Sterna aurantia

Abstract: The study revealed a total of 47 wetland bird species belonging to 16 families and 8 orders. Among them the family Ardeidae found to be dominated by the representation of 9 species, followed by the Scolopacidae with 6 species; least by Podicipedidae, Anhingidae, Rostratulidae, Recurvirostridae and Laridae with one species each. The study also revealed that the lake is a vulnerable wetland harboring plenty of resident as well as few migratory birds. Four species like Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus), Darter (Anhinga melanogaster), Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) and River Tern (Sterna aurantia) were near threatened and have a protected status under the schedule IV of Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The present study location is also facing tremendous conservation challenges by the impact of anthropogenic alteration of the habitats in and around the lake.

Abstract: The study revealed a total of 33 wetland bird species belonging to 11 families were recorded from Magadi Bird Sanctuary of Gadag District, Karnataka. Among the family, Scolopacidae dominated the list by the representation of 8 species, followed by the Anatidae with 7 species and least by Laridae, Gruidae, Rallidae, and Recurvirostridae with one species each. Of the total birds recorded based on the density and abundance, Bar-headed geese was found as the dominant species, followed by the Demoiselle Crane, Brahminy Shelduck, Lesser-whistling Duck, Black-headed Ibis, Spot-billed Duck, Black Ibis, and Common Coot, etc., The study also revealed that the lake is a vulnerable wetland harboring plenty of resident as well as few migratory birds. Four globally near threatened species were recorded like Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus), Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala), Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) and River Tern (Sterna aurantia) have a protected status under the schedule IV of Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The present study location is also facing tremendous conservation challenges by the impact of anthropogenic alteration of the habitats in and around the lake.

Abstract: This study was carried out to assess the status and conservation issues of migratory water birds in Komaranahalli Kere, a lake in Malebennur, Harihar Taluk, Davanagere District from November 2012 to October 2013. The dominant family was Ardeidae represented by 10 species, followed by the Scolopacidae with seven species. The families with lowest representations of one species were Podicipididae, Anhingidae, Rostratulidae and Recurvirostridae. The study revealed that the lake harbors many resident and a few migratory bird species. Among the species recorded five species namely the Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus , Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster , Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa , Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala and River Tern Sterna aurantia are Near Threatened. The present study location is also facing tremendous conservation challenges by the impact of anthropogenic alteration of the habitats in and around the lake. Though the lake is highly disturbed, it still provides some potential habitats for a few migratory and several resident water bird species.

Abstract: Ujjani wetland is a potential Ramsar site in Maharashtra, India with several satellite wetlands associated with it. The present study contributes to single large or several small habitat conservation theories by assessing wetland bird communities. Aquatic bird communities were assessed using area search and point count methods at Kumbhargaon (Ujjani), Bhadalwadi, Madanwadi, Palasdev, Pimple and Ravangaon wetlands between October 2011 and September2012. These are representative satellite wetlands around Ujjani. One-hundred-and-ten species of wetland birds across 12 orders and 29 families were recorded. Out of these, 66 were resident and 44 were found to be migrants. These birds represent 23% mudflat feeder, 16% upland feeder, 14% marsh feeder, 12% bird of prey, 11% surface feeder and fish eaters, while divers and wet meadow feeders were represented with 8.5% and 5% of the species, respectively. Among the birds recorded, Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus, Common Pochard Aythya farina, and Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga belong to the Vulnerable category; while Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata, Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa, Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus, Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor, Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, River Tern Sterna aurantia, and Great Thick-knee Esacus recurvirostris represent Near Threatened category on the IUCN Red List. The presence of these bird species underlines the importance and conservation priorities of a major as well as smaller satellite wetlands. Anthropogenic activities such as cattle grazing, fishing, sand and soil mining, land encroachment, urban development and tourism were observed as some of the threats to this wetland ecosystem as well as bird communities.