An annotated checklist of the avifauna of Pichavaram Mangrove Forest, southern India: a Ramsar wetland with conservation significance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.10624.18.9.29617-29629Keywords:
Avian Diversity, bird conservation, Central Asian Flyway, coastal wetlands, mangrove ecosystem, over-summering winter migrants, shorebirds, wetland birdsAbstract
An assessment of avian diversity was conducted in the Pichavaram Mangrove Forest (PMF), Tamil Nadu, from October 2022 to December 2025. A consolidated inventory combining historical and present records documented 221 bird species for PMF, of which 196 species belonging to 58 families and 20 orders were recorded during the present survey. Comparison with previous studies revealed a marked decline in recorded species richness during 2004–2007 relative to 1984–1988, followed by a substantial increase in species richness during the present study. Of the 196 species documented, 98 were waterbirds and 98 terrestrial species, reflecting a balanced community structure. The dominance of Charadriiformes, Passeriformes, and Pelecaniformes reflects the availability of diverse aquatic and terrestrial habitats within PMF. Frequency of occurrence status showed a skewed distribution with more frequent than infrequent species, suggesting the presence of a relatively stable core assemblage of regularly occurring species within this wetland system. Migratory status comprised 55.6% Residents, 38.8% Winter Migrants, 3.6% Local Migrants, 1.0% Passage Migrants, and 1.0% Summer Migrants. Fifteen species generally regarded as winter migrants were recorded throughout the year during the present study, and were therefore classified as over-summering winter migrants, highlighting the availability of resources within PMF. The occurrence of 13 ‘Near Threatened’, six ‘Vulnerable’, and two ‘Endangered’ species underscores the conservation importance of the site. Seven shorebird species and 37 other species were newly-recorded, reflecting either range extensions or improved detection. Twenty-five historically-reported species were not detected in core habitats, suggesting potential shifts in habitat suitability. Overall, the findings reinforce the ecological significance of PMF within the Central Asian Flyway, and highlight its critical role in sustaining both migratory and resident communities.
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