AVIAN DIVERSITY WITH THE VARYING URBAN CONGESTIONS OF LAHORE
G. Joshua and Z. Ali*
Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore
*Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore
Corresponding author e-mail: dralizulfiqar@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
A correlative study, testing the impact of urban congestion in Lahore upon the bird abundance and diversity, was conducted in the monsoon and winter season. A platform of 6 feet diameter and 4 feet height, with a variety of seeds, was offered to attract the grainivorous birds. The number and variety of birds visiting the feeding station was noted from dawn to dusk after a period of 6 day installation, which depicted the bird’s urbanization in the area. A significant increase in the abundance of birds was observed in the winter season. Densely populated areas had the highest number of sparrow and pigeon population, whereas, areas with large sized pockets of vegetation supported the largest diversity of birds. Grain preference of the birds was also recorded in the different areas studied, which showed a relationship between the age long practices of feeding birds, with the habituation of birds. A total of 49 species of birds were observed in Lahore. The highest number of birds were observed in Nishtar Town followed by 41 species in Wagah Town. The most congested areas of Shalimar town and Ravi Town showed only 2 to 3 species which were urbanized enough to visit the feeding station. Nishtar Town had a maximum diversity of species of grainivorous birds visiting the table in the winter season. Bajra (Pennisetum glaucum), Indian Millet (Setaria italic) and Red Indian millet (Setaria italic) were the preferred type of seeds in all areas, while Mustard seeds (Sinapis alba), Corn (Zea mays) and Chick peas (Cicer arietinum) were the seeds of least preference.
Key Words: Urban congestion, avian diversity, point count method, feeding station, Pearl millet, Grain preference, Towns of Lahore.
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