Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 March 2025 | 17(3): 26697–26703

ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Print)

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9390.17.3.26697-26703

#9390 | Received 30 December 2024 | Final received 06 March 2025 | Finally accepted 10 March 2025

Preliminary checklist of avifauna from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Guwahati, Assam, India

Nitul Ali ¹, Vivek Chetry ², Prem Kishan Singha ³ & Maina Boro ⁴

^1,3 Department of Zoology, Rangia College, Rangia, Kamrup, Assam 781354, India.

² Animal Ecology and Wildlife Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam 781014, India.

⁴ West Guwahati College of Education, Pandu, Guwahati, Assam 781012, India.

¹ zoology.nitulali@gmail.com (corresponding author),² vivekchetry127@gmail.com, ³ dr.premkishansingha@gmail.com,

⁴ mainaboro941@gmail.com

Editor: S. Balachandran, Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai, India. Date of publication: 26 March 2025 (online & print)

Citation: Ali, N., V. Chetry, P.K. Singha & M. Boro (2025). Preliminary checklist of avifauna from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Guwahati, Assam, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 17(3): 26697–26703. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9390.17.3.26697-26703

Copyright: © Ali et al. 2025. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. JoTT allows unrestricted use, reproduction, and distribution of this article in any medium by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of publication.

Funding: None.

Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Author details: Nitul Ali is an assistant professor in the Department of Zoology at Rangia College. His research interests include regional biodiversity, biochemistry, microbiology and animal physiology. Vivek Chetry is a research scholar at the Department of Zoology, Gauhati University, specializing in avian ecology. His research explores bird diversity, habitat associations, and conservation strategies. Prem Kishan Singha is an assistant professor and currently working as the Head in the Department of Zoology, Rangia College. He is interested in ecological interactions, species conservation and animal physiology. Maina Boro works as an assistant professor at West Guwahati College of Education and is actively involved in science education and promoting environmental awareness.

Author contributions: NA and VC conceptualized the study and designed the methodology. NA, VC, and MB were involved in data collection and analysis, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the results. All authors (NA, VC, PKS, and MB) participated in writing, reviewing, and editing the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Abstract: Bird diversity in various types of habitats, including institutional campuses, underlines the importance of these green areas for preserving ecological integrity and providing necessary havens for avian species. The present study presents the first preliminary checklist of avifaunal species within the AIIMS Guwahati campus. A total of 75 bird species were recorded in this study from April 2024 to July 2024. Fifty species were observed in wetland habitat and 40 in built-up areas, with 15 species occurring in both habitats. About 73 species are classified as ‘Least Concern’, and two as ‘Near Threatened’, according to the IUCN Red List. The present study highlights the importance of natural habitats like wetlands, which are more favourable for bird foraging and nesting than built-up areas.

Keywords: AIIMS, birds, built-up land, campus, greenspace, habitat connectivity, Kamrup, Near Threatened, point count, wetland.

Introduction

Avian diversity on built-up land provides insights into the ecological health of the region (Latta et al. 2013; Bajagain et al. 2020). Avifaunal diversity observed within an institute’s premises highlights the importance of maintaining suitable habitats for birds, as they fulfil numerous ecological functions, serve as bioindicators and contribute to migration and adaptation processes (Rajashekara & Venkatesha 2017). Their presence and diversity can be used to assess the environmental quality of the institute’s surroundings.

Assam, a northeastern state of India, is known for its rich and diverse avifaunal population. The region’s unique geographic location, encompassing the eastern Himalaya and the Brahmaputra River basin, provides a habitat for many birds. Assam is home to around 700 bird species in recognised Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs), and also in urban and semi-urban settings including institutional campuses (Rahmani et al. 2016; Bhaduri & Rathod 2022; BirdLife International 2022). Research has shown that educational campuses host significant avian diversity, with surveys reporting an average of 66 to 88 bird species per campus, including some threatened species (Devi et al. 2012; Aggarwal et al. 2015; Chakdar et al. 2016; Liu et al. 2021; Guthula et al. 2022; Kumar et al. 2024; Singh et al. 2024). These campuses serve as significant habitats for birds due to their abundant greenery, food resources, and relatively low levels of disturbance (Bhaduri & Rathod 2022).

