International Research Journal of Biological Sciences ___________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202Vol. 4(11), 21-33, November (2015) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 21 Avifaunal Diversity of Bilaspur District, Himachal Pradesh, India Singh Diljeet Department of Zoology, Government College Shahpur (Kangra), Himachal Pradesh, 176206, INDIA Available online at: www.isca.in, www.isca.me Received 2nd October 2015, revised 18th October 2015, accepted 4th November 2015 Abstract The avifaunal diversity at five study sites (Bhakhra, Naina Devi, Swarghat, Bilaspur and Ghumarwin ) of Bilaspur district in Himachal Pradesh was explored during two visits (winter) in 2010-2011. In total, 111 species of birds belonging to 13 orders and 36 families were observed in Bilaspur district (43: Bhakhra, 45: Naina Devi, 31: Swarghat, 76: Bilaspur, and 42: Ghumarwin). The highest number of species were found in order Passeriformes (66)59.4% followed by Ciconiiformes (14)12.6% and least number (1)0.90% in other 5 orders. The highest number of species were found in family Muscicapidae (16)14.4% followed by Sylviidae (12) 10.8% and Corvidae 10 (9.0%) and least number (1)0.90% in other 16 families. The relative abundance of species was Very Common (12), Common (44), Uncommon (41) and Rare (14). One globally threatened (IUCN status) species Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus was also reported found to have relative abundance as Uncommon. Keywords: Avifaunal, Diversity, Birds, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. Introduction There are about 10,000 living species of birds in the world. Birds vary greatly in their diversity, habitats, abundance and distribution throughout the world. They have usually more diversity in tropics than temperate, alpine or Polar Regions. Their habitat preferences are more or less specialized. They occupy higher trophic levels in food webs. They vary in their abundance, as some species occur in large numbers while others are represented by few individuals only. Some birds have small breeding ranges in particular region only whereas others undertake long distance annual migrations throughout the world. Their distribution reflects many other wildlife groups. Birds serve as valuable indicators of changes in biodiversity and environment of the world. India has more than 1250 species of birds; Grimmett et al., Kazmierczak and Perlo. Himachal Pradesh has diversity of more than 500 to 600 species of birds; Ali and Ripley, Singh et al., Grimmett and Inskipp, Besten, Mahabal, Thakur and Mattu, Singh10. Some of the checklists of birds of Himachal Pradesh are as follows: Ali and Ripley mentioned about birds recorded in Himachal Pradesh in their book“Handbook of Birds of India and Pakistan, together with those of Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Srilanka-10 vols”. Singh et al. enlisted about 358 species of birds from 2 National Parks and 29 Wildlife Sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh. Grimmett and Inskippenlisted about 572 species in Himachal Pradesh in their book “Birds of Northern India”. Besten reported 555 species of birds in Kangra in his book “Birds of Kangra” including previous lists of Hingston, Whistler, Pandey and other sources. Mahabalmade a systematic list of 447 species of birds recorded in Himachal Pradesh in publication of Zoological Survey of India as “Fauna of Western Himalaya, Part -2”. Thakur and Mattureported 322 species in their book “Birds of Himachal Pradesh”. The author10 recorded 308 species (study carried out during 2007 to 2012) in his book “Birds Recorded during a Study in Himachal Pradesh”. The avifauna of Bilaspur district has been studied in past by some workers; Jones11,12, Singh et al., Mahabal and Sharma13, Mahabal14, Mahabal. Jones11 reported 274 species of birds in Shimla hills including some adjoining areas of Bilaspur also. Singh et al. observed about 15 species in Govind Sagar and Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuary. Mahabal and Sharma13 reported 58 species in Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuary. Mahabal14 studied the birds