* Department of Zoology, Silapathar Science College (P.G.), Assam
Science Technology University, Silapathar, Assam. , India

Corresponding auhor email:jashodeb@gmail.com

Article Publishing History

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ABSTRACT:

The solitary aim of our investigation was to explore the avian species richness in Lumding Forest Reserve  area, Assam.The survey was cooperated by the team of Zoological Survey of  India.  After extended survey, 146 species of birds were spotted from Lumding Forest Reserve area, where birds from 17 different  orders (Passeriformes, Columbiformes, Accipitriformes ,  Piciformes, Bucerotiformes ,Gruiformes, Apodiformes, Coraciiformes, Trogoniformes, Cuculiformes, Galliformes, Ciconiiformes, Suliformes , Pelecaniformes , Strigiformes, Anseriformes, Charadriiformes) and 76 families were put down.

The bird species thus obtained were compared with the IUCN Red list from where interesting cum astonishing facts were acquired. The IUCN  Red list informed us that, 92.51% bird species spotted were under Least Concern category, where as 3.4% were Near Threatened, 2.72% were Vulnerable, 0.68% were Critically Endangered and Endangered. We considered ourselves successful for obtaining such astouned statistics about the avian species plentitude of  Lumding  Forest Reserve, which will provoke other researchers to come forward and explore more about this place.

KEYWORDS:

Lumding Forest Reserve Area, Birds, Biodiversity, IUCN

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Arjun J, Paul R. Avifaunal Abundance of Lumding Forest Reserve Area, Assam, India. Biosc.Biotech.Res.Comm. 2023;16(2).

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INTRODUCTION

Alike other animals, birds too are a remarkable part of ecosystem with amazing ecological values. They cover almost every corner of the planet. Globally there exists around 9000 species of birds of which india contributes 13% with 1300 species  (Grimmett et al., 2000). Birds are watcher’s delight, with their colorful appreance and melodious chirping, they not only increase the beauty of nature and provide intangible aesthetic enjoyment; they play many roles in ecosysytem (Watanuki et al.,2022). There exists a strong interdependence between birds and other organisms of this universe.

These warm blooded vertebrates help in pollination; birds like bulbul, parakeets help in seed dispersal; act as scavengers;  helps in pest control in crop fields; manages wetland grazing species like snails, periwinkles; acts as proficient gardeners(Beal et al., 2021) . Prior to their sensitiveness to habitat change, birds are considered as one of the most important indicators of environmental change (Pitera et al., 2021). They play significant role in controlling insect outbreak. Birds like Barn Swallow helps in mosquito control by eating around 850 mosquitoes each day (Vinod et al., 2023).

Lumding is a railway town and a municipal board of Nagaon district. It is the regional divisional headquarter of North –Eastern Frontier Railway, a big important junction and famous for Barak Valley Express, Cachar Express, Hill Queen Express, Agartala-Lumding Express, etc., which passes through scenic routes (Pawar and Salunkhe, 2014). It is also famous for cultural and educational excellence.

Initiated in 1964, The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species has become the most reliable source regarding conservation of floral and faunal species of the earth (Miskelly et al., 2019). It accords information regarding the population, habitat, threats and conservation initiatives that assists us to take necessary steps towards protection. The Red List is an indicator of the exact position of worlds biodiversity (Sauve et al., 2021). It helps to protect natural resources on which we are dependent for survival. Hence, during our investigation, we checked our findings in the Red List to assure their future existence and safety.

METHODOLOGY

Lumding is a hilly landscape which is covered with dense reserve forest from all sides. Summers are burning here as well as winters can be chilling. Monsoon covers rainfall around 60-125mm. The only hill station of Assam i.e. Haflong is very closer to Lumding. Climate remaining favourable for agricultural practices (Arya and Rao, 2014).

Figure 1: Study area map

 

Species density and diversity can be good indicators for measuring abundance of birds in any locality (Javed and Rahmani, 1993). Our survey was carried out from January,2016 to December,2018, where almost all the seasons were covered like Summer (March-June) and Winter (November-March).

