Birds are an essential component of ecosystems and play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance. The present study focuses on the avian distribution of Maval Tehsil on the basis of their family and habitat, highlighting patterns of occurrence in different ecological zones. Maval Tehsil, located in Pune District, Maharashtra, lies within the Sahyadri range of the Western Ghats, a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot. The region exhibits diverse topographical features such as fertile agricultural lands, high-altitude hill ranges, dense forests, grasslands, wetlands, rivers, and other aquatic bodies, which together provide suitable habitats for a wide range of bird families. The survey provides detailed documentation of bird species along with their family-wise classification and habitat preferences, including forest birds, wetland birds, grassland species, agricultural landscape birds, and aquatic birds. The varied habitats of Maval support members of several important avian families, reflecting high species richness and ecological adaptability. Species such as the Crested Serpent Eagle (Accipitridae) are commonly associated with forested and hilly regions, while the Indian Spot-billed Duck (Anatidae) inhabits wetlands and aquatic ecosystems. The Asian Paradise Flycatcher (Monarchidae) and Oriental Magpie-Robin (Muscicapidae) are frequently observed in forest edges and human-modified landscapes. Open grasslands and agricultural fields support species like the Yellow-wattled Lapwing (Charadriidae), whereas the Green Bee-eater (Meropidae) is widely distributed in open and semi-arid habitats. Studying birds based on their family and habitat provides valuable insights into ecological specialization, habitat dependency, and environmental health. This approach aids in identifying habitat-specific and threatened bird families, supporting effective conservation planning. The findings also enhance awareness among local communities and birdwatchers, encouraging habitat protection and further avian research in the Western Ghats.
Thakar et al. (Fri,) studied this question.