NeBIO Vol. 4, No. 4, August 2013, 47-49 ISSN 2278-2281(Online Version) ISSN 0976-3597(Print Version)

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Author for correspondence

Marmath Meenakshi Email: drbharatmarmath@yahoo.co.in

NECEER, Imphal

Avian diversity of Hadoti region of Rajasthan

Marmath Meenakshi

Government College, Kota-324001, Rajasthan

Hadoti region is a part of Rajasthan which lies

between 2345 N to 2553 N latitude and 7509E to 7726E longitude with total area of approximately 25156 sq. kilometers and 300 meter above sea level.

Hadoti region has a rich historical background with

an agrarian based population. It consists of districts of

Kota, Bundi, Baran and Jhalawar. Geographical

boundaries are also quite significant as this region is

surrounded on the western side by the Mewar region

of Rajasthan and on the south by the Malwa region of

Madhya Pradesh. Unlike other dry and arid parts of

Rajasthan this area has been blessed with ample

water in the form of rivers like Chambal and its

tributaries (Kali Sindh, Parvan etc.). The forests are

mixed deciduous type. Thick forests, dams, tanks,

ponds, reservoirs, rivers the wetlands and grasslands

have made Hadoti a new preferred wintering site for

migratory, residents birds can also be spotted

abundantly in this region coexisting with the human

population.

Methodology

The survey was conducted year round from January

2012 to March 2013. Direct visual sighting method

was adopted with the help of binoculars.

Identification of birds was done with reference to The

Book of Indian Birds by Salim Ali (2002). For

Zoological name of birds, Nomenclature of birds of

the Indian subcontinent, by Pittie & Robertson (1993)

was consulted.

Figure 1. Map of Rajasthan showing the study area.

Results

A total of 62 species were sighted during the survey.

Out of these 54 were resident species and 8 were

migratory birds. Among the resident birds most

abundant species were - house sparrows, warblers,

lapwings, peafowl, parakeet, pigeon, dove, quail,

Birds often constitute the most diverse and attractive fauna of any region. They have

very specific habitat and behavior making them the most suitable indicator of habitat

condition in an area. Hadoti in Rajasthan has a rich population of both resident and

migrant avian species. A total of 62 species were sighted during the survey. Out of

these 54 were resident species and 8 were migratory birds. Birds sightings were more in

areas which had ample water, trees and greenery. Great Indian Bustard(state bird of

Rajasthan) and Vulture could not be spotted in this survey. Serious efforts for

conservation of these birds are required.

Keywords: Diverse, indicator, habitat, resident, migrant

AB

STR

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Avian diversity of Hadoti region of Rajasthan Meenaskhi __________________________________________________________________________________________________

NeBIO I www.nebio.in I Vol. 4, No. 4, August 2013, 47-49 48

francolin, egret, coucal, bulbul, myna, owl. The

abundant migratory species were- painted stork, bar

headed geese, pelicans.

