Birds around campus of Punjabi University Patiala, India

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1 Abstract International Research Journal of Biological Sciences E-ISSN 78-0 Birds around campus of Punjabi University Patiala, India Diljeet Singh Department of Zoology, Government College Shahpur (Kangra), Himachal Pradesh, 7606, India Available online at: Received 8 th January 06, revised st January 06, accepted 7 th February 06 The preliminary survey of bird diversity around campus of Punjabi University Patiala was carried out during November 04 and December 0. In total, 4 species of birds belonging to orders and 4 families were recorded. The highest number of species were found in order Passeriformes () 7.4% followed by Ciconiiformes (8) 4.8% and least number ().8% in other 4 orders. The highest number of species were found in families Muscicapidae (7).9% and Passeridae (7).9% followed by Sturnidae ()9.% and Sylviidae ()9.% and least number ().8% in other families. Among 4 species, relative abundance was Very Common (), Common (), Uncommon (0) and Rare (6). The bird species Rose-, Common Myna ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri, Rock Pigeon Columba livia, House Crow Corvus splendens Acridotheres tristis and Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus were seen very commonly and abundant in number. House Sparrow Passer domesticus was found as uncommon and less in number. One globally threatened (IUCN status) species Stoliczka s Bushchat Saxicola macrorhyncha was also reported. Keywords: Avifauna, Birds, Species, Diversity, Patiala, University, Punjab. Introduction The avifauna of Punjab state and adjoining Haryana area has been explored in the past by some workers; Whistler,, Jones, Koelz 4, Toor et al., Bombay Natural History Society 6, Dhindsa et al. 7, and Singh 8. Despite these, some latest studies during last two decades on birds of Punjab are as follows: Harvey 9 compiled a list of about 8 species reported at Harike Lake. Mehta et al. 0 during a study at Ropar Wetland recorded 06 species of birds. Grimmett and Inskipp mentioned about 47 species with additional vagrants making a total of 48 species found in Punjab in the book Birds of Northern India. Thakur and Paliwal recorded 9 species during investigation of birds at Chandigarh. As far as, Patiala district is concerned, not much information is available about avifaunal studies. Therefore, present study was undertaken to collect baseline information about bird species at Punjabi University Patiala. Study Area: Patiala district is located in southeastern Punjab of northern India. Patiala state was extended from Narnaul and Hissar in Haryana to Kandaghat and Chail in Himachal Pradesh during the reign of kings (before independence of India). The area of district is 8 km with tehsils viz. Patiala, Nabha, Ganaur, Rajpura and Samana. The climate is tropical steppe, semi-arid and hot. There are four seasons in year with very hot summer and cold winter. The mean temperature ranges from 7. 0 C (minimum) January to C (maximum) June. The average annual rainfall of district is 677 mm, 4. Punjabi University Patiala (0.6 N and 76.4 E) was established in 96 with the main objective of promoting Punjabi language, art and literature. This is now considered as largest university of the state. It spreads over 600 acres of land comprising 6 teaching and research departments in campus, regional centers and 66 affiliated colleges. The average elevation is 0 meters amsl. The habitats (Figure-) and vegetation of study area mainly consist of gardens, parks, tree avenues, lawns, marshes or ponds, scrubs, bushes, irrigation channels, open agricultural fields and human habitations etc. Predominantly trees like Eucalyptus, Ficus and Mango etc. are found along with other species of trees, shrubs, herbs and bushes. Materials and Methods The study area was surveyed during two visits (of one week duration each) at Punjabi University Patiala from 0-6 th November 04 and -8 th December 0. The area in the periphery of about - km (depending upon availability of different habitats) from central point of university campus was selected for observation of birds. The stratified sampling technique including different habitats of study area was adopted. The routes along these habitats were traversed on foot following almost line transect method for observation of birds during morning ( hrs) and evening ( hrs) times in visible sunlight at local time. The birds were recorded visually through eyes or binocular (0 x ) and sometimes photographed for aid in identification with digital camera (x optical zoom). The relative abundance was evaluated on the basis of frequency of sightings and number of birds seen. The birds were identified with the help of field guides: A field Guide International Science Community Association 40