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Guwahati, situated near significant birding sites like Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary, Dighali Beel, and Jendia Beel, is a potential habitat for birds. This study is focused on documenting the avian diversity within the AIIMS Guwahati campus.

Materials and Method

Study area

Bird observations were conducted in and around the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Guwahati. The institute is located at 26.253 °N and 91.696 °E in Changsari, a locality of Kamrup District, Assam, and spans 189.2 ac (Image 1). The campus features built-up land featuring the hospital, institute and residential campus with newly created green space. A significant portion of the campus includes a marshy wetland habitat that spans around 85 ac, while the built-up urban area is approximately 95 ac. The marsh areas are mainly composed of rooted vegetation such as Nymphaea stellata, Pontederia hastata and free-floating plants like Eichhornia crassipes. The nearest forest, Dirgheswari Reserve Forest, a moist deciduous hill forest, is about 1.5 km to the northeastern side of the campus.

Data collection

This study was carried out from April 2024 to July 2024. The point count method was used, which lasted 15 min per point count (Drapeau et al. 1999). As the primary goal of the study was to record the list of species, a point count with an unlimited radius was used (Bibby et al. 2000). All birds observed and heard were noted. Most observations were conducted in the morning between 0600 h and 0900 h, except a few in the evening (between 1500 h and 1700 h) to count some species that usually roost in marshy wetlands. Field surveys were undertaken twice a week from April to July. Birds encountered during other than census period were also considered during the study. Birds were observed using a pair of binoculars (Nikon 8 × 40), and field identification was done based on Grimmett et al. (2016). Taxonomy was followed as per Clements Checklist v2023 (Clements et al. 2023).

Results

During the study period, 75 species belonging to 16 orders and 42 families of birds were observed (Table 1). Among the recorded species, 29 were passerine, while 44 were non-passerine. Among the 42 families, the highest species (6 species) belonged to the Ardeidae family. The point count surveys recorded an average of 7.5 ± 2.4 (mean ± SD) species per survey. According to the IUCN Red List, 73 species are listed as Least Concern, while two species, namely Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus, and Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, are classified as Near Threatened.

Among the two Near Threatened species observed, the Lesser Adjutant had the highest count, with a maximum of three individuals recorded in a single survey. This was followed by the Oriental Darter, with two individuals. Two winter migratory species, Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus and Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus were also observed in the wetland habitat during the study. Higher numbers of species (n = 50) were observed in the wetland habitat relative to built-up land (n = 40), and 15 species were observed in both habitats (Figure 1).

Discussion

The wetland habitat on the AIIMS Guwahati campus supports a greater diversity of bird species compared to built-up areas, primarily due to its varied vegetation, including tall grasses (e.g., Saccharum sp.), free-floating plants like Water Hyacinth Pontederia crassipes, rooted aquatic species such as Lotus Nelumbo nucifera, and abundant food resources. This rich habitat attracts bird species, including the Chestnut Munia Lonchura atricapilla, Grey-headed Swamphen Porphyrio poliocephalus, and Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus, which use the area for nesting, foraging, and roosting. Numerous studies have highlighted the importance of wetlands in supporting high bird species richness (Zhu & Wang 2022; Cristaldi et al. 2023; Zhang et al. 2023). Also, wetlands, the transition between terrestrial and aquatic habitats, often host a wide array of resident and migratory bird species (Khatri et al. 2019). The presence of two near-threatened species of waterbirds in the campus wetlands is particularly noteworthy, as it highlights the biodiversity value of these habitats and the need for their conservation to safeguard the regional avifauna (Kumdet et al. 2021).

Low species number in the campus might be due to the newly-constructed built-up land, as they often lack tree cover, which results in the loss of vital nesting and foraging habitat for birds (Bajagain et al. 2020). Additionally, the short duration of the study, which did not cover the winter season, might have contributed to the observed lower species number, as some migratory bird species are present during specific times of the year. Similar results were also obtained on the campuses of the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (Bhaduri & Rathod 2022) and Assam University (Chakdar et al. 2016). As the AIIMS campus was constructed on a wetland, many common urban bird species such as Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda, Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos and Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense were missing during the study period. The ongoing green space landscaping might attract those species in future once there is sufficient tree cover to support them.

