BIOLOGIA (PAKISTAN) 2013, 59 (1), 131-137

PK ISSN 0006 - 3096

Diversity, distribution and ecology of birds in summer

season at head Khanki, Punjab, Pakistan
*MUHAMMAD ALTAF1, ARSHAD JAVID2, IRFAN3, MUHAMMAD ASIF
MUNIR4, SANA ASHRAF5, KHALID JAVED IQBAL6, MUHAMMAD UMAIR7,
ZULFIQAR ALI8 & ABDUL MAJID KHAN9
1,2,3,4,5
Department of Wildlife and Ecology, UVAS, Lahore.
6
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, UVAS, Lahore.
7
Department of Botany, University of the Gujarat.
8,9
Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab.

ABSTACT
o o
Head Khanki is situated at the river Chenab (32 24'07 N, 73 58'39 E and
Elevation is 219 M) district Gujranwala, Punjab, Pakistan. The ecosystem is a complex of
aquatic, terrestrial, forest and agricultural land. The present study was carried from April
2009 to August 2009 and data on diversity, distribution and ecology of birds was collected
during dawn (5:00 am to 8:00 am) and dusk (4:00 pm to 7:00 pm) hours for a period of six
months. A total of 64 bird species were recorded from the study area Shannon-wiener
diversity index recorded was 3.973, Simpson diversity index 0.9793, Evenness 0.8306,
Dominance 0.02067, Margalef index 0.8306 and Density was 2.20.

Key Words: Birds, Diversity, Distribution, Ecology, Density, Head Khanki

INTRODUCTION

Pakistan possesses many climatic and vegetation zones within a

relatively small area (IUCN, 1989). Head Khanki is an important agri-forest
wetland and despite of its ecological importance, very little work has been done
about the avifauna diversity of the area. Ali & Ripley (1974) and Roberts (1991,
1992) described avifauna distribution in whole country. Waite (1948) described
the avifauna of Salt Range, Pakistan. Ali (2005) recorded the diversity of water
birds of Taunsa barrage. (Mahboob & Nisa, 2009) observed the water bird and it
ecology and threats at Head Trimu, district Jhang. Munir (2010) and Altaf (2010)
recorded the avifauna of Ravi siphon and Head Qadirabad respectively. Irfan
(2010) noted the biodiversity of Changa Manga. Present study is unique in the
sense that it is the first endeavor to explore the avifauna diversity of Head Khanki
as bird fauna of the area has never been described separately.
A large number of birds migrate from central Asian countries and Europe
towards wetlands of Pakistan to avoid severe winter. There is seven fly zones all
over the world and one zone (Indus fly zone) present in Pakistan. The birds
reach Pakistan flying over Karakorum, Suleiman Ranges and Hindu Kush along
the Indus river. Falcons, cranes, swans, ducks, flamingos, waders and geese are
important migratory birds in host country (Ali, 2005).

