Journal of Research in Biology documents/RA0335.pdf. http://jresearchbiology.com/ Address:Web [email protected] Email: SudhakaranMR. Correspondingauthor: AlwarkurichiIndia.412 627 SriCollege,Paramakalyani ofDepartmentZoology, Institution: A. Jayanthi and EsakkiammalM Valliselvam K, SudhakaranMR, Authors: Researchof in Journal Biology Checklist ofland birds in TenkasiTirunelveli and Taluk, JournalofResearch in Biology ScientificResearch Journal

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breeds during rainy season and granivores breeds during harvest season which which season harvest during breeds granivores and supports ‘food availability season rainy during breeds Insectivores time. harvesting during periods breeding their had birds the of 50% and season rainy during periods breeding their had birds the of 30% out. carried also was pattern breeding pattern, nesting on Study families. 48 and orders 36 to belongs that documented were birds land of species 100 of total A out. carried was study present lacuna, this fulfill To ecosystem. aquatic towards confine been had it reasons various on Studies to due Ghats. but years yester Westernthe from recorded been Southern have part this in of birds of distribution foothills the at is state Tamilnadu district, of region (8.7°N77.47°E) Ambasumudram and 77.3°E) (8.97°N Tenkasiarea ABSTRACT: iessb/.) wih ie priso fr netitd s, non use, unrestricted reproduction inprovided allisproperly original medium, work the cited. for permission gives which licenses/by/2.0), (http://creativecommons.org/ License Attribution Commons Creative the by governed is article This Journal in Biology3(2):Researchof 797 (2013) Footof HillsWestern Southern Ghats. Checklist landofbirds in TenkasiTirunelveli Taluk, Ambasamudram and District: at the MR, ValliselvamSudhakaran K, JayanthiM and Esakkiammal A. ArticleCitation: Keywords: Dates:

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Birds present everywhere and are important ecological indicators. The study study The indicators. ecological important are and everywhere present Birds Land ambasamudram, birds, diversity.

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Sudhakaran et al., 2013

INTRODUCTION area, an extensive survey was made to document the land Diversity studies have assumed a greater bird distribution with a note on their habitat and breeding urgency, partially as a result of incorporating habitat and in Ambasumudram and Taluk of Southern demographic information towards conservation. Birds Tamilnadu. use diverse habitat and select their own habitat for successful living. Out of more than 9,000 bird species of MATERIALS AND METHODS the world, Indian subcontinent contains 1,300 species or Study Area over 13% of the world’s bird species (Grimmet et al., Tenkasi (8.97°N 77.3°E; Elevation 554 feet) and 1999). The study area Tenkasi and Ambasamudram Ambasumuram (8.7°N 77.47°E; Elevation 229 feet) region of , Tamilnadu state is at the taluk are regions of Tirunelveli district of Tamilnadu foothill of Southern Western Ghats. This area has part of (map) described as a microcosm of the state, owing to its Kalakad Mundunthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) and mosaic and diverse geographical and physical features hills, got a rich amount of flora and fauna such as lofty mountains and low plains, thorn scrub and a good vegetation that give food and nest resources jungles, rivers and cascades, thick inland forest, sandy for birds. Nearly 160 species of birds were observed to soils and fertile alluvium, a variety of flora, fauna, and present in KMTR (Joshua and Johnsingh, 1988). An protected wild life. The mean daily maximum annotated check list of the birds of Tamilnadu is not temperature is 32.1ºC. The weather is quite hot in available, but more than 450 species are likely to occur May and June and the maximum temperature some (Rathinam, 2002). Studies on distribution of birds in this times reaches 43ºC. This region enjoys winter part have been recorded from early 1945 (Webb-Pelope, (December to March), Summer (April-June), Southwest 1945), but the studies had limited towards wet-land monsoon (June to September and North east monsoon birds. It is mainly due to the climatic condition prevails (October to November). The month of November is in this area. This region enjoys both the north east and generally with maximum rainfall. The average rainfall in south west monsoon, with good wetland ecosystem that the district is 814.8 mm per annum. provides habitat for aquatic birds. Koonthankulam bird sanctuary is present in this region that inhabits more than 100 species of wetland birds. Hence most of the studies on birds (Johnson,1971; Wilkinson, 1961; Subramaninan, 2003; Johnsingh, 2001) were restricted towards wetland birds and their conservation. As birds are observed to be an ideal bioindicator and a useful tool for studying a variety of environmental problems, the habitat ecology of bird community should be evaluated for their conservation (Kattan and Franco, 2004). The Indian bird population has been declining due to habitat loss, fragmentation, anthropogenic disturbances that necessitates documentation, monitoring and conservation. Map: Study Area In order to bring forth the avian diversity in this 798 Journal of Research in Biology (2013) 3(2): 797-808 Sudhakaran et al., 2013