of Siwalik Himalaya and recorded 136 species from Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Una districts. Mahabal made a systematic list of 191 species of Bilaspur district. Despite these studies, some areas of Bilaspur district were unexplored, therefore present study was undertaken. A preliminary checklist of this area has already been reported by Singh15 and Singh10.Present study aims to give further information about relative abundance, habitat and other observations of birds. Material and Methods Study Area: Bilaspur district (31°12'30'' to 31°35'45'' N, 76°23'45'' to 76°55'40'' E) lies in humid sub-tropical zone of Shiwalik Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh. It is bordered in south-west by Punjab state (figure-1). Bilaspur district has an area of 1167 km, terrain is mostly hilly and altitude varies from 300 meters to1980 meters above mean sea level. Gobind Sagar Lake which is formed by Bhakra Dam on Satluj river forms the Research Journal of Biological Sciences ___________________________________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202 Vol. 4(11), 21-33, November (2015) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 22 catchment area of Bilaspur. Govind Sagar reservoir is 90 km long with an area of 168 km. Bhakhra vllage is famous for Bhakhra Dam (518 m long and 9 m wide).Naina Devi is famous for Naina Devi temple and Naina Devi Conservation Reserve (17 km). The temperature of this region varies from -2C (winter) to 40C (summer) and average annual rainfall is 1150 mm16,17. The vegetation and habitats of study area mainly consists of dry mixed deciduous forests, subtropical broadleaved forests, coniferous (pine) forests, wetlands, lakes, streams, scrubs and agricultural lands. The sites located within an altitudinal range of 550 meters to 1100 metres above mean sea level were selected for observation of birds: (550 m- Bhakhra village and Dam surroundings; 950 m- Naina Devi including Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuary area, Gwandal, Baroh, Dadoh and Janol); 1100 m- Swarghat including Matnoh and Panjpiri; 600 m- Bilaspur including Govindsagar Lake, Lunu, Kherian, Lakhanpur, Dukeli and Changer; and 640 m- Ghumarwin including Badu, Ratail, Nihari and Seer stream). From central point of Bilaspur, distances of these sites are: 95 km (Bhakhra), 71 (Naina Devi), 40 km (Swarghat), 20 km (Ghumarwin). Methods: Because of large area of study sites, stratified sampling technique was adopted to include all different kinds of habitats of study area by selecting a representative sample of each habitat. Each site was searched along routes of roads, paths and other accessible ways in the periphery of about 4-6 km. Two visits (winter) were made to five study sites (Bhakhra, Naina Devi, Swarghat, Bilaspur and Ghumarwin) of Bilaspur district during 2010- 2011. Minimum 3-4 days were given to each site during any visit. The observations were done during morning (7.00-11.00 hrs) and evening times (15.00-17.00 hrs) in sufficient sunlight at local time. The relative abundance of bird species was estimated on the basis of frequency of sightings and number of birds seen. The birds were observed visually by binocular (7x35mm) and sometimes photographed for aid in identification by digital camera (12x optical zoom). The birds were identified with the help of field guides: Pocket Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent; and A Field Guide to the Birds of India, Srilanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and the Maldives. Nomenclature and classification follows AnAnnotated Checklist of the Birds of the Oriental Region18. Results and DiscussionIn total, 111 species of birds belonging to 13 orders and 36 families were recorded (table-1). The total number of species found in 36 families were (table, figure-2): Phasianidae (3) 2.7% , Anatidae (1) 0.90%, Picidae (6) 5.4%, Megalaimidae (3) 2.7%, Bucerotidae (1) 0.90%, Upupidae (1) 0.90%, Alcedinidae (1) 0.90%, Halcyonidae (1) 0.90%, Cerylidae (2) 1.8%, Centropodidae (1) 0.90%, Psittacidae (4) 3.6%, Strigidae (1) 0.90%, Columbidae (5) 4.5%, Rallidae (1) 0.90%, Scolopacidae (2) 