F. ZABI AND M. JOSHI
Abstract
The study was carried out from October 2024 to March 2026 to assess the diversity, abundance and feeding guild of birds in and around Chawandiya pond, Bhilwara district. A total of 139 bird species belonging to 45 families were reported from Chawandiya Pond and its surrounding habitat. Among these, the highest number of species belong to the Anatidae family (11) followed by Muscicapidae (10), Motacillidae (9), Ardeidae (8), Sylviidae (6) and Sturnidae (5). Anatidae family represent maximum value of Relative diversity index (RDi= 7.914) followed by Muscicapidae (7.194), Motacillidae (6.475), Ardeidae (5.755), Sylviidae (4.317) and Sturnidae (3.597). According to the residential status of birds, the maximum number of species belonged to resident category (95) followed by winter visitors (42), and the minimum number of species belonged to the summer visitor category (3). According to the IUCN Red List status of Birds, highest number of bird species belongs to least-concern category (133) followed by four species belonging to the near-threatened category and two species belonging to vulnerable category. Based on the feeding guild, the highest number of species represented the insectivore feeding guild (49), followed by omnivores (46), carnivores (36), granivores (4), frugivores (3), and a single species represented nectarivore (1) feeding guild. Abundance of bird species was calculated based on the frequency of bird sightings. Among these, the maximum number of species came under the very common category (58) followed by uncommon (48), common (25), rarely sighted (6), and two species belonging to very rare category. The present study indicates that Chawandia pond is a suitable and safe habitat for resident and migratory bird species, including water and water-dependent bird species. During observation, it was found that the bird community and their habitat in and around Chawandiya Pond are adversely impacted by various threats, including habitat degradation and destruction from rapid urbanization, anthropogenic activities, and overfishing. The current study recommends that to ensure the long-term survival of the bird community in the wetland habitat of Chawandiya Pond, it is necessary to implement conservation and protection measures in this region.