Survey RESULT AND DISCUSION This study on survey of land bird was conducted A total of 100 species of birds that belongs to from January 2012 to December 2012 for a period of one 16 orders and 36 families were recorded during the year. Weekly field observations were made throughout study, of which order Passeriformes was observed to the study period, a total of 52 observations were done have 19 families with 48 species (Table 1). Family during the study and birds in the study area Sylviinae of order Passeriformes have a maximum were documented. Survey was done in the nesting sites, number of 8 species of total 100 species observed. and information were gathered from local peoples and Passeriformies are group of birds that inhabit in a villagers. With high precise birds were monitored during vegetative rich area, that provide nesting and feeding morning (06 00 to 10 00 hrs) and evening areas (Balachandran et al., 2005). Study area was (15 00 to 18 30 hrs). Binoculars and monoculars were observed to provide a good resource for the bird used for observation. Nest sites were surveyed there by community. Of the 100 species observed, 75 were getting information from local villagers. Birds were observed to be residents and 16 were observed to identified using key reference books of birds of India migrants, and 9 were both resident and migrant. Migrants (Salim Ali, 2002) and Tamilnadu (Rathinam, 2002). were observed to be from the western ghats region. Diveristy Indices Study on species richness revealed that Species richness was calculated by using Passeriformes shows a higher species richness. Margalef’s index and species dominance was calculated Passer domesticus (Dmg: 1.598) Pirnia socialis by using Berger-Parker index. They were calculated by (Dmg: 1.497), Acrocephalus agricola (Dmg: 1.401), using the formulae given below, Orthotomus subtorius (Dmg: 1.401), Corvus splendens Margalef’s index (Dmg: 1.400), Dendrocitta vagabunda (Dmg: 1.399), Species richness measures provide an instantly Corvus macrorhynchos (Dmg: 1.387), Ardeola grayii comprehensible expression of diversity. It is calculated (Dmg: 1.350), Egretta grazetta (Dmg: 1.351), using the formula, Cosmerodius albus (Dmg: 1.320) were observed to have Dmg = (S – 1)/ In N a higher species richness. Species richness depends on Where, the habitat, climatic condition, food resource and S = Number of species present in each taluk evolutionary history of the area (Jayson, 1994). On N = Number of individuals estimating the dominance of species Corvus splendons Berger-Parker diversity index (d=0.393), Acridotherse tristis (d=0.390) had a greater Berger-Parker index is employed to determine dominance. Dominance and richness of the species whether there is any change in the dominance of species depends mostly on the resource availability (Recher and in each taluk. It expresses the proportional importance to Davis, 2002). the most abundant species. The formula for calculating Considering the feeding habit of bats 37 were the Berger-Parker index is insectivorous, 22 were omnivores, 13 were granivore, d = N max/N 4 were piscivores, 4 were frugivores, 7 were carnivores, Where, 3 were predators, 1 was nectarivore, 3 were insectivore N = the total number of individuals and piscivore, 2 were insectivore and frugivore, 1 was Nmax = Number of individuals in the most abundant carnivore and frugivore, 1 was predator and insectivore, species. and 2 were insectivore and nectarivore. Insectivore and

