Milan Kharel/ BIBECHANA 16 (2019) 154-164: RCOST p.154 (Online Publication: Dec., 2018) BIBECHANA A Multidisciplinary Journal of Science, Technology and Mathematics ISSN 2091-0762 (Print), 2382-5340 (0nline) Journal homepage: http://nepjol.info/index.php/BIBECHANA Publisher: Research Council of Science and Technology, Biratnagar, Nepal General survey on avifaunal composition of Betana wetland, Morang, Province number 1, Eastern Nepal Milan Kharel Department of Zoology, Central Campus of Technology, Tribhuvan University, Dharan E-mail id: milankharel2000@gmail.com Article history: Received 22 September, 2018; Accepted 2 November, 2018 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v16i0.21570 This work is licensed under the Creative Commons CC BY-NC License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by- nc/4.0/ Abstract The present study conducted in Betana wetland, Morang, Province number 1, Nepal. The study based on the field survey in order to find out the avifaunal composition. In the present study, total 320 individuals of birds belonging 49 species, 30 families and 15 orders reported from Betana wetland based on field observation. The highest proportions of individuals recorded from the sampling station F1 forest area was 35% (n=112). The highest number of species (n= 15) recorded belong to the order Passeriformes with nine families, followed by Coraciformes with three families and four species then Pelicaniformes with two families and six species. Of them, two species viz. Grey-headed fish eagle (Icthyophaga humilis) and Lesser Adjutant Stork (Leptoptilos javanicus ) are kept under near threatened (NT) and vulnerable (VU) category of IUCN Red List of threatened species. About 70 % of total bird recorded was resident type and about 35% of total recorded bird species common in abundance. The species richness and abundance of avifauna found higher in winter season than summer. Compared to the previous study, birds belonging to four more families and five more orders recorded this time. The Shannon–Weiner diversity index and species evenness of avifauna from the study area found 1.332 and 0.789 respectively. Keywords: Betana; avifauna; wetland; Icthyophaga humilis; Leptoptilos javanicus. . 1. Introduction After forest, more than a quarter (27%) of Nepal’s nationally threatened birds inhabits in wetlands [1]. Out of 886 species of Bird species recorded so far in Nepal, about 42 species recorded in Nepal are listed in IUCN Red List of globally threatened birds, 35 globally near threatened and 167 species are nationally threatened [2]. More than 230 species of birds found to be wetland-dependent in Nepal [3]. Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystem in the world. The wetlands of Nepal well known for their unusually http://nepjol.info/index.php/BIBECHANA mailto:milankharel2000@gmail.com http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v16i0.20960 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ Milan Kharel/ BIBECHANA 16 (2019) 154-164: RCOST p.155 (Online Publication: Dec., 2018) rich biodiversity. They occupy approximately five percent of the total area of Nepal in the form of rivers, stream, lakes, reservoirs, village ponds, paddy fields, marsh and swampland. There are over 405 wetland areas in Nepal from the Terai to the Himalayas. The loss of diversity of the water birds reduces the natural resource base of the country. Wetlands are one of the most threatened habitats because of their vulnerability and attractiveness for development [4]. Betana wetland is an important recreational destination with great potential of wildlife including bird diversity. Now this area has established as a picnic spot and other recreational activities that have created lots of problem on habitat, breeding and feeding activities of birds. Firewood collection and grazing are the prominent human-induced disturbances of this area. The forest area of wetland dominated by Sal (Shorea robusta) followed by Khair-Sissoo (Acacia catechu- Dalbergia sissoo) and mixed forest. Grassland flora consisted of a combination of wetland herbs and moist grass species that are commonly composed of Imperata cylindrica, Cyperus papyrus, Digitariya ciliaris, Bulbostylis barabata, Erasgrostis tentella, Cyperus totundus, Polygonum spp.etc [5]. Data on the avifaunal composition of this area is not adequate to assess conservation needs. Only a little information from records of bird watchers, nature guides etc. are available. Hence, the present study was essential to provide baseline data on avifaunal composition for the proper conservation and management initiatives. Study area Betana wetland is a freshwater pond situated between 26.659106° N to 87.428814° E and 26.662894° N to 87.434018° E at an elevation of 123 m msl, covering 5.5 ha area in Belbari municipality of Morang