assessment of bird population in different habitats of agricultural ecosystem

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I nternational Jour nal of Scientif ic Research in Environmental Sciences (I JSRES), 1(11), pp. 306-316, 2013 Available online at http://www.ijsrpub.com/ijsres

ISSN: 2322-4983; ©2013 IJSRPUB

http://dx.doi.org/10.12983/ijsres-2013-p306-316

306

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of Bird Population in Different Habitats of Agricultural Ecosystem Natarajan Mariappan

1*, B.K. Ahamed Kalfan

2, Srinivasagam Krishnakumar

1

1Assistant Professors, Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture, Manakkadavu, Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, India2Research Scholar, Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture, Manakkadavu, Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, India

*Corresponding Author, Email: [email protected]

Received 20 July 2013; Accepted 30 September 2013

Abstract. The study was carried out in Vanavarayar Institute of agriculture, Manakkadavu, Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, India during

January, 2012 to January, 2013. The institute’s agricultural area classified four different habitats namely, crop land, wetland,

plantations, and fallow land. The data were analyzed using Shannon – Wiener function formula; species diversity ( H ),

maximum diversity ( Hmax), and evenness ( J ). Based on this study we found variations in bird population distribution based onthe cropping pattern and seasons of the year. Shannon – Wiener Index for diversity richness for different habitats of

agroecosystem shows that fallow land recorded highest diversity (3.4619) and maximum diversity index (4.1271) compared to

other habitats. Thus, fallow lands are not subject to practices of crop production and therefore supported bird’s nesting and

breeding. Thus, most of the birds hunt their food from agricultural field and from water bodies and made their rest place atfallow land; therefore it indicates highest number of species in all the seasons of the year. Rare birds like Indian grey hornbill,

yellow - footed green pigeon, common tern, paradise flycatcher, black headed ibis, white browed bulbul, striated heron, and

barn owl were observed in particular season shows the richness of the habitats in the study area. The considerable numbers of

trees in fallow land and boundary of agricultural land accommodate the large number of bird’s population. Thus planting trees

in agricultural lands can increase bird population.

Key words: Birds, species, agriculture ecosystem, habitats, richness, fallow land, India

1. INTRODUCTION

Birds are the key species in an agricultural ecosystemfor maintaining the ecological balance (Haslem andBennett, 2008). Their positive and negative roles inagriculture production were very well illustrated (Ali,1949 and 1971). Agriculture provides a concentratedand highly predictable source of food for birds. Thisfood in general is of three kinds: (i) grain, seeds andfruits, (ii) green vegetation of the crop plants andgrasses, and (iii) insects, other arthropods, rodents,etc., found in the soil, crops and other plants

(O’Connor and Shrubb, 1986). There are many goodreasons for counting birds but this study aims to promote better knowledge to help conservation.

Within sites, it is fairly evident that habitat is likelyto be an important determinant of the distribution andnumber of birds. For sites which are not protected,habitats might be changing, for instance as a result of

developmental works. Adequate managementobviously depends on understanding the relationship between birds and their habitats. If a study is orientedto a particular species, it is also evident that questionsabout its distribution, ecology and threats to its status,

will partly be answered with an understanding of itshabitat requirements. While much about a bird's

ecology might be studied directly in terms of its diet,foraging behaviour or population dynamics, important

knowledge of habitats can be gleaned from goodcensus studies (Bibby et al., 1998).

Approaches with a combination of both site-specific biodiversity measures and assessments of habitat diversity and heterogeneity at Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture which is spread over 248 acresare yet to be established. In a time when the globalenvironment around us is getting destroyed at analarming rate, maintaining high levels of overall biodiversity in agro-ecosystems may become animportant measure for ecological sustainability and tomaintain the high abundances of presently well-

adapted beneficial organisms (Duelli, 1997).But ever increasing population and the related

urbanization has resulted in the depletion of theagricultural and wet lands. On the other side wetlandslike rivers, streams, lakes, tank bodies and reservoirsin this area are getting deteriorated in an alarming ratedue to their contamination with various pollutants and

the increase in developmental activities. This ismaking the wetland lose its viability to support theaquatic organisms and the other organisms that birdsdepend on.