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Table 1. Check list of birds in the study area VERNACULAR FEEDING S.NO COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME STATUS NAME HABIT Order:Ciconiiformes Family:Ardeidae 1 Indian pond-heron Ardeola grayii Curuttu kokku IN, P R 2 Little egret Egretta garzetta Chinna kokku IN, P R 3 Large egret Casmerodius albus Paria kokku IN, P RM Order:Gruiformes Family:Rallidae 4 White-breasted waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Kampul koli IN R Order:Falconiformes Family:Accipitridae 5 Black kite Milvus migrans Kalla parunthu C R 6 Brahminy kite Haliastur indus Semparunthu C R 7 Pallied harrier Circus macrourus Punai parunthu C M 8 Black eagle Ictinaetus malayensis Karumparunthu C R 9 Shikra Accipiter badius Valluru PR R Order:Galliformes Family:Phasianidae Francolinus R 10 Grey francolin Cowthari GR pondicerianus 11 Common quail Coturnix coturnix Katai GR R 12 Indian pea fowl Pavo cristatus Nila myil OM R Chesnut-bellied sand R 13 Pterocles exustus Kalcowthari GR grouse 14 Painted francolin Francolinus pictus Varna Kowthari GR R 15 Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis Panagkatai IN R Order:Charadriiformes Family:Charadriidae Chivappumuku R 16 Red-wattled lapuing Vanellus indicus CR alkatti Order:Columbiformes Family:Columbidae 17 Blue-rock pigeon Columba livia Madapura GR R 18 Spotted dove Streptopelia chinensis Pullipura GR R Streptopelia R 19 Red collared dove Thavittupura GR tranquebarica YellowLegged Green- R 20 Treron phoenicoptera Pachaipura GR Pigeon 21 Eurasian collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Kallipura GR R Order:Psittaciformes Family:Psittacidae 22 Rose-ringed parakeet Psittacula krameri Senthar pynkili FR R Order:Cuculiformes Family:Cuculidae 23 Brainfever bird Hierococcyx varius Akka Kuyil IN R 24 Indian cuckoo Cuculus micropterus Kuyil IN R 25 Drongo cuckoo Surniculus lugubris Karisaan Kuyil IN,FR R 26 Asian koel Eudynamys scolopaceus Kokilum CR,FR R 27 Greater coucal Centropus sinensis Senbagam PR R 800 Journal of Research in Biology (2013) 3(2): 797-808 Sudhakaran et al., 2013

Order:Strigiformes Family:Strigidae 28 Eurasian eagle owl Bubo bubo Compan anthai CR R 29 Motted wood owl Strix ocellata Poripulli owl PR R 30 Spotted owlet Athene brama Pulli anthai OM R Family:Tytonidae 31 Barn owl Tyto alba Cukai anthai OM R Order:Apodiformes Family:Apodidae 32 Indian edible-nest swiftlet Collocalia unicolor China ulavaran IN R 33 House-swift Apus affinis Nattu ulavaran IN RM 34 Asian plam swift Cypsiurus balasiensis Panai ulavaran IN R Family:Hemiprocnidae 35 Creasted tree swift Hemiprocne coronata Kontai ulavaran IN R Order:Coraciiformes Family:Alcedinidae 36 Small blue kingfisher Alcedo atthis Ciral menkoththi P RM 37 Oriental dwarf kingfisher Ceyx erithaca Ciru menkoththi P R 38 White-breasted kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Wenmarbu menkoththi P R 39 Wood lane Jeannine miesle Menkoththi P M Family:Meropidae 40 Small bee-eater Merops orientalis Chinna panchurutan IN R 41 Blue tailed bee-eater Merops philippinus Nilaval panchurutan IN M 42 Chesnut-heated bee-eater Merops leschenaulti Chanthalai pancurutan IN R Family:Upupidae 43 Hoopoe Upupa epops Saval kuruvi IN,PR RM Order:Piciformes Family:Capitonidae 44 White-checked barbet Megalaima viridis China kukkuruvan FR R R 45 Brown-headed barbet Megalaimia zeylanica Kattu pachai Kukkuruvan FR