2 to the Birds of India, Srilanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and the Maldives 6, and Birds of Northern India. The nomenclature and classification follows A Checklist of the Birds of the Oriental Region 7. Results and Discussion In total, 4 species of birds belonging to orders and 4 families were observed (Table-). The total number of species found in 4 families (Table-, Figure-) were: Phasianidae ().7%, Picidae ().8%, Megaliamidae ().8%, Bucerotidae ().8%, Upupidae ().8%, Halcyonidae ().8%, Cuculidae ().8%, Centropodidae ().8%, Psittacidae ().8%, Columbidae ().%, Rallidae ().7%, Scolopacidae ().8%, Charadriidae ().8%, Accipitridae ().%, Ardeidae ().7%, Laniidae ().8%, Corvidae ().%, Muscicapidae (7).9%, Sturnidae () 9.%, Pycnonotidae ().8%, Cisticolidae ().8%, Sylviidae () 9.%, Nectariniidae ().8%, Passeridae (7).9%. The highest number of species were found in order Passeriformes () 7.4% followed by Ciconiiformes (8) 4.8% and least number ().8% in other 4 orders. The highest number of species were found in families Muscicapidae (7).9% and Passeridae (7).9% followed by Sturnidae () 9.% and Sylviidae () 9.% and least number ().8% in other families (Table-). The relative abundance of species (Table-, Figure-4) was Very Common (), Common (), Uncommon (0), and Rare (6). Thus, the highest number of bird species were uncommon followed by common, rare and very common. The species Rose-ringed Parakeet, Rock Pigeon, House Crow, Common Myna and Jungle Babbler were seen very commonly, abundant in number and distributed almost everywhere in the study area. Some species such as Indian Peafowl, Eurasian Collared Dove, Black Kite, Cattle Egret, Rufous Treepie and Red-vented Bulbul were seen commonly, moderate in number and widely distributed in study area. The interesting species House Sparrow was seen uncommonly, less in number and could be located in few human habitations only. The other species such as Shikra, Black-shouldred Kite, Long-tailed Shrike and Bluethroat were rarely visible, very less in number and distributed only in few scrub like habitats. Asian Koel was also seen rarely because of approaching winter season. The globally threatened (Vulnerable as per IUCN status) species Stoliczka s Bushchat Saxicola macrorhyncha (Figure-4) was also reported in study area. The bird was seen singly or in pair, perching on low herbs and bushes in open scattered herbaceous/ bushy scrub habitats. It was found uncommon, less in number and thinly distributed. The bird species recorded during November 04 were again confirmed for their presence in the study area during December 0 also. The observations of second year showed that about 80 % of same bird species (Table-) were found in the study area. Conclusion This study was carried out only near autumn (04) or winter (0) season of year. Thus, scope is there for further explorations during other seasons of year to make new additions. Besides this, more developmental and construction work is also going on in the campus as well as surroundings of university. Therefore, an approach of sustainable development is also required for protection of natural habitats of birds. Figure- Photograph showing a glimpse of habitats around campus of Panjabi University Patiala International Science Community Association 4

