Articles

Community Structure and Seasonal Dynamics of Wetland Birds in a Tropical Inland Wetland, Kilpathi Lake, Vriddhachalam, Tamil Nadu, India

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Wetland ecosystems play a critical role in supporting avian biodiversity, particularly in tropical regions. The present study evaluates the diversity, habitat selection and seasonal dynamics of wetland bird communities in Kilpathi Lake, Tamil Nadu, India, over a six-month period from September 2025 to February 2026. Standard ornithological survey techniques, including point count and line transect methods were employed to document species composition and abundance. A total of 18 species belonging to 6 families and 5 orders were recorded. Simpson’s Diversity Index (1–D) indicated higher diversity during winter (0.71 ± 0.02) compared to monsoon (0.68 ± 0.02). Seasonal analysis revealed variations in abundance, density and relative abundance of species with Egretta garzetta, Ardeola grayii and Microcarbo niger emerging as dominant taxa. The overall bird density was higher in winter (3984.19 individuals/km²) than in monsoon (2765.46 individuals/km²). Habitat selection was strongly influenced by water depth, vegetation structure and resource availability. The findings highlight the ecological importance of small inland wetlands as critical habitats for sustaining avian diversity and emphasize the need for targeted conservation strategies in human-modified landscapes.

List of Species and Conservation Status of Avifauna and Small mammal around Bade Segment Area of River Yobe, Yobe State, Nigeria

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The study was carried out to assess a Checklist of avifauna and small mammal species along Bade catchment area of Yobe State, Nigeria. Preliminary survey was conducted around the river, three (3) habitat types were identified; (river bank, farm lands and flood plain). The line transect was 8 km in length. Two (2) transects were established per habitat type, making a total of six (6) transects. The transects were 100 m apart to the left or right in order to avoid double counting of species. A distance of 200m was maintained between each habitat. The data obtained were analyses using descriptive statistics (Frequency tables and Charts were used to portrayed the findings. The result of the study; showed that a total of 50 bird species in 28 families were recorded. RB had the highest individuals of Fifty (50) species while FP has the lowest with ten (10) species. The Bird family Columbidae has the highest number with six (6) of species, while the lowest were Ardeidae, Sturnidae and Tytonidae with one species in each of the habitat types. However, checklist of small mammal species also indicated that a total of 6 species of small mammals belonging to 4 families were identified. The result of the study shows that the family Muridae has 3 species which was the highest number of per family identified in the study area, this is due to the fact that Muridae family are the most common small mammals in the study area. And both bird small species fell under least concern (LC) category except Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus which felled under near threatened (NT) species. However, awareness campaign should also be organize for the residents around the study area on the presence, distribution of bird and small mammal species and also disturbing effect of their activities on bird and small mammal around the segment area of river Yobe.