H. G. Ravishankara*, Govindharajalu Madhuramozhia & G. Panduranga Murthyb
aPG and Research Department of Zoology, ADM College for Women, Bharathidasan University, Tamil Nadu, India
bHamsa Research Foundation, Tumakuru, Karnataka, India
Received : 15th May, 2022 ; Revised : 15th June, 2022
Abstract– The elements responsible for the diversity of Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) a migratory bird species along with altitudinal inclinations are deliberated to be as very important conditions of ornithological aspects in their ecological and biogeographical research. In the study, the data has been congregated on diversity of birds with an emphasis on Pelican at Kokkare bellur, Karnataka and also analyzed Community based Management of Pelicans along with diversity components. The study area, Kokkare bellur Bird Sanctuary is situated in Mandya District of Karnataka provides an important ground for a diverse range of birds. The study was specifically focused on Pelican and the associated bird species concomitant with the different altitudinal inclines in the total habitat structure followed by adjacent agricultural land area in the diversity components of Kokkare bellur. The baseline survey was carried out from October, 2017 to May, 2020 to document the diversity of Pelicans and a number of associated bird’s species. Altogether 140 species of Birds belonging to 15 families were recorded from the study area. Among recorded species Ardeidae dominated the list with eight species followed by Motacillidae and Rallidae with four species, Scolopacidae, Anatidae, Alcedinidae and Hirundinidae with two species each, Ciconiidae, Phalacrocoracidae, Anhingidae, Laridae, Recurvirostridae, Podicipedidae, Accipitridae and Apodidae with one species each were recorded. Out of 140 species 74 were Resident, 31 Migratory and 24 were Resident migratory. Species diversity and abundance of birds were observed more during December to March of each year. The composition of birds in major feeding guilds in the study area showed that the insectivore guild was the most common with 35.09% species, followed by carnivore (23.82%), omnivore (14.30%), herbivore (11.53%) and piscivore (9.5%). The discovery of other species after the painted stork and pelican, among a wide variety of birds, highlights the importance of Kokkare bellur Sanctuary as an important area for bird habitat in Karnataka. However, anthropogenic activities are major threats to the ecology of this landscape. Besides, some groups of people are involved in community management and taking some applicable measures for avoiding the mortality of these birds from the stumbling blocks of diversity area.
Key words: Kokkare bellur, Eco-ornithological aspects, Pelicans, Diversity components, Community Management
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