A Study on Avifaunal Species Diversity of Purbasthali Oxbow Lake, West Bengal, India

The present study deals with the diversity, abundance and variations of avian species at Purbasthali Oxbow Lake (23?27'5N 88?20'35E), West Bengal, India. A total number of 89 bird species belonging to 15 orders and 36 families were recorded during this study. Among the recorded species 47 were resident, 14 were local migrant and 28 were winter migratory. All the winter migrants such as Northern Pintail, Lesser Whistling Duck, Red crested Pochard, Common Teal, Spot Billed Duck, Garganey, Gadwal etc. were observed in large numbers during winter season. It was found that one near threatened (Black headed Ibis) and one vulnerable (common pochard) species also regularly visited this lake in the winter season. The results of relative diversity (RD) index showed that anatidae (RD value = 16.85) was the dominant family in the area.