The Peacock Island: An Account of Avifaunal Species in Pre-

Monsoon Season

S. N. Jelil1,2 & P. Mahananda11Animal Ecology and Wildlife Biology, Department of Zoology, Gauhati University, Guwahati-14, Assam, India2Kalpadroom Foundation, House No. 68, Happy Villa Road, Barowari, Uzanbazar, Guwahati-781003, Assam, India

The Umananda Archipelago

Consists of three islands viz., (i) The Urvashi(ii) The Karmanasha(iii) The Umananda

Urvashi ISland

The Urvashi IslandPhoto courtesy: Pranjal Mahananda

The KarmanshA Island

Photo courtesy: Pranjal Mahananda

The Umananda Island

Photo Courtesy: Pranjal Mahananda

Umananda: A Brief Summary

Geologically, it is a part of Shillong plateau

It carries a long historical and mythological background

The habitat is mainly dominated by woodland species like mango, etc.

Some of the megafauna found in and around the island are:

Photo Courtesy: Pranjal Mahananda

Presence of Golden langur makes it even more significant from ecological point of view

Photo Courtesy: Mridul Bora

A Surfacing Ganges River Dolphin

A Pictorial Representation of the Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica )

Avifaunal Inventory

Act as database for Conservation plan

Understand Island

Ecology

Test the theory of Island Biogeography

THE NEED

The Theory of Island Biogeography

The theory proposes that the number of species found on an undisturbed island is determined by immigration and extinction.

Overtime, the countervailing forces of extinction and immigration result in an equilibrium level of species richness.

Influencing factors:(a) Degree of isolation (distance from the mainland)(b) Length of isolation (time)(c) Size of island (larger area facilitates greater diversity)

(d) Habitat suitability including:(i) climate(ii) initial plant and animal composition if previously attached to

a larger landmass(iii) current species composition

(e) Serendipity (impacts of chance arrivals)

(f) Human Activity

Methods Adopted

1. Line transect (following Bibby et al., 1992 )

2. Opportunistic bird sightings

Example of Line Transect (of 500 m length)

Equipment used1. Field data

sheets2. 8x40

binoculars3. Field guide

books

Equipment used

Results & Discussions

20 species of birds were recorded in the survey belonging to 17 families

Most of the birds found in the island were common birds found in the mainland, Guwahati

Only 4. 916 ha of land area harbouring 20 species of birds indicates the rich composition of bird life in this island

Sl. No.

Family Common name Scientific name IUCN status

1. Sturnidae Jungle myna Acridotheres fuscus LC

2.   Common myna Acridotheres tristis LC

3.   Chestnut tailed starling Sturnia malabarica LC

4.   Asian Pied Starling Gracupica contra LC

5. Megalaimidae Blue throated barbet Megalaima asiatica LC

6. Accipitridae Black kite Milvus migrans LC

7. Dicruridae Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus LC

8. Corvidae Common Crow Corvus splendens splendens LC

9.   Jungle Crow Corvus macrorhynchos LC

10. Cuculidae Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea LC

Table I: Checklist of avifauna of Umananda (Peacock island) in pre-monsoon season during the survey in mid-Feb to mid-April, 2014.

11. Psittaculidae Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri LC

12. Paridae Great Tit Parus major LC

13. Halcyonidae White-breasted kingfisher Halcyon smyrensis LC

14. Phalacrocoracidae Little cormorant Microcarbo niger LC

15. Muscicapidae Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis LC

16. Cisticolidae Common tailor bird Orthotomus sutoris LC

17. Anatidae Domestic goose Anser anser domesticus Domesticated

18. Ardeidae Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis LC

19. Apodidae House swift Apus nipalensis LC

20. Columbidae Rock pigeon Columbia livia LC

Limitations to the study

Study was done only in one season

Nocturnal surveys could not be carried out

Research recommendations

Floral composition and diversity study must be taken up

Insect and other invertebrate inventories should be taken up to understand the island ecology better

Anthropological studies should be taken up

Recommendations for conservation

Educational trips and excursions for school and college students can be organised to the island for better publicity and understanding of the island

The role of nature conservation organisations and State Tourism Department, Assam is vital for the future well-being of the island

The Way Forward

Understand the island ecology better

Test the Theory of Island Biogeography

Tiger got to hunt and bird got to fly; Man got to sit and wonder “why, why, why?” Tiger got to sleep, bird got to land; Man got to tell himself he understand

Kurt Vonnegut

Look deep into the nature, and then you will understand betterAlbert Einstein

Never does nature say one thing and wisdom anotherJuvenal

Thank you!!!