Trends1254 in Biosciences 11(7), Print : ISSN 0974-8431,Trends 1254-1261, in Biosciences 2018 11 (7), 2018

Avifauna of of Ashtamudi , , B. HARI1*, S. JISHA2 AND B. SREEJITH3 1 & 2 P.G. Department of Zoology, S.N. College, , Kerala, Pincode- 691001 3 Kallethu Veedu, Neeravil, P.O., Kollam, Kerala, Pincode- 691601 *email : [email protected]

ABSTRACT supports rich biodiversity and complicated food chain Kandachira wetlands are associated with the southernmost and provide unique habitat for a wide range of flora branch of the Ashtamudi backwater ecosystem, Kollam and fauna (Mitsch and Gosselink, 2000). The district, Kerala State. Avifauna of Kandachira wetland was of India is important for the presence of large number studied during January to December 2016. The study of migratory birds (Sandilyan et al., 2010). Wetland described the species composition, abundance and resident associated areas are important foraging places for status of birds. Fortnightly observations were made using many species of migratory birds during winter season binocular and zooming digital cameras. A total of 81 species of birds belonging to 15 orders and 40 families mainly because these wetlands are located in the were reported from the study area during the period. Family Central Asian Flyway. Wetlands are important habitat Ardeidae (11 species) showed maximum species diversity for birds which uses them for feeding, roosting, nesting followed by Scolopacidae (8 species). Little (12%), and raring young ones (Weller, 1999; Stewart, 2001). Indian Pond (10.3%), Little (8%), Great Ali and Ripley (1983) reported that 273 species of Egret (7.8%), Indian Cormorant (6%) were the most birds in India can be considered as waterfowls, those abundant resident species present in the study area.70% of the bird species recorded belongs to resident and 30% depend on wetland ecosystem. These birds use to migrant category. Highest species numbers were wetland habitat either entire or during certain part of recorded in the month of November (41) and lowest on July their life. The use of wetland by birds during the (18). Highest numbers of birds were recorded in the month breeding cycle range widely; with some depend almost of March (530) and lowest was recorded on the month of totally on wetlands for breeding, feeding or shelter June (121). Anhinga melanogaster (Oriental ) during the breeding cycles. However, the life of birds Threskiornis melanocephalus (Black Headed ), Mycteria leucocephala (Painted ) Limosa limosa in the wetland can be influenced by various factors and (Black-tailed ), were spotted from the study area such as food availability, total area of wetland and which are listed as near threatened (NT) and Ciconia abiotic factors in the wetland (Paracuellous, 2006). episcopus (Woolly-necked Stork) as vulnerable (VR) birds In a wetland ecosystem, biotic factors are mostly in the ‘IUCN Red List of Threatened Species’. The major depended upon the season and hydrography. threats identified for the birds are anthropogenic activities Furthermore, anthropogenic activities resulted in such as reclamation of the wetland area for construction, aquaculture activities, fishing and solid waste disposal. serious loss or degradation of wetland habitat The importance of this wetland as one of the habitat for the endangering many species of birds and their potential migratory shorebirds along the Kerala coast is also invertebrate pays (Wada et al., 1996; Wetland discussed. International, 1996). About 66% if the population of Key words Birds; Avifauna; Kandachira Wetlands; known water birds in Asia has been experiencing ; Conservation; Near drastic decline, mainly due to human induced factors Threatened. (Wetland International, 2010).

Wetlands are areas of marsh, ponds swamps with The wetlands and other water bodies of Kerala water that is static or flowing. Wetlands are complex have been explored by many researchers and and productive ecosystems that occupy six percent birdwatchers for the avifauna, (Neelakantan, 1969, of the earth’s land surface (Maltby and Turner, 1983; 1970, 1981, 1982; Neelakantan et al., 1980; 1993; Maltby 1986; Unni, 2002). Wetlands are extremely Neelakantan and Sureshkumar, 1980). Avifauna of important areas throughout the world for wildlife major wetland ecosystems of Kerala was studied and protection, recreation, sediment control, flood the importance of wetlands in the sustenance of these protection, education and scientific research. Wetland avifauna and their conservational aspects were discussed in several works (Kurup, 1991; Jayson and HARI et al., Avifauna of Kandachira Wetlands of Ashtamudi Lake, Kerala, India 1255

