Avifaunal Diversity of Sant Guru Ghasidas Government Post Graduate College Campus, Kurud, Chhattisgarh, India

Hit Narayan Tandan¹*, Chitramani Shrimali¹, Razia Sultana²

³Sant Guru Ghasidas Govt. P. G. College Kurud, Chhattisgarh, India, 492001.

²Assistant Professor – Zoology, Shri Kuleshwar Mahadev Govt. College Gobara Nawapara, Raipur (C.G.).

*Corresponding Author E-mail: tandanhn79@gmail.com

Abstract:

Sant Guru Ghasidas Government Post Graduate College campus is covering an area of 15-acre south-east of Kurud city. Inside the college campus a biodiversity lab has been established which harbors unique diversity of birds due to its lush green flora all-round the year. The study was undertaken during the month of July 2022 to June 2024. A total of 69 bird species from 54 different genera and 15 orders were documented, with the order Passeriformes being the most dominant, comprising 35 species. The resulting checklist encompasses the majority of 68 bird species classified under the least concern (LC) category according to the IUCN conservation status. However, it is worth noting that one particular species, the Alexandrine parakeet (Psittacula eupatrica) was listed as Near Threatened (NT) category. The study serves as an attempt to explore and prepare a comprehensive checklist for their further study.

KEYWORDS: Birds, Floral diversity, Faunal diversity, Ecosystem, Biodiversity lab.

INTRODUCTION:

Birds are one of the conspicuous fauna in any ecosystem highlighting the health of an ecosystem^{1, 2}. Birds belong to vertebrates having adapted for flight^{3, 4, 5}. They are the only animals with feathers of vibrant and diverse coloration ^{[6, 7]}. Their different plumage colors and audio calls enhance the scenic beauty of the nature. Of the more than 9,000 bird species found worldwide, around 1,300 are native to the Indian subcontinent, representing over 13% of the global avian diversity^{1, 8, 9,
10}. These birds play crucial roles as scavengers, pollinators, and predators, contributing to the ecological balance of their environments^{11,
12, 13, 14}.

Birds are frequently found in ecosystems and are often regarded as indicator species for the areas they inhabit.^[15]. Educational campuses serve as hotspots for urban biodiversity, as they are typically free from development activities and pollution^{16, 17, 18, 19, 20}. Despite covering less than 5% of the total urban area, educational grounds can support up to half of the urban biodiversity, thanks to their relatively undisturbed natural vegetation²¹.

The campus spans approximately 15 acre inhabiting rich flora and fauna. The campus has large ground with grasses, small water-bodies and also covered with large trees, naturally grown shrubs and bushy vegetation providing suitable habitat to them. The campus is also endowed with a botanical garden having different types of fruiting and flowering plant. The campus boundary is partially surrounded by human colonies and partially by paddy fields. The reason behind the rich avifaunal diversity of the college campus is establishment of biodiversity lab in natural landscape within its premises which covers lush green vegetation and large grasses round the year. Spreading in an area of about 3 acres, the biodiversity lab contributes significant part of campus biodiversity.

Short-term biodiversity assessments are becoming increasingly common, with significant emphasis placed on creating comprehensive bird checklists on a broader scale^{22, 23}. Knowingly the importance of the avifauna and its role in maintaining ecological balance, the present study is mainly focused on to prepare a checklist of the avian diversity of college campus and also concern to raise awareness and conservation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The college campus covers a 15-acre area situated southeast of Kurud city(coordinates Latitude 20.82728 and Longitude 81.713037) with an average altitude of 305 m above mean sea level. On the college campus, the 3-acre small wetland behind Science buildings I, II, and III provides a suitable habitat for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife (Figure.1). The study was conducted using random survey with direct observation approaches in all seasons inside the college campus. Photographs were taken by camera (Nikon COOLPIX P1000). Standard literature on Indian birds²⁴ and A Pictorial Guide to the Birds of the Indian sub-continent²⁵ were used for the identification of birds. At the time of preparation of checklist, their IUCN status and feeding habit were also noted.

