INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue X October 2025
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Avian Diversity in and Around Nazare Dam, Jejuri, Pune District,
Maharashtra, India
Om C. Tambade
1
, Snehal B. Punde
2
1
Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
2
Department of Zoology, The Institute of Science, Mumbai, India
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51244/IJRSI.2025.1210000280
Received: 05 November 2025; Accepted: 12 November 2025; Published: 19 November 2025
ABSTRACT
The present study was conducted to evaluate the avian diversity of Nazare Dam and its surrounding habitats
located near Jejuri in Pune District, Maharashtra, India. The dam, a freshwater reservoir encompassed by
agricultural fields, open grasslands, and scrub vegetation, provides heterogeneous ecological conditions that
support a wide range of avifaunal communities. Field investigations were carried out from June 2024 to July
2025 using standard line transect and point count methods during early morning and evening hours to record
both resident and migratory bird species.
A total of 69 bird species belonging to 39 families and 16 orders were recorded during the study period. The
most dominant avian orders included Passeriformes, Pelecaniformes, and Accipitriformes, with representative
families such as Ardeidae, Accipitridae, Sturnidae, and Muscicapidae. Aquatic and semi-aquatic species,
including the Indian Spot-billed Duck (Anas poecilorhyncha), Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus),
Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala), and Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus), were frequently
observed in the reservoir zone, while terrestrial species such as the Indian Robin (Saxicoloides fulicatus), Red-
vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer), and Large Grey Babbler (Argya malcolmi) dominated the adjacent
vegetated areas.
Migratory species such as the Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Sandpiper (Actitis
hypoleucos), and Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) were predominantly recorded during the winter months,
with maximum species richness observed from June 2024 to July 2025. The occurrence of Near Threatened
species including the Painted Stork and Black-headed Ibis highlights the ecological significance and
conservation value of this wetland ecosystem. Anthropogenic activities such as agricultural runoff, pollution,
unregulated fishing, and habitat encroachment pose potential threats to the avian diversity of the site. The
findings underscore the importance of Nazare Dam as a vital refuge for both resident and migratory avifauna
and emphasize the need for regular monitoring, public awareness, and sustainable management strategies to
ensure long-term conservation of its biodiversity.
Keywords: Avian diversity, Anthropogenic pressure, Conservation, Migratory birds, Nazare Dam, Wetland
ecosystem.
INTRODUCTION
Wetlands play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance by providing essential habitats for a variety of
flora and fauna, particularly avian species (Ali & Ripley, 1987; Weller, 1999). Birds serve as effective
bioindicators of habitat quality and environmental changes due to their sensitivity to habitat alteration and
climatic variation (Bibby et al., 2000). India, with its wide range of wetland ecosystems, supports more than
1,200 avian species (Grimmett et al., 2011), of which a significant portion rely on freshwater bodies for
breeding, feeding, and roosting.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XII Issue X October 2025
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The Nazare Dam, located near Jejuri in Pune District, Maharashtra, is one such freshwater ecosystem. It
harbors diverse habitats, including open water, mudflats, agricultural land, and scrub vegetation, which support
both resident and migratory bird species. Despite its ecological importance, the site remains understudied, and
there is limited published data on its avian diversity. Understanding bird composition and abundance at such
locations can help in developing effective management and conservation strategies (Islam & Rahmani, 2004).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Area
Nazare Dam is situated near Jejuri (18.264°N, 74.147°E) in Pune District, Maharashtra, India. The dam is
constructed across the Karha River and serves as a freshwater reservoir supplying irrigation water to
surrounding agricultural lands. The area experiences a tropical monsoon climate with average rainfall of 700–
800 mm annually. The surrounding landscape comprises agricultural fields, grasslands, and scrub vegetation
that provide varied habitats for birds (Figure 1).
Fig. 1 Study map area
Study Period
Field investigations were carried out from June 2024 to July 2025, covering both monsoon and early winter
seasons. This period was chosen to capture both breeding and migratory bird activity.
Data Collection
Standard lines transect and point count methods (Bibby et al., 2000) were employed for bird sampling.
Line Transects: Five transects, each 500 m in length, were established in different habitat types-reservoir,
agricultural area, and scrubland.
Point Counts: Observations were conducted at fixed points (200 m apart) for 10 minutes each.
