Bioecology, Diversity and Distribution of Avian Fauna in Bajaur Valley, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Rahmat Ullah Khan* and Karim Gabol

Department of Zoology, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270 Pakistan

ABSTRACT

In Bajaur valley avian bioecology, diversity and distribution were explored in (from January to December) 2021. For the authentication and data recording, the study area was categorized into three reflective habitats (i) mountainous, (ii) agricultural, and (iii) residential. The survey was established twice a day at dawn (from 06:00 am to 11:00 am) and dusk (from 02:30 pm to 07:00 pm), respectively. Both direct observations and indirect proofs were recorded from all habitats through line transect and point count methods. A total of eighty-three bird species were reported that belonged to 15 orders and 40 families; of these, the Passeriformes was the dominant order. However, the habitat having the richest average avian diversity was; agriculture at 51.42% (540.85±25) followed by residential at 42.61% (706.78±32) and low at mountains at 5.96% (165.87±36). Regarding feeding habits, most bird species were insectivores (49.39%) followed by omnivores (20.48%) and carnivores (18.07%) while the low number of bird species were granivores (7.22%), and second low frugivores (4.81%). Based on migration status, the highest diversity of bird species was residential (36.14%) followed by summer visitors (25.30%) and winter visitors (19.27%). Out of 83 species, 10 were the most insightful and had significantly (P<0.05) rich population density as house sparrow (15464±92), common myna (2954.33±23), red-vented bulbul (1671±11), afghan babbler (1181±66), long-tailed shrike (1126±11), chakor partridge (1019.5±10), bank swallow (1073±27), bank myna (568.33±58), house crow (806±20) and common chiffchaff (1128±00). The avifauna is going to decline because of heavy intimidation like scarcity, the toxicity of their diets and drinking water, illegal and merciless killing, rapid urbanization and road constructions, deforestation, habitat deterioration, predation, disease, and harsh environmental conditions. The valley of Bajaur would maintain its beauty gifted by birds chirping if awareness about birds’ ecological value is made public and operationalized and implementation of wildlife legislation is made successful.

Article Information

Received 10 November 2022

Revised 13 December 2022

Accepted 29 December 2022

Available online 13 May 2023

(early access)

Published 24 September 2024

Authors’ Contribution

This is the Ph.D. research work of RUK, supervised by KG. RUK collected data, wrote and formatted the manuscript. KG analyzed and reciewed the manuscript.

Key words

Avifauna, Bajaur, Bioecology, Birds species, Diversity, Feeding, Habitat, Order

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjz/20221110131139

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

0030-9923/2024/0006-2535 $ 9.00/0

Copyright 2024 by the authors. Licensee Zoological Society of Pakistan.

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

INTRODUCTION

Bajaur valley is a district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. It is located in the middle of the Oriental and Palearctic region (Roberts, 1991). It contains rich wildlife and various bird species, especially chukars in the mountains and skylarks and bulbuls in the agricultural lands (Gabol and Khan, 2021; Khan and Gabol, 2021; Khan et al., 2021, 2022a, b). Birds are egg-laying warm-blooded vertebrates belonging to the class Aves that have bills, two wings, and the whole body is covered by feathers (Govender, 2021). The reflective system of birds like skeletal, digestive, and respiratory systems has been gifted with creations suited for flight. Further water birds have some structures to swim (Yonezawa et al., 2017). Broadly birds are categorized into two subdivisions Palaeognathae and Neognathae mainly includes flightless and flight birds respectively (Platt et al., 2021) which are distributed throughout the world. While, many birds are endemic and live-in particular regions of the world and habitats (Roberts, 1991). The body sizes are varied ranging from a 55 (mm) hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) to 2800 (mm) ostrich (Struthio camelus) (Field et al., 2009). Birds inhabit all possible habitats which fulfill their basic life requirements such as banks of water bodies, cultivated lands, rural-urban areas, grasslands, forests and mountainous territories at various altitudes (Yonezawa et al., 2017; Umar et al., 2018).