Wetlands associated with agricultural lands also

attract more number of bird species, especiallymigratory species. In the case of Pollachi, the water

bodies are heavily polluted, which is seriouslyaffecting the seasonal migration, nesting and breeding

mailto:[email protected]






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Assessment of Bird Population in Different Habitats of Agricultural Ecosystem

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of many exotic birds in this region. Birds areintegrated with farmers’ everyday activity, since it isan important and effective organism controlling pestsin the agricultural lands. But, extensive application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has tremendously

affected the bird’s population through unavailabilityof its regular prey and through the harmful effect of chemicals (Blus and Henny, 1997).

On the basis of general survey we found that in andaround Pollachi areas, agricultural and wetlands areas

has immense potential to attract bird population. Eventhough these areas are serving as habitat of birds

traditionally due to conversion of landscapes intoresidential blocks, untreated sewage grounds,dumping yards of organic, inorganic pollutants anddecades of continuing land use intensification, the

status of the habitat has changed. The study wascarried out in an area of 248 acres of agriculture landin Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture, Manakkadavuvillage, Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, India. Bird populationin this area was studied through scientific approachand was favored on to create awareness througheducation and to conserve agriculture lands, wetlandsand other bird areas against bird’s habitat degradation.

2. STUDY AREA AND METHODOLOGY

Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture, Pollachi(10.67°N 77.02°E) has various landuse patterns within248 acre. Pollachi is rich in soil, vegetation and bird’s

population. The agricultural landscape predominantlycovers coconut based mono-cropping system. Thereare four types of habitats available in the institute for the purpose of education and research. These are 1) plantation (coconut, mango), 2) crop lands (cereals

and vegetables), 3) wetlands (farm pond, paddy fieldand adjoining area of river), and 4) fallow land

(uncultivated land). The line transect method wasfollowed (Bibby et al., 2000). Birds survey wereconducted in five seasons of the year viz., spring (mid-April to mid-June), summer (mid-June to mid-

August), rainy (mid-August to mid Oct), autumn (midOct to mid Dec) and winter (mid-Dec to mid-April).Within each habitat four transects were establishedabout 500 m long and 50 m wide in each habitat. Thedetailed bird survey was conducted twice in a week inthe early hours (6 am to 11 am) and evening hours (4 pm to 6.30 pm) from January, 2012 to January 2013 by using binocular. Data were analyzed using the

Shannon – Wiener function formula; species diversity( H ), maximum diversity ( Hmax), and evenness ( J )were calculated as:

Where s is the number of species present in thesample area (habitat);

Pi is the proportion of species in a sample (habitat) of s species (Whittaker, 1975).

Fig. 1: Map which shows southern part of India; Coimbatore Map: located Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture,Manakkadavu, Pollachi (Google map)



International Journal of Scientific Research in Environmental Sciences (IJSRES), 1(11), pp. 306-316, 2013

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Table 1: Bird species and their population in different land use systems in agro-ecosystem during the year 2012-2013

S.No Species CL WL Pl FL

1. Ashy drongo ( Dicrurus leucophaeus) 0 11 0 0

2. Ashy wood swallow ( Artamus fuscus) 0 501 0 3863. Asian koel ( Eudynamys scolopaceus) 18 42 29 55

4.

Asian palm swift (Cypsiurus balasiensis) 240 225 0 4615. Asian-paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradasi) 0 0 0 20

6. Barn owl (Tyto alba) 12 0 0 0

7. Baya weaver ( Ploceus philippinus) 126 0 0 08. Black drongo ( Dicrurus macrocercus) 56 63 27 1379. Black headed cuckoo shrike (Coracina melanoptera) 0 43 0 26

10. Black headed ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus) 0 27 0 011. Black headed munia (lonchura malacca) 230 0 0 41612. Black hooded oriole (Oriolus xanthornus) 0 66 0 44

13. Black kite ( Milvus migrans) 0 0 2 7

14. Blue-bearded Bee-eater ( Nyctyornis athertoni) 0 103 0 015. Blue-tailed bee-eater ( Merops philippinus) 77 192 0 016. Blyth's pipit ( Anthus campestris) 24 0 0 11117. Brahminy kite ( Haliastur indus) 22 35 18 61

18. Bronze-winged jacana ( Metopidius indicus) 0 62 0 0

19. Cattle egret ( Bubulcus ibis) 0 0 62 4220. Chestnut-headed bee-eater ( Merops leschenaulti) 0 132 0 25721. Common hawk cuckoo ( Hierococcyx varius) 0 0 4 23

