Diversity and Habitat Utilization of Birds in Lumbini, Nepal

Abstract

The study was conducted in Lumbini Master Plan Area of Rupandehi District, Nepal with the main objective to explore the bird diversity and habitat utilization of birds. Point count method was used for bird survey. Altogether, 994 individuals of 111 species representing 15 orders and 41 families were recorded in which 79 species were resident and 32 species were winter migratory. Passerformes (48 species) was found dominant order. Shannon diversity index in LMPA was 3.686, whereas Simpson diversity index is 0.9721 and the evenness value is 0.8867. The habitat utilization rate was higher in forest with the utilization rate 0.46. Carnivores didn’t show significant relationship with habitat types whereas frugivores were associated with forest, herbivores were strongly associated with wetlands, insectivores and omnivores showed significant relationship with forest and grassland habitat. Feeding guild of the species also drives the habitat utilization pattern of the a vifauna. Presence of people and livestock had a significant effect on diversity and abundance of birds. This study suggested that human is the key factor for degrading the habitat that negatively impacts on the distribution, diversity and abundance of birds in LMPA.