Avifauna of Arki Hills, Solan (),

M. L. Thakur, V. K. Mattu, Hira Lal, Viveka Nand Sharma, Hem Raj & Vanita Thakur

Thakur, M. L., Mattu, V. K., Lal, H., Sharma, V. N., Raj, H., & Thakur, V., 2010. Avifauna of Arki Hills, Solan (Himachal Pradesh), India. Indian Birds 5 (6): 162–166. M. L. Thakur1, V. K. Mattu, Hira Lal, Viveka Nand Sharma, Hem Raj & Vanita Thakur: Department of Biosciences, Himachal Pradesh University, 171005, Himachal Pradesh, India. 1Email: [email protected] (Corresponding author). Manuscript received on 4 February 2009.

Abstract Ornithological explorations carried out in Arki Hills of Himachal Pradesh revealed the presence of 85 species of birds belonging to 66 genera spread over 30 families and 12 orders. The study revealed that of the total, 45 species showed seasonal-local movements, 17 were summer visitors, 8 showed summer influx, 7 were winter visitors, 5 were residents and 3 showed winter influx. It was further recorded that of the total 85 species, 47 were common, 26 very common, 10 uncommon and 2 were rare. Moreover, it was analysed that maximum number of species (42) were insectivorous, followed by frugivorous (13 species), omnivorous (11), graminivorous (9 species), scavengers and aquatic animal eaters (4 each), and vegetable matter eaters and carnivorous (1 species each). The study further showed that Arki Hills sustain three such species of birds, which have been facing threat to their existence throughout their natural distributional range. Of these, Indian White-backed Vulture and Red-headed Vulture have been placed under Critical category and Egyptian Vulture has been categorized as Endangered.

Introduction status, relative abundance, and feeding habits in this hilly area. The Himalayan ecosystem is unique, and an extremely rich repository of natural resources and biological wealth. Though Methodology breath-takingly beautiful, the Himalayan environment is largely Keeping in view the comparatively large size of the study area, inaccessible, and hence far less degraded ecologically than the stratified random sampling technique (Snedecore & Cochran mainland; but it is extremely fragile, and rather vulnerable 1993) was followed for studying the birds of each area, which to even small biophysical changes. The mountain ranges are involved the division of sites into different strata, based on approximately 2,200 kms long with a total width that varies vegetation type, and habitat. Various habitats types like forests, between 40–400 kms (Mani 1981). grasslands, agriculture fields, streams, human settlements, etc., Ornithological studies on diversity, and status, of birds were spread over different parts of Arki Hills were selected for the conducted in various habitat types of Arki Hills (30º05’–31º15’N present studies. 76º42’–77º20’E; 1,100–1,600 m a.s.l.), in of Himachal Birds were observed through 10x50 prismatic field binoculars. Pradesh. These studies were conducted during the different For field identifications we used various field guides (Ali & Ripley seasons of 2006–2007 in various habitat types spread over different 1983b; Grimmett et al. 1999; Kazmierczak 2000). The nomenclature parts of Arki Hills, like Arki proper (1,219 m), Shalaghat (1327 follows Manakadan & Pittie (2001). m), Manjhu (1,130 m), (1,102 m), Dumehar (1,148 m), The data recorded in each survey, from different habitat types, Bhumati (1,150 m), Piplughat (1,169 m), Bhararighat (1,140 m), was kept separate, and analysed for relative abundance on the basis and Darlaghat (1,450 m). Most of the study area has mountainous of frequency of sightings, as per MacKinnon & Phillipps (1993), terrain except the Kunihar belt. The climate of area is sub-tropical, as: very common (VC) - sighted more than ten times, common and the flora is dominated byQuercus spp., Eucalyptus spp., Pinus (C)- sighted seven to nine times, uncommon (UC)- sighted three roxburghii, Acacia spp., Toona spp., Lantana camara, Cassia spp., to six times and rare (Ra)-sighted once or twice. Citrus spp., Carissa opaca, Berberis spp., etc. Residential status of the birds has been worked out and Avifaunal studies have been conducted in different parts of different status categories like resident, winter visitor and summer Himachal Pradesh by several people (Ali 1949; Ganguli 1967; Ali visitor have been assigned strictly with reference to the study area & Ripley 1983a; Mahabal & Mukherjee 1991; Mahabal & Sharma on the basis of presence or absence method. The birds that showed 1992, 1993; Gaston et al. 1993; Gaston 1997; Mishra 1997; Singh irregular trend of sighting and population fluctuations (non- 1998; Khan et al. 1999; Javed et al. 2001; Ramesh et al. 2002; Besten seasonal) have been placed under resident with local movements et al. 2004; Pandey et al. 2004; Mahabal 1992, 1996, 2000a,b, 2005; (R/LM) category (Thakur 2008). Moreover, the feeding habits Mattu & Thakur 2004, 2006; Thakur et al. 2002, 2003, 2006; Thakur of the birds like insectivorous, graminivorous, frugivorous, etc., 2008), and a few studies have been conducted in different parts as shown in Ali & Ripley (1983a) have been assigned to each of Solan district (Tilak & Tyagi 1977; Mukherjee & Chandra 1984; species. Narang & Singh 1995; Sharma & Mahabal 1997; Harrison 1998; Thirumurthi & Banumathi 1998; Kalsi 1999; Narang & Rana 1999; Bashir 2000), whereas, the present study area of Arki Hills has not Results & discussion received the attention of the field workers. Therefore, studies were The present study revealed the presence of 85 spp., of birds conducted on different aspects of birdlife like diversity, residential belonging to 66 genera spread over 30 families and 12 orders.

