• Laxmi Prasad Rath
• Siba Prasad Parida

A study was conducted to measure bird species diversity at Rukhi Hill Forest from June 2018 to March 2019, 4-5 days per week. The objective of the study was to identify avian diversity and main threats to them in the hill. Data were collected by direct census method. Various methodologies like Line Transect, Point Count and Opportunistic bird Sighting were adopted for study. Birds were identified by vocal sounds, good photographs captured by DSLR Nikon D5300 with 70-300mm lens, Nikon Point and Shoot B700 and a binocular (10 x 50X). A total of 46 species of avifauna both migratory and residential were observed in the hill. It was concluded that order Passeriformes enlisted highest numbers of species i.e. 20 species. The measurement of Shannon-Weiner Diversity index (H’) and Simpson’s Evenness were 3.84 and 1.00 respectively. Main threats identified to survival of birds were; habitat degradation, climate change, forest fire, deforestation and illegal hunting. The species richness and composition are important parameters for stability and functioning of an ecosystem. Therefore, there is urgent need to protect avian diversity by protecting natural habitat of the hill forest.

Avian diversity, Resident Bird, Diversity Index, Anthropogenic Pressure, Line Transect

"Measurement of Diversity Indices of Avian Fauna in Rukhi Hill Forest, Nayagarh, Odisha.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 4, page no.458-463, April-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1904H76.pdf

"Measurement of Diversity Indices of Avian Fauna in Rukhi Hill Forest, Nayagarh, Odisha.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 4, page no. pp458-463, April-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1904H76.pdf