*Corresponding author e-mail: altaf_mughal450@yahoo.com

132 M. ALTAF ET AL BIOLOGIA (PAKISTAN)

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study was carried out from April 2009 to August 2009 to
study the aquatic bird’s fauna at Head Khanki. Data on ecology and population of
water-bird diversity was recorded from the study area. A wide range of field
methods was applied during different stages of the survey. These methods were
broadly classified into two categories, 1st direct field observations and 2nd
information from the local community i.e. indirect observations (meetings with the
locals). Roberts, 1991; 1992; Mirza & Wasiq, 2007; Grimmett et al., 1998 were
consulted for identification and previous distribution of birds of the study area.
о о
Study area: Head Khanki (32 24'07 N, 073 58'39 E, 219 M) is situated
at river Chenab and is placed adjacent to Gujranwala and Gujarat districts. It is
an agri-forest land and has a highly variable diversity. pH of water varies from 7.1
to 8.1 (Irrigation and Power Department Punjab, 2007). Climate of the area is
temperate with four seasons. Summers are relatively longer with temperatures
o
reaching upto 45 C.
Ecology: Head Khanki is a tropical forest (Siddiqui, 1997), wetland area
(IUCN, 1989; Scott, 1989) and rich in biodiversity. Most common aquatic
vegetation of the study area includes hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), Indian lotus
(Nelumbo nucifera), water lily (Nymphaea lotus), lesser Indian reed mace (Typha
angustata), eel grass (Vallisneria spiralis), horned pondweed (Zannichellia
palustris) and muskgrass (Chara sp.). Important natural vegetation of the
surrounding plains includes jand (Prosopis cineraria), athel (Tamarix aphylla),
Indian plum (Zizyphus mauritiana), goose grass (Eleusine compressa), kans
grass (Saccharum spontaneurn), shisham (Dalbergia sissoo) and Kikar or thorn-
tree (Acacia nilotica) (Savage, 1968; Roberts, l984; IUCN, 1987). Most common
weed species of the study area include gajar boti (Parthenium hysterophorous)
burra gokharu (Tribulus terrestris L.), common cockle-bur (Xanthium
strumarium), slender amaranth (Amaranthus viridis), Indian doab (Cynodon
dactylon), devil's horsewhip (Achyranthes aspera), prostrate spurge (Euphorbia
prostrata L.) and marijuana (Cannabis sativa). Rice (Oryza sativa), wheat
(Triticum aestivum) and pea plants (Pisum sativum) are amongst the prominent
crop species of the area (Savage, 1968). Most abundant fish species of the river
Chenab include Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), Rohu (Labeo rohita), Mori
(Cirrhinus mrigala), Foji Khaga (Bagarius bagarius), Sangari (Sperata sarwari),
Dola (Channa punctate), Masheer (Tor microlopsis) and Khaga (Rita rita) (Mirza,
1994, 2004; Qadir, 2009).
Most dominant wild mammalian fauna is wild boar (Sus scrofa), small Indian
mongoose (Herpestes javanicus), palm squirrel (Funnambulus pennantii), Indian
crested porcupine (Hystrix cristatus), House rat (Rattus rattus) Small Indian
mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) and Indian Wild boar (Sus scrofa) (Roberts,
1997, 2005a, b).
Statistical Analysis: Shannon-wiener Diversity Index was calculated in
order to know the species diversity in different habitats. It was calculated based
on the abundance of the species by the following formula given by Shannon and
Weaver, 1963.
H' = - [ΣPІ In PІ]
Where, H' = Diversity Index
VOL. 59 (1) DIVERSITY, DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY OF BIRDS 133

Species richness (SR), the number of species was noted (Margalef,

1951)
SR =(S – 1)/logn N,
Where S= total number of species and
N = total number of individuals present in the sample
Species evenness (E) was recorded (Pielou, 1966).
E = H'/ Logn S
Where S is total number of species and H' is the Shannon-wiener diversity index
For the statistical analysis PAST version 2.17C was used (Hammert et
al., 2001) to find out the Simpson diversity, Shannon diversity (H), Evenness (E),
Margalef (R) and Dominance.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In present study rich diversity of birds was observed in this area. A total
of 64 species of the birds were recorded during the study period. Most dominant
birds were House Crow, House Sparrow, Egrets, Mynas, Black Kite, King Crow,
Red-wattled Lapwing and bee eaters. There were 50 Resident, 8 summer
breeder and 6 Year round visitors (Fig., 1). From the study area recorded the
Shannon-wiener diversity index recorded was 3.973, Simpson diversity index
0.9793, Evenness 0.8306, Dominance 0.02067, Margalef index 0.8306 and
Density was 2.20 (Table 1).

Distribution of Summer birds

60

50

40
Count

30

20

10

0
Resident Summer breeder Year round visitor
Series1 50 8 6
Distribution

Fig., 1: Composition of aquatic birds visiting Head Khanki from April 2009 to
August 2009

Irfan (2010) recorded 57 species during the summer, out of 57 species of

summer avifauna 51 were resident, 5 were summer breeder and 1 was year
round visitor. Munir (2010) noted 63 species during the summer, out of this 54
were resident, 6 were summer breeder and 3 were year round visitor. Ali &
Akhtar (2005) recorded 126 avifauna species from Chashma, 115 from Nammal,
110 from Rang-pur and 103 species from Ucchali lakes. Awan et al. (2004)
134 M. ALTAF ET AL BIOLOGIA (PAKISTAN)

during the survey of Muzaffar-abad, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, a total of 59

