Seasonal diversity and dietary guild structure of birds in two Vindhyan gorge forests of Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Habitat is the key factor of biodiversity conservation. In Vindhyan mountain range of India, there are many perennial and seasonal rivers which create deep gorges in their course of flow. Two Vindhyan gorges—Tahla and Chainpuriya—were studied to know their potential as bird habitat from July 2016 to June 2018 using line transect method during three season survey basis. The Tahla gorge had 74 bird species of 35 families (67 resident and 7 migratory). The Chainpuriya gorge had 60 bird species belonged to 31 families (53 resident and 7 migratory). Highest bird diversity (HT = 3.55, HCh = 3.29) and richness (dT = 9.63,dCh = 8.28) was found in summer and the least diversity (HT = 3.40, HCh = 3.19) and richness (dT = 7.95, dCh = 7.49) was found in monsoon. Birds of family Muscicapidae had highest relative diversity (T = 9.45, Ch = 13.33) in both the gorges. Insectivorous guild was most abundant followed by omnivorous, carnivorous, granivorous, frugivorous, and nectarivorous guilds. Wide range of habitats, variety of food, life resources, and undisturbed self-sustained ecosystem were important key factors for the rich diversity of birds in the gorges.