For spotting, following methods were preferred,

(1) point count method, (2) direct count method & (3) area search method.

Bird counting was performed from 5.00-8.00 am (morning) and 4.00-6.00 pm (evening). Various species of birds were observed during survey peroid. Observation was performed with the help of field binoculars (10×40). Pictures were captured with Digital Canon EOS 1300D, 18MP DSLR. Renouned Ornithologist Dr. Ghosh and his team from Zoological Survey of  India, remained physically present and helped in species identification. Species identification was confirmed with the help of “ Books of Birds of the Indian subcontinent” (Grimmett et al., 2000) and book of Salim Ali “The Book of Indian Birds”, Wikipedia and other resources.

Table 1: Checklist of avian fauna of Lumding Forest Reserve area

SL NO. ORDER FAMILY COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

 

Feeding habits* IUCN Red List (2019-22) status**

 

1 Passeriformes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pycnonotidae Red vented bulbul Pycnonotus cafer Nectivorous, Frugivorous, Insectivorous,

Palynivorous

Least Concern 2 Campephagidae Scarlet minivet Pericrocotus speciosus Insectivorous, Carnivorous Ophiophagous Least Concern 3 Oriolidae

 

 

Black headed oriole Oriolus larvatus Frugivorous, Insectivorous Least Concern 4 Indian Golden oriole Oriolus kundoo Frugivorous, Insectivorous, Nectivorous Least Concern 5 Pittidae

 

Black crown pitta Erythropitta ussheri Carnivorous Least Concern 6 Indian pitta

 

 

Pitta brachyura Carnivorous, Insectivorous, Least Concern 7 Orididae Maroon oriole Oriolus traillii Insectivorous,, Nectivorous Least Concern 8 Alaudidae

 

 

Eastern skylark

( Oriental skylark)

Alauda gulgula Granivorous Least Concern 9 Dicruridae

 

 

Racket tailed drongo Dicrorus paradiseus Insectivorous,, Nectivorous Least Concern 10 Black drongo Dicrorus macrocercus Insectivorous, Least Concern 11 Ashy drongo Dicrorus leucophaeus Insectivorous Least Concern 12 Bronzed drongo

 

Dicrurus aeneus Insectivorous Least Concern 13 Nectariniidae Nepal sunbird Aethopyga nipalensis Nectivorous Least Concern 14 Sturnidae

 

Hill myna Gracula religiosa Omnivorous , Insectivorous, Frugivorous Least Concern

 

15 Laniidae

 

 

 

 

White crowned shrike Eurocephalus anguitimens Insectivorous , Carnivorous Least Concern 16 Bull headed shrike Lanius bucephalus Insectivorous , Carnivorous Least Concern 17 Long tailed fiscal shrike

 

Larius collaris Insectivorous , Carnivorous Least Concern 18 Leiothrichidae Jungle babbler

 

Argya striata Insectivorous Least Concern 19 Pycnonotidae

 

 

Black headed bulbul Pycnonotus atriceps Insectivorous, Frugivorous Least Concern

 

20 Hirundinidae

 

Red rumped swallow Cecropis daurica Insectivorous Least Concern 21 Passeri Fairy blue bird Irena puella Insectivorous, Nectivorous Least Concern 22 Chloropseidae

 

 

 

 

Gold fronted leafbird Chroropsis aurifrons Omnivorous Least Concern 23 Orange bellied leafbird Chloropsis hard wickii Insectivorous, Nectivorous Least Concern 24

 

 

Pycnonotidae Brown eared bulbul Hypsipetes amaurotis Insectivorous, Frugivorous, Nectivorous Least Concern 25 Mectarinidae

 

Large browed wagtail Motacilla moderaspatensis Insectivorous Least Concern 26 Estrildidae Spotted munia Lonchura punctulata Granivorous Least Concern 27 Black headed munia Lonchura malacca Granivorous Least Concern 28 Ploceidae Baya weaver bird

 

 

