Presentation at Mizoram University, Mizoram in the National Seminar on Issues of Wildlife Conservation in India with special reference to Mizoram

1. The Peacock Island: An Account of Avifaunal Species in
Pre-Monsoon Season
S. N. Jelil1,2 & P. Mahananda1
1Animal Ecology and Wildlife Biology, Department of Zoology, Gauhati University,
Guwahati-14, Assam, India
2Kalpadroom Foundation, House No. 68, Happy Villa Road, Barowari, Uzanbazar,
Guwahati-781003, Assam, India

2. The Umananda Archipelago
Consists of three islands viz.,
(i) The Urvashi
(ii) The Karmanasha
(iii) The Umananda

3. Urvashi ISland
The Urvashi Island
Photo courtesy: Pranjal Mahananda

4. The KarmanshA Island
Photo courtesy: Pranjal Mahananda

5. The Umananda Island
Photo Courtesy: Pranjal Mahananda

6. Umananda: A Brief Summary
Geologically, it is a part of Shillong plateau
It carries a long historical and mythological background
The habitat is mainly dominated by woodland species like mango, etc.
Some of the megafauna found in and around the island are:

7. Photo Courtesy: Pranjal Mahananda
Presence of Golden langur makes it even more significant from
ecological point of view

8. Photo Courtesy: Mridul Bora
A Surfacing Ganges River Dolphin
A Pictorial Representation of the Ganges River
Dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica )

9. Avifaunal Inventory
Act as
database for
Conservation
plan
Understand
Island
Ecology
Test the theory
of Island
Biogeography
THE NEED

10. The Theory of Island Biogeography
The theory proposes that the number of species found on an undisturbed
island is determined by immigration and extinction.
Overtime, the countervailing forces of extinction and immigration result
in an equilibrium level of species richness.
Influencing factors:
(a) Degree of isolation (distance from the mainland)
(b) Length of isolation (time)
(c) Size of island (larger area facilitates greater diversity)

11. (d) Habitat suitability including:
(i) climate
(ii) initial plant and animal composition if previously attached to
a larger landmass
(iii) current species composition
(e) Serendipity (impacts of chance arrivals)
(f) Human Activity

12. Methods Adopted
1. Line transect (following Bibby et al., 1992 )
2. Opportunistic bird sightings
Example of Line Transect (of 500 m length)
Equipment used
1. Field data
sheets
2. 8x40
binoculars
3. Field guide
books
Equipment used

13. Results & Discussions
20 species of birds were recorded in the survey belonging to 17 families
Most of the birds found in the island were common birds found in the
mainland, Guwahati
Only 4. 916 ha of land area harbouring 20 species of birds indicates
the rich composition of bird life in this island

14. Sl.
No.
Family Common name Scientific name IUCN status
1. Sturnidae Jungle myna Acridotheres fuscus LC
2. Common myna Acridotheres tristis LC
3. Chestnut tailed starling Sturnia malabarica LC
4. Asian Pied Starling Gracupica contra LC
5. Megalaimidae Blue throated barbet Megalaima asiatica LC
6. Accipitridae Black kite Milvus migrans LC
7. Dicruridae Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus LC
8. Corvidae Common Crow Corvus splendens splendens LC
9. Jungle Crow Corvus macrorhynchos LC
10. Cuculidae Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea LC
Table I: Checklist of avifauna of Umananda (Peacock island) in pre-monsoon season during the survey in
mid-Feb to mid-April, 2014.

15. 11. Psittaculidae Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri LC
12. Paridae Great Tit Parus major LC
13. Halcyonidae White-breasted kingfisher Halcyon smyrensis LC
14. Phalacrocoracidae Little cormorant Microcarbo niger LC
15. Muscicapidae Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis LC
16. Cisticolidae Common tailor bird Orthotomus sutoris LC
17. Anatidae Domestic goose Anser anser domesticus Domesticated
18. Ardeidae Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis LC
19. Apodidae House swift Apus nipalensis LC
20. Columbidae Rock pigeon Columbia livia LC

16. Limitations to the study
Study was done only in one season
Nocturnal surveys could not be carried out

17. Research recommendations
Floral composition and diversity study must be taken up
Insect and other invertebrate inventories should be taken up to
understand the island ecology better
Anthropological studies should be taken up

18. Recommendations for conservation
Educational trips and excursions for school and college students can be
organised to the island for better publicity and understanding of the
island
The role of nature conservation organisations and State Tourism
Department, Assam is vital for the future well-being of the island

19. The Way Forward
Understand the island ecology better
Test the Theory of Island Biogeography

20. Tiger got to hunt and bird got to fly; Man got to sit and wonder
“why, why, why?” Tiger got to sleep, bird got to land; Man got to
tell himself he understand
Kurt Vonnegut
Look deep into the nature, and then you will understand better
Albert Einstein
Never does nature say one thing and wisdom another
Juvenal

21. Thank you!!!