Conservation status, feeding guilds and diversity of birds in Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India

Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary (KBS) near Jamnagar in Gujarat is positioned under the Indo-Asian Flyway and declared as the fourth wetland of Gujarat's Ramsar site; these wetlands serve as important wintering and stopover sites for birds.The present study aimed to collect information regarding the species richness, status, and feeding guilds of avifauna at KBS, Jamnagar City, Gujarat, India from April to December 2019.The point count and box line transect method was employed under a total of 28 surveys (Samplings N=56).A total of 146 bird species, 106 genera, 50 families, and 20 orders were recorded; of which 75 species were terrestrial and 71 water birds.Nonpasserine birds were more prevalent (97 species, 66%) than Passerine (49, 34%).Birds of Order Passeriformes (49/19 species/families), family Scolopacidae (17 species), and species Fulica atra -Common Coot (45.14 Mean/survey) were the most superior during the survey.The majority of the 92 species were resident (63%) and 45 species were winter migrants (31%); very rare species (89) had the highest abundance status.11 species of birds are considered Near Threatened, and 01 Vulnerable category; 01 species in Appendix -App I, 12 in App II and 02 in App III; 10 species in Schedule -Sch I, 134 in Sch II and 02 in Sch IV.Carnivores (52 species) and omnivores (45) feeding guilds have the most number of species out of the 12 avian feeding guilds.The study areas reveal high species richness (d = 14.81) and diversity (H' = 4.016, = 21.74)during the survey.This study provides baseline data for future research in monitoring the avifauna in the sanctuary and demonstrates the importance of the area in bird conservation.