Bird Species diversity from the Southern West part of West Bengal, India

Abstract

Birds are essential for stabilizing the balance between various ecosystems. To estimate their diversity, we studied species distribution and made an annotated checklist along with their feeding habitats in the Southwest part of West Bengal, India. We studied the bird diversity using the point count method on various habitats, including agroforest, grassland, sub-tropical forest, and plateau forest regions. A total of 343 species were identified during our study period (2015-2019). We found high species diversity and sightings in the study sites, with 55 new records for the region. The whole study was conducted using a citizen science approach and amateur bird watchers community. This study will emphasize the future biodiversity conservation practice for the avifauna.