INTRODUCTION

Birds
Birds play an important role in monitoring (informing) the environment. Every species
(living creature) has its own significance and its presence or absence in a particular
habitat (local environment of a group of organisms) has a specific importance.
The birds have freedom to move wherever they like and political boundaries have no
meaning for them. The only thing that matters is the suitability of the environment. The
birds of the Polar Regions are different from those found in the tropics or those found
in the temperate regions. Similarly the hill species are different from those found in the
plains.

It is noticed that the metabolic rate (pertaining to change of food into living
tissues) of birds is much higher than that of humans, and as a result they suffer from
pollution much before it affects humanity. Birds have a close connection with the
environment.
Therefore, the birds effectively forecast an environmental set up of the region. Some
birds are intentionally kept near the coal mines and in case the release of carbon dioxide
exceeds the permissible limits, the birds die that forecast the danger of mine explosion.
The appearance of vultures, owls, bats, etc., are symbolic of bad weather or
unfavourable environment while on the other side, the appearance of peacock is
symbolic of rain, good weather and good environment. Such examination can be
multiplied and reflect how the birds monitor the environment.

The sudden fall in the number of aquatic (water life) organisms due to the
spraying of poisonous pesticides (killing chemicals) and other chemicals also show their
close connection with the environment. The spraying of DDT destroys the aquatic fauna
(animals) on which the marine organisms depend. The fish eating birds die on account
of consuming fish that are affected by DDT and / or other poisonous gases or chemicals.
environment and the birds had also been established by their presence in specific
regions.
The presence of parrots indicates the presence of guava and berry trees. The
presence of cuckoos suggests the existence of mango trees whereas sparrows are seen
near paddy field.
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 Birds and nature
When birds travel, they take the seeds they have eaten with them and disperse them
through their droppings. They bring plants back to ecosystems that have been
destroyed, and even carry plants across the sea to new land masses. Birds have helped
to shape the plant life we see around us – and around the world.
Birds are obviously important members of many ecosystems. ... Birds play a
vital role in keeping this balance of nature. In addition to being important parts of food
webs, birds play other roles within ecosystems. Birds eat insects.

Plants
Plants are living organisms that can live on land or water. They have many different
forms such as huge trees, others are herbs or some have bushy form. The basic food for
all organisms is produced by green plants. Plants help in maintaining oxygen balance,
the most important gas that enable us to breathe. Animals emit carbon dioxide by taking
in oxygen. This rise in carbon dioxide levels in air is reduced by plants. Removal of
carbon dioxide from the atmosphere reduces the greenhouse effect and global warming.
It also maintains the ozone layer that helps protect Earth’s life from damaging UV
radiation. Humans directly or indirectly depend on plants for several of their needs.
Plants are mainly multicellular organisms,
predominantly photosynthetic eukaryotes of the kingdom Plantae. Historically, plants
were treated as one of two kingdoms including all living things that were not animals,
and all algae and fungi were treated as plants. However, all current definitions of Plantae
exclude the fungi and some algae, as well as the prokaryotes (the archaea and bacteria).
By one definition, plants form the clade Viridiplantae (Latin name for "green plants"),
a group that includes the flowering plants, conifers and
other gymnosperms, ferns and their allies, hornworts, liverworts, mosses, and the green
algae, but excludes the red and brown algae.
Plants and nature
Some plants are also grown for the sake of bio-fuels. Plant products are used as coal
and other fuel products. The plants fuel is less toxic as it does not emit harmful gasses
and also less expensive. Even the plant waste is used to generate electricity.
Plants are also the source of insecticides and pesticides. Artificial
pesticides are harmful to the environment. They may even enter food causing health
issue to human and animals. Using these naturally derived pesticides are safe. They
degrade with time and even do not harm the soil. Ex: Pyrethrin (as Mosquito repellant),
Neem, bacteria etc.
 Birds and plants
Birds are among the main components for plant reproduction in tropical ecosystems,
with hummingbirds being the most important vertebrate pollinators in the Neotropics.
Flower-visiting birds of another groups (the perching birds) are often considered as
parasites of the flower-hummingbird relationships. These birds do not present a high
degree of specialization for nectarivory, although nectar should be a very important
component of the diet of some groups. Birds usually also visit non-ornithophilous
flowers, as they look for resources in flowers adapted to pollination by other animals as
well. However, very few studies have focused on non-ornithophilous flowers, which
means looking at the whole group of species visited by birds, from the bird’s point of
view—the resource approach. While visiting non-ornithophilous flowers, birds (usually
hummingbirds) may act merely like robbers, thieves or even copollinators.
Therefore, when the aim of the study is pollination, one should not only
look for ornithophilous flowers, but also for other possible bird pollinated species, from
the flower’s point of view—the pollination approach. Studies focusing on this last
approach are even scarcer at the community level. It is important to realize that the set
of ornithophilous species are inside the wider set of pollinated species by birds, and this
one is contained inside the set of visited species by birds. Studies that only pick up
ornithophilous species from a community are not focussing on pollinated species by
birds, but rather on a subset of that. Another problem of point of view is that most
studies in the Neotropics are ground based, which may reduce sampling of canopy
species information.
After putting together these different approaches to study the bird-
flower interaction network, we could maybe build—with the help of other animal-
flower networks—a picture of a combined model of nested compartments to the whole
community, connecting all animal-flower networks by interactions of co-pollination or
just visits, reinforcing the idea of communities displaying high connectance.
 STUDY AREA