Family:Picidae Small yellow-napal R 46 Picus chlorolophus Marangkothi IN,FR woodpecker Golden backed R 47 Dinopium javanense Marangkothi CR woodpecker Greater golden-backed R 48 Chrysocolaptes lucidus Marangkothi IN woodpecker 49 Heart-spotted woodpecker Hemicircus canente Marangkothi IN R Brown-capped pygmy M 50 Dendrocopos nanus Marangkothi IN woodpecker Order:Passeriformes Family:Pittidae 51 Indian pitta Pitta brachyura Arumani kuruvi IN M Family:Hirundinidae 52 Common swallow Hirundo rustica Thagaivilan IN RM 53 Wire-tailed swallow Hirundo smithii Kampi-valThagaivilan IN RM

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Family:Motacillidae 54 Large-pied wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis Karuppuvalati IN R M 55 Grey wagtail Motacilla cinerea Karum sampal valati IN

Family:Campephagidae 56 Large cuckoo-Shrike Coracina macei Kuyil kisaan IN R 57 Common-woodshrike Tephrodornis pondiorianus Kassappakaram IN R Family:Pycnonotidae 58 Red-whiskered bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus Chivappu mesai cinnan OM R 59 Red-vented bulbul Pycnonotus cafer Kondai kuruvi OM R 60 Black-crested bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus Karungontai cinnan OM R 61 Black bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus Karun cinnan OM R Family:Irenidae 62 Gold-fronted chloropsis Chloropsis aurifrons Pachai cittu OM R M 63 Asianfairy-bluebird Irena puella Vannachittu OM

Family:Turdinae 64 Malabar whisting-thrush Myiophonus horsfieldii Pung kuruvi OM M 65 White-rumbed shama Copsychus malabaricus Shama OM R 66 Indian robin Saxicoloides fulicata Carkuruvi IN R 67 Pied bushchat Saxicola caprata kathirkuruvi IN R Family:Timaliidae 68 Large gray babbler Turdoides malcolmi Chilampan OM R 69 Jungle babbler Turdoides striatus Chilampan OM R 70 White-heated babbler Turdoides affinis Chilampan OM R Family:Sylviinae 71 Jungle prinia Prinia sylvatica Kattukathir kuruvi IN R 72 Ashy prinia Prinia socialis Sampal kathirkuruvi IN R 73 Plain prinia Prinia inornata kathirkuruvi OM M 74 Paddyfied warbler Acrocephalus agricola vayelKathirkuruvi IN RM 75 Indian greatreed warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus Nanal kathir kuruvi IN M 76 Common tailer bird Orthotomus sutorius Thyal cittu IN R 77 Red-throated flycatcher Ficedula parva Epedippan IN M 78 Nilgiri flycatcher Eumyias albicaudatus Epedippan IN M Family:Monarchinae 79 Asian paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi Arasaval kuruvi IN RM Family:Muscicapidae 80 Kashmir flycatcher Ficedula subrubra Epedippan IN M

