Avifaunal
diversity of Anekere wetland, Karkala,
Udupi district, Karnataka, India
P. Ishwara
Bhat*1,
S.S. Cristopher2 and B.B. Hosetti3
1Department of Zoology, S.B.
College, Karkala
- 574 104, India
2Sri Damodar
Junior College, Margao,
Goa - 270 099, India
3Department of Post Graduate Studies and Research in Applied
Zoology, Bioscience Block,
Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta - 577 451, India
(Received:
August 26, 2007;
Revised received: December
17, 2007; Accepted: February 02, 2008)
Abstract:?
The avifaunal diversity and density in Anekere
wetland, Karkala, Udupi
district, Karnataka, India, was studied for a period of
three years. Anekere pond inhabits several local and
migratory bird species. Reduction in water retention in this pond in summer,
weed infestation, variations in food availability in different seasons and
threat of predation on the breeding activity of birds affected the avifauna
diversity in the study area. This habitat attracted 44 bird species, which are
local and migratory including aquatic birds, waders and others. Highest
population of tree ducks (lesser whistling teal) was recorded in all the three
years of study. Other prominent residents were Moorhens, Jacanas, Herons and
Cormorants. The visitors include ringed plovers, wagtails and storks. It was
evident that purple moorhen and tree ducks have developed high tolerance to
this highly fluctuating habitat and human activity.
Key words: Wetland birds, Avifauna, Anekere, Open bill stork, Mmoorhen,
Tree duck
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