INDIA WEST BENGAL

HOOGHLY
 (22.7705° N, 88.3220° E) SHEORAPHULI
OBJECTIVE OF STUDY
The aim of this project to understand the value of plants around us and usefulness of
them. To protect our nature we have to protect plants and forests. Those are the lungs of
the world. It is important to make a healthy environment of our feature.
The main objectives of this project are :
1. To save the feature of this world Stop cutting trees.
2. Encourage afforestation. Plant new saplings and plants as much as we can.
3. Ban and check control on all such activities that have negative impacts on plant life and
its survival.
4. Be a volunteer in many non profit organizations that work for this cause and also donate
and collect maximum funds possible for this cause.
5. Create maximum of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
6. Strictly avoid buying products made from plant products or remains.

The aim of the project is to model bird migration flows based on water bird species
characterized as potentially high risk of transporting and spreading the influenza A
virus, to distinguish if a spatio-temporal pattern of the migratory flows and predicted
countries which may be at high risk of outbreaks are linked with confirmed outbreak
cases.
The main objectives of the project are to:
1. Determine the waterfowl species to be used in the analysis and justification for
selection and determine their wintering, breeding and migration seasons.

2. Generate a network of migration for each of the species, and generate migration flow
map for each.

3. Use of network analysis package to analyse the networks of each bird species and
predict optimal flow paths based on higher population estimates on each flow line which
would act as a greater risk to the spread of the disease.

4. Test the model output to actual reported outbreaks and generate maps of confirmed
cases and maps of modelled outbreak cases.
 Method of study
For many people around the world, birds are among the most fascinating fellow on Earth.
Ornithology, the scientific study on birds, is one of the oldest organized scientific
disciplines (Birkhead et al. 2014). And birds are among the best studied organisms (del
Hoyo et al. 1992–2013). To that end—and for many scientific reasons—it is important to
understand what a bird species is and how it arises, is modified, and vanishes. It is far less
easy than it appears to circumscribe a bird species. This is mainly due to the transient
nature of species. Being one descendant of another species, a species can slowly become
another species (anagenesis), die out, or split into two or more daughter species
(cladogenesis). This study is based on Indian birds. For the study of biomass or weight of
each species, all individuals are uprooted (but when the weight of a particular organ, e.g.,
branch, leaf, fruit, etc., is to be determined only the concerned organ is clipped or
harvested) and its fresh or dry weight is recorded.

Demarcation or laying out of different types of quadrats are basically same.

Generally, an adjustable wooden frame is prepared with perforations at regular
intervals on each arm. Four arms are fixed in the field with the help of long nails
or surveyor’s hooks and it is ready to provide data necessary for list, list- count
and clip quadrat. This study totally based on Indian plants.
 List of birds in my locality
Common Myna (Myna)

Mynas are one of the most common garden birds of India, which are easy to identify
because of its distinctive yellow-patch around the eyes which extends to its beak.
Common Myna is widely popular in Indian culture, appearing in Vedic and Buddhist
texts; often paired with rose-ringed Parakeets (Tota), probably because both birds are
vocal and are capable of mimicking human sound.
 Other names: Common Indian Myna/Mynah.
 Scientific name: Acridotheres tristis
 Distribution: widespread across South and South-east Asia.
 Habitat: open woodland, cultivation and around human habitation.
 Diet: these omnivorous birds feeds on insects, reptiles, small mammals, seeds,
grain and fruits and discarded waste from human habitation.