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Family:Dicaeidae 81 Tickell’s flower pecker Dicaeum erythrorhynchos Pakku chittu FR R Family:Nectariniidae 82 Purple-rumbed sunbird Nectarinia zeylonica Manjal thenchittu NR R 83 Small sunbird Nectarinia minima China thencittu IN,NR M 84 Purple sunbird Nectarinia asiatica Uthathenchittu IN R Family:Estrildidae 85 White-throated munia Lonchura malabarica Thiinai kuruvi GR R 86 Black-headed munia Lonchura malacca Thinaii kuruvi GR R Family:Passerinae 87 House sparrow Passer domesticus Chittu kuruvi GR R Family: ploceinae 88 Baya weaver Ploceus philippinus thuknanagkuruvi GR R Family:Sturnidae 89 Grey-headed starling Sturnus malabaricus Sampal thalai myna OM R 90 Commom myna Acridotheres tristis Narathan kuruvi OM R Family:Oriolidae 91 Black-headed oriole Oriolus xanthornus Mangkuyil OM R Family:Dicruridae 92 Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus Karuvatuvalli IN R 93 Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus Karisaan IN M 94 White-bellied Drongo Dicrurus caerulescens Vellai-vaittu Karisaan IN R 95 Spangled Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus Kontai karisaan IN,NR R 96 Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus Karumpachai karichan IN M Family:Corvidae 97 Indian treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda Valkakkai OM R 98 White-bellied treepie Dendrocitta leucogastra White valaivaettukakai OM M 99 House crow Corvus splendens Manikagam OM R 100 Jungle crow Corvus macrorhynchos Andakagam OM R IN-Insetivore, P-Piscivore, CR-Carnivore, GR-Granivore, OM-Omnivore, FR-Frugivore, PR-Predators, NR-Nectarivore. ; R – Resident; M – Migrant.

granivore was observed to be greater in number in this Study on breeding period of avifauna in the study area due to the availability of food resources. area revealed that 28 bird species had their breeding Study on nesting pattern of birds showed that period during June to November, 24 birds had their they were found to have a various pattern of nest. Birds breeding periods during December to March, and 17 build cup nest (25 species), hole nest (24 species), birds had their breeding periods during April to June, and platform nest (15 species), pendent nest (5 species), bell 6 birds had breeding period without any specificity shaped nest (3 species), ground nests (2 species) and depending only on food and climatic conditions. 30% of oyster shaped nest (1 species). Birds were observed to birds had their breeding periods during the rainy season use variety of materials for nest construction (Table 2). and 50% of birds had their breeding periods during

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Table 2. Nesting details of birds in the study area COMMON NAME AND BREEDING NEST SITE NEST TYPE NEST MATERIALS SCIENTIFIC NAME TIME

Egretta garzetta Trees around lake Platform nest Twigs Nov-Feb Little Egret area Casmerodius albus Trees around lake Platform nest Twigs Nov-Feb Large egret area Ardeola grayii Trees around lake Platform nest Twigs, small stems Nov-Apr Indian Pond-Heron area Milvus migrans Tree canopy Platform nest Twigs, cloth, paper Sep-Apr Black kite Haliastur indus Trees in water area Platform nest Twigs, cloth, jute, coir Dec-Apr Brahminy kite Ictinaetus malayensis Trees in hilly area Platform nest Twigs, stems, Rootlets Nov-Mar Black eagle Francolinus pictus Ground Cup nest Dry Grass, leaves Jun-Sep Painted francolin Coturnix coturnix Ground Cup nest Dry Grass, twigs Mar-Jul Common Quail

Pavo cristatus Bushes Platform nest Grass, twigs Jan-May Indian Peafowl Amaurornis phoenicurus Twigs, leaves, small Bushes Cup nest Apr-Oct White-breasted water hen stems Vanellus indicus Ground Ground nest Mud, twigs, grass Mar-Sep Red-wattled Lapwing Pterocles exustus Chestnut-bellied sand Ground Ground nest Mud, twigs, grass Jan-Apr grouse Columba livia Temple towers/ Platform nest Small sticks, fibres Annual Blue Rock pigeon stone buidings Streptopelia tranquebarica Bushes,Small trees Platform nest Twigs, small sticks Annual Red collared-Dove Treron phoenicoptera Bushes,small trees Platform nest Twigs, Small stems Mar-Jun Yellow-legged Green-pigeon Psittacula krameri Tree holes Hole nest - Jan-Apr Rose-ringed parakeet Tyto alba Temple towers/ Hole nest - Annual Barn Owl Tree holes Bubo bubo Sandy riverbanks Hole nest - Nov-May Eurasian Eagle Owl

Strix ocellata Tree holes/ Hole nest Twigs, feathers Jan-Mar Mottled Wood-Owl Cavities Athene brama Tree holes/ Hole nest Fibrers Nov-Mar Spotted Owlet Cavities 804 Journal of Research in Biology (2013) 3(2): 797-808