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Passerine birds dominated the diversity with 55 species as horticulture and forests (Mahabal 2005). compared to non-passerines (30 spp.) (Table 1). It has been found that there are three such species of birds Muscicapidae is the largest family of birds in India with in Arki Hills, which have been placed under different threat 370 spp. (Manakadan & Pittie 2001). Present investigations also categories. Of these, Indian White-backed Vulture, and Red- revealed that family Muscicapidae (27 spp.) dominated the headed Vulture, have been placed under Critically Endangered avifauna, followed by Corvidae (six each), Accipitridae (five category and Egyptian Vulture has been categorized as Endangered spp.), Phasianidae, Columbidae and Psittacidae (four each), (IUCN 2007). whereas, Ardeidae, Charadriidae, Laniidae, Strigidae, Apodidae, Meropidae, Upupidae, Sittidae, Certhiidae, Zosteropidae, Acknowledgements Emberizidae, Fringillidae and Dicruridae (one sp., each) were The authors are grateful to the Chairperson, Department of Biosciences, poorly represented in the area. Moreover, four Orders, namely, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, for encouragement, and for Ciconiiformes, Strigiformes, Charadriiformes, and Apodiformes, providing necessary facilities. were poorly represented in the study area with a single species each (Table 1). Recently Mahabal (2005) also recorded Muscicapidae as References the largest family of birds, comprising 105 spp., from Himachal Ali, S., 1949. Indian hill birds. 1st ed. Delhi: Oxford University Press. Pradesh. Similarly, many other investigators like Narang (1989), Ali, S., & Ripley, S. D., 1983a. Handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan Pandey (1989), Mahabal & Mukherjee (1991), Suyal (1992), together with those of Bangladesh, , Bhutan and Sri Lanka. Compact Narang & Singh (1995), Mahabal (1992, 1996, 2000a, b), Mattu & ed. Delhi: Oxford University Press. Thakur (2004, 2006), and Thakur et al. (2002, 2003, 2006) have also Ali, S., & Ripley, S. D., 1983b. A pictorial guide to the birds of the Indian found Muscicapidae to be the largest family in different parts of Subcontinent. 1st ed. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. Himachal Pradesh. Bashir, S., 2000. Status, distribution and ecology of the Western Tragopan, Analysis of data on residential status revealed that out of 85 Tragopan melanocephalus in the western . Mor 2: 7. spp., 5 were resident, while the remaining 80 showed seasonal- Besten, J. W., Pandey, S., & Thakur, M. L., 2004. Pong Dam Lake Wildlife local or long-range migrations. Analysis based on presence/ Sanctuary. In: Important Bird Areas in India: priority sites for conservation. (Eds. Islam, M. Z., & Rahmani, A. R.,). Pp. 461–462. Indian Bird absence method and population fluctuations revealed that of the 80 Conservation Network: Bombay Natural History Society and BirdLife seasonal-local and long-range migrants, 45 spp., showed seasonal- International (UK). local movements, 17 were summer visitors, seven winter visitors, Ganguli, U., 1967. Birds of Shimla in autumn. Newsletter for Birdwatchers three showed winter influx, and eight showed summer influx. 7 (3): 4–6. Further analysis of residential status, and relative abundance Gaston, A. J., Garson, P. J., & Pandey, S., 1993. Birds recorded in the indicated that of five resident spp., two were very common, and Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh, India. Forktail three were common. Of the local migrants, 21 were common, 9: 45–57. 