Impact of vehicular traffic on birds in Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Roads have numerous direct and indirect ecological impacts on wildlife. Roads constitute an extensive and integral part of our environment. Collisions with vehicles kill a large number of birds every year. The present study was carried out from January 2016 to December 2016. The data was collected from Nehru Memorial College to Pavithram Lake of Thuraiyur to Namakkal road of Musiri Taluk, Tiruchchirappalli District. During this study, we recorded a total of 64 birds belonging to 12 species killed due to vehicular traffic. A maximum of 11 birds were killed in the months of January and October, and a minimum of two bird kills were observed in the months of September and December. Of the 64 birds, the roadside mortality was observed to the tune of 25%, 20.3%, 14%, 12.5%, 10.9%, 4.6%, and 4.6% for Southern Coucal Centropus parroti, Common Myna Acridotheres tristis, House Crow Corvus splendens, Spotted Owlet Athene brama, Indian Jungle Crow Corvus culminatus, Yellow-billed Babbler Turdoides affinis, and Large Grey Babbler Turdoides malcolmi. Other birds such as Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus, Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis, Shikra Accipiter badius, White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus, and White-browed Bulbul Pycnonotus luteolus accounted for 1.5% mortality. Suggestive measures to prevent wildlife loss due to vehicular traffic are presented in this communication.

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