An Annotated Checklist of Avifauna from Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University Campus, Patan, Gujarat, India

Abstract

Birds occupy many levels of trophic webs and play an important role in the ecosystem. Around 1335 species of birds are recorded from India out of which 574 species are recorded from Gujarat. It has been found that educational and defence premises provide a suitable habitat for birds and therefore can be considered as urban biodiversity hotspots. The present study was carried out from September 2018 to February 2020 to estimate the diversity of avifauna of Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University campus. The University is situated in Patan city of north Gujarat which is a semi-arid region. The campus is spread in 212.50 acres area having diverse type indigenous and exotic floral species which attracts a variety of avian species. Total 70 species (13 orders, 38 families and 63 genera) were recorded with maximum diversity recorded from the order Passeriformes and least form Strigiformes. Out of total 70 species, 68 species belong to least concern while Threskiornis melanocephalus falls under near threatened and Neophron percnopterus under endangered category. The present study is carried out for the first time in the University and will provide a baseline information of the diversity and status of avifauna of the campus for future research perspective and conservation plans.