Avian Diversity of Pala Tipo (Palak Lake): A Ramsar Site in Mizoram, Northeast India

Pala Tipo (Palak Lake), located in the southern part of Mizoram, Northeast India, is a designated Ramsar site that hosts a diverse assemblage of avifauna. This study provides a comprehensive account of 61 bird species recorded from the lake and its surrounding habitats, representing 28 families across 13 orders. The order Passeriformes emerged as the most dominant, accounting for 40 species (65.57%) of the total bird community, followed by Pelecaniformes with 7 species (11.48%), primarily from the family Ardeidae (Herons and Egrets), and Piciformes with 5 species (8.20%). Other orders such as Suliformes, Cuculiformes, Gruiformes, and Coraciiformes each contributed 2-3 species, while several orders, including Galliformes, Columbiformes, Charadriiformes, Strigiformes, and Bucerotiformes, were represented by a single species each. Family-wise analysis revealed Ardeidae as the most species-rich non-passerine family, while within Passeriformes, Muscicapidae (flycatchers and robins) was the most diverse, contributing 5 species (8.20%). Multiple passerine families, including Cisticolidae, Pycnonotidae, Phylloscopidae, Dicruridae, Leiothrichidae, Turdidae, and Picidae, each comprised 3 species (4.92%). This varied representation of avian taxa highlights the ecological richness and habitat heterogeneity of the Palak Lake area, supporting both generalist and specialist bird species. All recorded species are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, except for the Slaty-backed Flycatcher (Ficedula erithacus), categorized as Vulnerable and protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act. This article highlights the significance of Pala Lake as a crucial habitat for both resident and migratory bird species, and emphasizes the need for conservation efforts, especially in light of human-induced habitat changes.