AN ACCOUNT OF AVIFAUNA OF A TRANSITIONAL ZONE BETWEEN A TOWNSHIP AND A LARGE RIVER BASIN IN NORTH BENGAL

A survey was conducted covering the area lying between a large river bed and the edges of a township in the Jalpaiguri district of North Bengal. A total of 73 species of birds were recorded under53 generaand 17 orders. The highest number of species belonged to order Passeriformes. Five species reported were under Near-Threatened category. Of the orders recorded, relative diversity index was observed to be highest for Passeriformes, followed by Anseriformes and Coraciiformes, while at family level, the same was maximum for Anatidae.