avian diversity abundance nilgiris kethi valley western ghats A total of 41 bird species were had in all the transects during the study period. Of these, the maximum number of sighting [n=2964 and Mean=19.76±14.71] were obtained for House sparrow (Passer domestics) and the lowest number of sightings [n=3; Mean=0.02±0.18] were had for the Greater coucal (Centropssinensis). A total of 150 samplings (visits) were observed throughout the study period. In which, a total of 10332 individuals for different kind of avian species were obtained. A total of 41species and it consisting of 12 orders and 28 families, were recorded. Out of 41 species, the highest Encounter Rate (ER) was for House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) (ER= 19.76 / Km walked) and the lowest ER was for Greater coucal (Centropussinensis) (ER= 0.02 / Km walked) obtained. The Shannon index of alpha diversity of avifaunal group in the Study Area was -1.8425.