The Diversity and Distribution of The Order Charadriiformes Along The Kerala Coast and Selected Islands of Lakshadweep, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v123/i2S/2023/172602Keywords:
Seabirds, Shorebirds, Laridae, Breeding, Bird sanctuary.Abstract
The birds belonging to the order Charadriiformes are widely distributed along the coastal regions and coastal waters of Kerala and Lakshadweep. Most species in this region are migratory and use the coastal habitats and coastal waters as their feeding grounds or stopover sites. In this study, we documented the diversity and distribution of Charadriiformes along the Kerala coast and Lakshadweep, and recorded 47 species of birds. Among this, 22 species were recorded from both the Kerala coast and the Lakshadweep islands. The abundance and distribution of the Charadriiformes have been examined, and the results show the distribution pattern between the mainland and the islands. On the Kerala coast, the population of three gull species and three sand plover species and in Lakshadweep islands, the population of three tern species and brown noddy determines the Charadriiformes abundance. The breeding colonies of Anous stolidus and Onychoprion fuscatus were observed during the study from the Pashi Pitti, Lakshadweep archipelago. While the distribution and diversity of birds will be used to measure the ecosystem’s health, the results obtained from the current study will provide insight into coastal management and conservation of the avian fauna.