Avifaunal Diversity of Shaheed Ashfaq Ullah Khan Prani Udyan (Zoological Park) in Uttar Pradesh, India

Avian taxa are natural indicators of a healthy ecosystem. India has 1332 bird species, about 6% of population. Birds survey was carried out in the winter season from December 2023 to February 2024 at Gorakhpur Zoo (26.713403°N and 83.407705°E, 68m altitude), Uttar Pradesh, following the fixed transects. We recorded 85 avian species belonging to 39 families and 17 orders. Ardeidae was the most diverse family of birds in the study area (RDi value = 8.33). Among the recorded species, 63 species are Resident, 19 species are winter migrant and 3 species are local migrant. During the survey, we recorded one threatened species and winter migrant, the Ferruginous Pochard. There are no studies conducted on birds at the study site despite its abundant avian population. It is essential to conduct further research to monitor the species and population trends of birds, particularly in light of shifting climatic conditions.