Surveys were conducted twice daily early morning (06:00–09:00 hrs) and evening (04:30–06:30 hrs). All birds
seen or heard were recorded with the aid of binoculars (Nikon 8×40) and a DSLR camera for photographic
documentation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
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Identification and Classification
Birds were identified using field guides by Ali and Ripley (1987) Pande et al.(2013) and Grimmett et al.
(2011). Taxonomic classification followed the IOC World Bird List (v13.1, 2023).
Data Analysis
The diversity of birds was assessed using:
Species Richness (S) – total number of species recorded.
Relative Abundance (%) = (Number of individuals of a species / Total individuals) × 100.
Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (H’) and Evenness (E) were calculated using standard formulas
(Magurran, 2004).
RESULTS
Family
Order
Common Name
Scientific Name
Accipitridae
Accipitriformes
Black-Winged Kite
Elanus caeruleus
Accipitridae
Accipitriformes
Bonelli's Eagle
Aquila fasciata
Accipitridae
Accipitriformes
Brahminy Kite
Haliastur indus
Accipitridae
Accipitriformes
Shikra
Accipiter badius
Accipitridae
Accipitriformes
Short-toed Snake
Eagle
Circaetus gallicus
Alcedinidae
Coraciiformes
Common
Kingfisher
Alcedo atthis
Alcedinidae
Coraciiformes
Pied Kingfisher
Ceryle rudis
Alcedinidae
Coraciiformes
White Throated
Kingfisher
Halcyon smyrnensis
Anatidae
Anseriformes
Indian Spot-billed
Duck
Anas poecilorhyncha
Alaudidae
Passeriformes
Ashy Crowned
Finch Lark
Emberiza fucata
Alaudidae
Passeriformes
Indian Bushlark
Mirafra erythroptera
Ardeidae
Pelecaniformes
Great Egret
Ardea alba
Ardeidae
Pelecaniformes
Grey Heron
Ardea cinerea
Ardeidae
Pelecaniformes
Indian Pond Heron
Ardeola grayii
Ardeidae
Pelecaniformes
Intermediate Egret
Ardea intermedia
Ardeidae
Pelecaniformes
Little Egret
Egretta garzetta
Bucerotidae
Bucerotiformes
Indian Grey
Hornbill
Ocyceros birostris
Charadriidae
Charadriiformes
Red-wattled
Lapwing
Vanellus indicus
Charadriidae
Charadriiformes
Common Ringed
Plover
Charadrius hiaticula
Ciconiidae
Ciconiiformes
Painted Stork
Mycteria leucocephala
Cisticolidae
Passeriformes
Ashy Prinia
Prinia socialis
Cisticolidae
Passeriformes
Common Tailorbird
Orthotomus sutorius
Columbidae
Columbiformes
Eurasian Collared
Dove
Streptopelia decaocto
Columbidae
Columbiformes
Laughing Dove
Spilopelia senegalensis
Corvidae
Passeriformes
House Crow
Corvus splendens
Corvidae
Passeriformes
Indian Jungle Crow
Corvus culminates
Cuculidae
Cuculiformes
Asian Koel
Eudynamys scolopaceus
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Cuculidae
Cuculiformes
Greater Coucal
Centropus sinensis
Dicruridae
Passeriformes
Black Drongo
Dicrurus macrocercus
Estrildidae
Passeriformes
Red Avadavat
Amandava amandava
Estrildidae
Passeriformes
Scaly Breasted
Munia
Lonchura punctulata
Rallidae
Gruiformes
Eurasian Coot
Fulica atra
Hirundinidae
Passeriformes
Wire-Tailed
Swallow
Hirundo smithii
Laniidae
Passeriformes
Bay-backed Shrike
Lanius vittatus
Laniidae
Passeriformes
Long-Tailed Shrike
Lanius schach
Laridae
Charadriiformes
Indian River Tern
Rynchops albicollis
Leiothrichidae
Passeriformes
Large Grey Babbler
Turdoides malcolmi
Meropidae
Coraciiformes
Small Green Bee
Eater
Merops orientalis
Motacillidae
Passeriformes
White browed
Wagtail
Motacilla maderaspatensis
Muscicapidae
Passeriformes
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochruros
Muscicapidae
Passeriformes
Indian Robin
Copsychus fulicatus
Muscicapidae
Passeriformes
Pied Bushchat
Saxicola caprata
Oriolidae
Passeriformes
Indian Golden
Oriole
Oriolus kundoo
Passeridae
Passeriformes
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
Phalacrocoracidae
Suliformes
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carbo
Phalacrocoracidae
Suliformes
Indian Shag
Phalacrocorax fuscicollis
Phalacrocoracidae
Suliformes
Little Cormorant
Microcarbo niger
Phasianidae
