Checklist of land birds in Tenkasi and Ambasamudram Taluk, Tirunelveli District: at the Foot Hills of Southern Western Ghats
Abstract
Birds present everywhere and are important ecological indicators. The study area Tenkasi (8.97°N 77.3°E) and Ambasumudram (8.7°N 77.47°E) region of Tirunelveli district, Tamilnadu state is at the foothills of Southern Western Ghats. Studies on distribution of birds in this part have been recorded from the yester years but due to various reasons it had been confine towards aquatic ecosystem. To fulfill this lacuna, present study was carried out. A total of 100 species of land birds were documented that belongs to 36 orders and 48 families. Study on nesting pattern, breeding pattern was also carried out. 30% of the birds had their breeding periods during rainy season and 50% of the birds had their breeding periods during harvesting time. Insectivores breeds during rainy season and granivores breeds during harvest season which supports ‘food availability-breeding time’ hypothesis.
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