AVIFAUNAL DYNAMICS IN RELATION TO SEASONAL SHIFTS AND HABITAT CONDITIONS IN SITAKHANDI FOREST, NANDED DISTRICT, MAHARASHTRA

Sitakhandi Forest, a comparatively intact deciduous forest area in the Nanded district of Maharashtra, is close to Bhokar. It is notable for its variety of plants and a tiny trickle of water that runs among the rocks and trees. Its deciduous forests are well-known. The Nanded forest division considers it a 'hotspot' for plant diversity. There are distinctive bird fauna in this forest. In June 2022–May 2024, a thorough survey study was carried out to examine the avian fauna and the effects of the seasons on it. A total of 83 species from 15 orders and 27 families were found. Among them, 34 were resident common, 3 were resident migratory common, 3 were winter migratory, 9 were resident migratory uncommon, 8 were passage migratory rare, and others showed varying ecological statuses.