A Preliminary Study on Avian Fauna at Govt. (Model, Autonomous) Holkar Science College, Indore, (M.P.)

Abstract

In the present study carried out at the Govt. (Model, Autonomous) Holkar Science Campus, total 51 species of birds belonging to 14 Orders and 33 Families were recorded. Out of these 51 species, 41 species were found to be resident and 10 species were winter visitors. Only one species i.e. Alexandrine parakeet was found to be in the Near Threatened Category (NT) of IUCN. Interestingly, 13 new species of birds which were previously unrecorded at the college campus were recorded, which suggests the variation in the number of species and their abundance within the past years. Total 17 species of birds were recorded breeding inside the college campus. Their nesting preference and the use of anthropogenic material for building the nest was also studied. The results of Relative Diversity (RD) Index shows that the Family Muscicapidae (RD Value = 13.7) was dominant in the college campus. Seasonal variation was observed in few resident bird species suggesting their local movement. Further, the importance of large trees with dense foliage has been described and the negative impact of stray dogs on the life of birds is also discussed.

Spatial Variation in Avifaunal Diversity from Various Green Spaces of Indore City, Madhya Pradesh

“…Family Columbidae was dominant having 8% contribution in Meghdoot Garden; Similarly, Muscicapidae was 12% in Nehru Park and Lalbagh which is also reported by several researchers [7,12] and Muscicapidae was 10% in Regional Park [13]. Order Passeriformes was found dominant in our study with 23 species (58.9%) of the total richness in Meghdoot Park; 19 species having 55.8% contribution to the total fauna at Nehru Park; similarly, 26 species having 63.4% contribution in total avifaunal species in Lalbagh and35 species which is 60.3% of the total birds found in Pipliyapala Regional Park (Table1-4).…”

“…Order Passeriformes was found dominant in our study with 23 species (58.9%) of the total richness in Meghdoot Park; 19 species having 55.8% contribution to the total fauna at Nehru Park; similarly, 26 species having 63.4% contribution in total avifaunal species in Lalbagh and35 species which is 60.3% of the total birds found in Pipliyapala Regional Park (Table1-4). Workers published a list of 32 species of Passeriformes [12]. Interestingly, Passeriformes dominance was concluded with 45 species [14] and68 species [15]in various study areas of the state.…”

Study on diel variation and effect of anthropogenic activities on birds

“…Chicks of Vanellus indicus were seen caught by small kids for no reason and menace of dogs were also reported by [15]. Similarly, authors have seen stray animals like cats, dogs, and cows inside and creating a menace for tourists and other avian species.…”