Studies have shown that institutional campuses with well-developed greenspaces can support a surprising diversity of avifauna, likely due to the availability of suitable habitat features such as vegetation cover, water sources, and reduced disturbance (Mardiastuti 2020). Understanding the factors that shape bird distribution in wetland and urban greenspace environments is crucial for informing effective conservation strategies. Habitat size, connectivity, and vegetation composition are identified as critical drivers of avian diversity in urban greenspaces (Aronson et al. 2014). The expansion of built-up areas can lead to a decline in bird diversity, as urbanisation often results in the fragmentation and loss of natural habitats that are essential for the survival and reproduction of many avian species. Newly created built-up land with planned green space can gradually attract more birds and support higher bird diversity over time, as seen in some institutional campuses, provided the green spaces are well-designed and maintained (Ibáñez-Álamo et al. 2020; Kumdet et al. 2021). Such landscapes play a vital role in supporting biodiversity in urban areas.

To conserve the existing wetland habitat on campus, it is essential to maintain water quality by controlling pollution and managing runoff from the built-up areas. Sustainable campus management practices, such as increasing green spaces and reducing impervious surfaces, which minimise environmental impact and support habitat conservation. Additionally, planting native trees including fig (Banyan and other Ficus species) can promote bird diversity by providing essential food sources and nesting habitats (Caughlin et al. 2012). Creating green corridors that link the marshland areas to the nearby Dirgheswari Reserve forest can promote biodiversity and enhance habitat connectivity for birds and smaller fauna.

Table 1. List of avian species observed from AIIMS, Guwahati campus. B—Built-up land | W—Wetland | IUCN— International Union for Conservation of Nature | LC—Least Concern | NT—Near Threatened.