Figure -1. Study area: Campus of Sant Guru Ghasidas Govt. P.G. College Kurud.

RESULT:

This study identified a total of 69 bird species, representing 54 genera and 15 different orders. The order Passeriformes represented by 35 species contribute to dominate the avifauna diversity within the campus. Families such as Accipitridae, Columbidae, and Corvidae were well-represented, reflecting the variety of ecological niches within the campus. The results show a majority of species identified as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN, indicating reasonably stable populations. However, the Alexandrine Parakeet is classified as Near Threatened (NT), necessitating conservation efforts. There was a notable presence of carnivorous (CV), insectivorous (I), and omnivorous (OM) species, indicating diverse feeding strategies. CV and I diets are widespread, reflecting many species' ecological responsibilities as predators and pest controllers. OM birds, such as the House Crow and Common Myna, show versatility in their dietary habits, which may help explain their extensive distribution. This is the first record of avifaunal diversity at Sant Guru Ghasidas Government PG College, Kurud, Chhattisgarh.

A total of 75 bird species, with a significant diversity of insectivorous and omnivorous birds, and comparable findings with a prevalence of LC species, but a larger total number of species than this study recorded at the University Campus in Kathmandu, Nepal²⁶. 61 bird species documented on a Brazilian university campus²⁷, indicating a considerable presence of frugivorous birds, which were less common in our survey, as well as certain NT species, which aligned to our findings of the Alexandrine Parakeet.

The persistent presence of LC species and the diversity of diets on different campuses highlight the relevance of educational institutions as regions of greatest biodiversity. However, the presence of NT species such as the Alexandrine Parakeet need focused conservation measures to protect these populations. Furthermore, comparisons with other studies show that habitat diversity, availability of water sources, and degrees of human activity all have a major impact on avifaunal diversity. Campuses with water features support a greater number of water-dependent species, whereas those with different vegetation types support a wider range of insectivorous and omnivorous birds.

Figure 1: Distribution of birds in different orders with respect to Family, Genus and Species

Image-1: Common Hoopoe- Upupa epops	Image-2: Red-Wattled Lapwing - Vanellus indicus
Image-3: Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis	Image-4: Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis
Image-5: White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis	Image-6: Indian Roller-Coracias benghalensis
Image-7: Waterhen- Amaurornis phoenicurus	Image-8: Ashy -Crowned Sparrow-lark Eremopterix grisea
Image-9: Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica	Image-10: Red Munia - Amandava amandava
Image-11: Indian RobinSaxicoloides fulicatus	Image-12: Baya Weaver - Ploceus philippinus
Image-13: Asian Pied Starling - Gracupica contra	Image-14: Indian Pond Heron - Ardeola grayii
Image-15: Coppersmith Barbet - Megalaima haemacephala	Image-16: Alexandrine Parakeet - Psittacula eupatrica

Table 1: List of Birds at Sant Guru Ghasidas Government PG College Campus, Kurud, Chhattisgarh observed during 2022 – 2024

