Habitat preference and resource utilization of avifauna in Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha, India: Role of eco-ethological gradients

The present study has attempted to highlight the avifaunal diversity in two contrasting seasons (pre and post monsoons) from a protected tropical mixed deciduous forest (Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, KWS) in the state of Odisha, India. Through modified line transect method, a total of 107 species of birds belonging to 49 families under 15 orders have been reported. Among them, 12 are winter visitors, 3 are summer visitors, 1 is near threatened and 1 is vulnerable species. Insectivores and frugivores constitute major foraging guilds. Closed canopy forests, forest edges, woodland areas and wetlands provide suitable habitats to all those avifauna. Lower canopy level was found to act as the major microhabitat for several species for meeting major ecobiological attributes of avifauna. The pre-monsoon and monsoon periods have appeared to be the ideal nesting seasons for most of the avian members. Canopy foliage and tree holes were seen to offer the most suitable nesting sites. Significant differences in respect of species richness have been observed among different habitats in different seasons (F5.91 ,p ≤ 0 in premonsoon, F6.53, p ≤ 0 in post monsoon). The highest Shannon Weiner diversity index (H′) was recorded from the forest edge (3.8) during premonsoon and that of lowest in orchard or plantation areas (2.96) during post monsoon. Species Dominance value (D) was observed to be highest both for grassland and orchards and plantation areas (0.06). The field based study attempts to assess avian diversity (qualitative and quantitative) in the light of global conservation programme. Though this area is prone to varying levels of anthropogenic interventions particularly the tourism activities, an overall healthy bird diversity has been found to exist, the knowledge on which is expected to be utilized for the holistic eco-management of forest ecosystem in general and Kuldiha wildlife sanctuary in particular. A number of hypothesis have been proposed in respect of avifaunal habitat selection, diversity and acclimation with wildlife friendly human association for their successful coexistence.