1.8%, Charadriidae (3) 2.7%, Laridae (1) 0.90%, Accipitridae (2) 1.8%, Phalacrocoracidae (2) 1.8%, Ardeidae (4) 3.6%, Laniidae (1) 0.90%, Corvidae (10) 9.0%, Muscicapidae (16) 14.4%, Sturnidae (2) 1.8%, Sittidae (1) 0.90%, Certhiidae (1) 0.90%, Paridae (1) 0.90% , Hirundinidae (1) 0.90%, Pycnonotidae (3) 0.90%, Cisticolidae (3) 2.7%, Zosteropidae (1) 0.90%, Sylviidae (12) 10.8%, Alaudidae (1) 0.90%, Nectariniidae (2) 1.8%, Passeridae (8) 7.2% and Fringillidae (3) 2.7%. The highest number of species were found in order Passeriformes (66) 59.4% followed by Ciconiiformes (14) 12.6% and least number (1) 0.90% in other 5 orders. The highest number of species were found in family Muscicapidae (16) 14.4% followed by Sylviidae (12) 10.8% and Corvidae (10) 9.0% and least number (1) 0.90% in other 16 families (table). The total number of species found in five study sites were (table-1): 42 (Bhakhra), 45 (Naina Devi), 28 (Swarghat), 76 (Bilaspur) and 40 (Ghumarwin). The relative abundance (figure-2) of species was Very Common (12), Common (44), Uncommon (41) and Rare (14). The highest number of species were found in common followed uncommon, rare and very common. Of 111 species, 17 species (Red Junglefowl,Rose-ringed Parakeet, Rock Pigeon, Black Kite, Large-billed Crow, Oriental Magpie Robin, Indian Robin, Common Myna, Great Tit, Himalayan Bulbul, Red-vented Bulbul, Grey-breasted Prinia, Oriental White Eye, Common Tailorbird, Grey-hooded Warbler, Jungle Babbler and House Sparrow) were found common in all study sites (Bhakhra, Naina Devi, Swarghat, Bilaspur and Ghumarwin). This shows that these species have common occurrence in Bilaspur district. Of 111 species, 78 species were found common with previous records of 191 species. Thus, remaining 33 species [Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Brown-fronted Woodpecker, Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Black-rumped Flameback, Great Barbet, Slaty-headed Parakeet, Wedge-tailed Green-Pigeon (figure-5), Black-winged Stilt , Little Ringed Plover, Great Cormorant, Grey Treepie, Dark-throated Thrush, White-tailed Rubythroat, Bluethroat, Orange-flanked Bush Robin, Brown Rock Chat, Common Starling, Wall Creeper, Streak-throated Swallow, Black Bulbul, Striated Prinia, Ashy Prinia, Puff-throated Babbler, White-browed Scimitar Babbler, Black-chinned Babbler, Oriental Skylark, Fire Breasted Flowerpecker, Crimson Sunbird, Buff-bellied Pipit, Rufous-breasted Accentor and Yellow-breasted Greenfinch] were found further additions to birdlist of Bilaspur district. One globally threatened (IUCN status) species Egyptian VultureNeophron percnopterus was found to have relative abundance as Uncommon and thus, have scope of conservation in this area. Research Journal of Biological Sciences ___________________________________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202 Vol. 4(11), 21-33, November (2015) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 23 Conclusion As, Bilaspur district lies mostly in catchment area of Gobind Sagar Lake, so it has much scope of supporting rich bird diversity. Presently, only winter season was covered, therefore, further explorations in different seasons of year can provide more information about status of birds. (Map Source: wwwmapsofindia.com)Figure1 Map showing location of study sites (Bh: Bhakhra, N: Naina Devi, S: Swarghat, B: Bilaspur, G: Ghumarwin) in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh Research Journal of Biological Sciences ___________________________________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202 Vol. 4(11), 21-33, November (2015) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 24 Table-1 Systematic List of birds of Bilaspur districtCommon and Scientific Names (with orders and families) Study Sites Habitats and birds seen in single sighting Rel. Abu. Galliformes phasianidae Grey Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus B Sl, Al, 1-2 UC Jungle Bush Quail Perdicula asiatica B Bu, 2-4 UC Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus Bh, N, S, B, G BF, MF, Bu,1, 2, 2-4 C Anseriformes Anatidae Mallard Anas platyrhynchos B WA 2-12 UC Piciformes