Regards the feeding birds may be granivores, frugivores, omnivores and carnivores (Sadam et al., 2021a). In normal environmental conditions, birds perform their breeding activities. They make their nests on trees, bushes, grasses, rocks, trees, natural cavities, and open land. The female lay about 2 to 26 eggs which incubate for 1 to a few weeks to hatch (van der Hoek et al., 2017; Khan et al., 2022a).

At present, worldwide there are about 9040 bird species (Ripley, 1961; Ali et al., 1987). Fortunately, Pakistan has all possible ecosystems that support rich diversity of bird species (Khan et al., 1996; Grimmett and Inskipp, 2001; Kazam et al., 2022). In Pakistan, there are about 660 to 670 bird species that belonging to 74 families and 272 genera (Roberts, 1991; Mirza and Wasiq, 2007; Grimmett et al., 2008).

Rapid urbanization and the establishment of factories and trade centers greatly affect and threaten global avifauna. The insightful threats to the birds are loss of habitat, pollution, expansion of infrastructure, and harsh environmental conditions (McKinney, 2002).

They are pollution-sensitive indicators. Birds devour large number of harmful insects, as well as their larvae and eggs, hence serving as biological control agents keeping insect pest populations in check and thus being good friends of farmers (Steven et al., 2021). It is not too fanciful a metaphor to consider Pakistan as lying at the crosswords of Asia’s major Palearctic bird migration route. Apart from resident birds, there is an influx of winter visitors from northern breeding grounds, or summer breeding visitors both from the northern mountainous regions and from the Indus plains to warmer southern latitudes (Roberts, 1991). The heterogeneous uniqueness of the natural environment is one of the important factors that has increased avian diversity (D’Amen et al., 2017). The current study aimed to know the bioecology, current status and associated threats of the avifauna in Bajaur valley.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study areas

The study was conducted in Bajaur valley; the newly merged district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan lying between 34˚38-46 North latitudes and 71˚20-39 East longitudes, 1117 to 2400-meter elevation (Fig. 1). The region has a hot to cold and semi-arid climate that avails four seasons in a year.

Data were collected from three main habitats: (i) Mountainous belts throughout the Bajaur valley, on the northern side is the Durand line, the border with Afghanistan, on the south is the district Mohmand, and in the East and West are districts Dir and Mohmand respectively) (Khan et al., 2021), (ii) Agricultural lands in Nawagai, Charmang, Khar, Mamund I and II, Arung, Barung and Salarzia with comparatively low human population of farmers. The agricultural lands mainly contain seasonal crops, different types of herbs, grasses, bushes and trees that provide feeding and breeding sites for avifauna (Khan et al., 2022a) (iii) Residential areas comprising main towns in Bajaur. Data were collected from the main towns of Nawagai, Charming, Khar, Mamund I and II, Arung, Barung and Salarzia. The range is well-covered and densely populated with orchards vegetation, and little ornamental vegetation (Khan et al., 2022b).

Fieldwork method and confirmation of bird species

The field survey for this study was conducted from January to December 2021 in all the three major habitats. A total of 90 sampling plots 30 in each habitat were explored by the point count method and line transect method as described by Bibby et al. (1992) and Buckland et al. (2001), twice a month.

In each plot, a single point was of 50 m radius and 500 (m) apart from another point. While for line transect 500 m long transect with 100 m radius and 200 (m) apart from each other. Both direct and indirect data about bird activities were recorded for a period of about 5 to 10 min for the point count method and 15-20 minutes for the line transect method (Khan et al., 2021). Bird species outside of the plots were not counted to minimize data-dependent issues. Within the range of 50 m point count and 100 m line transect, individual bird sources of detection were denoted symbolically, whether they were recorded by calling and singing (cs), directly observed (o), and flying in the air (f). Each location was surveyed twice a month throughout the year both morning (from 6:00 am to 11:00 am) and afternoon (from 2:30 pm to7:00 pm), respectively. But during unfavorable conditions, data were not collected (Bibby et al., 1992).

