Structure and composition of bird assemblage in Keshopur wetland of Punjab, India

Survey on avian diversity at Keshopur wetland, district Gurdaspur, Punjab, India revealed the presence of 121 species of birds belonging to 19 orders and 47 families. The maximum number (38) of species in the area belonged to order Passeriformes. 27 winter migratory, 3 summer migratory and 91 resident species of birds were observed. One vulnerable (Aythya ferina) and six near threatened species were observed (Aythya nyroca, Anhinga melanogaster, Mycteria leucocephala, Sterna aurantia, Psittacula eupatria, Threskiornis melanocephalus) as per IUCN red list. A particular pattern of arrival and departure of migratory birds was observed. The winter migrants started to appear in October when the temperature started decreasing. The abundance of birds varied significantly during different seasons. Major variation was found in abundance of few species at three different sites of the same wetland. This study revealed that Keshopur Chhamb Community Reserve acts as a refuge site for many waterbirds including wader, waterfowl and many migratory and threatened species.