Picidae Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos nanus Bh BF , 1 SC Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus N, B, G BF, MF, 1 C Brown-fronted Woodpecker Dendrocopos auriceps S CF, 1 C Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos macei N, B, G BF, MF, 1 UC Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus S MF, Al , 1 C Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense Bh, B BF, Gr, Ga, 1 C Megalaimidae Great Barbet Megalaima virensB MF, CF, 1-2 UC Brown-headed Barbet Megalaima zeylanica B BF, Gr, Ga, 1-2 C Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica B, N Ga, Gr, 1 C Bucerotiformes Bucerotidae Indian Grey Hornbill Ocyceros birostris Bh, B BF, 1-2 C Upupiformes Upupidae Common Hoopoe Upupa epops B HH, La, Ga, 1-2 UC Coraciiformes Alcedinidae Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis B WA, 1 SC Halcyonidae White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis B WA, IC, St, 1-2 C Research Journal of Biological Sciences ___________________________________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202 Vol. 4(11), 21-33, November (2015) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 25 Common and Scientific Names (with orders and families) Study Sites Habitats and birds seen in single sighting Rel. Abu. Cerylidae Crested Kingfisher Megaceryle lugubris G St, 1 UC Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis B WA, 1 C Cuculiformes Centropodidae Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis B Sl, La, Ga, 1 SC Psittaciformes Psittacidae Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria B, G Ga, Gr, MF, Al, 2-5 C Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittaculakrameri Bh, N, S, B, G HH, Ga, Gr, Al, 2-5 C Slaty-headed Parakeet Psittacula himalayana B MF, Gr, Ga, 2-4 UC Plum-headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala N, B HH, Ga, Gr, Al, 2-5 C Strigiformes Strigidae Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides N, G MF, BF, Gr, 1 UC Columbiformes Columbidae Rock Pigeon Columba livia Bh, N, S, B, G HH, Al, La, WA, Sl, MF, 2-30 VC Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis N, B Al, La, Sl, 1-2 UC Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis B,G HH, Ga, Al, Sl, La, 1-3 VC Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto B HH, La, Al, 1-2 UC Wedge-tailed Green-Pigeon Treron sphenura Bh BF, Gr, 1-3 SC Gruiformes Rallidae White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus G St, IC, 1-2 UC Ciconiiformes Scolopacidae Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus B, G WA, St, 1 UC Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos B WA, 1 SC Charadriidae Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus B WA, 2-6 C Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius B WA, 1-2 UC Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus Bh, B, G St, La, WA, Al, OA, 1-5 C Research Journal of Biological Sciences ___________________________________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202 Vol. 4(11), 21-33, November (2015) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 26 Common and Scientific Names (with orders and families) Study Sites Habitats and birds seen in single sighting Rel. Abu. Laridae River Tern Sterna aurantia B WA, 1-2 C Accipitridae Black Kite Milvus migrans Bh, N, S, B, G WA, HH, Al, Sl Ga, Gr, MF, 1-5 VC Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus N MF, OA, 1-2 UC Phalacrocoracidae Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger Bh, B WA, 1-6 C Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo B, G WA, St, 1-4 UC Ardeidae Little Egret Egretta garzetta Bh, B, G WA, St, 1-6 C Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia B WA, 1-2 UC Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis B WA, La, Al, 1-5 C Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii B WA, St, 1-2 UC Passeriformes Laniidae Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach Bh, N, B Sl, Bu,1 UC Corvidae Red-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa erythrorhyncha Bh, B, G CF, MF, 1-3 C Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda Bh, N, B, G