All the relevant information regarding population density, threats, diversity, management, identification, feeding habits and habitat was recorded by direct visual estimation throughout the data collection. To confirm identification Binoculars (Bushnell 7 x 50 Russian made) Spotting scope (40 x 60) were used. Field books were also consulted (Roberts, 1991, 1992; Sala et al., 2000; Grimmett et al., 2008; Grant and Booth, 2009; Kéry and Royle, 2020).

Classification of bird species according to a similar diet was based on Anderies et al. (2007). Species were allocated into their respective families and orders according to the guidelines and descriptions (Callaghan et al., 2018). Along with these birds monitoring protocols of Hill et al. (2016) for mountainous birds and Siegel (2000) for land birds were followed.

Statistical analysis

For comparison of avifauna in different habitats, Shannon Diversity Index and ANOVA were applied. Results are presented as means ± standard deviations (Mean±SD) and as percentages (%) (Mahboob, 2009; Khan et al., 2021).

 

RESULTS

Bioecology, diversity and distribution of 83 bird species belonging to 40 families and 15 orders (Tables I and III) were recorded. The most abundant bird species by the order were house sparrow (15464±92) common myna (2954.33±23) red-vented bulbul (1671±11), afghan babbler (1181±66), long-tailed shrike (1126±11), chukar partridge (1019.5±10) bank swallow (1073±27), bank myna (568.33±58), house crow (806±20) and common chiffchaff (1128±00) (Table II).

 

Avifauna bioecology and distribution

In the study area birds’ bioecology like feeding habits migration status, diversity, abundance and distribution were recorded with some variability. Avifauna was recorded in all habitats however; more diversity of bird species was recorded in agricultural lands while abundant species were in residential areas. In mountainous areas, low diversity was recorded but the two species common quail and chukar existed abundantly (Table II and Fig. 3). Based on special distribution the agricultural areas had (51%) followed by residential (39.97%) and mountains (9.023%) bird species (Fig. 4). Of 15 orders the Passeriformes was a highly diverse and dispersed order that contained 22 families and 42 species, while the rest 14 orders ranged from 01 to 03 families and 1 to 7 bird species (Tables I and III, Fig. 2).

 

 

Most of the species were founded to be insectivores (49.39%), followed by omnivores (20.48%) and carnivores (18.07%), a few were granivores (7.22%) and frugivores (4.81%) (Fig. 3).

 

Table I. List of bird species with their status and feeding behaviour in Bajaur valley 2021.

