Avifaunal Diversity of Swamythoopu Salt Pan, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India

In the present study, an attempt was made to find out the Avifaunal diversity in Swamythoopu salt pan, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India. The study was carried out using point count methods with 14 points during the study period from Jan 2021 to March 2021. 3158 birds belongs to 39 families of 15 avian orders were observed from the study area. Passeriformes alone accounted for 25 species of birds observed during the study period. The migratory status of the birds in Swamythoopu salt pan revealed that most of the birds were resident (67) and the winter migrants were around 20 species. The greater number of individuals was observed at the S5 site with 411 individuals and the lowest was 117 individuals. Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensisa “Globally threatened” species were recorded in the study area were considered as “Near threatened” species. Anhinga rufa, Threskiornis melanocephalus Mycteria leucocephala, Plegadis falcinellus, Platalea leucorodia were also documented in the study area.