FEEDING GUILD STRUCTURE OF BIRDS AT KESHOPUR CHHAMB WETLAND, GURDASPUR

Abstract

To achieve a comprehensive understanding of avian feeding guild structure the present study was conducted at Keshopur wetland Ramsar site, district Gurdaspur, Punjab, India. A total of 121 species of birds belonging to 19 orders and 47 families were observed. Direct observation techniques and focal sampling methods were used to study their foraging behaviour. Seven major feeding guilds ie., carnivorous, insectivorous, omnivorous, granivorous, herbivorous, frugivorous and nectarivorous were found. Maximum number of species were of carnivorous guild (28%) followed by insectivorous (21%). Cattle egret and red-wattled lapwing, members of carnivorous guild were observed to feed on insects also, hence placed in multiple guilds. Northern shoveler, eurasian coots and purple moorhen were seen foraging in association with each other. The large number of insectivorous birds depicts the presence of rich number of insects. The presence of birds belonging to seven foraging guilds highlight the significance of Keshopur wetland in providing a rich feeding ground to both migratory as well as resident birds.