Order/ Family/ Scientific name (Common name)	Status	Feeding
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Milvus migrans (Black Kite)	PM	Carnivorous
Accipiter badius (Shikra)	PM	Carnivorous
Accipiter nisus (Sparrowhawk)	SV	Carnivorous
Aquila chrysaetos (Golden eagle)	PM	Carnivorous
Aquila heliacal (Eastern imperial eagle)	WV	Carnivorous
Clanga hastata (Indian spotted eagle)	WV	Carnivorous
Buteo rufinus (Long-legged buzzard)	PM	Carnivorous
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Anas platyrhynchos (Mallard)	WV	Omnivorous
Anas crecca (Eurasian teal)	WV	Omnivorous
Anas acuta (Northern pintail)	WV	Omnivorous
Aythya nyroca (White-eyed pochard)	WV	Omnivorous
Mareca penelope (Eurasian wigeon)	WV	Omnivorous
Order: Bucerotiformes
Family: Upupidae
Upupa epops (Eurasian hoopoe)	SV	Omnivorous
Order: Caprimulgiformes
Family: Apodidae
Apus affinis (Little swift)	SV	Insectivorous
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Charadriidae
Vanellus indicus (Red-wattled lapwing)	VAG	Granivorous
Family: Scolopacidae
Tringa nebularia (Common greenshank)	PM	Carnivore
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Streptopelia decaocto (Collar dove)	PM	Granivorous
Spelopelia senegalensis (Laughing dove)	SV	Granivorous
Columba livia (Rock pigeon)	R	Granivorous
Streptopelia turtur (Turtle dove)	VAG	Granivorous
Zenaida macroura (Mourning dove)	SV	Granivorous
Order: Coraciiformes
Family: Coraciidae
Coracias benghalensis (Indian roller)	R	Insectivorous
Order/ Family/ Scientific name (Common name)	Status	Feeding
Family: Meropidae
Merops orientalis (Green bee-eater)	SV	Insectivorous
Merops apiaster (European bee- eater)	SV	Insectivorous
Family: Alcedinidae
Ceryl rudis (Pied kingfisher)	R	Carnivorous
Alcedo atthis (Common kingfisher)	R	Carnivorous
Order: Cuculiformes
Family: Cuculidae
Eudynamys scolopaceus (Asian koel)	SV	Omnivorous
Cuculus canorus (Common cuckoo)	SV	Insectivorous
Cacomantis passerines (Grey bellied cuckoo)
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Athene noctua (Little owl)	R	Carnivore
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Falco tinnunculus (Common Kestrel)	SV	Carnivorous
Falco pelegrinoides (Barbary falcon)	SV	Carnivorous
Falco jugger (Laggar falcon)	SV	Carnivorous
Order: Galliformes
Family: Phasianidae
Coturnix couturnix (Common quail)	R	Omnivorous
Alectoris chukar (Chakor)	R	Omnivorous
Order: Gruiformes
Family: Rallidae
Amaurornis phoenicurus (Waterhen)	WV	Insectivorous
Family: Gruidae
Grus virgo (Demoiselle crane)	WV	Omnivorous
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Acrocephalidae
Acrocephalus orinus (Large-billed reed warbler)	SV	Insectivorous
Acrocephalus dumetorum (Blyth's reed warbler)	SV	Insectivorous
Iduna rama (Sykes's warbler)	SV	Insectivorous
Iduna caligata (Booted warbler)	SV	Insectivorous
Family: Locustellidae		Insectivorous