Table 1. Checklist of Avifauna recorded from the Kandachira wetlands of Ashtamudi Lake Kerala, India with their abundance, residential, IUCN category and breeding status

Sl. No/ IUCN Resident Breeding Order Common Name Scientific Name Family Abundance category Status Status Order 1 , Black Milvus migrans C LC R 2 Kite, Brahminy Haliastur indus Accipitridae C LC R B Order Dendrocygna 3 , Lesser Whistling javanica C LC R Order Cypsiurus 4 , Asian Palm balasiensis Apodidae U LC R Order Charadriformes 5 Godwit, Black-tailed Limosa limosa Scolopacidae U NT M 6 Greenshank, Common nebularia Scolopacidae C LC M 7 Redshank, Common Tringa totanus Scolopacidae C LC M 8 Calidris pugnax Scolopacidae R LC M 9 , Common Actitis hypoleucos Scolopacidae C LC M 10 Sandpiper, Marsh Tringa stagnatilis Scolopacidae U LC M 11 Sandpiper, Wood Tringa glareola Scolopacidae C LC M 12 , Common Gallinago gallinago Scolopacidae R LC M 13 , Red-wattled Vanellus indicus C LC R 14 , Pacific Golden Pluvialis fulva Charadriidae C LC M Himantopus 15 Stilt, Black-winged himantopus C LC R Hydrophasianus 16 Jacana, Pheasant-tailed chirurgus R LC R Rostratula 17 Snipe, Greater Painted benghalensis Rostratulidae R LC R 18 , Whiskered Chlidonias hybrida C LC M Order Ciconiformes Mycteria 19 Stork, Painted leucocephala Ciconiidae R NT M 20 Openbill, Asian Anastomus oscitans Ciconiidae C LC M 21 Stork, Woolly-necked Ciconia episcopus Ciconiidae U VR R Order Columbiformes Pigeon, Rock (Feral 22 Pigeon) Columba livia U LC R B Pigeon, Gray-fronted 23 Green Treron affinis Columbidae R LC R Order 24 Bee-eater, Blue-tailed Merops philippinus Meropidae U LC M 25 Green bee-eater Merops orientalis Meropidae U LC R 26 , Common Alcedo atthis Alcedinidae C LC R 27 Kingfisher, Pied Ceryle rudis Alcedinidae R LC R Pelargopsis 28 Kingfisher, Stork-billed capensis Alcedinidae C LC R

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Sl. No/ IUCN Resident Breeding Order Common Name Scientific Name Family Abundance category Status Status Kingfisher, White- 29 throated Halcyon smyrnensis Alcedinidae C LC R Coracias 30 Roller, Indian benghalensis R LC R Order Cuculiformes 31 Coucal, Southern Centropus parroti Cuculidae U LC R B 32 , Jacobian Clamator jacobinus Cuculidae R LC R Order 33 Crake, Ruddy-breasted Zapornia fusca Rallidae R LC R Waterhen, White- Amaurornis 34 breasted phoenicurus Rallidae C LC R B Order Passeriformes 35 , Brown Lanius cristatus Laniidae R LC M 36 , Barn Hirundo rustica Hirundinidae R LC M Dendronanthus 37 Wagtail, Forest indicus R LC M 38 Babbler, Jungle Turdoides striata Leiotrichidae R LC R 39 , Red-whiskered Pycnonotus jocosus Pycnonotidae U LC R 40 , House Corvus splendens C LC R B Corvus 41 Crow, Large-billed macrorhynchos Corvidae U LC R Dendrocitta 42 , Rufous vagabunda Corvidae C LC R B Dicrurus 43 , Black macrocercus Dicruridae C LC R , Pale- Dicaeum 44 billed erythrorhynchos Dicaeidae R LC R 45 Munia, Tricolored Lonchura malacca U LC R B 46 , Rosy Pastor roseus Sturnidae R LC M 47 Myna, Common Acridotheres tristis Sturnidae C LC R B 48 Myna, Jungle Acridotheres fuscus Sturnidae U LC R 49 Oriole, Indian Golden Oriolus kundoo Oriolidae U LC M 50 Oriole, Black-hooded Oriolus xanthornus Oriolidae U LC R 51 Prinia, socialis U LC R B 52 Prinia, Plain Prinia inornata Cisticolidae R LC R 53 Tailorbird, Common Orthotomus sutorius Cisticolidae U LC R B 54 Bushchat, Pied Saxicola caprata Muscicapidae R LC R 55 Robin, Oriental Copsychus saularis Muscicapidae U LC R 56 , Long-billed Cinnyris lotenius Nectariniidae U LC R B 57 Sunbird, Purple Cinnyris asiaticus Nectariniidae R LC R Leptocoma 58 Sunbird, Purple-rumped zeylonica Nectariniidae U LC R Acrocephalus 59 Warbler, Blyth's Reed dumetorum U LC M Warbler, Clamorous Acrocephalus 60 Reed stentoreus Acrocephalidae R LC R

