International Science Community Association International Research Journal of Biological Sciences 2278-3202 6 12 2017 12 10 Assessment of diversity and threats of avifauna in and around Sonavade village (Tarf-Kalsuli), Dist- Sindhudurg, Maharashtra, India 7 14 EN Gaur Jyoti 1 Department of Science, Aishwarya College of Education, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India Naruka Kavita 2 Department of Zoology, J.N.V. University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India Ghadigaonkar Pritesh 1 Ecocare Ecology Consultant, 10 Hedvekar wadi no. 2, D.S. Babrekar Marg, Gokhale Road, Dadar west Mumbai 400028, MS, India Pandirkar Akshay 2 Ecocare Ecology Consultant, 10 Hedvekar wadi no. 2, D.S. Babrekar Marg, Gokhale Road, Dadar west Mumbai 400028, MS, India Varkey Johnson 3 VIVA College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Viva College Road, Virar West, Vasai – 401303, MS, India Jangam Prajal 4 Ecocare Ecology Consultant, 10 Hedvekar wadi no. 2, D.S. Babrekar Marg, Gokhale Road, Dadar west Mumbai 400028, MS, India Bandekar Pradnya 5 Ecocare Ecology Consultant, 10 Hedvekar wadi no. 2, D.S. Babrekar Marg, Gokhale Road, Dadar west Mumbai 400028, MS, India Khedekar Prakash 6 Ecocare Ecology Consultant, 10 Hedvekar wadi no. 2, D.S. Babrekar Marg, Gokhale Road, Dadar west Mumbai 400028, MS, India Patil Omkar 7 VIVA College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Viva College Road, Virar West, Vasai – 401303, MS, India > Research Paper 2017 9 28 2017 12 10 The present investigation was carried out in and around Sonavade village, Tarf-Kalsuli, Tal- Kudal, Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. Sonavade village is located in Sahyadri mountain ranges of Western Ghat. The study area is in the vicinity of the Dajipur Wildlife Sanctuary. During the study period of May 2015 to April 2017 a total number of 136 species from 16 orders and 41 families were recorded. As per the observations of the study conducted, avifauna order Passeriformes is dominant in study area (56%), including 76 bird species in 18 families followed by Coraciiformes (7%), Accipitriformes (6%), Apodiformes, Columbiformes, Piciformes, Galliformes each 4%. Psittaciformes 3%, Capriulgiformes, Charadriiformes, Strigiformes each 2% and Trogoniformes, Bucerotiformes, Falconiformes, Suliformes each 1%. According to ‘The IUCN Redlist of Threatened Species List’ 130 species of birds observed during the study are found to be listed in Least Concern category, while Chloropsis cochinchinensis, Buceros bicornis, Anthracoceros coronatus, Sterna aurantia and Psittacula eupatria are listed in Near Threaten category (NT). Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus) Critically Endangered (CR) species was also observed in hilly part of the area under study. Geographical location of study area provides a healthy habitat for birds. Study area is rich in bird diversity but anthropogenic development, loss of habitat and poaching/hunting are the main threats to the avifauna in the study area. This study was conducted to prepare a baseline data for this region which will be referral document for conservation and research related activities undertaken in future. Copyright@ International Science Community Association