Status and diversity of avifauna in coastal areas of South Bengal, India

The status and diversity of avifauna was studied in coastal areas of South Bengal, India from January 2014 to June 2016. The entire survey was comprehensively carried out by walking along the fixed paths/trails, for documentation of avifauna. In total, 171 bird species representing 18 orders and 54 families were recorded. Depending on movement and seasonality of occurrence, birds were classified as resident, winter migrant and local migrant. Depending on the frequency of sightings, birds were classified as: abundant, common, occasional and rare. Out of the 171 bird species, 100 were resident, 51 were winter visitor and 20 was local migrants. The maximum similarity of birds were observed between village woodland and coastal forest and lowest similarity observed between Village woodland and Sea Shore. Among the total species observed, 9.94% species were abundant, 32.75% common, 40.94% occasional and 16.37% rare. Out of the 171 species bird species recorded in the study area, three species "near threatened"; and the remaining 168 species were "least concern", according to IUCN. The present study contributed the abundance of avifauna for the first time in the coastal region of South Bengal along-with their primary habitats and migratory status.