Locustella naevia (Common grasshopper warbler)	SV
Family: Corvidae
Corvus splendens (House crow)	R	Omnivorous
Order/ Family/ Scientific name (Common name)	Status	Feeding
Family: Pycnonotidae
Pycnonotus cafer (Red vented bulbul)	R	Frugivorous
Family: Dicruridae
Dendrocitta vagabunda (Rufous treepie)	VAG	Frugivorous
Dicrurus macrocercus (Black drango)	SV	Insectivorous
Family: Sturnidae
Acridotheres tristis (Common myna)	R	Omnivorous
Acridotheres fuscus (Jungle myna)	R	Omnivorous
Acridotheres ginginianus (Bank myna)	R	Omnivorous
Sturnia malabarica (Chestnut-tailed starling)	R	Omnivorous
Family: Passeridae
Passer domesticus (House sparrow)	R	Omnivorous
Passer montanus (Eurasian tree sparrow)	SV	Omnivorous
Family: Laniidae
Lanius schach (Long tail shrike)	R	Insectivorous
Family: Leiothrichidae
Argya huttoni (Afghan babbler)	R	Insectivorous
Family: Motacillidae
Motacilla alba (White wagtail)	WV	Insectivorous
Motacilla maderaspatensis (White browed wagtail)	WV	Insectivorous
Motacilla cinerea (Grey wagtail)	WV	Insectivorous
Motacilla flava (Western yellow wagtail)	WV	Insectivorous
Anthus trivialis (Tree pipit)	WV	Insectivorous
Family: Muscicapidae
Saxicola maurus (Siberian stonechat)	SV	Insectivorous
Phoenicurus ochruros (Black redstart)	R	Insectivorous
Luscinia svecica (Bluethroat)	R	Insectivorous
Ficedula albicilla (Red-throated flycatcher)	R	Insectivorous
Phoenicurus leucocephalus (White- capped water redstart)	R	Insectivorous
Family: Hirundinidae
Hirundo rustica (Barn swallow)	SM	Insectivorous
Ripari riparia (Bank swallow)	SM	Insectivorous
Family: Alaudidae
Alauda gulgula (Oriental skylark)	R	Insectivorous
Order/ Family/ Scientific name (Common name)	Status	Feeding
Family: Tichodromidae
Tichodroma muraria (Wallcreeper)	R	Insectivorous
Family: Fringillidae
Haemorhous purpureus (Purple finch)	R	Insectivorous
Carduelis carduelis (European goldfinch)	R	Insectivorous
Family: Oriolidae
Oriolus oriolus (Eurasian golden oriole)	R	Insectivorous
Family: Turdidae
Turdus maximus (Tibetan blackbird)	R	Insectivorous
Family: Campephagidae
Pericrocotus ethologus (Long-tailed minivet)	R	Insectivorous
Family: Paridae
Periparus ater (Cole tit)		Insectivorous
Family: Phylloscopidae
Phylloscopus collybita (Common chiffchaff)	R	Insectivorous
Phylloscopus trochiloides (Greenish warbler)	R	Insectivorous
Phylloscopus occipitalis (Western crowned warbler)	R	Insectivorous
Family: Emberizidae
Emberiza cia (Rock bunting)	SV	Insectivorous
Family: Ploceidae
Ploceus philippinus (Baya weaver)	VAG	Insectivorous
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae
Egretta garzetta (Little egret)	WV	Carnivorous
Ardeola grayii (Pond heron)	WV	Carnivorous
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittaculidae
Psittacula krameri (Rose-ringed parakeet)	VAG	Frugivorous
Psittacula himalayana (Slaty-headed parakeet)	VAG	Frugivorous

