Species Diversity and Abundance of Avifauna in Bandli Wildlife Sanctuary, Mandi (Himachal Pradesh)

Vegetation distribution and its dependency by animals, especially avian population facilitates significant ecological interactions in Wildlife Sanctuaries. In the present investigation a total of 70 bird species referable to 09 orders and 32 families have been recorded from Bandali Wildlife Sanctuary in District Mandi of Himachal Pradesh for the first time. Maximum numbers of birds were from the order Passeriformes, i.e., 54 (77%) and the family Muscicapidae, 06 (9%). Bird species were also classified in to migratory and residents’ status during the study. Out of 70 bird species, 56 were residents, 8 were summer migrants, 4 were winter migrants and 1 each passage migrant and migrant.