district. It is one kilometer far from the Belbari Bazar in the east. The wetland area remains surrounded by Sal forest from east, north and west sides whereas Mahendra highway lies adjacent on its south. The depth of the pond varies from 0.5 to 1.5 m in the dry season and 1 to 2.5 m in monsoon season [6]. The study area experiences a tropical monsoon climate with winter, summer and rainy seasons in a year. The soil is alluvial type and the average annual temperature of 24.6 °C. The average rainfall is 2256 mm per year and about 90% of rainfall occurs within three months of monsoon seasons (June-August) [7]. Fig.1: Map of study the site. Milan Kharel/ BIBECHANA 16 (2019) 154-164: RCOST p.156 (Online Publication: Dec., 2018) 2. Material and methods Study of the avifaunal composition of Betana wetland carried out for six months from February 2017 to July 2017. Therefore, the birds of summer, winter and monsoon season observed within a short field visit period. Regular visits of the study site done almost once a week on every Saturday morning between 7 -10 am and 4-6 pm in the evening in order to know the avifaunal composition. The bird census was done by applying the Point Count Survey Method within the radius of 50m [8]. In the direct count method, counts performed in the four sampling stations (F1, F2, W1 and W2) repeatedly. To prevent overlapping, the total number of individuals counted only for every two or three species during the first sightings of field visits. Some birds photographed with the help of Canon Powershot SX520 HS 42x 24-1008mm 16 MP optical zoom digital camera. The primary data collected by direct observation of species with the help of Bushnell H2O Waterproof/Fogproof Prism Binocular 10 x42 mm. While secondary data collected by the help of a questionnaire, reviewing literature such as journals, articles, proceedings and books. The geographical coordinates were taken by using Garmin eTrex 10 Worldwide Handheld GPS navigator. The identification of birds done by direct observation method. Birds were observed within transect of 100m and identified with the help of field guide books of Ali and Ripley [9], Fleming et al. [10], Shrestha [3] and Grimmett [1], Grimmett et.,al.[11] and Pradhan [12]. Photograph of unidentified species identified with the help of subject expertise of Post-graduate campus, Biratnagar. For the birds, which are shy and not observed directly, the call count method employed for their identification. The study area divided into four pockets (Map1). Bird observation done at these four pockets viz. the forest area F1 (west) and forest area F2 (east), wetland area W1 (east) and wetland area W2 (west) of Betana wetland area. Four line transects were set along the two forests sampling areas (F1 and F2) and two wetland areas (W1 and W2). Each pocket used as the reference points for the point count method. Observations of birds carried out on each 50 m radius of each pocket. The collected data represented in the tabular form by using Microsoft Excel. Shannon-Weiner diversity index and species evenness calculated by using by using SPSS software version v23. Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H) is an index that commonly used to characterize species diversity in a community. It calculated by the following function: 𝐻 = −∑[(𝑝𝑖) × 𝑙𝑛⁡(𝑝𝑖)] where, pi = proportion⁡of⁡total⁡sample⁡represented⁡by⁡species⁡i S = species⁡richness⁡or⁡number⁡of⁡different⁡species⁡in⁡a⁡given⁡area E = Evenness = H ln⁡(S) 3. Results In the present study, 49 species of birds belonging to 30 families and 15 orders reported from Betana wetland based on field observation (Table 1). The highest number of species (n= 15) recorded belong to the order Passeriformes with nine families. The total number of individuals of birds in all four sampling stations were 320. The highest number of individuals recorded from the sampling station F1 forest area was 35% (n=112). Similarly, 27% (n=89) from W1, 23% (n=76) from F2 and 13% (n=43) from W2. The Shannon-Weiner diversity index of avifauna at four sampling stations found 1.334 and that of species evenness found to be 0.789. Similarly, the rest of the orders in terms of species richness recorded as Coraciiformes (3 families and 4 species). Pelicaniformes (2 families and 6 species), Accipitriformes (2 families and 4 species). Piciformes Milan Kharel/ BIBECHANA 16 (2019) 154-164: RCOST p.157 (Online Publication: Dec., 2018) (2 families and 2 species), Charadriformes (2 families and 2 species), Anseriformes (2 families and 2 species), Strigiformes (one family and 3 species), Columbiformes (one family and 3 species), Cululiformes (one family and 2 species), Ciconiformes (one family and 2 species) and the orders representing one family and one species were Suliformes, Gruiformes and Psittaciformes. Out of 49 total species, 34 species (69.38%) of