 

PM, passage migrant; R, resident; SM, summer migrant; SV, summer visitor; WV, winter visitors; VAG, vagrant.

 

Of the 83 bird species 30 were residential, followed by 21 summer visitors and 16 winter visitors while both passage migrants and vagrants were 7 and seasonal migrants 2 (Table IV and Fig. 5).

 

 

Table II. Habitat wise maximum number of birds species and their average population in Bajaur Valley in 2021.

S.	Common name	HI	HII	HIII	Total	AP
1	Black Kite	-	10	7	17	58.5 ±1.5
2	Shikra	10	15	3	28	9.33±4.9
3	Sparrowhawk	4	18	11	33	11±5.7
4	Golden eagle	1	1	-	2	1±00
5	Eastern imperial eagle	2	-	-	2	2±00
6	Indian spotted eagle	-	2	-	2	2±00
7	Long-legged buzzard	1	1	1	3	1±00
8	Mallard	-	51	-	51	51±00
9	Eurasian teal	-	18	-	18	18±00
10	Northern pintail	-	14	-	14	14±00
11	White-eyed pochard	-	6	-	6	6±00
12	Eurasian wigeon	-	6	-	6	6±00
13	Eurasian hoopoe	-	52	30	82	41±11
14	Little swift	-	-	532	532	532±00
15	Red-wattled lapwing	-	14	-	14	14±00
16	Common greenshank	-	12	-	12	12±00
17	Collar dove	4	6	-	10	5±1
18	Laughing dove	2	218	186	406	135.33 ±95
19	Rock pigeon	-	100	100	200	100±00
20	Turtle dove	53	100	44	197	65.66±24
21	Mourning dove	3	34	22	59	19.66±12
22	Indian roller	-	477	-	477	477±00
23	Green bee-eater	-	30	--	30	30±00
24	European bee-eater	-	58	40	98	49±9
25	Pied kingfisher	-	92	-	92	92±00
26	Common kingfisher	-	103	-	103	103±00
27	Asian koel	-	80	14	94	47±33
28	Common cuckoo	-	4	-	4	4±00
S.	Common name	HI	HII	HIII	Total	AP
29	Grey bellied cuckoo	-	2	2	4	2±00
30	Little owl	-	500	100	600	300±20
31	Common Kestrel	8	5	1	14	4.66±2.8
32	Barbary falcon	1	6	2	9	3±21
33	Laggar falcon	-	31	8	39	19±11
34	Common quail	38	140	8	186	62±56
35	Chakor	2020	19	-	2039	1019.5 ±10*
36	Water hen	-	50	4	54	27±23
37	Demoiselle crane	-	100	5	105	52.5±47
38	Large-billed reed warbler	198	400	100	698	232.66±12
39	Blyth's reed warbler	156	300	100	556	185.33±84
40	Sykes's warbler	108	320	80	508	169±10
41	Booted warbler	195	220	80	495	165±60
42	Grasshopper warbler	19	80	20	119	39.66±28
43	House Crow	-	600	1012	1612	806±20*
44	Red vented bulbul	133	2880	2000	5013	1671 ±11***
45	Rufous treepie	-	70	23	93	46.5±23
46	Black drongo	4	300	26	330	110±13
47	Common myna	400	2433	6030	8863	2954.33 ±23***
48	Jungle myna	60	109	200	369	123±58
49	Bank myna	-	1500	205	1705	852.5 ±64*
50	Chestnut-tailed starling	-	3		3	3±00
51	House sparrow	2394	23200	20799	46393	15464.33 ±92***
52	Eurasian tree sparrow	-	8	-	8	8±00
53	Long tailed shrike	478	2740	160	3378	1126 ±11**
54	Afghan babbler	543	2000	1000	3543	1181 ±60**
55	White wagtail	-	90	7	97	48.5±41
56	White browed wagtail	-	30	3	33	16.5±13
57	Grey wagtail	-	70	13	83	41.5±28
58	Western yellow wagtail	-	10	8	18	9±1
59	Tree pipit	15	25	-	40	20±5
60	Siberian stonechat	50	150	20	220	73.33±
61	Black redstart	40	6	-	46	23±17
62	Bluethroat	4	6	-	10	5±1
63	Red-throated flycatcher	-	6	-	6	6±00
64	White-capped water redstart	-	12	-	12	12±00
			Table contibued on next page......
S.	Common name	HI	HII	HIII	Total	AP
65	Bank swallow	-	1046	1100	2146	1073 ±27*
66	Barn swallow	-	47	400	447	223.5±17
67	Oriental skylark	80	600	-	680	340±26
68	Wallcreeper	2	8	-	10	5±3
69	Purple finch	-	500	44	544	272±22
70	European goldfinch	-	52	-	52	52±00
71	Eurasian golden oriole		11	3	14	7±4
72	Tibetan blackbird	14	-	-	14	7±3
73	Long-tailed minivet	-	4	-	4	4±00
74	Cole tit	60	200	40	300	100±71
75	Common chiffchaff	-	1128	-	1128	1128 ±00*
76	Greenish warbler	108	220	80	408	136±60
77	Western crowned warbler	-	154	-	154	154±00
78	Rock bunting	90	119	10	219	73±46
79	Baya weaver	-	1	-	1	1±00
80	Little egret	-	117	-	117	117±00
81	Pond heron	-	54	-	54	54±00
82	Rose-ringed parakeet	-	25	15	40	20±5
83	Slaty-headed parakeet	-	12	8	20	10±2
	Sum	5142	44350	36753	86245
	Mean	165.87 ±36	540.85 ±25	706.78 ±32	1039.09 ±51

 

HI, mountainous belt; HII, agricultural lands; HIII, residential areas, Mean±Std, mean standard deviation; AP, average population; *, 1-2k; **, 3-4k; ***, 4k and onward.

 

Table III. Orderly number of families, genra and species in each order.

