Status and Distribution of Birds in Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala, India

An ornithological survey in PTR was carried out for assessing the current status and distribution of bird species in the Tiger Reserve. Eleven blocks were selected for the ornithological survey and 187 bird species were recorded during the survey of which 4 species viz. Common green shank (Tringa nebularia), Malabar pied hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus), Ashy-crowned sparrowlark (Eremopterix grisea) and Chestnut-bellied nuthatch (Sitta castanea) are new records to Periyar. In addition, the Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis), Phesant-tailed jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus), Purple heron (Ardea purpurea), Purple swamphen (Porphurio porphyrio), Western Reef egret (Egrita gularis), Oriental white ibis (Threskornis melanocephalus), Common teal (Anus crecca), Common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) and Common coot (Fulica atra) were also recently sighted. This adds up to a total of 323 species of birds recorded from PTR. Sabarimala pilgrimage, raising of water level, sporadic forest fire and cattle grazing are some of the major threats to the hird population. Recommendations are given for addressing some of these issues.