birds were of the resident type, 9 species (18.36%) were winter visitor and 6 species (12.24%) were summer visitors (Fig 3). Of them, 34.69% species (n= 17) were common, 24.48 % species (n=12) of birds were common, 22.44% (n=11) species were occasional and 18.36% (n=9) species were uncommon (Fig 4). The number of bird species were recorded from the sampling area were F1 = 32.65% (n=17), F2= 34.69% (17), W1= 20.40% (n=10) and W2 = 12.24% (n=06) respectively (Fig 5). Table 1: Avifaunal composition of Betana wetland. SN Family Common name Scientific name Local name SS AB IUCN HL ORDER- ACCIPITRIFORMES 1 Accipitridae Black kite Milvus migrans (Boddaert,1783) Kalocheel WV UC LC F1 2 Accipitridae Grey-headed Fish eagle Icthyophaga humilis a (Muller, S & Schlegel, 1841) Machhakul R O VU W2 3 Pandionidae Osprey Pandion haliaetus (Linnaeus,1758) Malaha cheel WV UC LC F2 4 Accipitridae Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela (Latham,1790) Kakakul R UC LC W1 ANSERIFORMES 5 Anatidae CommonTeal Anas crecca (Linnaeus,1758) Vijula Gairi WV C LC F2 6 Dendroygnida e Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica (Horsfield, 1821) Silsile WV UC LC W1 BUCEROTIFORMES 7 Upupidae Common Hoopoe Upupa epops (Linnaeus,1758) Fafre chara R FC LC F2 CHARADRIIFORMES 8 Charadriidae Red- wattled Lapwig Vanellus indicus (Boddaert,1783) Huttityaun R C LC W2 9 Jacanidae Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus (Latham, 1790) Lama aunle R FC LC W1 SN Family Common name Scientific name Local name SS AB IUCN HL CICONIIFORMES 10 Ciconiidae Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus b (Horsfield,1821) Bhundifor garud R O VU W1 11 Ciconiidae Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans (Boddaert,1783) Ghungifor garud SV UC LC W1 COLUMBIFORMES 12 Columbidae Rock Pigeon Columba livia (Gmelin, 1789 Parewa R FC LC F1 13 Columbidae Spotted dove Streptopelia chinensis (Scopoli, 1786) Kurle dhukur R FC F1 14 Columbidae Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto (Frivaldszky, 1838) Kanthe dhukur R FC LC F1 CORACIIFORMES 15 Alcedinidae Stork-billed Kingfisher Halcyon capinsis (Linnaeus,1766) Thulomatik ore R O LC F1 16 Coraciidae Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis (Linnaeus, 1766) Lal chuche theuwa SV O LC F2 17 Alcedinidae White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis (Linnaeus, 1758) Setokanthe matikore R O LC W2 18 Meropidae Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaultia (Linnaeus,1758) Katus tauke Murali chara SV UC LC F2 CUCULIFORMES 19 Cuculidae Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus (Gould, 1838) Kaphal pakyo SV O LC F2 20 Cuculidae Greater Couckal Centropus sinensis (Stephens, 1815) Dhade gokul WV C LC F2 GRUIFORMES 21 Rallidae White-brested Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus (Pennant, 1769) Sim kukhura R FC LC W2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Linnaeus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10th_edition_of_Systema_Naturae https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Pennant SN Family Common name Scientific name Local name SS AB IUCN HL PASSERIFORMES 22 Corvidae Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos (Wagler,1827) Kalokag R C LC F1 23 Corvidae Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda (Latham,1790) Kokale R O LC F1 24 Corvidae House Crow Corvus splendens (Vieillot, 1817) Gharkag R FC LC F1 25 Dicuridae Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus (Vieillot, 1817) Kalochibe R FC LC F2 26 Dicuridae Crow billed Drongo Dicrurus annectans (Hodgson,1838) Kagthude chibe SV FC LC F1 27 Dicuridae Geater Racket- tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus (Linnaeus, 1766) Bhimraj chibe R C LC F2 28 Oriolidae Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus (Linnaeus,1758) Gajale sunchari SV UC LC F2 29 Oriolidae Black- headed Oriole Oriolus xanthornus (Linnaeus, 1758) Kalotauke sunchari R UC LC F2 30 Sturnidae Common Myna Acridotheres tristis (Linnaeus, 1766) Dangrerupi R FC LC F1 31 Sturnidae Asian Pied Starling Gracupica contra (Linnaeus, 1758) Danger saraun R FC LC F1 32 Laniidae Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach (Linnaeus, 1758) Bhadrai WV UC LC F2 33 Passeridae House Sparrow Passer domesticus (Linnaeus,1758) Bhagera R FC LC F1 34 Pycnonotidae Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer (Linnaeus, 1766) Jureli R FC LC F1 35 Muscicapidae Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis (Linnaeus, 1758) Dhobi chara R FC LC F1 36 Leiothrichidae Jungle Babbler Turdoides striata (Dumont, 1823) Bagale vyakur R C LC F2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Jean_Pierre_Vieillot https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leiothrichidae SS = Seasonal Status, AB = Abundance, R = Resident, WV = Winter