S.N.	Common name	Scientific name	IUCN Cons. Status	Food Habit
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
1.	Shikra	Accipiter badius Gmelin, 1788	LC	CV
2.	Eurasian-Sparrow hawk	Accipiter nisus (Linnaeus, 1758)	LC	CV
3.	Black-Shouldered Kite	Elanua caeruleus (Desfontaines, 1789)	LC	CV
4.	Black Kite	Milvus migrans (Boaddaert, 1783)	LC	CV
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Apodidae
5.	Wire-Tailed Swallow	Hirundo smithii Leach,1818	LC	I
Order: Bucerotiformes
Family: Bucerotidae
6.	Indian Grey Hornbill	Ocyceros birostris (Scopoli, 1786)	LC	OM
Family: Upupidae
7.	Common Hoopoe	Upupa epops (Linnaeus, 1758)	LC	I
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Charadriidae
8.	Red-Wattled Lapwing	Vanellus indicus (Boddaert, 1783)	LC	I
9.	Yellow -Wattled Lapwing	Vanellus malabaricus (Boddaert, 1783)	LC	I
Order: Ciconiiformes
Family: Ciconiidae
10.	Asian Openbill Stork	Anostomus oscitans (Boddaert, 1783)	LC	CV
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
11.	Blue Rock Pigeon	Columba livia (Gmelin, 1789)	LC	G
12.	Laughing Dove	Spilopelia senegalensis (Linnaeus, 1766)	LC	G
13.	Spotted Dove	Streptopelia chinensis (Scopoli, 1768)	LC	G
14.	Eurasian Collared Dove	Streptopelia decaocta (Frivaldszky, 1838)	LC	G
Order: Coraciiformes
Family: Alcedinidae
15.	Common Kingfisher	Alcedo athis (Linnaeus, 1758)	LC	CV
Family: Cerylidae
16.	Pied Kingfisher	Ceryle rudis (Linnaeus, 1758)	LC	CV
Family: Halcyonidae
17.	White-throated Kingfisher	Halcyon smyrnensis (Linnaeus, 1758)	LC	CV
Family: Coraciidae
18.	Indian Roller	Coracias benghalensis (Linnaeus, 1758)	LC	I
Family: Meropidae
19.	Green Bee-Eater	Merops orientalils (Latham, 1801)	LC	I
Order: Cuculiformes
Family: Cuculidae
20.	Greater Coucal	Centropus sinensis (Stephens, 1815)	LC	CV
21.	Asian Koel	Eudynamys scolopaceus (Linnaeus, 1758)	LC	F
Order: Gruiformes
Family: Rallidae
22.	White-breasted Waterhen	Amaurornis phoenicurus (Pennant, 1769)	LC	OM
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Aegithinae
23.	Common Iora	Aegithina tiphia (Linnaeus, 1758)	LC	I
Family: Alaudidae
24.	Ashy -Crowned Sparrow-lark	Eremopterix grisea (Scopoli, 1786)	LC	OM
25.	Indian bush lark	Mirafra erythroptera Blyth,1845	LC	OM
Family: Chloropseidae
26.	Jerdon's Leafbird	Chloropsis jerdoni (Blyth, 1844)	LC	OM
Family: Cisticollidae
27.	Common Tailorbird	Orthrotomus sutorius (Pennant, 1769)	LC	OM
28.	Plain Prinia	Prinia inornata (Sykes, 1832)	LC	I
29.	Ashy Prinia	Prinia socialis (Sykes, 1832)	LC	I
Family: Corvidae
30.	House Crow	Corvus splendence (Vieillot, 1817)	LC	OM
31.	Jungle Crow	Corvus macrorhynches (Wagler, 1728)	LC	OM
Family: Dicruridae
32.	Black Drongo	Dicrurus macrocercus (Vieillot, 1817)	LC	I
Family: Estrildidae
33.	Indian Silverbill	Euodice malabarica (Linnaeus, 1758)	LC	G
34.	Scaly -Breasted Munia	Lonchura punctualata (Linnaeus, 1758)	LC	G
35.	Tricolored Munia	Lonchura malacca (Linnaeus, 1766)	LC	G
36.	Red Munia	Amandava amandava (Linnaeus,1758)	LC	G
Family: Laniidae
37.	Bay-Backed Shrike	Lanius vittatus (Valenciemmes, 1826)	LC	CV
38.	Brown Shrike	Lanius cristatus (Linnaeus, 1758)	LC	CV
Family: Leiothrichidae
39.	Common Babbler	Turdoides caudata (Dumont, 1823)	LC	OM
40.	Jungle Babbler	Turdoides striata (Dumont, 1823)	LC	OM
Family: Motacillidae
41.	Paddy- field Pipit	Anthus rufulus (Vieillot, 1818)	LC	I
42.	White Wagtail	Motacilla alba baicalensis (Linnaeus, 1758)	LC	I
43.	Gray Wagtail	Motacilla cinerea (Tunstall, 1771)	LC	I
Family: Muscicapidae
44.	Oriental-Magpie Robin	Copsychus saularis (Linnaeus, 1758)	LC	OM
45.	Indian Robin	Saxicoloides fulicatus (Linnaeus, 1766)	LC	I
46.	Pied bush chat	Saxicola caprata (Linnaeus,1766)	LC	I
Family: Nectariniidae
47.	Purple Rumped Sunbird	Nectarinia zeylonia (Linnaeus, 1766)	LC	N
48.	Purple Sunbird	Nectarinia asiatica (Latham, 1790)	LC	N
Family: Oriolidae
49.	Black Hooded Oriole	Oriolus xanthernus (Linnaeus, 1758)	LC	OM
50.	Eurasian Golden Oriole	Oriolus oriolus (Linnaeus, 1758)	LC	OM
Family: Passaridae
51.	House Sparrow	Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758)	LC	G
Family: Plocedae
52.	Baya Weaver	Ploceus philippinus (Linnaeus, 1766)	LC	G
Family: Pycnonotidae
53.	Red-Vented Bulbul	Pycnonotus cafer (Linnaeus, 1766)	LC	OM
Family: Sturnidae
54.	Common Myna	Acridotheres tristris (Linnaeus, 1766)	LC	OM
55.	Asian Pied Starling	Gracupica contra (Linnaeus, 1758)	LC	OM
56.	Chestnut-Tailed Starling	Sturnus malabaricus (Gemlin, 1758)	LC	OM
57.	Brahmini Starling	Sturnus pagodarum (Gmelin, 1789)	LC	OM
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae
58.	Great Egret	Ardea alba Linnaeus, 1758	LC	CV
59.	Intermediate Egret	Ardea intermedia (Wagler, 1827)	LC	CV
60.	Indian Pond Heron	Ardeola grayii (Sykes, 1832)	LC	CV
61.	Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis (Linnaeus, 1758)	LC	CV
62.	Little Egret	Egretta garzetta (Linnaeus, 1766)	LC	CV
63.	Yellow Bittern	Ixobrychus sinensis (Gemlin, 1789)	LC	CV
Order: Piciformes
Family: Megalaimidae
64.	Coppersmith Barbet	Megalaima haemacephala (Stalius muller, 1776)	LC	F
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
65.	Alexandrine Parakeet	Psittacula eupatrica (Linnaeus 1766)	NT	F
66.	Rose-ringed Parakeet	Psittacula krameri (Scopoli, 1769)	LC	F
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
67.	Spotted owlet	Athene brama (Temminck, 1821)	LC	CV
68.	Rock Eagle-Owl	Bubo bengalensis (Franklin, 1831)	LC	CV
Order: Suliformes
Family: Phalacrocoracidae
69.	Little Cormorant	Phalacrocorax niger (Vieillot, 1817)	LC	CV

