Avifaunal Diversity, Species Composition and Feeding Guild Status at Kanhalgaon Lake, Paoni Tehsil, Bhandara District, Maharashtra, India
Neera Singh *
Department of Zoology, R.M.G. College Nagbhid, Chandrapur (M.S.) 441205, India.
A.A. Dhamani
Gramgeeta Mahavidyalay, Chimur Dist. Chandrapur (M.S.), India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The current research evaluates the avifaunal diversity, composition of species, and feeding guild structure at Kanhalgaon Lake, Paoni Tehsil of Bhandara District, Maharashtra. The point count method was applied for study from January 2024 to January 2025 for all three habitat types—roadside edge, agricultural zone, and forest patch. A total of 96 bird species observed across 41 families and 15 orders were documented. The Passeriformes order had the greatest species richness (41.6%), followed by Pelecaniformes and Charadriiformes. Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H′ = 3.85) and Simpson's index (1–D = 0.97) both reflected high avian diversity and evenness among habitats. Themost prevelent guild was omnivorous (42.7%), next to it are carnivorous (20.8%) and insectivorous (19.8%) species, which shows trophic adaptability and functional diversity. Seasonal variation indicated maximum species richness in winter because of migratory birds, revealed the lake as an important wintering and stopover destination on the Central Asian Flyway. The mix of aquatic, arboreal, and terrestrial guilds indicates ecological heterogeneity and conservation value of Kanhalgaon Lake. The results point to the necessity of long-term habitat conservation and management efforts to maintain the ecological integrity and avian diversity of the lake.
Keywords: Avifaunal diversity, feeding guilds, wetland ecology, Kanhalgaon lake, species composition, migratory birds, habitat heterogeneity, conservation biology