Fruit tree diversity as broad-scale determinant of avian species richness in Punjab

A study was carried out to assess the bird composition and diversity in relation to mixed fruit trees in transect I (Fruit Research Farm, Punjab Agricultural University campus, Ludhiana) and transect II (orchard in village Baranhara, Ludhiana) from August 2015 to February 2016. In transect I, 45 bird species were observed belonging to 12 orders and 37 genera. Ciconiiformes order was dominating with 40.31% of relative abundance in transect I and it comprised of carnivorous species, which reflected different prey sizes and its availability. In transect II, 30 bird species were observed belonging to six orders and 29 genera. Out of these, Passeriformes order with 47.20% relative abundance was the most dominating because of the unmanaged understory vegetation and weeds. Twenty two species were common in both the transects. Mixed fruit trees orchard seemed to encourage more number of birds than the two fruit crops orchard. It was inferred that the fruit tree diversity supported more avian richness and is of paramount importance for bird conservation efforts in agricultural landscape.