Visitor, SV = Summer Visitor, C = Common, FC = Fairly Common, O = Occasional, UC = Uncommon, a Near threatened, b Vulnerable, SN Family Common name Scientific name Local name SS AB IUCN HL PELICANIFORMES 37 Ardeidae Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii (Sykes,1832) Askote bakulla R FC LC W2 38 Ardeidae Purple Heron Ardea purpurea (Linnaeus,1766) Dhyani bakulla WV O LC W1 39 Ardeidae Great egret Ardea alba (Linnaeus,1758) Thulo seto bakulla R C LC W1 40 Ardeidae Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis (Linnaeus, 1758) Bastu bakulla R C LC W1 41 Ardeidae Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia (Wagler, 1827) Sano bakulla R C LC W1 42 Threskiornithi dae Black ibis Pseudibus papillosa (Temminck,1824) Karra sawari WV O LC W2 PICIFORMES 43 Megalaimidae Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica (Latham, 1790) Kuthukre R O LC F1 44 Picidae Fulvous-brested woodpecker Dendrocopos macei (Vieillot, 1818) Kastha kut R C LC F2 PSITTACIFORMES 45 Psittacidae Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri (Scopoli, 1769) Kanthe suga R C LC F2 STRIGIFORMES 46 Strigidae Spotted Owlet Athene brama (Temminck, 1821) Laatkosero R C LC F2 47 Strigidae Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiatum (Tickell, 1833) Dundul R C LC F1 48 Strigidae Brawn Hawk Owl Ninox scutulata (Raffles, 1822) Kaal pechak R O LC F2 SULIFORMES 49 Phalacrocoraci dae Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger (Vieillot, 1817) Saano jalewa WV FC LC W1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Linnaeus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10th_edition_of_Systema_Naturae https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Georg_Wagler https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coenraad_Jacob_Temminck https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Tickell Milan Kharel/ BIBECHANA 16 (2019) 154-164: RCOST p.161 (Online Publication: Dec., 2018) IUCN= IUCN status of threatened species 2018, LC = Least concern, VU = Vulnerable, HL= Habitat location, F1= Forest area (west), F2= Forest area (east), W1= Wetland area (East), W2= Wetland area (West), HL= Habitat location. Fig. 2: Avifaunal composition of Betana wetland (order-wise). Fig 3: Pie showing seasonal status of avifauna on percentage basis. 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 family species Order s Resident ® 70% Winter visitor (WV) 18% Summer visitor (SV) 12% 34.69 24.48 22.44 18.36 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 Fairy common Common Occasional Uncommon P er ce n ta g e Milan Kharel/ BIBECHANA 16 (2019) 154-164: RCOST p.162 (Online Publication: Dec., 2018) Fig 4: Species dispersal of avifauna. Table 2: Habitat wise composition of avifauna. Source: Field survey, 2018. (N= Number of species, n= Number of individuals, SV= Summer visitor, WV= Winter visitor, R=Resident). Table 3: Shannon Weiner diversity index (H) and Species evenness (E). Sampling stations No. of individuals (n) Pi (= n/N) lnPi Pi* lnPi H (= -∑pi*lnPi) E (= H/logS) W1 89 0.278125 -1.27968 -0.35591 1.33448 0.789 (for S=49) W2 43 0.134375 -2.00712 -0.26971 F1 112 0.35 -1.04982 -0.36744 F2 76 0.2375 -1.43759 -0.34143 Total N= 320 ∑ Pi =1 ∑lnPi= -5.77422 ∑Pi*lnPi= -1.33448 Habitat location N % n % SV WV R Wetland area W1 10 20.40 89 27.81 01 03 06 Wetland area W2 06 12.24 43 13.43 -- 01 05 Forest area F1 16 32.65 112 35.00 01 01 14 Forest area F2 17 34.69 76 23.75 04 04 09 Total 49 320 06 09 34 Milan Kharel/ BIBECHANA 16 (2019) 154-164: RCOST p.163 (Online Publication: Dec., 2018) Fig 5: Habitat wise composition of birds. 4. Discussion In the present study most of the birds were found belong to the order Passeriformes including nine families and 15 species, followed by Coraciformes with three families and four species then Pelicaniformes with two families and six species. Of them, two species Grey-headed fish eagle (Icthyophaga humilis) and Lesser Adjutant Stork (Leptoptilos javanicus ) are kept under near threatened (NT) and vulnerable (VU) categories of IUCN Red List status of threatened species respectively [13]. Surana [14] reported 109 species of birds from Chimdi lake. They belong to 34 families where 28 species were resident, 27 species were winter visitor, 17 species were summer visitor 37 species were migratory. Of them, 16 species were common, 23 species were fairly common, 25 species were occasional and 45 species were scarce. Pokharel [15] recorded 295 individuals belonging to 55 species of birds from 26 families and 10 orders from the Betana wetland area but in the present study, altogether 320 individuals belonging to 49 species of birds with 30 families and 15 orders were recorded. Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Indian Roller (Coracius benghalensis) and White- throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) as very common species in the Betana wetland. But this time these species were occasionally seen. This may be due to limitation of survey period or due to shortage of food resources (?). However, Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer), Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri), Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus), Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychuss aularis), Common Myna (Acridotherestristis), Great Egret (Casmerodius albus), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis) etc. were recorded as high population especially in winter season. In the previous study, Out of 55 species, 44 species were resident, five species were winter visitor and six species were summer visitor but this time, out of 49 species, 34 species were resident (70%) , nine species (18%) were winter visitor and six species (12%) were summer visitor. Four more species of winter visitor birds were recorded this time. The maximum number of summer visitor (8.16%) and winter visitor (8.16%) were recorded from sampling station F2 forest area while maximum number of resident types of birds (28.57%) were recorded from the sampling stations F1 forest area. The total number species of birds were recorded from the both sampling areas of forest F1 and F2 was 67.34% (n= 33) and that of from the both sampling areas of wetland W1 and W2 was 32.64% (n=16). Pokharel (2015) calculated Shannon – 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 Wetland area W1 Wetland area W2 Forest area F1 Forest area F2 Number of Species Summer Visitor Winter visitor Resident No of individuals Milan Kharel/ BIBECHANA 16 (2019) 154-164: RCOST p.164 (Online Publication: Dec., 2018) Weiner diversity index and evenness index 1.27 and 0.82 respectively. In the present study, it was found to be 1.332 and 0.789 respectively. This indicates the study area now has higher diversity and species evenness. 5. Conclusions Compared to the previous work, birds belonging to four more families and five more orders were recorded this time. However, total numbers of species were recorded less during the present study. The species richness was found higher in winter season than summer. This may be due to easy availability of food, suitable climate, temperature and migration of species. During the present survey, 320 individuals belonging to 49 species of birds under 30 families and 15 orders have been recorded from the Betana wetland, which proves that the study area is one of the suitable habitats for avifaunal abundance. About 70 % of total bird recorded was found to be the resident type and about 35% of total recorded bird species were found common. The maximum species of birds were recorded from the forest area 67.34% (n= 33) where the maximum number of individuals were found 35% (n=112). Of them maximum number of species 69.38% (n=34) species of birds were resident type. The major threats to the avifauna in the study site were found to be deforestation, overgrazing, bird killing by using catapult and pollution due to recreational activities. Acknowledgements I am thankful to the local people who helped during field visits. I would like to acknowledge the Head, Department of Zoology, Central Campus of Technology, Dharan (TU) for providing the concerned literatures. Thanks are due to IDEA WILD ORG., USA for donating field gears. References [1] R. Grimmet, C. Inskipp, T. Inskipp, Birds of Nepal. Helm Field Guide. Prakash Books, New Delhi. 2000. [2] Birdlife Nepal, http://www.birdlifenepal.org/status-of-birds.php Accessed 20th Aug 2018. [3] T. K. Shrestha, Birds of Nepal. Field ecology, J. Nat. His. and Con. 1 (2000) 287. [4] G. E. Hollis, M. M. Holland, J. S. Larson, Wise use of wetlands, J. Nature and Resource 24 (1998) 2- 13. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/on.v2i1.323 [5] B. R. Subba, D. C. Chhetri, Study of fauna of Betana village development committee, Morang, Nepal. (2005), A report submitted to APEC, Biratnagar. [6] S. K. Rai, Algal flora of Betana wetland, Morang, Nepal. J. Nepalese Journal of Biosciences 1 (2011) 104-113. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njbs.v1i0.7477 [7] Webpage https://en.climate-data.org/location/47719/ [8] R. L. Hutto, S. M. Pletscher, P. Hendricks, A fixed- radius point count method for nonbreeding and breeding season use. J. Auk 103 (1986) 593-602. [9] S. Ali, S. D. Ripley, Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan, Vol. V, Oxford University Press. 1986. doi: https://www.jstor.org/stable/4086054 / 10.2307/4086054 [10] R. L (Sr) Fleming, R. L. (Jr.) Fleming, L.S. Bangdel, Birds of Nepal with reference to Kashmir and Sikkim. First Adarsh Impression, Gaurav Offset, Delhi. 2000. [11] R. Grimmet, C. Inskipp, T. Inskipp, H. S. 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