Avifaunal Diversity, Species Abundance and Relative Abundance at Amal-Nalla Water Reservoir of Chandrapur District (MS), India.

Abstract

Wetland ecosystems and reservoirs provide important habitats for diverse bird communities and contribute
significantly to regional biodiversity. The present study was undertaken to assess the avifaunal diversity,
species composition, abundance and seasonal status of birds associated with Amal-Nalla Water Reservoir
and its surrounding habitats in the Gadchandur region of Korpana Taluka, Chandrapur District, Maharashtra,
India. Field observations were conducted from June 2025 to May 2026 during morning and evening periods
with regular intervals. Birds were recorded through direct visual observations and identified using standard
ornithological literature. A total of 53 bird species belonging to 16 orders and 27 families, comprising 486
recorded individuals, were documented during the study period. The assemblage included resident,
resident-migrant and migratory species, demonstrating the seasonal and ecological importance of the
reservoir and its adjoining habitats. Passeriformes was the most species-rich order, with 10 species,
followed by Columbiformes with five species. In terms of abundance, Passeriformes contributed the highest
number of individuals (135), followed by Columbiformes (76) and Pelecaniformes (52). House Crow (Corvus
splendens) was the most abundant species, with 32 individuals (6.58%), followed by Rock Pigeon (Columba
livia) with 26 individuals (5.35%) and Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) with 24 individuals (4.94%). The avifaunal
assemblage included herons, egrets, cormorants, kingfishers, ducks, coots, shorebirds and storks, along
with diverse terrestrial birds. The study demonstrates that Amal-Nalla Reservoir and its surrounding
aquatic, agricultural and terrestrial habitats constitute an important habitat mosaic for birds and provides
baseline information for long-term avifaunal monitoring, habitat assessment and conservation planning in
the region.