Status and impact of wooded patches in semi-urban landscape on avian community structure in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India

This short-term study is an effort to estimate density and diversity of birds in wooded patches present at the outskirts of Aligarh city. Point count method was used to determine the diversity and abundance of birds. The total of 40 points were laid through systematic random sampling and monitored in the morning hours. In total, 140 species were recorded, with Passeriformes as the most dominating order. Seven near threatened and three threatened species were recorded. Bird density was 60 birds/ha and large grey babbler had the highest density (18.72 birds/ha). Density was significantly positively correlated with the shrub height. In addition to with resident species, many winter/summer migrants and passage migrant birds were found during the study period. These small and scattered patches are important for wildlife coping with urbanization; therefore better management of these wooded patches is required for effective conservation.