Galliformes
Gray Francolin
Francolinus pondicerianus
Phasianidae
Galliformes
Peacock
Pavo cristatus
Phasianidae
Galliformes
Rock Bush Quail
Perdicula argoondah
Picidae
Piciformes
Coppersmith Barbet
Psilopogon haemacephalus
Ploceidae
Passeriformes
Baya Weaver
Ploceus philippinus
Psittaculidae
Psittaciformes
Plum Headed
Parakeet
Psittacula cyanocephala
Psittaculidae
Psittaciformes
Rose Ringed
Parakeet
Psittacula krameri
Pycnonotidae
Passeriformes
Red Vented Bulbul
Pycnonotus cafer
Recurvirostridae
Charadriiformes
Black-winged Stilt
Himantopus himantopus
Scolopacidae
Charadriiformes
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucos
Scolopacidae
Charadriiformes
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropus
Scolopacidae
Charadriiformes
Western Black-
tailed Godwit
Limosa limosa
Strigidae
Strigiformes
Indian Eagle Owl
Bubo bengalensis
Strigidae
Strigiformes
Spotted Owlet
Athene brama
Sturnidae
Passeriformes
Brahminy Starling
Sturnia pagodarum
Sturnidae
Passeriformes
Common Myna
Acridotheres tristis
Sturnidae
Passeriformes
Jungle Myna
Acridotheres fuscus
Sylviidae
Passeriformes
Yellow Eyed
Babbler
Chrysomma sinense
Threskiornithidae
Pelecaniformes
Black-headed Ibis
Threskiornis melanocephalus
Tytonidae
Strigiformes
Barn Owl
Tyto alba
Upupidae
Bucerotiformes
Common Hoopoe
Upupa epops
Zosteropidae
Passeriformes
Indian White Eye
Zosterops palpebrosus
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI)
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Fig 2: Bird species count
DISCUSSION
The recorded diversity (69 species) highlights the ecological richness of Nazare Dam, comparable to other
regional wetlands like Bhigwan (Deshmukh et al., 2019) and Ujani (Patil & Kulkarni, 2020). The dominance
of Passeriformes aligns with global patterns where this order represents the largest avian group (Gill, 2007).
Seasonal variation indicated a clear influx of migratory species during the post-monsoon period, consistent
with observations across western India (Islam & Rahmani, 2004). The presence of Near Threatened species
emphasizes the dam’s role as a refuge for sensitive taxa. However, anthropogenic pressures such as
agricultural runoff, pollution, and unregulated fishing threaten habitat quality.
The dominance of Passeriformes among the recorded species corresponds with patterns observed in other parts
of the Deccan Plateau (Patil & Kulkarni, 2020; Deshmukh et al., 2019). Passerines, being primarily
insectivorous or granivorous, benefit from the abundance of insects and seeds available in agricultural and
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scrub habitats surrounding the reservoir. Families such as Sturnidae, Muscicapidae, and Pycnonotidae were
particularly well represented, indicating the adaptability of these groups to semi-urban and modified
landscapes.
The substantial representation of aquatic and wading birds, including members of Ardeidae and Anatidae,
reflects the suitability of the reservoir zone for feeding and roosting. Species like the Indian Spot-billed Duck
(Anas poecilorhyncha), Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala), and Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis
melanocephalus) are dependent on shallow water areas rich in fish and invertebrates. Their regular occurrence
highlights the wetland’s ability to sustain diverse trophic levels.
RECOMMENDATION:
Proper wetland management - including buffer vegetation maintenance, pollution control, and community-
based awareness is essential for long-term conservation.
CONCLUSION
Nazare Dam supports a diverse assemblage of avifauna, including resident, migratory, and threatened species,
demonstrating ecological and conservation importance. Regular biodiversity monitoring and habitat protection
should be prioritized to safeguard this valuable ecosystem from increasing anthropogenic pressures.
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