18 very common, five were uncommon, and one was rare. Gaston, T., 1997. Mountain birds of Himachal Pradesh. WPA News 52: Categorization of long-range migrants revealed that out of seven 16–20. winter visitors, four were common, two were uncommon, and one Grimmett, R., Inskipp, C., & Inskipp, T., 1999. Pocket guide to the birds of the was very common. Of the 17 summer visitors, 12 were common, Indian Subcontinent. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. two each came in the categories of very common and uncommon, Harrison, M., 1998. A natural Cheer Pheasant stronghold. WPA News 56: and one was rare. Moreover, of the three spp., which showed 24–26. Hunter Jr., M. L., 1989. Himalayan birds face uphill while singing. Auk winter influx, two were common, and one was uncommon. Of the 106 (4): 728–729. eight species with summer influx, five were common, and three IUCN. 2007. IUCN Red List of threatened species. . 47 common, 26 very common, 10 uncommon and 2 rare species Javed, S., Takekawa, J., Douglas, D. C., Rahmani, A. R., Choudhury, B. C., of birds (Table 1; Fig. 1). Landfried, S. L., & Sharma, S., 2001. Documenting Trans-Himalayan These studies are in compliance with the earlier works of Migration Using Satellite Telemetry: A Report on Capture, Deployment Hunter (1989), Gaston et al. (1993), Thakur et al. (2002, 2003, 2006), and Tracking of Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus) from India. Dehradun: and Mattu & Thakur (2004, 2006) who also reported the presence Department of Wildlife Sciences, AMU and Wildlife Institute of of different categories of birds like resident, summer visitors, India. winter visitors, very common, common, etc., from different Kalsi, R. S., 1999. Density index and habitat associations of the Cheer biogeographical regions of Himachal Pradesh. Recently Mahabal Pheasant in Himachal Pradesh, India. Oriental Bird Club Bulletin (2005) reported 447 species of breeding, staging, and wintering 30: 13. Kazmierczak, K., 2000. A field guide to the birds of India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, birds spread over 232 genera, belonging to 65 families, and 17 Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and the Maldives. New Delhi: Om Book orders from Himachal Pradesh. Further, 35.5% residents, 15.7% Service. winter visitors, 11.6% summer visitors, 10.4% altitudinal migrants Khan, S. B., Javed, S., & Kaul, R., 1999. Status, ecology and distribution and 26.8% birds of Himalayan ecosystem were reported. Similarly, of Western Tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus) in the Western Thakur (2008) recorded 123 species of altitudinal migrant birds, Himalayas. Aligarh: Department of Wildlife Science, Aligarh Muslim 72 seasonal-local migrants, 61 winter visitors, 33 residents, 28 University. summer visitors, four winter influx and one summer influx from Mahabal, A., 1992. Avifauna of (Himachal Pradesh) with different biogeographical zones of Himachal Pradesh. emphasis on their altitudinal distribution. Pavo 30 (1&2): 17–25. Analysis of feeding habits showed that a maximum number Mahabal, A., 1996. Bird survey in Shiwalik Himalaya of Himachal Pradesh. of species (42) were insectivorous, followed by frugivorous (13 Pavo 34 (1&2): 7–16. spp.), omnivorous (11), graminivorous (nine), scavengers and Mahabal, A., 2000a. Birds of Talra Wildlife Sanctuary in lower Western aquatic animal eaters (four each), and vegetable matter eaters and Himalaya, Himachal Pradesh, with notes on their status and Zoos’ Print Journal carnivorous (one each) (Table 1; Fig. 2). Similarly, about 47 % (210 altitudinal movements. 15 (10): 334–338. Mahabal, A. 2000b. Avifauna. In: Wetland ecosystem. Series 2: Fauna of spp.) of birds in Himachal Pradesh were recorded as insectivorous, Renuka Wetland. (Ed. Anon.). Kolkata: Zoological Survey of India. and important agents of bio-control of insect pests of agriculture, Pp. 169–176.

