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VOL. 11, ISSUE 4 (2026)
Avian diversity and seasonal abundance in wetland habitats of Maharashtra, India: A review
Authors
Mayur Namdeo Sable
Abstract
Wetlands of Maharashtra comprise a diverse network of reservoirs,
riverine habitats, marshes, irrigation tanks, crater lakes, coastal mudflats
and mangrove-associated ecosystems. These habitats support resident birds as
well as seasonal and long-distance migrants and form important feeding,
roosting and staging areas within the Central Asian Flyway. This review
synthesizes published information on avian diversity, seasonal occurrence,
habitat use, feeding ecology, migratory patterns, conservation significance and
major threats affecting wetland birds in Maharashtra. Published studies show
marked variation in species richness and abundance among wetlands, reflecting
differences in water depth, hydrological regime, shoreline structure,
vegetation, prey availability and surrounding land use. Ujjani Reservoir and
its associated wetlands support a diverse assemblage of aquatic birds,
including resident, resident-migratory and migratory species, while Thane Creek
supports large coastal waterbird concentrations, including flamingos and
shorebirds. Nandur Madhameshwar is an important inland wintering landscape, and
Lonar Lake provides habitat for a distinctive assemblage of resident and
wintering waterbirds. Across the state, winter generally produces the most
conspicuous increase in migratory waterbird abundance, although monsoon,
post-monsoon and summer conditions strongly modify habitat availability and
bird distribution. The principal pressures include habitat conversion,
hydrological alteration, pollution, invasive aquatic vegetation, human
disturbance, infrastructure development and climate-related changes. The review
indicates that Maharashtra requires longer-term, standardized, multi-season
monitoring that links bird counts with hydrological and habitat variables.
Conservation should be planned at the level of connected wetland networks
rather than isolated water bodies, with stronger integration of Ramsar-site
management, the Asian Waterbird Census, local community participation and
landscape-scale habitat protection.
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Pages:7-12
How to cite this article:
Mayur Namdeo Sable "Avian diversity and seasonal abundance in wetland habitats of Maharashtra, India: A review". International Journal of Zoology Studies, Vol 11, Issue 4, 2026, Pages 7-12
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