HABITAT DEPENDED ON COASTAL AVIAN FAUNAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TUTICORIN, GULF OF MANNAR.

A study was conducted during the period January to December 2013 to assess the habitat and season wise variation in the density and diversity of coastal avian fauna of Tuticorin coast. Data were collected on a bi-monthly basis during the low tide and high tides at two artificial habitats like fly ash-laden dyke of Tuticorin Thermal Power Station (TTPS) and an evaporation pond of a salt pan. The diversity and density of coastal birds were comparatively higher at TTPS dyke than the salt pan pond. 12 species of coastal birds with a total count of 5111 individuals were sighted at TTPS dyke whereas ten species with a total number of 784 birds were reported from salt pan. Lesser Crested Tern was the most frequently observed bird with a mean density of 198.1±71.2 ind.count^-1 at the TTPS dyke whereas Curlew Sand Piper was the dominant bird with a mean density of 20.42±4.7 ind.count^-1 at the salt pan. Both the seasonal and tidal variation in the density of coastal birds sighted at two stations were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Because of the increased diminishing of natural wetland habitats in Tuticorin due to industrialisation, the study indicated the suitability of artificial habitats either for feeding or roosting of coastal birds in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]