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Population Trends, Species Variations and Habitat use by Egrets, Herons and Storks at Kolleru Wetland, Andhra Pradesh, India

Author Affiliations

  • 1All India Network Project on Agricultural Ornithology, Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, 30. INDIA

Int. Res. J. Biological Sci., Volume 4, Issue (2), Pages 28-32, February,10 (2015)

Abstract

The present study was aimed to study the population trends, species variation and habitat utilization pattern of egrets, herons and storks at Kolleru wetland, Andhra Pradesh. The Kolleru wetland is a large perennial water body and provides food, shelter, nesting and breeding for many winter and local birds. The population and habitat utilization of these species showed difference in relation to various habitats during the study period. A total of 13 species were recorded belonging to the family Ardeidae, among which 5 species of herons, 4 species of egrets and 4 species of bitterns. While in the family Ciconiidae three species of storks were recorded among which Openbill stork was recorded in high numbers and the other two species (Painted stork and Adjutant stork) are rarely observed. The percent habitat utilization pattern of different water birds showed significant variations in relation to availability of various habitat types in the study area.

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