HARI et al., Avifauna of Kandachira Wetlands of Ashtamudi Lake, Kerala, India 1257

Sl. No/ IUCN Resident Breeding Order Common Name Scientific Name Family Abundance category Status Status Order 61 Egret, Little Egretta garzetta Ardeidae C LC M 62 Heron, Gray Ardea cinerea Ardeidae C LC M 63 Heron, Western Reef Egretta gularis Ardeidae R LC M Ixobrychus 64 , Black flavicollis Ardeidae U LC R Ixobrychus 65 Bittern, Cinnamon cinnamomeus Ardeidae U LC R 66 Bittern, Yellow Ixobrychus sinensis Ardeidae R LC R 67 Egret, Cattle Bubulcus ibis Ardeidae C LC R 68 Egret, Great Ardea alba Ardeidae C LC R 69 Egret, Intermediate Ardea intermedia Ardeidae U LC R 70 Heron, Indian Pond Ardeola grayii Ardeidae C LC R 71 Heron, Purple Ardea purpurea Ardeidae C LC R 72 Ibis, Glossy Plegadis falcinellus U LC M 73 , Eurasian Platalea leucorodia Threskiornithidae R LC M Threskiornis 74 Ibis, Black-headed melanocephalus Threskiornithidae C NT R Order 75 Barbet, White-cheeked Psilopogon viridis Megalaimidae U LC R , black- Dinopium 76 rumped flameback benghalense Picidae R LC R Order Podicipediformes Tachybaptus 77 , Little ruficollis Podicipedidae R LC R Order Psittaciformes 78 Parakeet, Rose-ringed Psittacula krameri Psittacidae U LC R B Order Phalacrocorax 79 Cormorant, Indian fuscicollis Phalacrocoracidae C LC R 80 Cormorant, Little Microcarbo niger Phalacrocoracidae C LC R Anhinga 81 Darter, Oriental melanogaster Anhingidae U NT R C- Common; U-Uncommon;R-Rare; LC- Least Concern; VR- Vulnerable; NT- Near Threatened; R-Resident; M-Migrant;B- Breeding in the study area 1258 Trends in Biosciences 11 (7), 2018

