Wetlands and Wetland Birds : Status of Wetland Birds of Selected Districts in Tamil Nadu

Birds as best indicators of wetland function or as measures of success in wetland management, restoration, and creation. The study was conducted from January to March 2006, totally 27 selected wetlands were surveyed in four selected districts of Tamil Nadu, namely Coimbatore, Trichy, Perambalore and Thiruvarur. Species diversity and dominance of birds were calculated. Three near threatened species, namely Threatened spot-billed pelican (Pelicanus philippensis) and Darter (Anhinga rufa) and Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) were recorded. In most of the wetlands Ipomea carnea (15.28 %) was the dominant species. Wetlands in Coimbatore, namely Singanallur, Sulur, Vettikaranputhur and Thirumeni in Tiruvarur district had good population of birds and these sites will be protected for the birds.