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Mahabal, A. 2005. Aves. In: Fauna of Western Himalaya. (Ed. The Director) Abbreviations Kolkata: Zoological Survey of India. Pp. 275–339. AqA=Aquatic Animal, C=Common, CR=Carnivorous, FR=Frugivorous, Mahabal, A., & Mukherjee, R., 1991. Birds of (Himachal GR=Graminivorous, I=Insectivorous, OM=Omnivorous, R/AM=Resident Pradesh). Newsletter for Birdwatchers 31 (1&2): 8–9. with altitudinal movements, R/LM=Resident with local movements, Mahabal, A., & Sharma, T. R., 1992. Distribution patterns of birds of R/SV=Resident with summer influx, R/WV=Resident with winter Kangra Valley (Himachal Pradesh). Himalayan Journal of Environment influx, R=Resident, Ra=Rare, SC=Scavenger, SV=Summer visitor, & Zoology 6 (2): 85–96. UC=Uncommon, VC=Very common, VgM=Vegetable Matter, WV=Winter Mahabal, A., & Sharma, T. R., 1993. Birds in Nainadevi Wildlife Sanctuary visitor. in Siwalik Himalayas. Newsletter for Birdwatchers 33 (3): 43–44. Manakadan, R., & Pittie, A., 2001. Standardised common and scientific names of the birds of the Indian Subcontinent. Buceros 6 (1): 1–37. Mani, A., 1981. The climate of the Himalaya. In: The Himalaya: Aspects of Change (Ed. Lall J.S. & Moddie, A.D.). Pp. 3–15. New Delhi: India 25 International Centre/Oxford University Press. Mattu, V. K., & Thakur, M. L., 2004. Avifauna of Shimla and adjoining 20 areas, Himachal Pradesh, India. Pp. 57–58. International conference on bird and environment. Haridwar. 15 Mattu, V. K., & Thakur, M. L., 2006. Bird diversity and status in Summer Hill, Shimla (Himachal Pradesh). Indian Forester 132 (10): 1271– 10 1281. MacKinnon, J., & Phillipps, K., 1993. A field guide to the birds of Borneo, 5 Sumatra, Java and Bali. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Mishra, C., 1997. Pheasants and other birds of Majhatal Harsang Wildlife 0 Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh, India. Forktail 12: 1–6. RR/LMR/WVR/SVWVSV Mukherjee, R., & Chandra, M., 1984. Birds of Sili Forest, Solan, Himachal VC C UC Ra Pradesh. Newsletter for Birdwatchers 24 (5–6): 14–15. Narang, M. L., 1989. Birds of Sangla Valley. Newsletter for Birdwatchers 29 (5–6): 8. Fig. 1. Residential status and relative abundance Narang, M. L., & Rana, R. S., 1999. Black Bulbuls association with Melia of birds of Arki Hills azedarach. Newsletter for Birdwatchers 38 (6): 104. Narang, M. L., & Singh, A. P., 1995. Birds of Nauni campus of University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. Newsletter for Birdwatchers 35 (6): 106–108. Pandey, S., 1989. The birds of Pong Dam Lake Sanctuary. Tigerpaper 16 (2): 20–26. Pandey, S., Sathyakumar, S., & Thakur, M. L., 2004. Kalatop Khajjiar Wildlife Sanctuary. In: Important Bird Areas in India: priority sites for conservation. (Eds. Islam, M. Z., & Rahmani, A. R.,). Pp. 445–446. 1% 1% Indian Bird Conservation Network: Bombay Natural History Society 5% and BirdLife International (UK). 5% I Ramesh, K., Sathyamukar, G. S., & Rawat, G. S., 2002. Report on radio Fr tracking of Western Tragopan in the Great Himalayan National Park, 11% India. Tragopan 16: 29–31. OM Sharma, T. R., & Mahabal, A., 1997. Seasonal changes of bird species in two GR different altitudinal locations of Solan District, Himachal Pradesh. Rec. Zool. Sur. India 96 (1–4): 151–166. SC Singh, B., 1998. Encounters with birds at . Newsletter for 49% AqA Birdwatchers 38 (3): 43–44. 13% Snedecore, G. W., & Cochran, W. G., 1993. Statistical methods. New Delhi: VgM Oxford & IBH Publ. Co. CR Suyal, B. O., 1992. Birds of Sarahan Bushar, . Newsletter for Birdwatchers 32 (9–10): 14–15. Thakur, M. L., 2008. Studies on status and diversity of avifauna in 15% Himachal Pradesh. Ph.D. thesis, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, India. 306 pp. Thakur, M. L., Mattu, V. K., & Sharma, R. M., 2006. Bird diversity and status in Tara Devi, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. In: Biodiversity and Fig. 2. Feeding habits of the birds of Arki Hills, environment (Eds.: Pandey, B. N., & Kulkarni, G. K.,). New Delhi: Solan (Himachal Pradesh) A.P.H. Publ. Thakur, M. L., Paliwal, R., Tak, P. C., & Mattu, V. K., 2003. Birds of Balh Valley, district Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India. Annals of Forestry 11 (1): 113–126. Thakur, M. L., Paliwal, R., Tak, P. C., Mehta, H. S., & Mattu, V. K., 2002. Birds of Kalatop-Khajjiar Wildlife Sanctuary, Chamba (H.P.). Cheetal 41 (3 & 4): 29–36. Thirumurthi, S., & Banumathi, C. P., 1998. The Melia azedarach tree a keystone species for frugivorous birds in Himachal Pradesh. Newsletter for Birdwatchers 38 (4): 68–69. Tilak, R., & Tyagi, A. K., 1977. On the occurrence of Eastern Wood Pigeon or Cushat at Solan (Himachal Pradesh). Newsletter ZSI 3 (6): 429–430.