species were noted, out of which 24 were resident, 14 were winter visitor, 11
were summer visitor.
Table 1: Summary of the data of Head Khanki.
Density
Common name Scientific name Distribution
max (Ha)
Little Grebe or Dabchick Tachybaptus ruficollis Resident 17 0.01
Little/Javanese Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger Year round visitor 36 0.03
Darter/Snake Bird Anhinga melanogaster Year round visitor 3 0.00
Chinies/Yellow Bittern Exobrychus sinensis Year round visitor 3 0.00
Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Summer breeder 18 0.02
Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii Resident 36 0.03
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Resident 66 0.06
Little Egret Egretta garzetta Year round visitor 210 0.18
Large Egret Egretta alba Resident 250 0.21
Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia Year round visitor 45 0.04
Indian/Black Kite Milvus migrans migrans Resident 150 0.13
Black Winged Kite Elanus caeruleus Resident 2 0.00
Common Buzzard Buteo buteo Year round visitor 4 0.00
Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax nipalensis Resident 2 0.00
Black partridge Francolinus francolinus Resident 9 0.01
Indian Grey Partridge Francolinus pondicerianus Resident 10 0.01
Common Quail Coturnix coturnix Summer breeder 12 0.01
White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Resident 21 0.02
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Resident 12 0.01
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Summer breeder 50 0.04
Red-wattled Lapwing Hoplopterus indicus Resident 45 0.04
Little Tern Sterna albifrons Summer breeder 11 0.01
Blue Rock Pigeon Columba livia Resident 6 0.01
Indian Ring Dove Streptopelia decaocta Resident 55 0.05
Streptopelia
Red Turtle Dove Summer breeder
tranquebarica 34 0.03
Little Brown Dove Streptopelia senegalensis Resident 34 0.03
Large Indian Parakeet Psittacula eupatria Resident 8 0.01
Rose-ringed Parakeet Psitta krameri Resident 11 0.01
Pied Crested Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus Summer breeder 7 0.01
Common Hawk Cuckoo Hirrococcyx varius Resident 33 0.03
Little Swift Apus affinis Resident 24 0.02
VOL. 59 (1) DIVERSITY, DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY OF BIRDS 135

Table 1: Continued….
White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Resident 30 0.03
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Resident 35 0.03
Small Pied kingfisher Ceryle rudis Resident 34 0.03
Little Green Bea-eater Merops orientalis Resident 50 0.04
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops supercilliosus Summer breeder 45 0.04
Common Hoopoe Upupa epops Resident 8 0.01
Indian Roller/Blue Jay Coracias benghalensis Resident 7 0.01
Indian Sindh Martin Riparia paludicola Resident 14 0.01
Richard Pipit/Paddy Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae Resident 7 0.01
Large Pied Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis Resident 3 0.00
Lesser Wood Shrike Tephrodornis pondicerian Resident 4 0.00
White-cheeked Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys Resident 4 0.00
Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer Resident 9 0.01
White-tailed Bush Chat Saxicola leucura Resident 11 0.01
Indian Robin Saxicoloides fulicata Resident 4 0.00
Fan-tailed Warbler Cisticola juncidis Resident 2 0.00
Plain Coloured Prinia Prinia inornata Resident 3 0.00
Long-tailed Grass Warbler Prinia burnesii Resident 3 0.00
Tailor Bird Orthotomus sutorius Resident 2 0.00
Ashy long-tailed Warbler Prinia socialis Resident 2 0.00
White-browned Fantail
Rhipidura aureola Resident
Flycatcher 2 0.00
Sind Babbler Chrysomma altirostre Resident 2 0.00
Common Babler Turdoides caudatus Resident 9 0.01
Striated Babbler Turdoides earlei Resident 17 0.01
Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus Resident 5 0.00
Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica Summer breeder 29 0.02
Black Drongo/King Crow Dicrurus macrocercus Resident 410 0.34
Common Myna Acridothere tristis Resident 100 0.08
Bank Myna Acridothere ginginianus Resident 35 0.03
Indian Tree Pie Dendocitta vagabunda Resident 10 0.01
House Crow Corvus splendens Resident 120 0.10
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Resident 400 0.33
Indian Silverbill Lonchura malabarica Resident 4 0.00
Total 2644 2.20
136 M. ALTAF ET AL BIOLOGIA (PAKISTAN)

During present survey maximum population of 2644 birds was noted.

Irfan (2010) during survey of Changa Manga noted 524 bird’s maximum number.
Munir (2010) observed maximum of 363 number of avifauna from Ravi Siphon.
Threats: The main threats to birds were the following: habitat loss and
degradation, chemical toxins, chemical pollution, avian diseases, human
disturbance of nesting, feeding and roosting areas, shortage of water, degraded
quality of foraging habitat by the invasion of introduced species and public dislike
for some species.

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