Bioecology, Diversity and Distribution of Avian Fauna in Bajaur Valley, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Bioecology, Diversity and Distribution of Avian Fauna in Bajaur Valley, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Rahmat Ullah Khan* and Karim Gabol
ABSTRACT
In Bajaur valley avian bioecology, diversity and distribution were explored in (from January to December) 2021. For the authentication and data recording, the study area was categorized into three reflective habitats (i) mountainous, (ii) agricultural, and (iii) residential. The survey was established twice a day at dawn (from 06:00 am to 11:00 am) and dusk (from 02:30 pm to 07:00 pm), respectively. Both direct observations and indirect proofs were recorded from all habitats through line transect and point count methods. A total of eighty-three bird species were reported that belonged to 15 orders and 40 families; of these, the Passeriformes was the dominant order. However, the habitat having the richest average avian diversity was; agriculture at 51.42% (540.85±25) followed by residential at 42.61% (706.78±32) and low at mountains at 5.96% (165.87±36). Regarding feeding habits, most bird species were insectivores (49.39%) followed by omnivores (20.48%) and carnivores (18.07%) while the low number of bird species were granivores (7.22%), and second low frugivores (4.81%). Based on migration status, the highest diversity of bird species was residential (36.14%) followed by summer visitors (25.30%) and winter visitors (19.27%). Out of 83 species, 10 were the most insightful and had significantly (P<0.05) rich population density as house sparrow (15464±92), common myna (2954.33±23), red-vented bulbul (1671±11), afghan babbler (1181±66), long-tailed shrike (1126±11), chakor partridge (1019.5±10), bank swallow (1073±27), bank myna (568.33±58), house crow (806±20) and common chiffchaff (1128±00). The avifauna is going to decline because of heavy intimidation like scarcity, the toxicity of their diets and drinking water, illegal and merciless killing, rapid urbanization and road constructions, deforestation, habitat deterioration, predation, disease, and harsh environmental conditions. The valley of Bajaur would maintain its beauty gifted by birds chirping if awareness about birds’ ecological value is made public and operationalized and implementation of wildlife legislation is made successful.
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