Diel Changes in the Avian Community at the Edge of a Shola Forest of Western Ghat

Die! changes in avifaunal activities were studied at tine edge of a stiola forest patch belonging to Silent Valley National Park in the southern part of Western Ghat range of Kerala. Twentytwo species of birds under 15 families were recorded to be active at the study site. Highest population density of 19.46 ha^-1 in the evening was recorded while in the morning the density was 9.42 ha^-1. Under 12 families. 19 species were detected in the evening, while only 8 species under 7 families were found in the morning count. A higher diversity index (2.706), recorded from the evening counts, indicates less dominance (0.089) and more evenness (0.955) in comparison with morning counts where diversity estimated at 1.972 emphasises minimum evenness (0.948) and maximum dominance (0.219).