Sivaperuman, 1999; Sivaperuman and Jayson, 2000, the birds in these blocks were counted using binoculars. 2012; Vijayakumar, 2005; Kumar, 2006; Narayanan Birds were identified using physical feature with the et al., 2011; Aarif and Basheer, 2012; Aarif et al., help of field guides and standard referenced books 2015). However, no concerted efforts were made to (Ali and Ripley 1987; Neelakantan 1996; Grimmet et study the avifauna associated with the wetlands of al. 2011). Birds were identified up to species level the Ashtamudi Lake which is the second largest and details like number of birds in the habitat were Ramsar sites in Kerala, except regular Asian water also recorded. Abundant status of the birds are fowl census. The present study describes the annual categorized in to common (C) - seen on most of the species composition, abundance and resident status visits, uncommon (U) - seen on a few visits, and rare of avifauna of Kandachira wetland which is the (R) - seen once or twice. Residential status of bird eastern part of the Southern branch of Ashtamudi species was classified into resident (R) and Migrant Lake. It also allows a first evaluation of the importance (M) mainly as per Kazmierczak (2000) and of this natural habitat as a stopover for migratory birds Grimmet et al. (2011). Winter visitors from Central and the threats faced by them. Asian countries are included in migrants. Some birds which are breeding in different habitat of Kerala but MATERIAL AND METHODS seen in Kandachira are also included in resident Ashtamudi Wetland (Ashtamudi Kayal, area - category. 61.4 km2), Ramsar site No. 1204, is near Kollam City (8045’-9028’N and 76028’-77017’E) in Kerala and falls RESULTS AND DISCUSSION in Kollam City Corporation and adjoining Grama The list of avifauna spotted from the Kandachira Panchayats. This extensive estuarine system, the wetland ecosystem during January to December 2016 second largest and deepest in Kerala, is connected to is presented in Table 1. A total of 81 spices of birds sea and is of extraordinary importance for its belong to 15 orders and 40 families were reported hydrological functions and biodiversity. The study site, from Kandachira wetland. Narayanan et al. (2011) Kandachira wetland (08°56’1.7376"N and listed out 225 species of birds belonging to 15 orders 76°3646.332" E) is one among the important wetlands and 59 families from wetland, southern of Ashtamudi Lake with an area of 1.5 km2. It is portion of Kole Ramsar site of India. located in the eastern part of the southernmost branch Similarly, Aarif and Bahseer (2012) reported a total of Ashtamudi Lake. This wetland is approximately of 57 species of birds belong to 16 families from 10km away from the Kollam city. Many migrants are Mavoor wetland of District, Kerala. choosing this location as a wintering area during post Kumar (2006) recorded a total of 140 species of birds monsoon season. This water logged area was in 49 families from Bharathapuzha River Basin. A connected to the Ashtamudi backwaters total of 167 species of birds belonging to 16 orders through two regulators. The major portions of the and 39 families were recorded from the Kole wetland wetland are flat areas that remain submerged of District of Kerala by Sivaperuman and throughout the year and with muddy banks and bottom. Jayson (2000). Many paddy fields are also associated with this Kandachira wetland is found to be a feeding and wetland ecosystem. breeding area for many birds also. The order Biweekly inspections to the study area were made Passeriformes possess the most diversified 15 families for a period of one year (January to December 2016). and 26 species (Fig. 1) followed by order Binoculars (Nikon Aculon A211; 8x 42) and Cameras Charadriformes with 6 families and 14 species. Order (Nikon Coolpix P600; Nikon P900 and Nikon DSLR Pelecaniformes possess 2 families and 14 species. D5300 with AF-S NIKKOR 70-300 mm lens) were Maximum number of species was recorded from used for bird watching and image capture. Censuses families Ardeidae (11 species) followed by were carried out in the morning (06.30 am to 10.00 Scolopacidae (8 species) (Table 1). Only 54% of the am) throughout the study period. The method of total birds were belonged to the wetland category. Though count was employed to census the bird population. In a wetland dominated area, 46% of the birds belong to this method, representative blocks were identified and non-wetland category. This may be due to the edge HARI et al., Avifauna of Kandachira Wetlands of Ashtamudi Lake, Kerala, India 1259 effect as the three boundaries are land and only south- low food resources due to flooding (Kannan and eastern boundary is backwaters. Similar Pandiyan, 2012). Highest number of species was observations were made by Narayanan et al. recorded on the month of November (41) and lowest (2011) in