Status of birds in Agasthyamalai hills, Western Ghats, Kerala, India

Abstract

The present study focused on the status of birds in two wildlife sanctuaries, Neyyar and Peppara, located in Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, Kerala State, India. A total of 197 bird species representing 16 orders and 57 families are reported from the study area. According to the IUCN Red List, one Endangered, two Vulnerable, and nine Near Threatened bird species occur in the landscape. Black Bulbul was the most abundant species with highest density, followed by Yellow-browed Bulbul and Crimson-backed Sunbird. Despite many bird species being broadly distributed across elevations, most endemic species occur or breed at elevations above 1,200m, dominated by southern hilltop evergreen forest. This highlights the prominence of these high altitude species and their habitats. A customized conservation plan is needed for the whole elevation gradient with greater emphasis on high elevation forest.