22. Common goldenback Woodpecker ( Dinopium javanense) 0 0 48 4423. Common hoopoe (Upupa epops) 0 0 4 7

24. Common kestrel ( Falco tinnunculus) 7 0 54 4425. Common kingfisher ( Alcedo atthis) 0 49 11 0

26. Common iora ( Aegithina tiphia) 0 0 57 9427. Common myna or Indian myna ( Acridotheres tristis) 135 339 192 50028. Common sandpiper ( Actitis hypoleucos) 0 65 0 029. Common tailor bird (Orthotomus sutorius) 17 0 0 89

30. Common tern (Sterna hirundo) 0 272 0 0

31. Coppersmith barbet ( Megalaima haemacephala) 0 75 0 14432. Cotton pygmy-goose ( Nettapus coromandelianus) 0 80 0 0

33. Crimson backed sunbird ( Leptocoma minima) 0 0 0 4534. Darter ( Anhinga melanogaster ) 0 74 0 0

35. Drongo cuckoo (Surniculus lugubris) 0 0 0 8

36. Great egret (Casmerodius albus) 0 259 611 7537. Great goldenback woodpecker ( Dinopium benghalense) 0 0 18 1838. Green Bee-eater ( Merops orientalis) 125 109 85 448

39. Green sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) 0 8 0 040. Grey francolin ( Francolinus pondicerianus) 36 0 18 2141. Grey wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) 0 14 0 0

42. House crow (Corvus splendens) 112 88 146 85

43. House sparrow ( Passer domesticus) 97 0 0 044. Indian golden oriole (Oriolus kundoo) 0 0 0 6245. Indian cormorant ( Phalacrocorax fuscicollis) 0 256 0 046. Indian cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus) 0 64 44 27

47.

Indian grey hornbill (Ocyceros birostris) 0 0 0 1848. Indian jungle crow (Corvus macrorhynchos) 53 135 148 9749. Indian peafowl ( Pavo cristatus) 10 0 73 7750. Indian pond heron ( Ardeola grayii) 0 396 47 0

51. Indian roller or Blue joy (Coracias benghalensis) 14 74 38 3752. Intermediate egret ( Mesophoyx intermedia) 0 113 0 0

53. Jungle babbler (Turdoides striata) 195 1043 122 66054. Jugle bush quail ( Perdicula asiatica) 32 0 0 18

55. Lesser whistling duck ( Dendrocygna javanica) 0 177 0 056. Little cormorant ( Phalacrocorax niger ) 0 288 0 057. Little erget ( Egretta garzetta) 0 1299 275 6358. Little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) 0 110 0 0

59. Little swift ( Apus affinis) 277 224 0 683

60. Orange minivet ( Pericrocotus flammeus) 0 0 0 3061. Oriental magpie robin (Copsychus saularis) 15 0 0 24

62. Paddy field pipit ( Anthus rufulus) 39 0 0 3963. Pied bushchat (Saxicola caprata) 63 0 0 11764. Pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) 0 83 0 0

65. Plain prinia ( Prinia inornata) 48 0 0 6366. Purple heron ( Ardea purpurea) 0 52 0 0



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67. Purple rumped sunbird ( Leptocoma zeylonica) 0 0 0 5668. Purple sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus) 0 0 0 6

69. Purple swamphen ( Porphyrio porphyrio) 0 67 0 070. Red vented bulbul ( Pycnonotus cafer ) 85 352 0 201

71. Red wattled lapwing (Vanellus indicus) 0 161 0 5472. Rock dove or Rock pigeon (Columba livia) 236 0 0 0

73. Rose-ringed parakeet ( Psittacula krameri) 301 0 140 48174. Rufous treepie ( Dendrocitta vagabunda) 0 0 91 2575. Scaly breasted munia ( Lonchura punctulata) 432 0 0 43776. Shikra ( Accipiter badius) 15 0 17 18

77. Southern coucal (Centropus [sinensis] parroti) 17 54 60 49

78. Spotted dove (Stigmatopelia chinensis) 79 183 25 10279. Spotted owlet ( Athene brama) 18 0 60 4980. Stork-billed kingfisher ( Pelargopsis capensis) 0 73 0 081. Striated heron ( Butorides striata) 0 3 0 0

82. Tickell's flower pecker ( Dicaeum erythrorhynchos) 0 77 0 85

83. White breasted water hen ( Amaurornis phoenicurus) 0 4 0 084. White browed bulbul ( Pycnonotus luteolus) 0 87 0 285. White cheeked barbet ( Megalaima viridis) 0 0 0 90