BF, MF, Al, Ga, Gr, 1-2 C Grey Treepie Dendrocitta formosae S CF, 1-2 C Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos Bh, N, S, B, G HH, MF, Al, Sl, DS, OA, 2-20 VC Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus N Sl, BF, 1 UC Yellow-bellied Fantail Rhipidura hypoxantha Bh,N, S, G CF, MF, 1 UC White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis Bh, N, B Bu, CF, MF, 1 UC White-browed Fantail Rhipidura aureola Bh He, Bu, 1 SC Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus Bh Sl, He, Bu, 1- 2 C Common Woodshrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus N BF, Sl, 1 SC Research Journal of Biological Sciences ___________________________________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202 Vol. 4(11), 21-33, November (2015) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 27 Common and Scientific Names (with orders and families) Study Sites Habitats and birds seen in single sighting Rel. Abu. Muscicapidae Blue Whistling Thrush Myophonus caeruleus Bh, N, S, B, G St, MF, CF, 1 VC Grey-winged Blackbird Turdus boulboul N MF, Bu, 1 SC Dark-throated Thrush Turdus ruficollis Bh, N Ga, Gr, 1 UC Slaty-blue Flycatcher Ficedula tricolor N, G IC, Bu, He, 1 UC Grey-headed canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis Bh BF, IC, Bu, 1 UC White-tailed Rubythroat Luscinia pectoralis N Bu, 1 SC Bluethroat Luscinia svecica B La, Bu, 1 UC Orange-flanked Bush Robin Tarsiger cyanurus S CF,1 UC Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis Bh, N, S, B, G Ga, La, 1 C Indian Robin Saxicoloides fulicata Bh, N, S, B, G Bu, Sl, BF, La, 1 C Blue-capped Redstart Phoenicurus coeruleocephalus N, S, B Sl, CF, Gr, MF, 1,2 C Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros Bh WA, 1 UC White-capped Water Redstart Chaimarrornis leucocephalus S, B, G St, IC, 1 C Plumbeous Water Redstart Rhyacornis fuliginosus G St, 1, 2 C Grey Bushchat Saxicola ferrea N, B,G Sl, He, MF, 1, 2 C Brown Rock Chat Cercomela fusca N HH, 1 UC Sturnidae Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris B Al, 2-6 UC Common Myna Acridotheres tristis Bh, N, S, B, G HH, La, Ga, Al, Sl, 2-20 VC Sittidae Wall Creeper Tichodroma muraria G St, Ro/So, 1 SC Certhiidae Bar-tailed Treecreeper Certhia himalayana S, B, G MF, CF, 1 C Paridae Great Tit Parus major Bh, N, S, B, G Sl, Bu, Al, Ga, Gr, MF, 1-3 VC Research Journal of Biological Sciences ___________________________________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202 Vol. 4(11), 21-33, November (2015) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 28 Common and Scientific Names (with orders and families) Study Sites Habitats and birds seen in single sighting Rel. Abu. Hirundinidae Streak-throated Swallow Hirundo fluvicola B WA, 2-20 C Pycnonotidae Himalayan Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys Bh, N, S, B, G Sl, Bu, MF, BF, CF, Al, 1-3 VC Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer Bh, N, S, B, G Sl, Bu, MF, BF, 1-2 C Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus B CF, MF, 2-5 UC Cisticolidae Striated Prinia Prinia criniger B Bu, He, MF, 1 UC Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii Bh, N, S, B, G Bu, Sl, He, 1-3 C Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis B Bu, He, 1 UC Zosteropidae Oriental White Eye Zosterops palpebrosus Bh, N, S, B, G MF, BF, Ga, Gr, Bu, Sl, He, 1-3 VC Sylviidae Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius Bh, N, S, B, G Bu, He, Ga, 1 C Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Bh MF, Bu, 1 C Hume’s Warbler Phylloscopus humei N, G He, Bu, Ga, Sl, 1 C Grey-hooded Warbler Seicercus xanthoschistos Bh, N, S, B, G BF, MF, Bu, Sl, He, 1-2 VC Streaked Laughingthrush Garrulax lineatus S CF, 1 C Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps N Bu, MF, 1-3 C Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus erythrogenys N, B Bu, MF, CF, 1-2 C White-browed Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus schisticeps Bh, B Bu, MF, Gr, 1-2 UC Black-chinned Babbler Stachyris pyrrhops Bh, B Bu, MF, 1 C Yellow-eyed Babbler Chrysomma sinense Bh, N, B He, Bu, Sl, 1-2 C Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus