This study summarizes the results of a survey of avian fauna in Anicadu Village in Mallapally Taluk, Kerala, India. Three habitats were surveyed - paddy fields, a sacred grove, and the banks of the Manimala River. A total of 20 bird species from 14 families were observed. The sacred grove habitat contained the highest diversity and abundance of bird species, followed by the paddy fields and then the river. Bird diversity and numbers were highest in the habitat surveys conducted in November. The study concludes conservation of these habitat types is important for protecting the area's bird populations and environment.

1. A STUDY OF AVIAN FAUNA IN A
SMALL LOCALITY IN ANICADU
VILLAGE IN MALLAPALLY TALUK
AKHILA KRISHNA
Reg. No. : 140021097901

2. INTRODUCTION
 Birds are a group of endothermic vertebrates characterized by
feathers and are included under class Aves.
 Ornithology is a branch of zoology that concerns the study of
birds.
 Birds play vital role in pollination, dispersal of seeds, predatory
on insects, as scavenger, food chain balancing, and as bio-
indicators.

3.  A worldwide total of 10425 species of birds are recognized
by Bird Life International.
 Indian subcontinent supports 1340 species (13% of World’s
birds) and include 141 endemic species.
 Kerala has about 497 bird species within its boundary.
 The highest number of birds was recorded during the
months of winter.

4. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
 To make a checklist of the birds found in this area.
 To determine the distribution of birds in the region.
 To assess the population fluctuation across the months.
 To find out the unique species in each ecosystems.

5. METHODOLOGY
 The current study was conducted in Anicadu Village in
Mallapally.
 Three habitats were selected- Paddy field, Sacred grove
and the river bank of Manimala.
 Line Transect method was used for the bird survey.
 A total of two transects were laid along each habitat, with a
length of approximately 100m.
 Observations were made for five months from September
2016 to January 2017.
 Birds were identified with the help of photographs and
field guide.
 A checklist was prepared, graphs were drawn and features
of birds documented.

6. OBSERVATIONS
TABLE 1: CHECKLIST OF BIRDS FROM ANICADU VILLAGE
 Little Egret
 Cattle Egret
 Indian Pond Heron
 Shikra
 Blue Rock Pigeon
 Rose Ringed Parakeet
 Asian Koel
 Greater Coucal
 White Cheeked Barbet
 Lesser Goldenbacked
Woodpecker
 Redwhiskered Bulbul
 Jungle Babbler
 Purple Sunbird
 House Sparrow
 Common Myna
 Jungle Myna
 Blackheaded Oriole
 RufousTreepie
 House Crow
 Jungle Crow

7. FIGURE 1: NUMBER OF SPECIES OF BIRDS OBSERVED IN
VARIOUS HABITATS IN ANICADU VILLAGE
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
September October November December January
No.ofspecies
Number of species of birds
Paddy
River
Sacred Grove

8. FIGURE 2: ABUNDANCE OF BIRDS IN VARIOUS HABITATS
IN ANICADU VILLAGE
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
September October November December January
No.ofbirds
Abundance of birds
Paddy
River
Sacred Grove

9. FIGURE 3: GRAPH SHOWING VARIATION IN NUMBER OF BIRDS
OBSERVED IN DIFFERENT MONTHS FROM ANICADU VILLAGE
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
September October November December January
No.ofbirds
Total number of birds

10. FIGURE 4: DIAGRAM SHOWING % OF OCCURRENCE OF
BIRDS IN DIFFERENT HABITATS IN ANICADU VILLAGE
19.6
13.2
33.6
Percentage of occurrence
Paddy
River
Sacred Grove

11. DISCUSSION
 From the study, 20 species of birds belonging to 18 genera and
14 families were observed.
 Most number of bird species was observed in sacred grove (17
species) followed by river (13) and paddy field (11).
 Most abundant family was Ardiedae and Corvidae, represented
by 3 species each.
 Cattle egret was the most common bird and Shikra and Lesser
golden backed woodpecker were the rarest birds observed in the
field.

12.  Cattle egret was observed only in the paddy field. 6 species
of birds were present only in Sacred grove.
 Richness and abundance was highest in sacred grove,
followed by paddy field and then river.
 Highest richness and abundance was observed in sacred
grove in November (15 species, 38 number).
 Total abundance was also high (75 numbers) in November.
 Maximum number of birds (51%) were present in sacred
grove followed by paddy field (29%) and river (20%).

13. CONCLUSION
 A total of 20 species of birds belonging to 18 genera from 14
families were observed.
 The study area was not very rich in bird diversity due to
degraded condition of habitats in the study area.
 It was sacred grove that shows highest richness, abundance
and in overall diversity than paddy field and river.
 Richness and abundance of birds shows the maximum in the
month of November.

14.  Birds are economically useful for humans in many ways. So,
the conservation of birds is important for maintaining a
healthy environment.
 Absence of fish in rivers and non-cultivated condition of
paddy field affect their food chain.
 Conservation of rivers, paddy fields and sacred groves can
protect a large number of birds and thereby conserve the
environment.

15. THANK YOU