Status and Diversity of Avifauna in and around Magadi Lake, Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Introduction:  Avifaunal diversity and abundance  serve as essential   indicators of ecosystem quality, playing a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and  securing overall environmental stability. Wetlands in India provide a unique habitat to many aquatic flora and fauna as well as several birds including migratory species. Understanding and protecting the roles of birds in wetlands is essential for keeping these habitats healthy and diversity of the birds.

Objectives: To document avifaunal diversity and to identify the predominant bird species in Magadi Lake. To understand the feeding and breeding habitat of birds in and around the study area.

 Methods:The Study was carried out from February 2024 to January 2025 for a period of one year. The point count and line transect methods were used for bird documentation.Birds were identified with the help of different field guides. 

Resuts: A total of 60 bird species belonging to 14 orders and 26 families were recorded in Magadi Lake, chikkamagaluru District. Among these Passeriformes (1 8 species) dominated the study area, followed by Peliconiformes (11species), Charadriiformes,Accipitriformes,Gruiformes(4specis each)Coraciiformes    Columbiformes,Suliformes(3specieseach)Ciconiiformes,Apodiformes,Anseriformes and Cuculiformes (2 species each) Strigiformes  and Bucerotiformes (1 species). In the study three globally red listed Near Threatened species, Painted Stork(Mycteria leucocephala),Black headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus) and Curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) were recorded.

Conclusion: In the present investigation, the order Passeriformes was the most dominant in the study area. From the above observation it can be concluded that Magadi Lake accommodates wide variety of bird species. The rich bird diversity of this lake is due to the heterogeneous vegetation cover, which provides shelter, microhabitats, favourable feeding and breeding grounds.