Status and population trends of Coots and Moorhens at Kolleru wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh

The present study was aimed to study the status, population trends and habitat utilization pattern of small and medium sized wetland birds belonging to the families Rallidae and Jacaniidae at Kolleru wildlife sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh. The Kolleru wetland provides food, shelter, nesting and breeding for many winter and local birds. The population and species distribution of these families showed difference in relation to different habitats during the study period. A total of 10 species belongs to family Rallidae were recorded among which the maximum mean value was recorded for Coots (1440 ± 2162.30) and the minimum mean observed for little Crake (0.08 ± 0.27). Two species of Pheasant tailed jacana and Bronze winged jacana belongs to family Jacaniidae were recorded at Kolleru. The maximum mean value was observed in Pheasant tailed jacana (14.91 ± 6.65) with flock size of 2-28 birds. The percent habitat utilization of family Rallidae was predominantly observed in Reed areas (38.9%) and minimum in open lake (6.6%), while, the family Jacaniidae was recorded high in reed areas (60.1%).