Avian Diversity and Preliminary Conservation Assessment in Hemchandrapur Protected Forest, Mayurbhanj District, Odisha, India

Abstract

This study documents the avian diversity of Hemchandrapur Protected Forest, Mayurbhanj District, Odisha, India, based on field surveys conducted from 15 March to 15 June 2025. Birds were recorded using transect-based observations during morning and late-afternoon activity periods, with identification supported by binoculars, photographic documentation, and standard field guides. A total of 72 bird species belonging to 13 orders and 31 families were recorded during the survey period. Passeriformes was the best-represented order, while Ardeidae, Columbidae, and Sturnidae contributed notably to the recorded species richness. The observed assemblage included resident, migratory, and breeding visitors, with abundance categories ranging from very common to rare. Wetland-associated, open-habitat, and forest-edge species were recorded, indicating the importance of habitat heterogeneity within and around the protected forest. The findings provide a preliminary baseline inventory for the study area and highlight its value as a local avifaunal habitat. However, the short duration of sampling limits broader conclusions regarding seasonal variation and long-term population status. Continued monitoring, improved habitat assessment, and periodic surveys are recommended to support conservation planning and to track future changes in bird diversity and abundance.