Abbreviations: LC- Least Concern, NT- Near Threatened, CV- Carnivore, I- Insectivore, OM- Omnivore, G- Granivore, F- Fruitivore, N- Nectarivore.

CONCLUSION:

Educational campuses serve as crucial habitats for avifaunal diversity, supporting a wide range of bird species. The found parallels and variations in avifaunal diversity when compared to other research underscore the relevance of habitat quality and conservation efforts in preserving and improving biodiversity in these unique ecosystems. The distribution of dietary habits is constant, with insectivorous and omnivorous species being the most prevalent across campuses. This shows that educational campuses provide different microhabitats that support a variety of eating techniques. The study of avifaunal diversity on college campuses can provide information about habitat quality, biodiversity, and conservation requirements. This comparative study emphasizes the diversity and ecological significance of bird species from different orders and families. While most species are not currently at high risk, continued monitoring and conservation efforts are essential especially for those with diminishing populations or specific habitat.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:

The authors have no conflicts of interest regarding this investigation.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

Authors are thankful to the Principal of Sant Guru Ghasidas Government PG College, Kurud for their invaluable support and encouragement throughout the course of this study. We are also grateful to the M.Sc. (Zoology) students for their devotion and hard work during fieldwork and data collection.

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Received on 20.08.2024 Modified on 24.08.2024

Research J. Science and Tech. 2024; 16(3):229-236.

DOI: 10.52711/2349-2988.2024.00033