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Collocalia unicolor Saliva, grass, fibres, Building towers (Sirpi) shape Mar-Jun Indian Edible-nest Swiftlet alga Cypsiurus balasiensis Annual Trees (Palm trees) Cup nest Soft flower, feathers Asian Palm Swift Not in winter Apus affinis Temple towers/ Feathers, paddy leaves Annual Cup nest House Swift Bridges Not in winter Alcedo atthis Sandy river banks Hole nest - Feb-Sep Small Blue kingfisher Ceyx erithaca Sandy river banks Hole nest - July-Sep Oriental Dwarf kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Sandy river banks Hole nest - Jan-Jul White-breasted kingfisher Nyctyornis athertoni River banks Hole nest - Feb-Aug Blue-beared Bee-eater Merops orientalis Sandy road side Hole nest - Feb-Jun Small Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti Sandy river banks Hole nest - Feb-Jun Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Coracias benghalensis Tree holes Hole nest Grasses, straw, cloth Jan-Apr Indian Roller Tree holes, Upupa epops cavities, building Hole nest - Jan-Apr Hoo poe towers Megalaima zeylanica Tree holes Hole nest - Feb-May Brown-headed barbet Megalaima viridis Tree holes Hole nest - Dec-Jun White-checked Barbet

Dendrocopos nanus Brown-capped pygmy Tree holes Hole nest - Feb-Jul Woodpecker

Picus chlorolophus Small yellow-naped Tree holes Hole nest - Jan-May Woodpecker

Dinopium javanense Tree holes Golenden backed Hole nest - Feb-Jul

Wood Pecker

Chrysocolaptes lucidus Greater Golden-backed Tree holes Hole nest - Dec-Mar Wood pecker

Hemicircus canente Tree holes Hole nest - Nov-Apr Heart-Spotted Wood pecker Motacilla maderaspatensis Water source Root, grasses, Cup nest Dec-Jun Large Pied Wagtail Near threads, jute Tephrodornis pondicerianus Trees Cup nest Barks, fibres Feb-Jul Common Wood Shrike

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Pycnonotus melanicterus Grasses, Twigs, spider Small trees Cup nest Jan-Aug Black-crested Bulbul threads, leaves Pycnonotus jocosus Twigs,leaves,spider Bushes, house roof Cup nest Dec-Jun Red-whiskkered Bulbul threads, root lets Pycnonotus cafer Trees Cup nest Fibres, twigs Feb-Nov Red-vented Bulbul

Grasses, dry leaves, Hypsipetes leucocephalus Trees Cup nest wood Alga, wood Mar-Jun Balck Bulbul mushrooms

Chloropsis aurifrons Tree canopy Cup nest Fibres Jan-Feb Gold-fronted cholropsis Irena puella Forest-trees Platform nest Twigs, stems Jan-Jun Asian Fairy-Blue bird Myiophonus horsfieldii Opportunistic Cup nest None Apr-Sep Malabar whistling-thrush Copsychus malabaricus Tree holes Hole nest None Apr-Jun White-rumped Shama Saxicoloides fulicata Cavities, wall tree Hole nest Grasses, feathers, straw Feb-Jul Indian Robin Holes

Saxicola caprata Bushes, wall, Hole nest Grasses feathers ,straw Feb-May Pied bushchat tree holes Turdoides malcolmi Grasses, fibres, rootlets, Bushes, small trees Cup nest Mar-Sep Large Gray Babbbler twigs Turdoides striatus Bushes, small trees Cup nest Grasses, roots, twigs Mar-Oct Jungle Babbbler

Turdoides affinis Bushes, small trees Cup nest Grasses, roots, twigs Mar-Oct White-headed Babbler Prinia sylvatica Ball shapped Bushes Grasses Mar-Oct Jungle prinia Nest Prinia Socialis Bushes Cup nest Fibres, small sticks Apr-Aug Ashy prinia Orthotomus sutorius Fibres, leaves, cotton Trees Cup nest Apr-Dec Common Tailor bird wool Eumyias albicaudata Green tree’s Alga, Tree holes Cup nest Feb-Jun Nilgiri Flycatcher Rootlets