	Order / Family/ Scientific name	Common name	IUCN Red List status	Habitat
	Anseriformes
	Anatidae
1	Dendrocygna javanica	Lesser Whistling Duck	LC	W
	Columbiformes
	Columbidae
2	Streptopelia chinensis	Spotted Dove	LC	B
3	Streptopelia tranquebarica	Red Collared-Dove	LC	B
4	Streptopelia decaocto	Eurasian Collared-Dove	LC	B
5	Columba livia	Rock Pigeon	LC	B
	Cuculiformes
	Cuculidae
6	Centropus bengalensis	Lesser Coucal	LC	W
7	Centropus sinensis	Greater Coucal	LC	W
8	Hierococcyx varius	Common Hawk-Cuckoo	LC	W
9	Eudynamys scolopaceus	Asian Koel	LC	B, W
10	Cacomantis merulinus	Plaintive Cuckoo	LC	W
	Caprimulgiformes
	Apodidae
11	Cypsiurus balasiensis	Asian Palm-Swift	LC	B, W
	Gruiformes
	Rallidae
12	Amaurornis phoenicurus	White-breasted Waterhen	LC	W
13	Gallinula chloropus	Eurasian Moorhen	LC	W
14	Porphyrio poliocephalus	Grey-headed Swamphen	LC	W
	Charadriiformes
	Charadriidae
15	Vanellus indicus	Red-wattled Lapwing	LC	W
	Jacanidae
16	Metopidius indicus	Bronze-winged Jacana	LC	W
17	Hydrophasianus chirurgus	Pheasant-tailed Jacana	LC	W
	Ciconiiformes
	Ciconiidae
18	Anastomus oscitans	Asian Openbill Stork	LC	W
19	Leptoptilos javanicus	Lesser Adjutant	NT	W
	Suliformes
	Anhingidae
20	Anhinga melanogaster	Oriental Darter	NT	W
	Phalacrocoracidae
21	Microcarbo niger	Little Cormorant	LC	W
	Pelecaniformes
	Ardeidae
22	Ardea purpurea	Purple Heron	LC	W
23	Ardea intermedia	Medium Egret	LC	W
24	Ardeola grayii	Indian Pond Heron	LC	W
25	Bubulcus ibis	Cattle Egret	LC	B, W
26	Nycticorax nycticorax	Black-crowned Night-Heron	LC	W
27	Ixobrychus cinnamomeus	Cinnamon Bittern	LC	W
	Threskiornithidae
28	Threskiornis melanocephalus	Black-headed Ibis	LC	W
29	Plegadis falcinellus	Glossy Ibis	LC	W
	Accipitriformes
	Accipitridae
30	Elanus caeruleus	Black-winged Kite	LC	B
31	Milvus migrans	Black Kite	LC	W
32	Pernis ptilorhynchus	Oriental Honey-buzzard	LC	W
33	Spilornis cheela	Crested Serpent-Eagle	LC	B, W
34	Hieraaetus pennatus	Booted Eagle	LC	B, W
	Strigiiformes
	Strigidae
35	Athene brama	Spotted Owlet	LC	B
	Bucerotiformes
	Upupidae
36	Upupa epops	Eurasian Hoopoe	LC	B
	Coraciiformes
	Alcedinidae
37	Halcyon smyrnensis	White-throated Kingfisher	LC	B, W
38	Alcedo atthis	Common Kingfisher	LC	W
	Meropidae
39	Merops leschenaulti	Chestnut-headed Bee-eater	LC	B
40	Merops orientalis	Green Bee-eater	LC	B
	Coraciidae
41	Coracias affinis	Indochinese Roller	LC	B
	Piciformes
	Megalaimidae
42	Psilopogon asiaticus	Blue-throated Barbet	LC	B
43	Psilopogon lineatus	Lineated Barbet	LC	B
	Picidae
44	Dendrocopos macei	Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker	LC	B
	Psittaciformes
	Psittaculidae
45	Psittacula krameri	Rose-ringed Parakeet	LC	B
	Passeriformes
	Oriolidae
46	Oriolus xanthornus	Black-hooded Oriole	LC	B
	Artamidae
47	Artamus fuscus	Ashy Wood Swallow	LC	B, W
	Aegithinidae
48	Aegithina tiphia	Common Iora	LC	B, W
	Dicruridae
49	Dicrurus macrocercus	Black Drongo	LC	B, W
	Laniidae
50	Lanius cristatus	Brown Shrike	LC	W
51	Lanius schach	Long-tailed Shrike	LC	W
	Corvidae
52	Corvus splendens	House Crow	LC	B
	Paridae
53	Parus cinereus	Cinereous Tit	LC	B
	Alaudindae
54	Alauda gulgula	Oriental Skylark	LC	B, W
55	Mirafra assamica	Bengal Bushlark	LC	W
	Cisticolidae
56	Orthotomus sutorius	Common Tailorbird	LC	B
57	Prinia inornata	Plain Prinia	LC	W
	Hirundinidae
58	Hirundo rustica	Barn Swallow	LC	W
	Pycnonotidae
59	Pycnonotus cafer	Red-vented Bulbul	LC	B, W
	Phylloscopidae
60	Phylloscopus fuscatus	Dusky Warbler	LC	W
	Timaliidae
61	Turdoides striata	Jungle Babbler	LC	B
	Locustellidae
62	Megalurus palustris	Striated Grassbird	LC	W
	Sturnidae
63	Gracupica contra	Asian Pied Starling	LC	W
64	Acridotheres tristis	Common Myna	LC	B
65	Acridotheres fuscus	Jungle Myna	LC	B
66	Acridotheres grandis	Great Myna	LC	B, W
	Muscicapidae
67	Copsychus saularis	Oriental Magpie Robin	LC	B
	Nectariniidae
68	Aethopyga siparaja	Crimson Sunbird	LC	B
69	Cinnyris asiaticus	Purple Sunbird	LC	B, W
	Ploceidae
70	Ploceus philippinus	Baya Weaver	LC	W
	Estrildidae
71	Lonchura punctulata	Scaly-breasted Munia	LC	B, W
72	Lonchura atricapilla	Chestnut Munia	LC	B, W
	Passeridae
73	Passer domesticus	House Sparrow	LC	B
74	Passer montanus	Eurasian Tree Sparrow	LC	B
	Motacillidae
75	Anthus rufulus	Paddyfield Pipit	LC	W

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