Bird species diversity and relative abundance in Suryabinayak municipality, Bhaktapur

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to asses the diversity, distribution and relative abundance of avifauna in different habitat types in Suryabinayak Municipality, Bhakatpur, Nepal This study was conducted in December 2018 and June 2019 covering dry and wet seasons. Point count method was used to investigate the relative abundance of birds in Suryabinayak A total of 112 species of birds were recorded from the study area during two seasons. The highest species richness was found in order Passeriformes with 76 bird species and the order was Gruiformes and Charadriformes with 1 species. Maximum numbers of species were recorded during winter season. Species richness was in forest followed by agriculture, edge, and forest and settlement area. There was a insignificant difference in species richness of birds between two seasons (χ 2 = 54.8, df = 111 (n=112, p = 1) and among habitats (F = 4.198, df= 3 (n=4), P < 0.006). The diversity index of birds of Suryabinayk Municipality showed high biodiversity. Out of 112 bird species, 41 species were uncommon in its relative abundance, 31 species were frequent, 26 species were common and 14 species were found abundant. Similarly, resident species were higher while migrant species were very few. Also, most of the birds belong to least concern in IUCN red list of threatened species, two species were Globally and three species were Nationally Threatened were recorded. Of the total recorded species, nine species are included in appendix II and one in appendix III of CITES.Study showed that Suryabinayk Municipality areas are good sites for bird watching activities and should be promoted for bird tourism.