Ploceus philippinus Granivorous, Insectivorous Least Concern 29 Dicruridae Lesser racket tailed drongo

 

Dicrurus remifer Insectivorous Least Concern 30 Muscicapidae

 

White rumped magpie Copsychus malabaricus Insectivorous , Carnivorous Least Concern 31 Sturnidae

 

Common myna Acridotheres tristis Insectivorous, Granivorous, Carnivorous, Omnivorous Least Concern 32 White headed starling Sturnia erythropygia

 

Insectivorous Least Concern 33 Brahminy starling Sturnus pagodarum Omnivorous Least Concern 34 Jungle myna Acridotheres fuscus Omnivorous Least Concern 35 Indian Pied myna Gracupica contra Omnivorous Least Concern 36 Motacilladae Yellow wagtail Motacilla flava Insectivorous Least Concern 37 Citrine wagtail Motacilla citriola Insectivorous Least Concern 38 Turdidae

 

Common black bird Turdus merula Omnivorous Least Concern 39 Vangidae

 

Indian wood shrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus Insectivorous Least Concern 40 Motacilladae Indian paddy field pipit Anthus rufulus Insectivorous Least Concern 41 Paridae Great tit Parus major Insectivorous Least Concern 42 Alaudidae

 

Black lark Melanocorypha yeltoniensis Insectivorous Least Concern 43 Sand lark Alaudala raytal Insectivorous Least Concern 44 Corvidae

 

Jungle crow Corvus culminatus Frugivorous Least Concern 45 House crow Corvus splendens Omnivorous Least Concern 46 Monarchidae Paradise flycatcher Terepsiphone  paradisi Insectivorous Least Concern 47 Muscicapidae Blue flycatcher Cyornis tickelliae Carnivorous Least Concern 48 Chloropseidae Leaf bird Chloropsis flavipennis Insectivorous, Frugivorous, Nectivorous Vulnerable 49 Laniidae Brown shrike Lanius cristatus Insectivorous Least Concern 50 Muscicapidae

 

Shama bird Copsychus malabaricus Insectivorous, Frugivorous Least Concern 51 Slaty backed forktail bird Enicurus schistaceus Carnivorous Least Concern 52 Plumbeous redstart Rhyacornis fuliginosa Insectivorous, Carnivorous Least Concern 53 Leiothrichidae

 

 

 

 

Grey sibia Heterophasia gracilis Insectivorous, Frugivorous Least Concern 54

 

 

Jungle babbler Turdoides striata Insectivorous, Granivorous, Nectivorous Least Concern 55 Common babbler Argya  caudata Omnivorous Least Concern 56 White crowned shrike Eurocephalus ruppelli Carnivorous Least Concern 57 Psittaculidae Alexandrine parakeet Psittacula eupatria Omnivorous Near Threatened 58 Laniidae Red breasted parakeet Psittacula alexandri Frugivorous, Granivorous Near Threatened 59 Pnoepygidae

 

Pygmy cupwing Pnoepyga pusilla Insectivorous Least Concern 60 Pellorneidae Brown capped babbler Pellomeum fuscocapillus Insectivorous Least Concern 61 Marsh spotted babbler Pellomeum palustre Insectivorous Vulnerable 62 Paradoxornithidae Grey headed parrot bill Psittiparus gularis Insectivorous Least Concern 63 Corvidae

 

Red whiskered bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus Insectivorous, Frugivorous Least Concern 64 Black browed treepie Dendrocitta frontalis Carnivorous Least Concern 65 Passeridae House sparrow Passer domesticus Insectivorous Least Concern 66 Tree sparrow Passer montanus Insectivorous Least Concern 67 Paridae

 

Oriental tit Parus minor Omnivorous, Molluscivorous Least Concern 68 Anatidae Pin tail duck Anas acuta Granivorous Least Concern 69 Piciformes

 

 

Megalaimidae Large green barbet Psilopogon zeylanicus Frugivorous, Insectivorous

 