86. White rumped munia ( Lonchura striata) 113 0 0 68

87. White rumped spinetail ( Zoonavena sylvatica) 0 12 0 088. White-bellied drongo ( Dicrurus caerulescens) 0 178 0 689. White-browed wagtail ( Motacilla maderaspatensis) 29 0 0 73

90. White-throated kingfisher ( Halcyon smyrnensis) 25 156 36 8391. Yellow footed green pigeon (Treron phoenicopterus) 0 0 0 492. Yellow wagtail ( Motacilla flava) 0 6 0 0

Total 3430 8661 2562 7572

CL-Cropland, WL-wetland, Pl-Plantations, FL-Fallow land

3. RESULTS

The results revealed that there is a difference in birdrichness and diversity between the habitats of agro-

ecosystem in the study area. Bird’s richness inagricultural area is dependent upon various factorssuch as food, nesting and breeding places, and all of these factors are being observed in Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture. Different habitats of theagriculture can accommodate different types of birdspecies. These were very clearly reported that the

number of species and their population varies betweenland use systems (habitats) viz., plantations (coconut,mango), crop lands (cereals and vegetables), wet land(farm pond, paddy field and adjoining area of river),and fallow land (Table.1). From the fallow land, the

highest number of species diversity (62) was observedfollowed by wetland (53), cropland (37) and lowest in plantations (31). However number of birds wererecorded to be highest in wetland ecosystem (8661)followed by fallow land ecosystem (7572), croplandecosystem (3430) and lowest in plantations (2562).

There are twelve species (Table 1) were observedin all four types of habitats viz., Asian koel( Eudynamys scolopaceus), black drongo ( Dicrurusmacrocercus), Brahmny kite ( Haliastur indus),common myna ( Acridotheres tristis), green bee-eater ( Merops orientalis), house crow (Corvus splendens),Indian jungle crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), Indian

roller (Coracias benghalensis), jungle babbler (Turdoides striata), southern coucal (Centropus

[sinensis] parroti), spotted dove ( Athene brama) and

white throated kingfisher ( Halcyon smyrnensis). Some birds like white browed bulbul ( Pycnonotus luteolus)

and yellow-footed green pigeon (Treron phoenicopterus) in fallow land; striated heron

( Butorides striata) and white breasted water hen( Amaurornis phoenicurus) in wetland; commonkestrel ( Falco tinnunculus) and indian peafowl ( Pavocristatus) in cropland; black kite ( Milvus migrans) andcommon hawk cuckoo ( Hierococcyx varius) incoconut and mango plantations, were observed as arare visitors and recorded as lowest population in

respect of the habitats (Table 1).Out of 92 species, 64 species visited in all season

of the year in this campus shows richness of the site.Some bird species can visit to particular place for their food, nesting and breeding that clearly identified in

this study and depicted in the Table 2. Common tern(Sterna hirundo), yellow footed green pigeon (Treron phoenicopterus) and black headed ibis (Threskiornismelanocephalus) are very rare and visited this campusas winter visitor. White browed bulbul ( Pycnonotusluteolus) generally found in higher elevation of Western Ghats, once visited during the autumnseason. The unique species like green sandpipers(Tringa ochropus) were observed in rainy season aslimited numbers. Purple sunbirds (Cinnyris asiaticus)are always in good numbers in agricultural landscape but it is a rare visitor of this campus during thesummer. During the spring and summer season,

orange minivet ( Pericrocotus flammeus) and striatedheron ( Butorides striata) were the special visitor thereafter the species were absent rest of the season.




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Baya weaver ( Ploceus philippinus), white rumpedmunia ( Lonchura striata), white bellied drongo( Dicrurus caerulescens), and yellow wagtail( Motacilla flava) were visited during the rainy andautumn. Some of the birds like ashy drongo

( Dicrurusleucophaeus), Asian paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradasi), blue beard bee-eater ( Nyctyornis athertoni), and grey wagtail ( Motacillacinerea) were frequent visitors during the autumn andwinter. One of the rare birds, Barn owl visited during

both summer and winter. Solitary bird but commonest bird in agricultural ecosystem is common hoopoe

visited during spring and winter. Ahsy wood swallow( Artamus fuscus), blue tailed bee-eater ( Merops

philippinus) and white rumped spintail ( Zoonavena sylvatica) were visited in considerable number inthree season of the year except spring and summer.Drongo cuckoo (Surniculus lugubris) prefer to visitduring the spring, summer and winter season. The

scavenger black kite ( Milvus migrans) observedduring spring, summer and rainy season. Goodnumbers of scaly breasted munia ( Lonchura punctulata) and limited numbers of crimson backedsunbird ( Leptocoma minima) and Indian grey hornbill

(Ocyceros birostris) were observed during the all theseasons except winter. Black headed munia ( Lonchura

malacca) and chestnut headed bee-eaters ( Meropsleschenaulti) avoided during spring only (Table 2).