Bh, N, S, B,G MF, CF, BF, Sl, Bu, La, Ga, 2-10 VC Rufous Sibia Heterophasia capistrata S CF, 1-2 SC Research Journal of Biological Sciences ___________________________________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202 Vol. 4(11), 21-33, November (2015) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 29 Common and Scientific Names (with orders and families) Study Sites Habitats and birds seen in single sighting Rel. Abu. Alaudidae Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula B WA, 2-7 UC Nectariniidae Fire Breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus S MF, 1 UC Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja N BF, Ga, 1 UC Passeridae House Sparrow Passer domesticus Bh, N, S, B, G HH, La, Al, Ga, OA, Bu, 2-20 VC White Wagtail Motacilla alba Bh, B, G WA, St, La, 1-6 C White-browed Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis Bh, B, G WA, St, La, 1-3 C Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Bh, B, G WA, St, La, 1-2 C Tawny Pipit Anthus campestrisB WA, 1 UC Buff-bellied Pipit Anthus rubescens B WA, 1 SC Rufous-breasted Accentor Prunella strophiata S CF, 1-2 SC Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata B He, La, 1-7 UC Fringillidae Yellow-breasted Greenfinch Carduelis spinoides N Ga, Sl, La, 2-8 UC Crested Bunting Melophus lathami B Sl, Al, 1-2 SC White-capped Bunting Emberiza stewarti Bh, N, S CF, MF, La, 2-6 UC Rel. Abu.: Relative Abundance Study Sites: Bh: Bhakhra, N: Naina Devi, S: Swarghat, B: Bilaspur, G: Ghumarwin Relative Abundance: VC: Very Common (Abundant number of sightings/81-100% of sightings)/ Abundant number of birds seen, C: Common (Regular number of sightings but less than VC/ 50-80% of sightings)/Moderate number of birds seen, UC: Uncommon (Occasional sightings/ 21-50% of sightings)/Less number of birds seen, SC: Scarce/Rare (Hardly visible/ 1-20% of sightings)/Few birds seen. Habitats: Al: Agricultural Land, Sl: Scrub Land, MF: Mixed Forest (broadleaved and coniferous) BF: Broadleaved Forest, CF: Coniferous Forest, HH: Human Habitations, Ga: Garden, Gr: Grove, OA: Open Area, DS: Dumping Site, He: Herb, Bu: Bush, Ri/St: River/Stream, IC: Irrigation Channel, La: Lawn, Ro/So: Rock/Stone, WA: Wetland Area. Birds seen in single sighting: i. Seen singly, ii.Seen in pair, iii. n: seen in groups. (n: 2,3,4….. etc. any number of birds) Research Journal of Biological Sciences ___________________________________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202 Vol. 4(11), 21-33, November (2015) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 30 Figure2 Familywise distribution of bird species in Bilaspur district Figure3 Relative Abundance of bird species in Bilaspur district 1111221016111133121012141618 Phasianidae Anatidae Picidae Megalaimidae Bucerotidae Upupidae Alcedinidae Halcyonidae Cerylidae Centropodidae Psittacidae Strigidae Columbidae Rallidae Scolopacidae Charadriidae Laridae Accipitridae Phalacrocoracidae Ardeidae Laniidae Corvidae Muscicapidae Sturnidae Sittidae Certhiidae Paridae Hirundinidae Pycnonotidae Cisticolidae Zosteropidae Sylviidae Alaudidae Nectariniidae Passeridae Fringillidae Number of SpeciesFamilies 12444114101520253035404550Very CommonCommonUncommonRareNumber of SpeciesRelative Abundance Research Journal of Biological Sciences ___________________________________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202 Vol. 4(11), 21-33, November (2015) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 31 Figure4 Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos nanus (Bhakhra) Figure5 Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon Treron sphenura (Bhakhra) Research Journal of Biological Sciences ___________________________________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202 Vol. 4(11), 21-33, November (2015) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 32 Figure6 Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus (Naina Devi ) References 1.Bird Life International, Birds help us understand the natural world. Birds are very useful indicators for other kinds of biodiversity. 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