3 Common Name and Scientific Name. Order: Galliformes. Family: Phasianidae Table- Systematic List of birds around campus of Punjabi University Patiala Year of observation Habitats and birds seen in single sighting /group of birds Birds seen in study area Rel. Abu. Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus 04, 0 G, P, L, Hh, -0 C Grey Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus 04, 0 Al, Sl, Bu, -4 UC. Order: Piciformes. Family: Picidae Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense 04, 0 G, P, TA - UC. Family: Megalaimidae Brown-headed Barbet Megalaima zeylanica 04 G, P, TA, - 4 UC. Order: Bucerotiformes 4. Family: Bucerotidae Indian Grey Hornbill Ocyceros birostris 04, 0 G, P, TA, - 0 UC 4. Order: Upupiformes. Family: Upupidae Common Hoopoe Upupa epops 04, 0 L, G, Hh, - UC. Order: Coraciiformes 6. Family: Halcyonidae White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 04, 0 M/Po, IC, UC 6. Order: Cuculiformes 7. Family: Cuculidae Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea 04 G, P, SC 8. Family: Centropodidae Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis 04, 0 G, P, Sl,- 7 UC 7. Order: Psittaciformes 9. Family: Psittacidae Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri 04, 0 G, P, TA, Hh, VC 8. Order: Columbiformes 0. Family: Columbidae Rock Pigeon Columba livia 04, 04 Hh, G, P, L, Al, VC Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 04 Al, L, - 6 UC Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 04, 0 G, P, Hh, L, Al, C 9. Order: Gruiformes. Family: Rallidae White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus 04, 0 M/Po, IC, -4 4 UC Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 04, 0 M/Po, - 0 UC International Science Community Association 4

4 Common Name and Scientific Name Year of observation Habitats and birds seen in single sighting /group of birds Birds seen in study area Rel. Abu. 0. Order: Ciconiiformes. Family: Scolopacidae Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 0 M/Po, IC, 4 UC. Family: Charadriidae Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 04, 0 M/Po, - 0 C Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus 04, 0 L, Al, M, C 4. Family: Accipitridae Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus 0 Sl, SC Black Kite Milvus migrans 04, 0 DS, Hh, Al, - 0 C Shikra Accipiter badius 0 Al, SC. Family: Ardeidae Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 04, 0 Al, L, C Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii 0 IC, SC. Order: Passeriformes 6. Family: Laniidae Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 04, 0 Sl, SC 7. Family: Corvidae Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda 04, 0 G, P, TA, Al, - 0 C House Crow Corvus splendens 04, 0 Hh, DS, L, G, P, Al, -0 0 VC Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus 04, 0 G, P, Sl, - 6 UC 8. Family: Muscicapidae Bluethroat Luscinia svecica 04 Bu, Sl, SC Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis 04, 0 G, P, L, Hh, 6 UC Indian Robin Saxicoloides fulicata 04, 0 G, P, Sl, Bu, 0 UC Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros 04, 0 G, Sl, He, or (pair) UC Stoliczka s Bushchat Saxicola macrorhyncha 04, 0 Sl, Bu, He, or (pair) 4 UC Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata 04, 0 Sl, Bu, He, or (pair) UC Brown Rock Chat Cercomela fusca 04, 0 Hh, - 6 UC International Science Community Association 4

5 Common Name and Scientific Name Year of observation Habitats and birds seen in single sighting /group of birds Birds seen in study area Rel. Abu. 9. Family: Sturnidae Brahminy Starling Sturnus pagodarum 04, 0 L, Al, -4 0 UC Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 04 L, Al, -0 0 UC Asian Pied Starling Sturnus contra 04, 0 L, Al, Hh, G, -6 0 C Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 04, 0 Hh, G, P, L, Al, Sl, DS, -0 0 VC Bank Myna Acridotheres ginginianus 04, 0 Hh, L, - 40 C 0. Family: Pycnonotidae Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer 04, 0 G, P, Sl, TA, - C. Family: Cisticolidae Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 04, 0 Sl, Bu, He, - UC. Family: Sylviidae Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius 04, 0 G, P, Sl, Bu, 8 UC Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 04, 0 G, P, TA, 0 UC Grey-hooded Warbler Seicercus xanthoschistos 04, 0 G, P, TA, - 6 UC Large Grey Babbler Turdoides malcolmi 04, 0 G, Sl, L, - 0 C Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus 04, 0 G, P, TA, Hh, Sl, L, -8 0 VC. Family: Nectariniidae Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica 04, 0 G, P, 7 UC 4. Family: Passeridae House Sparrow Passer domesticus 04, 0 Hh, - 0 UC White Wagtail Motacilla alba 04, 0 M/Po, Al, L, -4 0 C White-browed Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis 04, 0 M/Po, Al, L, - 0 UC Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 04, 0 M/Po, Al, IC, 6 UC Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus 04, 0 L, Al, - 8 UC Indian Silverbill Lonchura malabarica 04 L, Sl, Al, He, -0 0 C Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata 04 L, Al, He,- 6 UC Rel. Abu.: Relative Abundance, Relative Abundance: VC: Very Common/Abundant (More than regular number of sightings/9-0 sightings out of 0)/More number of birds seen, C: Common (Regular sightings/ Less number of sightings than V C/6-8 sightings out of 0)/ Moderate number of birds seen, UC: Uncommon (Occasional sightings/- sightings out of 0)/ Less number of birds seen, SC: Scarce/ Rare (Hardly visible/- sightings out of 0)/ Few birds seen, Birds seen in study area: Average number of birds (of a species) seen in study area, Habitats, G: Garden, P: Park, Al: Agricultural Land, Sl: Scrub Land, He: Herb, Bu: Bush, M/Po: Marsh/ Pond, L: Lawn, TA: Tree Avenue (roadside), Hh: Human Habitation, DS: Dumping Site, IC: Irrigation Channel, Birds seen in single sighting /Group of birds: - 40 etc. Any number International Science Community Association 44