Orders	No. of families	%	No. of Genra	%	No. of Species	%
Accipitriformes	1	2.5	5	8.19	7	8.43
Anseriformes	1	2.5	3	4.91	5	6.02
Bucerotiformes	1	2.5	1	1.63	1	1.20
Caprimulgiformes	1	2.5	1	1.63	1	1.20
Charadriiformes	2	5	2	3.27	2	2.40
Columbiformes	1	2.5	4	6.55	5	6.02
Coraciiformes	3	7.5	4	6.55	5	6.02
Cuculiformes	1	2.5	3	4.91	3	3.61
Strigiformes	1	2.5	1	1.63	1	1.20
Falconiformes	1	2.5	1	1.63	3	3.61
Galliformes	1	2.5	2	3.27	2	2.40
Gruiformes	2	5	2	3.27	2	2.40
Passeriformes	22	55	30	49.18	42	50.60
Pelecaniformes	1	2.5	2	3.27	2	2.40
Psittaciformes	1	2.5	2	3.27	2	2.40
Total	40	100	63	103.27	83	100

 

Table IV. Factors affecting avian bioecology and diversity.

Facts	Mountains	Agricultural	Residential
Habitat destruction	√	√	√
Cutting of vegetations	√	√	√
Insecticides spray	-	√	√
Drying of water reservoirs	√	√	-
Illegal hunting	√	√	-
Merciless killing	√	√	√
Rapid urbanization	-	√	√
Road constructions	√	√	√
Deforestation	√	-	-
Predation	√	√	√
Disease	√	√	√
Harsh environmental	√	√	-
Over grazing	√	-	-
Wood collection	√	√	-
Plantations	√	-	-
Human interruptions	√	√	√
Pollution	-	√	√
Factories	√	√	√

 

√, Yes; -, No.

 

Factors affecting avian bioecology and diversity

A rich abundance of bird species was recorded in the habitat having more vegetation, low elevation, distance to human settlements and near to the water sources. However, it decreased with a lack of shelter and distance from water sources. The factors effecting the avifauna included cutting of seasonal crops and overgrazing, scarcity, the toxicity of their diets and drinking water due to lack of rains and dried of natural water reservoirs, illegal and merciless killing, rapid urbanization and road constrictions, deforestation, habitat destruction, predation, disease and harsh environmental conditions (Table IV).

DISCUSSION

The current research was carried out about birds’ current list, population status, feeding behaviors, migratory status, main declining factors, diversity and distribution in the reflective habitat of district Bajaur Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan in the year (January-December) 2021. In all habitats of the study area birds, bioecology and rich diversity were explored. Habitats providing a better source of food, drinking water and protective breeding sites contain rich avian diversity (Girma et al., 2017). A total of 83 bird species belonging to 15 orders and 40 families were recorded. A large number of bird species belonged to orders Passeriformes (50.60%) and Accipitriformes (8.43%). Shah (2021) reported 98 bird species from Punjab belonging to 11 orders and 38 families. He found the richest bird species in the order Passeriformes and the family Muscicapidae. Sadam et al. (2021a) reported 35 bird species from district Mardan in two major habitats (i.e., cropland and urban areas). Khalid et al. (2017) reported 78 bird species belonging to 34 families and 11 orders from Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Passerines were the dominant order. Altaf et al. (2013) recorded 64 bird species from Head Khanki, water works on Chenab River in District, Gujranwala, Punjab, Pakistan. Ali and Akhter (2005) reported 103, 115, 126 and 110 bird species each from Ucchali, Nammal, Chashma, and Rangpur Lakes respectively. Awan et al. (2000) recorded 59 bird species in Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, of which 11 were summer visitors, 24 resident birds and 14 winter visitors. Hussain et al. (2018) reported 670 bird species in Pakistan.