Table 2: Bird species and their populations in different seasons during 2012-2013 in Agro-ecosystem

S.No Species S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 1. Ashy drongo ( Dicrurus leucophaeus) 0 0 0 5 6

2. Ashy wood swallow ( Artamus fuscus) 0 0 322 310 260

3. Asian koel ( Eudynamys scolopaceus) 32 33 32 17 25

4. Asian palm swift (Cypsiurus balasiensis) 188 149 283 183 123

5. Asian-paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradasi) 0 0 0 8 12

6. Barn owl (Tyto alba) 0 6 0 0 6

7. Baya weaver ( Ploceus philippinus) 0 0 54 72 08. Black drongo ( Dicrurus macrocercus) 61 49 81 56 36

9. Black headed cuckoo shrike (Coracina melanoptera) 12 16 8 19 14

10. Black headed ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus) 0 0 0 0 27

11. Black headed munia (lonchura malacca) 0 16 286 324 20

12. Black hooded oriole (Oriolus xanthornus) 24 31 34 6 15

13.

Black kite ( Milvus migrans) 4 6 7 0 014. Blue-bearded Bee-eater ( Nyctyornis athertoni) 0 0 0 51 52

15. Blue-tailed bee-eater ( Merops philippinus) 0 0 81 96 92

16. Blyth’s pipit ( Anthus campestris) 30 27 40 28 12

17. Brahminy kite ( Haliastur esch) 27 16 35 32 24

18. Bronze-winged jacana ( Metopidius indicus) 4 13 15 15 15

19. Cattle egret ( Bubulcus ibis) 26 19 41 13 5

20. Chestnut-headed bee-eater ( Merops eschenaultia) 64 131 194 0 0

21. Common hawk cuckoo ( Hierococcyx varius) 2 9 4 8 4

22. Common goldenback woodpecker ( Dinopium javanense) 16 23 30 9 14

23. Common hoopoe (Upupa epops) 5 0 0 0 6

24. Common kestrel ( Falco tinnunculus) 23 27 20 17 18

25. Common kingfisher ( Alcedo atthis) 8 20 10 13 9

26. Common iora ( Aegithina tiphia) 30 39 16 32 3427. Common myna ( Acridotheres tristis) 242 190 302 312 120

28. Common sandpiper ( Actitis hypoleucos) 13 7 11 14 20

29. Common tailor bird (Orthotomus sutorius) 18 14 30 36 8

30. Common tern (Sterna hirundo) 0 0 0 0 27231. Coppersmith barbet ( Megalaima haemacephala) 59 61 30 40 29

32. Cotton pygmy-goose ( Nettapus coromandelianus) 20 15 29 9 7

33. Crimson backed sunbird ( Leptocoma minima) 14 8 16 7 0

34. Darter ( Anhinga melanogaster ) 14 14 12 16 18

35. Drongo cuckoo (Surniculus lugubris) 4 2 0 0 236. Great egret (Casmerodius albus) 176 198 312 150 109

37. Great goldenback woodpecker ( Dinopium benghalense) 6 11 10 5 4

38. Green Bee-eater ( Merops orientalis) 206 216 275 48 22

39. Green sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) 0 0 8 0 040. Grey francolin ( Francolinus pondicerianus) 18 11 18 13 15

41. Grey wagtail ( Motacilla cinerea) 0 0 0 6 8

42. House crow (Corvus splendens) 66 72 130 83 80

43. House sparrow ( Passer domesticus) 44 27 14 10 2



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44. Indian golden oriole (Oriolus kundoo) 16 10 24 8 4