Least Concern 70 Coppersmith barbet Psilopogon

haemacephalus

Frugivorous Least Concern 71 Picidae

 

Golden backed woodpecker Dinopium benghalense Insectivorous Least Concern 72 Large golden backed woodpecker Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus Frugivorous, Insectivorous, Granivorous Least Concern 73 Rufous piculet Sasia abnormis Insectivorous,

Carnivorous

Least Concern 74 Darjeeling pied woodpecker Dendrocopos darjellensis Insectivorous Least Concern 75 Heart spotted woodpecker Hemicircus canente Insectivorous Least Concern 76 Large yellow fronted woodpecker Melanerpes flavifrons Insectivorous, Frugivorous Least Concern 77 Rufous woodpecker Micropternus brachyurus Insectivorous, Frugivorous, Nectivorous

 

Least Concern 78 Bucerotiformes Bucerotidae Grey hornbill Ocyceros  birostris Granivorous Least Concern

 

79 Upupidae Hoopoe Upupa  sp Insectivorous , Carnivorous Least Concern 80 Gruiformes Rallidae Coot Fulica atra Omnivorous Least Concern

 

81 Rallidae

 

Common moorhen Gallinula chloropus Omnivorous Least Concern 82 Western swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio Omnivorous Least Concern 83 Ardeidae

 

Little egret Egretta garzetta Carnivorous Least Concern 84 Apodiformes Trochilidae Ruby throated hummingbird Archilochus colubris Insectivorous, Least Concern 85 Accipitriformes Accipitridae

 

 

Indian white rumped vulture Gyps bengalensis Carnivorous Critically Endangered 86 Shikra ( Indian shikra) Accipiter badius Insectivorous Least Concern 87 Pariah kite Milvus migrans Carnivorous, Avivorous Least Concern 88 Pied harrier Circus melanoleucos Insectivorous,

Avivorous

Least Concern 89 Crested serpent eagle

 

Spilornis cheela Insectivorous,

Ophiophagous

Least Concern 90 Black winged kite Elanus caeruleus Insectivorous Least Concern 91 Black eared baza Aviceda leuphotes

 

Insectivorous Least Concern 92 Changeable hawk eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus Avivorous Least Concern 93 Crested serpent eagle Spilornis cheela Carnivorous, Avivorous, Carnivorous Least Concern 94 White tailed eagle Haliaeetus albicilla Carnivorous Least Concern 95 Columbiformes Columbidae Spotted dove Stiloopelia chinensis Frugivorous, Granivorous, Insectivorous Least Concern 96 Ring necked dove Streptopelia capicola Frugivorous, Granivorous, Insectivorous Least Concern 97 Emerald dove Chalcophaps indica Frugivorous Least Concern 98 Red turtle dove Streptopelia  tranque baricha Granivorous, Least Concern

 

99 Green imperial pigeon Ducula aenea Granivorous Near Threatened 100 Rock pigeon Columba livia Granivorous, Frugivorous, Insectivorous Least Concern

 

101 Imperial pigeon Dacula  sp Frugivorous Least Concern 102 Spotted dove Spoilopelia chinenois Insectivorous Least Concern 103 Coraciiformes

 

 

Meropidae

 

Chestnut headed bee eater Merops leschenaulti Insectivorous Least Concern

 

104 Green bee eater Merops orientalis Insectivorous , Carnivorous Least Concern 105 Alcedinidae

 

White breasted kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Insectivorous , Carnivorous Least Concern 106 Common kingfisher Alcedo anthis bengalensis Carnivorous, Insectivorous, Piscivorous Least Concern 107 Trogoniformes Trogonidae

 

Red headed trogon Harpactes erythrocephalus Insectivorous Least Concern 108 Cuculiformes

 

Cuculidae Crow pheasant Centropus sinensis Carnivorous Least Concern 109 Asian koel Eudynamys scolopaceus Omnivorous Least Concern 110

 

Galliformes

 

 

 

 

Phasianidae

 

 

 

 

