also because it is representing the species found in particular habitat. one of the innovative ways to conserve biodiversity as suggested by various global environmental conventions RESULTS [19]. Progressive urbanization often leads to biotic homogenization whereby a few widespread and In present study rich diversity of birds was observed successful species replace a diverse avifauna [20, 21]. in this area. Within one year survey, a total of 35 bird species belonging to 27 families and 12 orders were MATERIALS AND METHODS recorded from different study sites. The highest numbers of the order Passeriformes were recorded. Most dominant Study Area: Sambrial is situated between the latitudes of birds were House Sparrows; Red vented Bulbuls, Hose 32°.16 North and Longitudes of 74°.40 East and elevation crows, common myna. There were 29 Resident, 4 were is 238m (781 ft.). The town is situated on the bank of year round visitor and 2 were summer breeder. Fig. 1: a, b. Diversity of Avian Fauna among Different Orders 1570 World Appl. Sci. J., 29 (12): 1569-1573, 2014 Table 1: Description of Avian Fauna of Tehsil Sambrial, District Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan. Sr # Common name Scientific name Family Order Distribution Conservation Status (IUCN) 1 Hoopoe Upupa epops Upupidae Coraciiformes Resident Least Concern 2 White wagtail Motacila alba Motacilidae Passeriformes Resident Least Concern 3 Indian Chat Cercomela fusca Muscicapidae Passeriformes Resident Least Concern 4 Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus Ploceidae Passeriformes Resident Least Concern 5 Prinia Prinia spp Cisticolidae Passeriformes Resident Least Concern 6 Purple sunbird Nectarinia asiatica Nectarriniidae Passeriformes Summer breeder Least Concern 7 Pied bushchat Saxicola caprata Muscicapidae Passeriformes Resident Least Concern 8 Bay backed shrik Lanius vittatus Laniidae Passeriformes Resident Least Concern 9 Golden oriole Oriolus oriolus Oriolidae Passeriformes Summer breeder Least Concern 10 Common swallow Hrundo rustica Hirundinidae Passeriformes Resident Least Concern 11 House sparrow Passer domesticus Passeridae Passeriformes Resident Least Concern 12 Black drango Dicrurus macrocercus Dicroridae Passeriformes Resident Least Concern 13 Red-vented Bulbu Pycnonotus cafer Pycnonotidae Passeriformes Resident Least Concern 14 House crow Corvus splendens Corvidae Passeriformes Resident Least Concern 15 Common myna Acridotheres tristis Sturnidae Passeriformes Resident Least Concern 16 Bank myna Acridotheres gingianus Sturnidae Passeriformes Resident Least Concern 17 Paddyfield pipit Anthus rufulus Motacillidae Passeriformes Resident Least Concern 18 White breasted kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Alcedinidae Coraciiformes Resident Least Concern 19 Pied kingfisher Ceryle rudis Cerylidae Coraciiformes Resident Least Concern 20 Common kingfisher Alcedo athis Alcedinidae Coraciiformes Resident Least Concern 21 Red-wettled Lapwing Vanellus indicus Charadriidae Charadriiformes Resident Least Concern 22 Rose ringed parakeet Psitacula krameri Psittaculidae Psittaciformes Resident Least Concern 23 Eurasian collared dove Streptopelia decocto Columbidae Columbiformes Resident Least Concern 24 Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis Cuculidae Cuculiformes Resident Least Concern 25 Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis Ardeidae Ciconiiformes Resident Least Concern 26 Little egret Egretta garzetta Ardeidae Ciconiiformes Year round visitor Least Concern 27 Pond Heron Ardeola grayii Ardeidae Pelecaniformes Resident Least Concern 28 Yellow bittern Exobrychus sinensis Ardeidae Pelecaniformes Year round visitor Least Concern 29 White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Rallidae Gruiformes Resident Least Concern 30 Green bee-eater Merops orientalis Meropidae Coraciiformes Resident Least Concern 31 Black kite Milvus migrans