45. Indian cormorant ( Phalacrocorax fuscicollis) 43 52 55 48 58

46. Indian cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus) 37 33 26 21 18

47. Indian grey hornbill (Ocyceros birostris) 2 4 4 8 048. Indian jungle crow (Corvus macrorhynchos) 84 94 110 82 63

49. Indian peafowl ( Pavo cristatus) 26 32 48 33 2150. Indian pond heron ( Ardeola grayii) 83 73 97 98 92

51. Indian roller or Blue joy (Coracias benghalensis) 34 36 41 29 23

52. Intermediate egret ( Mesophoyx intermedia) 20 26 34 18 15

53. Jungle babbler (Turdoides striata) 345 412 541 414 30854. Jugle bush quail ( Perdicula asiatica) 11 12 11 9 7

55. Lesser whistling duck ( Dendrocygna javanica) 29 32 38 36 42

56. Little cormorant ( Phalacrocorax niger ) 56 47 62 57 66

57. Little erget ( Egretta garzetta) 217 283 418 396 323

58. Little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) 18 26 34 18 14

59. Little swift ( Apus affinis) 140 258 420 268 98

60. Orange minivet ( Pericrocotus flammeus) 17 13 0 0 0

61. Oriental magpie robin (Copsychus saularis) 2 8 13 8 8

62. Paddy field pipit ( Anthus rufulus) 22 22 18 10 663. Pied bushchat (Saxicola caprata) 30 39 60 36 15

64. Pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) 13 18 25 18 9

65. Plain prinia ( Prinia inornata) 6 15 39 48 3

66. Purple heron ( Ardea purpurea) 10 10 12 10 10

67. Purple rumped sunbird ( Leptocoma zeylonica) 17 19 11 7 2

68. Purple sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus) 0 6 0 0 0

69. Purple swamphen ( Porphyrio porphyrio) 14 18 8 16 11

70. Red vented bulbul ( Pycnonotus cafer ) 123 132 155 125 10371. Red wattled lapwing (Vanellus indicus) 62 44 54 27 28

72. Rock dove (Columba livia) 54 44 66 40 32

73. Rose-ringed parakeet ( Psittacula krameri) 52 82 446 307 35

74. Rufous treepie ( Dendrocitta vagabunda) 19 31 27 20 19

75. Scaly breasted munia ( Lonchura punctulata) 11 71 451 336 076. Shikra ( Accipiter badius) 13 12 9 8 8

77. Southern coucal (Centropus [sinensis] parroti) 35 41 50 33 21

78. Spotted dove (Stigmatopelia chinensis) 82 79 104 69 55

79. Spotted owlet ( Athene brama) 24 22 31 31 19

80. Stork-billed kingfisher ( Pelargopsis capensis) 10 9 14 18 22

81. Striated heron ( Butorides striata) 2 1 0 0 0

82. Tickell’s flowerpecker ( Dicaeum erythrorhynchos) 28 22 15 10 10

83. White breasted waterhen ( Amaurornis phoenicurus) 14 14 26 12 11

84. White browed bulbul ( Pycnonotus luteolus) 0 0 0 6 0

85. White cheeked barbet ( Megalaima viridis) 17 13 18 26 16

86. White rumped munia ( Lonchura striata) 0 0 92 89 0

87. White rumped spinetail ( Zoonavena sylvatica) 0 0 24 34 29

88. White-bellied drongo ( Dicrurus caerulescens) 0 0 12 6 089. White-browed wagtail ( Motacilla maderaspatensis) 48 51 82 54 45

90. White-throated kingfisher ( Halcyon smyrnensis) 49 41 57 80 73

91. Yellow footed green pigeon (Treron phoenicopterus) 0 0 0 0 4

92. Yellow wagtail ( Motacilla flava) 0 0 0 2 4

Total 3391 3783 6672 5092 3295S1- spring (mid-April to mid-June), S2 – summer (mid-June to mid-August), S3- rainy (mid-August to mid-Oct), S4- autumn (mid-Oct to mid-Dec), S5- winter (mid-Dec to mid-April)

The greatest differences in richness and diversity between the four habitats of the agro-ecosystem studyareas were economically important for production of

crop except fallow land. Bird species richness werealmost twice found in the fallow land (Table.1)compare to cropland (62 to 37) and plantations (62 to32) and one time greater than wetland (62 to 53).Concerning diversity measurements ( H, and Hmax) in

the different habitats of the agro-ecosystem (Table.3),the fallow land ecosystem exhibit greater differencesthan any habitat of the agro-ecosystem ( H : FL=

3.4619, WL= 3.3770, CL= 3.1278, Pl= 2.8431 and Hmax: FL= 4.1271, WL= 3.9703, CL= 3.6109, Pl=3.4340).

