Importance based on avian diversity of Pakhibitan Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary, Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal, India.

A comprehensive inventory of faunal and floral species in a specific region holds significant value for scientific investigation. This study was conducted between 2015 and 2021, especially during the winter season, in Pakhibitan Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary (also known as Gajoldoba wetland) in West Bengal, which was established in 2016. This wetland surrounded by forests is located on the upper section of the Teesta Barrage in the Dooars region of Jalpaiguri District, and it attracts birds from the Central Asian Flyway. Around 124 bird species belonging to 14 orders and 37 families were documented. Passeriformes with 32 species, and Anatidae with 23 species, are the most abundant groups. Based on the IUCN Red Data Book (2022-23), six species are Near Threatened, four are Vulnerable, and one Endangered. About 50% of birds were resident, 44% migratory, and 6% local migrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]