Seasonal Changes in Bird Species and Feeding Guilds along Elevational Gradients of the Central Himalayas, Nepal

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158362
• Publication Date: 2016-07-01T17:33:39Z
• Authors: Hem Bahadur Katuwal; Khadga Basnet; Bhaiya Khanal; Shiva Devkota; Sanjeev Kumar Rai; Jyoti Prasad Gajurel; Christoph Scheide...; Michael P. Nobis
• Keywords: Frugivore; Seasonality; Insectivore; Omnivore

The Himalayas are a global hotspot for bird diversity with large number of threatened species, but little is known about seasonal changes in communities along elevational gradients this region. We studied the seasonality six valleys Central Himalayas, Nepal. Using 318 plots 50 m radius, located from 2200 to 3800 a.s.l., and repeated sampling during different seasons (mainly pre-monsoon, monsoon, post-monsoon), we analyzed 3642 occurrences 178 species. Birds classified literature as resident were more species-rich than migratory birds (140 vs. 38 species). In all within elevation range, species richness showed peak at mid-elevation levels 2600 or 3000 a.s.l. Similar patterns found most feeding guilds insectivores (96 species) omnivores (24 species), whereas herbivores (37 including frugivores) increased towards higher elevations. Among these guilds, only pronounced numbers post-monsoon season. Similarly, individual distinct spatio-temporal distribution patterns, transitions dominated by differences those characterized strong changes. an era climate change, results demonstrate that well might greatly differ their responses warming precipitation regime, two aspects change which should not be independently.