Black francolin Francolinus francolinus Insectivorous Least Concern 111 Grey partridge Perdix perdix Insectivorous, Granivorous Least Concern 112 Jungle bush quail Perdicula asiatica Frugivorous , Granivorous Least Concern 113 Red jungle fowl Gallus gallus Frugivorous Least Concern 114 Kalij pheasant Lophura leucomelanos Omnivorous Least Concern 115 Dicacidae Plain coloured flower pecker Diacacum minullum Frugivorous, Nectivorous Least Concern 116 Pycnorotidae Black bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus Insectivorous, Granivorous Least Concern 117 Ciconiiformes Ciconiidae

 

Greater adjutant Leptoptilos dubius Omnivorous,

Carnivorous

Endangered 118 Lesser adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus Omnivorous,

Carnivorous, Piscivorous

Vulnerable 119 Black necked stork Ephippiorhynctus asiaticus Carnivorous Near Threatened 120 Scaly breasted stork Anastomus oscitans Carnivorous, Molluscivorous Least Concern 121 Suliformes

 

 

 

 

 

Phalacrocoracidae

 

 

 

 

Little cormorant Microcarbo niger Carnivorous Least Concern 122 Large cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Carnivorous Least Concern 123

 

Indian cormorant Phalacrocorax fusicollis Carnivorous Least Concern 124 Anhingidae Darter Anhinga sp Piscivorous

 

Near threatened 125 Pelecaniformes

 

Ardeidae

 

Great egret Ardea alba Carnivorous Least Concern 126 Medium egret Ardea intermedia Carnivorous Least Concern 127 Cattle erget Bubulcus ibis Carnivorous Least Concern 128 Yellow bittern Ixobrychus sinensis Carnivorous Least Concern 129 Chinese pond heron Ardeola bacchus Carnivorous Least Concern 130 Indian pond heron Ardeola grayii Carnivorous Least Concern 131 Night  heron Nycticorax nyctanassa Insectivorous,

Avivorous,

Piscivorous

Least Concern 132 Bittern Botaurus stephens Carnivorous Least Concern 133 Tiger heron Tigrisoma lineatum Carnivorous Least Concern 134 Strigiformes Strigidae

 

Jungle owlet Glaucidium radiatum Insectivorous Least Concern 135 Brown fish owl Ketupa zeylonensis Piscivorous Least Concern 136 Tytonidae Barn owl Tyto alba Carnivorous Least Concern 137 Anseriformes

 

 

Anatidae Common pochard Aythya ferina Molluscivorous, Insectivorous Vulnerable 138 Lesser whistling duck Dendrocygna  javanica Gregarious Least Concern 139 Brahminy duck Tadorma ferruginea Omnivorous Least Concern 140 Charadriiformes jacanidae

 

Pheasant tailed jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus Insectivorous, Molluscivorous Least Concern 141 Bronze winged jacana Metopidius indicus Insectivorous Least Concern 142 Charadriidae

 

Red wattled lapwing Vanellus indicus Insectivorous, Granivorous,

Molluscivorous

Least Concern 143 Spur winged lapwing Vanellus spinosus Insectivorous Least Concern 144 Laridae River tern Sterna aurantia Insectivorous,

Piscivorous

Vulnerable 145 Indian robin

 

Saxicoloides fulicatus Insectivorous Least Concern 146 Scolopacidae

 

Long toed stint Calidris subminuta Insectivorous, Molluscivorous, Granivorous Least Concern

*Piscivorous: fish eater birds; Palynivorousbirds: pollen eater birds;  Nectivorous: necter eater birds; Ophiophagous: snake eater birds;  Mucivorous: mucus eater birds;  Molluscivorous: mollusce eater birds; Granivorous:  grain eater birds; Frugivorous: fruit eater birds;  Carnivorous: meat eater birds; Avivorous:  bird eater birds.