Rich diversity of bird species was recorded from agricultural areas 44,350 (540.85±25) although the highest average population of birds was recorded in residential areas 36,753 (706.78±32). Shah (2021) reported that forest and agricultural areas had a rich diversity of bird species. He also reported that habitats near water sources and agricultural lands supported insects and grains also that attracted many bird species. Similarly, Kiros et al. (2018) explained that all those habitats which provide shelter, nesting sites and feeding resources could have a rich diversity of bird species. Mostly the resident bird species were in the highest density in all habitats, followed by summer visitors and winter visitors. Adhikari et al. (2019) reported rich diversity of resident bird species from Chitwan National Park, Nepal.

In all the habitats bird species were recorded but comparatively agricultural lands and urban areas had rich a diversity of bird species as compared to the mountains. The most diverse birds were insectivores and omnivores as many insects existed in agricultural lands and other food sources in rural areas, respectively. Similarly, based on seasonal status most abundant species were residential and summer visitors. Sadam et al. (2021a) reported insectivore Passeriformes were abundant present in agricultural areas because of more insects and omnivorous birds in the urban area.

Awan et al. (2012) reported more resident birds and winter visitors in Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammun and Kashmir, Pakistan. Similarly, Mehmood et al. (2018) reported 57 bird species of which 51 were residents, one passage migrant and five summer visitors.

The abundant species were noted in agricultural lands which had about 51% of bird species followed by residents (39.97%) and mountains (9.023%). The most diverse birds were insectivore (49.39%), followed by omnivore (20.48%), carnivores (18.07%), granivore (7.22%) and frugivore (4.81%). Similarly, Luo et al. (2019) recorded most species 41% in a habitat near a water body, and 14% of species in grassland at Dianchi Lake, south-west China. Sadam et al. (2021b) also reported more species in agricultural areas near urban areas. He also reported bird species were more diverse and abundant in dense forests of Mardan Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Begum et al. (2016) reported 133 bird species near the coastal and allied area of Balochistan.

It was investigated that the bird species and their habitats were in great danger due to many ecological factors viz., habitat destruction, scarcity of food and water, illegal killing and hunting for meat and trophy, capturing for trade and domestication purposes, human interruption and pollution. The same factors were also reported by Ghalib et al. (2008) for the water birds along the Karachi coast; according to him the overall number of water birds had fallen during recent years due to the degradation of wetlands, lack of management, disturbance, and environmental pollution including the effect of pesticides. Similarly, Ghalib et al. (2009) also reported the major threats to the shorebirds were habitat degradation, land reclamation, hunting, disturbance, and droughts. Khan et al. (2021) reported that mountainous birds were greatly affected due to illegal killing, hunting, capturing, nest destruction, cutting of vegetation and overgrazing.

In the study area agricultural areas and residential areas were sprayed with insecticide which greatly affected insects and grains as a food source for many bird species. Comparatively, the mountainous territory had a low abundance and diversity of bird species due to great disturbance in the form of road constriction, human interruption, cutting of vegetation and drying of natural water reservoirs. Younas et al. (2017) recorded that the construction of motorways and factories in hilly and mountainous areas declined the various flora as a source of habitat, feeding, and foraging activities for avian fauna. Similarly, Muzaffar (2003) reported that floral vegetation provided all the basic resources to various residential birds.

In the study area, agricultural lands, plant farming, and grasslands are present which provide nesting sites in trees as well on land. Except for marine and fully developed urban areas all the basic habitats were present which provide an aesthetic environment for avian fauna. Altaf et al. (2013) are of the view that bird species mostly depend on attractive habitats which fulfill all their basic life requirements. In the same way, Sadam et al. (2021a) also reported the habitat and possible requirements of common birds of district Mardan. Sulieman et al. (2016) reported that urbanization and the cutting of forests reduced the attraction and habitats of birds. Khan and Gabol (2021) reported that egg collection and predation greatly impacted mountainous birds.

Acknowledgment

The author greatly acknowledges the University of Karachi, Pakistan providing a chance for Ph.D. research work.

Funding

The study received no external funds.

IRB approval

Approved by the Board of Advanced Studies and Research, University of Karachi, Karachi.

Statement of conflict of interest

The authors have declared no conflict of interest.

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