Terpsiphone paradisi Fibres, twigs, rootlets, Trees Cup nest May-Jul Asian Paradise-Flycatch leaves

Dicaeum erythrorhynchos Fibres, grasses, rootlets, Trees Pendant nest Jan-Jun Tickell’s Flower pecker Spider thread

Nectarinia zcylonica Grasses, fibres, spider Bushes, small trees Pendant nest Feb-Apr Purple-rumped sunbird Threads Nectarinia minima Grasses, papers, spider Small trees Pendant nest Dec-Apr Small sunbird Threads, fibres

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Nectarinia asiatica Grasses, leaves, fibres, Small trees Pendant nest Jan-Jun Purple Sunbird Spiderthread Lonchura malabarica Ball shaped Bushes, small trees Feathers, cotton wool Dec-May White-throated Munia nest Lonchura Malacca Small trees Ball shaped Grasses, fibres, straw Oct-May Black-headed Munia Passer domesticus Building roof, Grasses, straw, cotton, Cup nest Annual House sparrow Holes, avities many waste material Ploceus philippinus Depending Trees Pendant nest Paddy leaves, grasses Baya Weaver Rainy season Sturnus malabaricus Tree holes Hole nest - Apr-Jul Grey-headed starling Acridotheres trists Treeholes, Twigs, roots, leaves, Cup nest Mar-Sep Common Myna Building cavities Polythene, feathers Dicrurus macrocercus Trees Cup nest Fibres, twigs Mar-Jul Black Drongo Dicrurus caerulescens Trees Cup nest Twigs, fibres Mar-Jun White-bellied Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus Trees Paltform nest Twigs, grasses, rootlets Mar-Apr Spangled Drongo Dendrocitta vaga bunda Twigs, fibres, coir, fine Trees Platform nest Mar-May Indian Treepie cloth Dendrocitta leucogastra Trees Cup nest Leaves, twigs, rootlets Feb-Apr White-bellied Treepie Corvus splendens Trees, lamp post, Twigs, fine cloth, coir, Platform nest Mar-Aug House Crow House towers fibres Corvus macrorhynchos Leaves, twigs, fine Trees Platform nest Feb-May Jungle Crow cloth, coir, fibres

harvesting periods. Two harvesting season prevails in the sumptuous amount of food, similarly birds that breed study area, first during the month of February to March during harvesting season were granivores, where they and second during the month of November. 24 birds had got food at a greater amount to feed their young ones. their breeding during first harvesting season and another Food is believed to be one of the most critical resources 24 during the second harvesting season. An interesting for the survival and reproduction of animals. A fact was observed that the bird species which had their wellknown theory in ecology known as the ‘food breeding periods during rainy season were observed to availability-breeding time’, most birds breed at the time be insectivores and omnivores, and bird species that had when plenty of food is available for their chicks. Habitat their breeding period during harvesting periods were selection in birds is an account for their reproductive insectivores, granivores and omnivores. They had their success (Danchin et al., 1998). chance of survival to a maximum by adapting a successful feeding strategy. During the rainy season CONCLUSION insect population will be more, hence insectivore breeds Due to habitat loss, fragmentation and during this time and they can feed their young one with urbanization a vast land area that provide roost resource

Journal of Research in Biology (2013) 3(2): 797-808 807 Sudhakaran et al., 2013

for birds starts depleting at a greater rate. Hence study on Joshua J and Johnsingh AJT. 1988. Observations on the diversity and habitat is a need of the hour in order to birds on Mundanthurai Plateau, . J. Bombay make conservation priorities. This study generated a base Nat. Hist.Soc. 85:565-577. line data on the avifauna of this region, which may Kattan GH and Franco P. 2004. Bird diversity along enlighten for further studies. elevational gradients in the Andes of Colombia: Area

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