Three New Additions to the Avian Inventory of Lakhimpur District, Assam, India

Lakhimpur district of Assam has a high avian diversity distributed among different locations. A study was conducted from October 2023 to June 2024 to create avian inventories of the district. Field surveys are important tools to not only observe and evaluate the avian diversity of an area, but also speaks about the rising threats and need of its conservation. Lakhimpur district has many high avian diversity zones of which Satajan wetland, situated between the latitudes 27°12'23.7''N - 27°12'40''N and longitudes 94°03'08.5''E - 94°03'08.8''E, and Ghagor Ghat located between the latitudes 27°13'41" N - 27°15'15" N and longitudes 94°11'25"E - 94°12'19"E were selected for area under the present study. The study recorded three species viz., Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo), Thick-billed Warbler (Arundinax aedon) and Eastern Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla tschutschensis) which were sighted for the first time in the district. Sighting of species, which has not been reported before, implies about the availability of shelter, sufficient food resources and better quality of the ecosystem in Lakhimpur district. All the three species that were recorded during the study are categorized as ‘least concern’ in the IUCN Red List as per latest assessment and all of them were winter visitors to Lakhimpur district of Assam, India. These areas should be protected and managed properly for better survival of the inhabiting wildlife. The findings of this study will encourage more research in these areas for creating a richer avian inventory.