UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

Birds play a crucial role in sustaining tropical agroecosystems through pollination and seed dispersal services; however, their functional associations with horticultural crops remain insufficiently explored. The present study assessed the diversity, seasonal abundance, and functional guild composition of fruit- and nectar-feeding birds associated with banana (Musa spp.) and papaya (Carica papaya) plantations in Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu, India, from March 2023 to February 2024. Standard visual encounter surveys were conducted across seasons using line transect and point count methods, and diversity indices were computed to evaluate community structure. A total of 13 bird species belonging to nectarivorous, frugivorous, and omnivorous guilds were recorded across both crop systems. Banana plantations supported higher overall bird abundance, particularly during the monsoon and winter seasons, whereas papaya fields exhibited greater evenness and species diversity, as reflected by higher Shannon and Simpson diversity indices. Seasonal variation influenced bird assemblages, with peak species richness observed during the monsoon and post-monsoon periods. Statistical analysis indicated no significant seasonal differences in diversity indices (F = 0.1537, p > 0.05), suggesting relative temporal stability in avian community composition. The findings highlight that crop structure and phenology significantly shape avian assemblages, with banana plantations functioning as high-abundance foraging habitats and papaya plantations supporting a more balanced and diverse bird community. This study underscores the importance of diversified agroecosystems in conserving avian biodiversity and enhancing ecosystem services such as pollination and seed dispersal within agricultural landscapes.