AVIAN DIVERSITY IN MANJAMALAI SACRED GROVE, MADURAI DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU, INDIA

Abstract

- Sacred groves are patches of vegetation preserved by the local people or communities for their deity. The sacred groves are considered as abode of ancestral spirits, gods and biodiversity. These small natural pockets acts as a refugee to large number of endemic, endangered and threatened species. The present study was made to explore the avian diversity and to assess the residential status, relative abundance and feeding guild of the birds in Manjamalai Sacred grove, Valayapatti Village, Madurai District, Tamil Nadu. The study revealed the supporting system of sacred grove in conservation of biodiversity. Line transect method was used for estimating the bird population in the study site. A total of 72 bird species were observed belonging to 38 families and 13 orders. The insectivorous bird population dominates over the omnivorous followed by frugivorous, as the post monsoon favours the insect population. The study site acts as a natural pocket for large number of resident birds comprising many forest birds and four raptor species Shikra Accipiter badius, Short toed snake eagle Circaetus gallicus, Black kite Milvus migrans and Oriental honey buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus. During winter, the sacred grove attracts 10 species of winter migrants Pied cuckoo Clamator jocobinus, Indian golden oriole Oriolus kundoo, White bellied drongo Dicrurus caerulescens, Ashy drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus, Blue tailed bee-eater Merops philippinus, Brown shrike Lanius cristatus, Asian brown flycatcher Muscicapa latirostris, Greenish warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides, Blyth’s reed warbler Arcocephalus dumetorum, Barn swallow Hirundo rustica and one passage visitor Black headed cuckooshrike Coracina melanoptera. This depicts the rich bird diversity of the sacred grove and its significant role in biodiversity conservation.