Acoustic-Based Bird Diversity Assessment: A Software-Driven Approach To Monitor Urban Avian Diversity in Nashik City

Study Extent

The bird diversity study was conducted over a period of two months (August 2024 to September 2024) . Acoustic sensors were used to record bird calls and songs during the study period. Field notes and audio recordings were taken during each visit, noting the date, location, and geographic coordinates. A unique identifier was assigned to each bird species detected. The acoustic sensors were deployed for a total of 60 days, capturing bird vocalizations from 8 am to 11 am daily. The recorded audio data was later analysed to identify and quantify bird species presence.

Sampling

From August to September, a span of two months, birds were surveyed using acoustic sensors at the sampling sites. An effective protocol was used for the survey. Two visits were made each day during periods of favourable weather, from early in the morning to the afternoon, to maximize bird activity and detection. During each visit, acoustic software was used to record bird calls and songs, and the data was later analysed to identify species and determine bird diversity, abundance, and distribution in the study area. The acoustic sensors were programmed to record bird sounds. The recordings were analysed using the database available with the eBird.

Method steps

1. Recording Acoustic Data: The bird sounds (calls and songs) were recorded using smartphone audio recorder.
2. Analyzing acoustic Data: The recorded bird sounds were analysed using the data base on ebird and merlin application.
3. Identification : the recorded bird identification was confirmed by comparing the visual observations. The geographical distribution of the birds were also confirmed before confirming the identification.

1. Chordata
   rank: phylum
2. Gruiformes
   rank: order
3. Megalaimidae
   rank: family
4. Paradoxornithidae
   rank: family
5. Columbiformes
   rank: order
6. Alcedinidae
   rank: family
7. Aves
   rank: class
8. Apodiformes
   rank: order
9. Charadriiformes
   rank: order
10. Charadriidae
    rank: family
11. Passeridae
    rank: family
12. Bucerotiformes
    rank: order
13. Cuculiformes
    rank: order
14. Accipitridae
    rank: family
15. Upupidae
    rank: family
16. Phylloscopidae
    rank: family
17. Columbidae
    rank: family
18. Campephagidae
    rank: family
19. Estrididae
    rank: family
20. Psittaciformes
    rank: order
21. Muscicapidae
    rank: family
22. Motacillidae
    rank: family
23. Animalia
    rank: kingdom
24. Cuculidae
    rank: family
25. Galliformes
    rank: order
26. Phasianidae
    rank: family
27. Rhipiduridae
    rank: family
28. Pelcaniformes
    rank: order
29. Passeriformes
    rank: order
30. Apodidae
    rank: family
31. Rallidae
    rank: family
32. Pycnonotidae
    rank: family
33. Zosteropidae
    rank: family
34. Psittaculidae
    rank: family
35. Coraciiformes
    rank: order
36. Piciformes
    rank: order
37. Dicaeidae
    rank: family
38. Laniidae
    rank: family
39. Paridae
    rank: family
40. Nectariniidae
    rank: family
41. Leiothrichidae
    rank: family
42. Oriolidae
    rank: family
43. Cisticolidae
    rank: family
44. Accipitriformes
    rank: order
45. Sturnidae
    rank: family
46. Bucerotidae
    rank: family
47. Meropidae
    rank: family
48. Threskionithidae
    rank: family

Between 18.33 degree and 20.5degree North latitude and between 73.16 degree and 75.16degree East Longitude