In the diversity measurements ( H and J ) of different seasons of the year in agro-ecosystem (Table




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2 and 4), the spring season showed higher diversity( H : 3.6831, J : 0.8584) compared to other four seasonsdue to individual population numbers were proportionally higher than any other season of theyear even though autumn seasons recorded higher

number of species (80). Autumn season showedmaximum diversity ( Hmax: 4.3820) followed bywinter season ( Hmax: 4.3694) and lowest wasrecorded in spring season ( Hmax: 4.2905).

The correlations studies (Figure 2 and 6) showedthat species density with abundance (R

2=0.828 and

R 2=0.882), bird frequency and density (R 2=0.082 andR

2=0.057) and bird frequency and abundance

(R 2=0.278 and R 2=0.057) have positive correlation in

both the habitats and seasons that has been showed inFigure 3, 4, 6 and 7. The correlation study indicatedthat, increase in species density will also meanincrease in species abundance.

Table 3: Comparison of the Shannon – Wiener Index for different habitats of agro-ecosystem

Habitats H H max J

Crop land 3.1278 3.6109 0.8662

Wet land 3.3770 3.9703 0.8506

Plantation 2.8431 3.4340 0.8279

Fallow land 3.4619 4.1271 0.8388

H : diversity; H max: maximum diversity, and J : evenness

Table 4: Comparison of the Shannon – Wiener Index for different seasons of the year (2012 to 2013) in agro-ecosystem

Seasons H H max J

Spring 3.6831 4.2905 0.8584

Summer 3.6795 4.3175 0.8522

Rainy 3.6168 4.3438 0.8326

Autumn 3.6128 4.3820 0.8245

Winter 3.6365 4.3694 0.8323 H: diversity; H max: maximum diversity, and J : evenness

4. DISCUSSION

There were 92 species of birds observed in the

different habitats with five seasons of the year thatindicates the bird diversity in small agriculturallandscape which is because of continuous availabilityof food, suitable place for nesting and breeding inVanavarayar Institute of Agriculture. This Institute

has different land use patterns which encourage the bird’s diversity. Bird’s species richness, density andtheir frequency of visits were dependent on the land

use pattern and seasons (Bolwig et al., 2006). In other words, habitats (land use patterns) and seasonsinfluences the bird diversity, population andfrequency of visits.

Fig. 2: Correlations between bird abundance and density in different habits of agricultural ecosystem

Some researcher’s (Fischera et al., 2011; Marsdenand Whiffin 2003; Zhijun and Young, 2003) reported

that bird species richness, density and frequencydecreases due to intensive agricultural practices. Our results also supports the above statements and wefound that higher bird diversity (62 species) in fallowland than other habitats, which is due to the presence

of diversity of herbs, shrubs, grasses and trees infallow land which provided a place for nesting and

breeding for different trophic levels of birds.Different season of the year in particular localitynot only influence the different types of vegetation butalso other biodiversity like animals, birds, insects,fishes, and microorganisms, particularly birds are



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sensitive to seasonal changes, because of their breeding and nesting behaviour heavily depends uponclimatic factors of the locality (Huston and Huston,1994). Therefore, some birds are migrating within thegeographical region and even from continent to

continents for their breeding and nesting (Berthold,2001). Thus, the birds distribution and their population trends in different seasons of the year.

The findings of Brandle and Brandl (2001),Gregory and Gaston (2000), Thiollay (1992), Seagle

and McCracken (1986) and Mac Nally (1989)supported the correlation study that local abundance

and distribution of the bird species highly relate with

habitat usage and area availability for their whole life.Thus, the young developing institute covering the areaof 248 acres of land is supporting 92 bird species bydifferent land use patterns and providing sufficientfood. However, some of the birds like munia and

parakeets reduces the 50% of the grain yields of sorghum, pearl millet, maize etc., though the presencehuge number of birds in this institute is eco-friendlyand useful for controlling the crop pest. More over limited use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers were

valuable reason for bird abundance and density insmall area of agricultural landscape.