Kuttanad area where 52.2% birds on July (18). The relative abundance of birds during belong to non-wetland categories and most of the birds the winter season might be related to the availability were seen at the eastern boundaries of Kuttnadu of food, habitat conditions of the species. The distinct where Kuttanad wetlands meet midland areas of seasonality of rainfall and seasonal variation in the Kerala. abundance of food resources may result in seasonal Among the birds recorded 30% to the migrant changes in the species abundance of birds (Gaston et and 70% belong to the resident category. Wetland al., 2000; Karr and Roth 1971). depended birds formed major portion of these migrants. Breeding of 12 species were recorded in these Aarif and Basheer (2012) reported 17 migrant species wetlands. Among them, White Breasted Waterhen, from Mavoor wetland. Narayanan et al. (2011) Ashy Prinia and Black Headed Munia were reported 86 migrant species from Kuttanad wetland identified as frequent breeders in this wetland area. Kannan and Pandiyan (2012) reported 24 during the study period. Breeding of 22 species migratory species among the shorebirds of Pulicat of birds were reported by Aarif and Basheer Lake, India. 49 migratory birds were reported by (2012) in Mavoor wetlands. Narayanan et al. Kumar (2006) from the Bharathapuzha River basin (2011) reported that 55 species were breeding in the during 1998-2004. Kuttanad wetlands. Relatively low numbers of Altogether a total of 6,543 of birds were recorded breeding species in the present study site may be due from Kandachira during the study period. Of the total to low area and high anthropogenic disturbances. No population, numerically abundant birds are , heronries were sighted in this wetland area during the Egretta garzetta (12%); Ardeola study period. grayii (10.3%); Microcarbo niger Five globally threatened species such as (8%); Ardea alba (7.8%) Anhinga melanogaster () and Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis Threskiornis melanocephalus (Black Headed Ibis), (6%). Similar records were made by Sivaperuman and Mycteria leucocephala () Limosa Jayson (2000) and they have reported that Little Egret, limosa (Black-tailed Godwit), were spotted from the Cattle egret, Little Cormorant, Pond Heron, study area which are listed as near threaded (NT) , and were the and Ciconia episcopus (Woolly-necked Stork) as dominating bird species in the Kuttanadu wetland vulnerable (VR) category (IUCN, 2017). Narayanan areas. Aarif and Basheer (2012) reported that Little et al. (2011) recorded 10 near threatened species from Egret, Cattle Egret, Little Cormorant, Pond Heron, the Kuttanad wetlands and Kumar (2006) reported Purple Moorhen, , Night-Heron Little four near threatened (NT) bird species from the Grebe, , River Tern and Bharathapuzha River basin. Whiskered Tern as abundant birds in the Mavoor Among the 81 bird species reported from this wetlands. study area, 24 of them are migrants. Furthermore, this The peak bird population in the Kandachira wetland is coming under the Central Asian – Indian wetland was observed during period of November to Flyway, thus protection to winter visitors need high March and the lowest in June to July. Highest number priority. During the study many anthropogenic factors of birds were recorded during the month of March which threat the Kandachira wetland ecosystems and (530) and lowest in June (121). The shore bird the bird population were identified. Among them the population increased during December to March prominent was habitat destruction due to land which may be due to progressive lowering water level reclamation for building houses and roads. Felling of which enables the birds to feed on the available food the trees and clearing the natural vegetation adjacent resources. Both number and species diversity to the wetland area and conversion of wetland area drastically decreased in June-July months and it might for aquaculture and other activities causes habitat be due to the effect of South-west monsoon rains and reduction for these birds. Alterations in the land use 1260 Trends in Biosciences 11 (7), 2018 pattern have created the major threat to the bird Indian Subcontinent. Bombay Natural History Society, population. Menace of solid waste disposal to the Bombay. 354. waterlogged areas chocked the natural tidal flow of Ali, S. and Ripley, S.D. 1987. Compact Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan. 2 nd Edition. Oxford University Press, water and also the plastic waste materials seems to Bombay. be spread over the benthic habitat and may hinder the Gaston, K.J., Blackburn, T.M., Greenwood, J.D., Greroryx, R.D., feeding activity of many of the waders. Fishing with Rachel M.Q. and Lawton J.H. 2000. 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Received on 15-02-2018 Accepted on 17-02-2018