**Extinct in the wild (EW) – Known only to survive in captivity;  Extinct (EX) – No known individuals remaining;  Critically Endangered (CR) – Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild;  Endangered (EN) – High risk of extinction in the wild;  Vulnerable (VU) – High risk of endangeredment in the wild;  Near Threatened (NT) – Likely to become endangered soon;  Least Concern (LC) – Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category;  Data Deficient (DD) – Not enough data to assess its risk of extinction;  Not Evaluated (NE) – Has not yet ben evaluated against the criteria.

Figure 2:  Graphical representation showing order wise abundance
of avian fauna in Lumding Forest Reserve area

Figure3: Graphical representation showing IUCN status of avian
fauna spotted in Lumding Forest Reserve area

Figure4: Pictures of some birds spotted from Lumding Forest Reserve area

Figure 5: Pictures of some birds spotted from Lumding Forest Reserve area

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

North-East India refers to the easternmost region of India consisting of contiguous seven sister states, Sikkim and parts of North Bengal (district of Darjeeling , Jalpaiguri and Kochbihar) (Javed and Rahmani, 1993). North East India is ethnically distinct from the other states of India, linguistically the region is distinguished by preponderance of Tibeto- Burman languages. Strong ethnic cultures that had escaped sanskritization effects permeate the region. The eight states from a special category is officially recognized (Peralta et al., 2020).

Lumding Reserve Forest is a compact large block of forest, measuring 252.9 sq. Kms and comparatively has less human disturbance. This forest gives shelter to a large variety of floral as well as faunal species (Arya and Rao, 2014). As the forest area of neighbouring Karbi Anglong district and N.C.Hills district are affected by shifting cultivation, the herbs of Asiatic Elephant takes shelter in Lumding Reserve Forest (Joshi and Shrivastava, 2012).

The principal type of forest found in Lumding is degraded moist mixed deciduous forest type (Khan, Rao and Wani, 2012). Lumding Reserve Forest is also habitat for a huge variety of medicinal plants like Sarpagandha, Basaka, Ahoi, Hilikha, etc. Among all the floral species Teak and Gamari are found to dominate in Lumding Reserve Forest (Javed and Rahmani, 1993). Among the climbers, Mikennia sp. predominates where canopy is open and other climbers are Bridelia sp., Butea parviflora, disoscorea sp., Clematis sp. . Himalayan black bear, Clouded Leopard, Crab eating mongoose, Slow loris, Assamese Macaque, Hoolock gibbon, Asiatic jackal,etc. comes under faunal diversity of Lumding.

146 species of birds were spotted from Lumding Forest Reserve area during our survey; Of which, 17 different avian orders including Passeriformes, Columbiformes, Accipitriformes ,  Piciformes, Bucerotiformes ,Gruiformes, Apodiformes, Coraciiformes, Trogoniformes, Cuculiformes, Galliformes, Ciconiiformes, Suliformes , Pelecaniformes , Strigiformes, Anseriformes, Charadriiformes were detected. Noticably, Passeriformes showed highest species frequency with 46.25% abundance which was followed by Accipitriformes (6.8%), Piciformes and Pelecaniformes(6.12%) ; Columbiformes(5.44%); Galliformes and Charadriiformes(4.76%); Gruiformes, Coraciiformes, Suliformes, Ciconiiformes(2.72%); Strigiformes, Anseriformes(2.04%); Cuculiformes, Bucerotiformes (1.36%); Trogoniformes , Apodiformes (0.68%). Under 17 spotted orders, total 76 families were recorded. Passeriformes came out with maximum number of families (44).

The IUCN status of avian species richness of Lumding revealed that 92.51% birds of Limding are Least Concern indicating their sufficient existance, where as 3.4% are Near Threatened, 2.72%  are Vulnerable, 0.68% are Critically Endangered and Endangered. Birds like River tern, Common pochard, Lesser adjutant, Greater adjutant, Indian white rumped vulture, Marsh spotted babbler, Black necked stork , Alexandrine parakeet , Darter which were found under Critically Endangered,  Near Threatened, Vulnerable and Endangered category of  IUCN demands our attention to work for their conservation and protection from becoming extinct. 

CONCLUSION

Its extremely worrying that the number