Fig. 3: Correlations between bird frequency and abundance in different habits of agricultural ecosystem

Fig. 4: Correlations between bird frequency and density in different habits of agricultural ecosystem

There were clear difference concerning birdrichness and diversity between the four habitats of theagro-ecosystem. In all comparable categories from thecropland, wetland, plantations and fallow land wefound greater richness and diversity of birds in fallowland followed by wetland than cropland and plantations. Concerning bird diversity there was agreater bird species diversity ( H ), maximum diversity( Hmax) and evenness ( J ) fallow land. According to

Newton (1998), the different seasons of the year influences the number of birds within the ecosystem.The bird population in an agro-ecosystem showed thatthe numbers of birds were higher in croplands during

the August to December due to the intensivecultivation of cereals and vegetables in this period.The availability of matured grains of sorghum, pearlmillet and maize during these period attracted birdspecies in huge number particularly scaly breastedmunia ( Lonchura punctulata), black headed munia( Lonchura malacca) and rose ringed parakeet( Psittacula krameri). However, seasonal variationinfluences the bird species and diversity within the

region.Shannon – Wiener Index for diversity richness for

different habitats of agro-ecosystem shows that fallowland recorded highest diversity and maximum




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diversity index compared to other habitats. Thus,fallow lands are not subject to practices of crop production therefore, it supported bird’s nesting and breeding at the study site. Thus most of the birdslooked for their food in the agricultural field and from

water bodies and made the fallow land their restingand breeding place. Therefore it indicated highestnumber of species in all the seasons of the year.Zhijun and Young (2003) clearly indicated from their

study that different human uses of the land have beenthe reason for such clear differences in richness anddiversity. Moreover multi cropping system of land-use pattern encourage more number of birds than mono-cropping cropping pattern that resultant availability of

variety of food supported different types of birds. Assupported by the findings of Mudri-Stojnić (2012),Thomas et al, (2011), and Franz (2004).

Fig. 5: Correlations between bird abundance and density in different season of the year during 2013-2013

Fig. 6: Correlations between bird frequency and density in different season of the year during 2012-2013

Fig. 7: Correlations between bird frequency and density in different seasons of the year during 2012-2013

5. CONCLUSION

The study “Assessment of bird population in differenthabitats of agricultural ecosystem” conducted inVanavarayar Institute of Agriculture, Pollachi, Tamil

Nadu (India) for bird population and their conservation over the small agricultural landscape

created great awareness among the studentscommunity. Higher diversity of birds was found in all

habitats compare to plantation (mango and coconut plantations). Highest diversity of birds was found infallow land compared to all other forms of land use

pattern. The highest diversity of birds was due to morediversity of plants which gives more choice for the



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food preference of the bird species as well as nestingand breeding place. However, particular crops such assorghum, bajra, maize etc., cultivate as mono-cropattracted particular types of birds frequently in largenumber. Rare birds like Indian grey hornbill

(Ocyceros birostris), yellow footed green pigeon(Treron phoenicopterus), common tern (Sternahirundo), paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradasi), black headed ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus),white browed bulbul ( Pycnonotus luteolus), striated

heron ( Butorides striata), and barn owl (Tyto alba)that visited the study site in particular season shows

the richness of the habitats in the study area. Theconsiderable numbers of trees in fallow land and boundary of agricultural land accommodate the largenum ber of bird’s population. Thus shows planting

trees in agricultural lands can increase the birddiversity. This study strongly supported limited use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers as they do not posedanger to various types of bird species that visited thesite in large numbers. The study site (Vanavarayar Institute) has been shown to support various species of birds, migratory birds inclusive due to availability of crops, and diversity of other plants as well as reservoir

and river which also support some wetland birds.

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NATARAJAN MARIAPPAN; He works as Assistant Professor (Forestry) in Vanavarayar Institute of

Agriculture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Pollachi, Tamil Nadu (India). He received M.Sc

(Forestry) from Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, HimachalPradesh (India) and B.Sc (Forestry) from Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam, Tamil

Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. He has published books, national and international research

papers. His field of interest includes forest and wildlife sciences.

B.K. AHAMED KALFAN; He received his Bachelor Degree in Agriculture in Vanavarayar Institute

of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. At present he works as Research Scholar at Tamil

Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (India). His filed of interest about bird research

and making awareness about wildlife and environmental conservation.

SRINIVASAGAM KRISHNAKUMAR; He works as Assistant Professor in Soil Science and

Agricultural Chemistry department in Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural

University, Pollachi, Tamil Nadu (India). He has got the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Scholarship

(JNMF), New Delhi for doing part of Ph.D. Research work at International Rice Research Institute(IRRI), Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines and Tamil Nadu Student Council for Science and Technology

(TNSCST), Chennai for doing post graduate Research programme. He has published number of books,

national and international research papers.

assessment of bird population in different habitats of agricultural ecosystem

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