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Table 1. Systematic List of Birds of Arki Hills, Solan (Himachal Pradesh)

List of Birds Residential Status Relative Abundance Feeding Habits Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis SV UC AqA Black Kite Milvus migrans SV VC OM Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus * EN R/LM C SC Indian White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis *CR R/LM Ra SC Himalayan Griffon G. himalayensis R/LM C SC Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus * CR R/LM UC SC Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus R VC VgM & I Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus R/LM C GR Kaleej Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos R C GR Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus R/LM UC OM Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus R/SV C I Blue Rock Pigeon Columba livia R/LM VC GR Oriental Turtle-Dove Streptopelia orientalis R/LM VC GR Spotted Dove S. chinensis R/LM VC GR Wedge-tailed Green-Pigeon Treron sphenura R/LM C FR Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria R/LM C FR Rose-ringed Parakeet P. krameri R/SV VC FR Slaty-headed Parakeet P. himalayana R/SV VC FR Plum-headed Parakeet P. cyanocephala R/SV VC FR Brainfever Bird Hierococcyx varius SV C I Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus SV VC I Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea SV C FR Spotted Owlet Athene brama R C I, CR White-throated Needletail-Swift Hirundapus caudacutus SV Ra I White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis R/LM C AqA Common Hoopoe Upupa epops R/LM VC I Great Barbet Megalaima virens R/LM VC FR, I Blue-throated Barbet M. asiatica R/LM C FR Brown-fronted Pied Woodpecker Dendrocopos auriceps R C I Fulvous-breasted Pied Woodpecker D. macei R/LM C I Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica SV C I Asian House-Martin Delichon dasypus R/LM C I Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea R/LM VC I Himalayan Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys R/LM VC FR Red-vented Bulbul P. cafer R/LM C FR Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus R/LM C FR Rufous-backed Shrike Lanius schach R/SV C CR Chestnut-bellied Rock-Thrush Monticola rufiventris R/LM UC I Blue Whistling-Thrush Myophonus caeruleus R/LM VC AqA Grey-winged Blackbird Turdus boulboul WV UC I Dark-throated Thrush T. ruficollis WV C I Oriental Magpie-Robin Copsychus saularis SV C I Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros WV VC I