Table 1. Resident birds

S. no. Common Name Zoological Name

1 House sparrow Passer domesticus

2 Tailor bird Orthotomus sutorius

3 Weaver bird Piloceus philippinus

4 Blue rock pigeon Streptopelia decaoto

5 Little brown dove Streptopelia senegalensis

6 Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis

7 Indian peafowl Pavo cristatus

8 Rose ringed parakeet Psittacula krameri

9 Coucal Centropus sinensis

10 Koel Eudynamus scolopacea

11 Hoopoe Upupa epops

12 Quail Coturinix coturinix

13 Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus

14 Red wattled lapwing Vanellus indicus

15 Kingfisher Alcedo althis

16 Bee eater Merops orientalis

17 Blue tailed bee eater Merops philippinus

18 Barn owl Tyto alba

19 Spotted owlet Athene brama

20 Pond heron Ardea cinerea

21 Barblet Megalaima haemacepala

22 Red vented bulbul Pycnonotus cafer

23 Woodpecker Dinopium bengalensis

24 Purple moorhen Porphyrio porphyrio

25 Common moorhen Gallinula chloropus

26 White breasted water hen Arpaurornis phonicurus

27 House crow Corvus splendens

28 White ibis Threskiornis aethiopica

29 Black ibis Psendibis papillosa

30 Little grebe Podiceps rficollos

31 Pied bush chat Saxicola caprata

32 Black drongo Dicrurus adsimilis

33 Starling Sturnus vulgaris

34 Rosy pastor Sturnus roseus

35 Pied myna Acridotheres contra

36 Common myana Acridotheres tristis

37 Bank myana Acridotheres ginginiamus

38 Wagtail Motacilla alba

39 Crested lark Galerida cristata

40 Common babbler Turdoides caudatus

41 Little ringed plover Charadrius dubius

42 Munia Lonchura malabarica

43 Cotton pygmy goose Nettapus coromandelians

44 Spot billed duck Anas poecilorhyncha

45 Common teal Anas crecca

46 Comb duck Sarkidiornis melanotos

47 Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda

48 Sunbird Nectarinia asciatica

49 Flycatcher Rhipidura aureola

50 Kite Elanus caeruleus

51 Eagle Circaetus gallicus

52 Coot Fulica atra

53 Great egret Alba alba

54 Little egret Egretta garzetta

Table 2. Migratory birds

S. no. Common Name Zoological Name

1 Painted stork Mycteria leucocephalia

2 Openbill stork Anastomus oscitans

3 Wooly neck stork Ciconia episcopus

4 Bar headed goose Anser indicus

5 Ruddy shelduck Tadorna ferruginea

6 Grey lag goose Anser anser

7 Pelican Pelicanus crispus

8 Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

Bird sightings were more in areas which had ample

water, trees and greenery. Great Indian Bustard (State

bird of Rajasthan), Vulture and Sarus Crane could not

be spotted in this survey. Serious efforts for

conservation of these birds are required. According to

International Union for Conservation of Nature

(IUCN) the resident birds are in the least concern

category i.e. they have ample range and population.

Among the migratory birds Mycteria leucocephalia is

classified as Near Threatened because it is thought to

be undergoing a moderately rapid population decline

owing primarily to hunting, wetland drainage and

pollution. Pelicannus crispus is classified as

vulnerable as rapid population decline in range are

suspected to be continuing.

Discussion and Conclusion

The resident birds have learnt ways to coexist with

humans and have started using city area, residential

colonies etc. for their dwellings and food source.

Birds like quails, frncolin, and lapwings have started

nesting in upcoming and underdeveloped residential

colonies. Such areas have many vacant plots and

these get waterlogged due to waste water or rainwater

and have shrubs like Prosopsis juliflora, Calotropis

etc. which effectively shield these birds from

predators like stray dogs, cats etc. However the threat

of hunting by humans does exist. The migrant birds

come to the water bodies of Hadoti and stay here

from October to late March after which they return to

their native destinations. These birds are more

susceptible to anthropological stress as their nesting

and feeding behavior is very much nature dependent.

Even slight variations in ecology and habitat can

affect them badly. This may be the reason why many

of these migratory birds have started coming to

Hadoti as this was not their destination a few decades

ago.

Earlier these birds use to visit Keoladev in Bharatpur

district of Rajasthan (Rahamani and Islam, 2005).

But shortage of water due to anthropological

activities (diversion of water for irrigation) led them

to explore new feeding and breeding grounds. Dense

forests, wetlands, black soil and conservation

strategies by locals and govt. bodies has made this

region a paradise for migratory birds. The need of

the hour is to create awareness about the importance

of wildlife nature and peaceful coexistence.

Ecotourism is the best answer for this problem

(Chaurasia and Aggarwal, 2011). It will generate

employment and result in conservation of

biodiversity.

Avian diversity of Hadoti region of Rajasthan Meenaskhi __________________________________________________________________________________________________

NeBIO I www.nebio.in I Vol. 4, No. 4, August 2013, 47-49 49

Figure 2. A. Barheadded Goose, B. Grey Lag Goose, C. Painted Stork, D. Spot Billed Duck, E. Eagle, F. Great Egret and

Common Moorhens.

References

Chaurasia.V. and Aggarwal L.C. 2011. Potential of

ecoturism in Hadoti region. South Asian Journal of

Tourism and Heritage 4(2): 161-172.

Pittie, A. and Robertson, A. 1993. Nomenclature of birds of

the Indian Subcontinent. Ornithological Society of

India.

Rahmani, A.R. and M. Zafarul Islam. 2005. Important Bird

areas in India. Priority sites for conservation. BNHS,

Mumbai.

Salim Ali. 2002. A Book of Indian birds. Bombay Natural

History Society. 14ed., Mumbai.