Avifauna of North West Himalaya

Abstract

Northwestern Himalaya is known for a highly heterogeneous physiography and climate and an amazing biodiversity. This chapter is based on the published literature, surveys conducted by Zoological Survey of India during the last two decades, and studies undertaken by author during the last 7 years. A total of 768 species of birds belonging to 21 orders and 95 families are enlisted in the present study including some rare/interesting records. About 48% species of birds of this region are migratory and exhibit different types of migration. Among them, 16.02% are long-distance winter migrants followed by 6.51% passage migrants and 14.58% summer migrants. The rest of the birds (483 spp.) are resident including 81 local migrants. Out of 768 species, 61 (7.94%) belong to threatened categories. Four species are 'critically endangered', while five are 'endangered'. Twenty-three species belong to 'vulnerable' category followed by 29 species in 'near-threatened' category. The major threat to avian diversity is loss, degradation and fragmentation of habitats owing to unorganized development, agriculture, forest fire and excessive extraction of natural resources.