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Table 1. Systematic List of Birds of Arki Hills, Solan (Himachal Pradesh)

List of Birds Residential Status Relative Abundance Feeding Habits White-capped Redstart Chaimarrornis leucocephalus R/LM C I Plumbeous Redstart Rhyacornis fuliginosus R/LM C I Spotted Forktail Enicurus maculatus R/LM UC AqA Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata R/SV C I Pied Bushchat S. caprata SV UC I Grey Bushchat S. ferrea R/LM VC I Streaked Laughingthrush Garrulax lineatus R/LM C I Variegated Laughingthrush G. variegatus R/WV UC I, FR Black-chinned Babbler Stachyris pyrrhops R/SV C I Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus SV C I Bar-throated Minla Minla strigula R/LM C I Rufous Sibia Heterophasia capistrata R/LM C I Brown Prinia Prinia crinigera R/LM C I Brown-flanked Bush-Warbler Cettia fortipes R/LM UC I Lemon-rumped Warbler Phylloscopus chloronotus R/LM C I Ultramarine Flycatcher Ficedula superciliaris SV C I Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina SV C I Grey-headed Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis R/LM VC I Asian Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi SV C I Yellow-bellied Fantail-Flycatcher Rhipidura hypoxantha WV C I White-throated Fantail-Flycatcher R. albicollis SV C I Red-headed Tit Aegithalos concinnus R/LM VC I Spot-winged Crested Tit Parus melanolophus WV UC I Great Tit P. major R/LM VC I Green-backed Tit P. monticolus R/LM C I Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria WV C I Bar-tailed Tree-Creeper Certhia himalayana R/LM C I Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus SV C OM Rock Bunting Emberiza cia R/LM VC GR Common RosefinchCarpodacus erythrinus WV C GR House Sparrow Passer domesticus R/LM VC GR Cinnamon Tree Sparrow P. rutilans R/SV C GR Common Myna Acridotheres tristis R VC OM Jungle Myna A. fuscus SV C OM Indian Golden Oriole Oriolus kundoo SV C FR Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus R/LM VC I Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius R/WV C OM Black-headed Jay G. lanceolatus R/WV C OM Red-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa erythrorhyncha R/LM VC OM Grey Treepie Dendrocitta formosae R/LM VC OM House Crow Corvus splendens R/LM C OM

Jungle Crow C. macrorhynchos R/LM VC OM

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