Composition of avian communities in Ranjit Sagar Conservation Reserve, Punjab, India

Abstract

The Ranjit Sagar wetland, a critical aquatic ecosystem supporting diverse flora and fauna, has been the subject of investigation from January 2013 to January 2015. The study revealed the presence of 167 avian species across 19 orders and 52 families. Notably, areas with minimal disturbance within the wetland serve as key niches for a substantial avian population, encompassing 47.31% migrant and 52.69% resident species. Significantly, 10 Near Threatened species, alongside the Vulnerable Common Pochard Aythya ferina and the Endangered Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus, underscore the wetland’s conservation value. Dominated by order Passeriformes (55 species), followed by Charadriiformes (29 species), and Anseriformes (20 species), the avian community exhibits varied feeding guilds, with insectivores (37.13%), omnivores (18.56%), aquatic animal feeders (16.16%), carnivores (14.97%), frugivores (5.39%), granivores (4.79%), and herbivores (3%) comprising its composition. This study elucidates the intricate avian ecosystem’s dynamics in Ranjit Sagar wetland, emphasizing its conservation significance and ecological structure, thereby contributing valuable insights for preservation and future research.