6 Number of Species 4 0 Families Figure- Family-wise distribution of bird species at Punjabi University Patiala 0 0 Number of Species Very Common Common Uncommon Rare Relative Abundance Figure- Relative Abundance of bird species at Punjabi University Patiala International Science Community Association 4

7 Figure-4 Stoliczka s Bushchat Saxixola macrorhyncha ( Around campus of Punjabi University Patiala) References. Whistler H. (98). Notes on the birds of Ambala dist. Punjab. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. : 66-68; 6: Whistler H. (99). Some birds of Ludhiana district, Punjab. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 6: Jones A.E. (99). Further notes on the birds of the Ambala district, Punjab. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 6: Koelz W. (940). Notes on the winter birds of the lower Punjab. Pap. Machigan Acad. Sci. : -6.. Toor H.S. Chakravarthy A.K., Dhindsa M.S., Sandhu P.S. and Ananda Roa P.K. (98). A Checklist of Birds of Punjab and Chandigarh. Published by the authors. 6. Harike Lake Bird Sanctuary (004). IBA s Punjab. Islam, M.Z. ur and Rahmani, A. (eds.), In Important Bird Areas in India: Priority Sites for Conservation: BNHS, Mumbai, Dhindsa M.S., Sandhu P.S. and Sandhu J.S. (99). Some additions to the checklist of birds of Punjab. Pavo 8, Singh G. (99). A checklist of birds of Punjab. Punjab Government Press, Chandigarh. 9. Harvey B. (00). Harike Checklist-Febraury 00. Delhi Bird Club. Unpublished. 0. Mehta H.S., Thakur M.L., Paliwal R. and Tak P.C. (00). Avian diversity of Ropar Wetland, Punjab, India. Annals of forestry 0 (): Grimmett R. and Inskipp T. (00). Birds of Northern India. Oxford University Press, New Delhi, -04. ISBN: Thakur M.L. and Paliwal R. (0). Avian Diversity of Chandigarh (UT). International Journal of Advanced Biological Research (): Wikipedia (0). Patiala. Accessed December Ministry of Water Resources, Govt. of India (0). Ground Water Information Booklet Patiala District, Punjab. Regional Director (ed.), Central Ground Water Board, North Western Region, Chandigarh.. Official Website, Punjabi University Patiala (0). Accessed December Kazmierczak K. and van Perlo B. (000). A Field Guide to the Birds of the India, Srilanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and the Maldives. OM Book Service, New Delhi, -. ISBN: Inskipp T., Lindsey N. and Duckworth W. (00). A Checklist of the Birds of the Oriental Region. Oriental Bird Club, United Kingdom. Accessed, December 0. International Science Community Association 46