Common Mynas mate for life and build their nests in tree hollows as well as the
walls and ceilings of buildings, making these birds a nuisance to humans.
Although introduced in Australia and New Zealand as a natural pesticide
against locusts and beetles, Mynas have become invasive and a threat to their
crops and local birds.
 Greater Coucal (Mahoka)

Resembling like a more beautiful and colourful version of a crow, Greater Coucal is a
large bird with a long tail, chestnut-brown feathers and vampire-like red eyes. The deep
resonating calls gives away the location of this relatively shy bird, often sitting
concealed in dense vegetation.
 Other names: Crow pheasant
 Scientific name: Centropus sinensis
 Distribution: these non-migratory birds are residents of South and South-east
Asia.
 Habitat: found in wide range of habitats, from dense forests to open cultivation.
 Diet: mainly insects, small vertebrates, bird eggs, nestlings, fruits and seeds.

Greater Coucal flying

Although belonging to the Cuckoo family of birds, Greater Coucals are non-parasitic
birds (they don’t lay their eggs on a host bird’s nest, rather raise their own young ones).
They are often spotted in morning, sun-bathing with their wings spread out.
 White-breasted Kingfisher
( Halcyon smyrnensis )

Locally known as the Shada buk machranga in Kolkata , this bird is often considered
as the only kingfisher that can be seen in the city and which is a very wrong concept.
There are 4 types of more kingfishers that are often seen commonly in and around the
city. The misconception that occurs with this bird is that it is often mistaken with the
other 3 out of the 4 kingfishers, as it is seen most commonly among the other 4.
 Scientific name: Halcyon smyrnensis
 Distribution: Asia from the Sinai east through the Indian subcontinent to the
Philippines.
 Diet: This species mainly hunts large crustaceans, insects, earthworms,
rodents, snakes, fish and frogs. Predation of small birds such as the Indian white-
eye, chick of a red-wattled lapwing, sparrows and munias have been reported.

White-breasted Kingfisher flying

In years, the species has adapted accordingly in the urban habitat and is often found to
be very friendly with humans. Mostly seen near any water body, it feeds extensively on
small fishes, crabs, lizards etc. 17
White breasted kingfisher is also the state bird of West Bengal.
 House crow (Corvus splendens)

The house crow (Corvus splendens), also known as the Indian, greynecked, Ceylon
or Colombo crow, is a common bird of the crow family that is of Asian origin but now
found in many parts of the world, where they arrived assisted by shipping. It is between
the jackdaw and the carrion crow in size (40 cm (16 in) in length) but is slimmer than
either. The forehead, crown, throat and upper breast are a richly glossed black, whilst
the neck and breast are a lighter grey-brown in colour. The wings, tail and legs are
black.
 Scientific name: Corvus splendens
 Distribution: The House crow is widely distributed throughout southern
Asia, from southern Iran through Pakistan, India and Bangladesh and into
south-western China, southern Tibet, and central Thailand, as well as the
Maldives.
 Diet: House crows feed largely on refuse around human habitations, small
reptiles and mammals, and other animals such as insects and other
small invertebrates, eggs, nestlings, grain and fruits.

House crow flying

House crows feed largely on refuse around human habitations, small reptiles and
mammals, and other animals such as insects and other small invertebrates, eggs,
nestlings, grain and fruits. House crows have also been observed swooping down from
the air and snatching baby squirrels. Most food is taken from the ground, but also from
trees as opportunity arises.
 Pigeon (Columbidae)

The domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) is a pigeon subspecies that was
derived from the rock dove (also called the rock pigeon). The rock pigeon is the world's
oldest domesticated bird. Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets mention the domestication
of pigeons more than 5,000 years ago, as do Egyptian hieroglyphics. Research suggests
that domestication of pigeons occurred as early as 10,000 years ago.
 Scientific name: (Columbidae)
 Distribution: Pigeons and doves are distributed everywhere on Earth,
except for the driest areas of the Sahara Desert, Antarctica and its
surrounding islands, and the high Arctic.
 Diet: Everything from corn and rice to leftover food, even cake and
cookies, is fed. This makes the birds highly dependent on human beings
for survival, changes their eating habits drastically, and killing their natural
instinct to forage for food (they are grain-and and fruit eating).

Pigeon flying
Pigeons have made contributions of considerable importance to humanity, especially in
times of war. In war the homing ability of pigeons has been put to use by making them
messengers. So-called war pigeons have carried many vital messages and some have
been decorated for their services. Medals such as the Croix de guerre, awarded to Cher
Ami, and the Dickin Medal awarded to the pigeons G.I. Joe and Paddy, amongst 32
others, have been awarded to pigeons for their services in saving human lives.
 TULSI LEAVES

Tulsi has the anti-bacterial property which helps to relieve cold. It’s known to boost
immune system and keep other diseases at bay. By maintaining the pH balance in the
stomach it helps to ease acidity. Some phytochemicals in tulsi are known to protect
against cancer too. Tulsi has the anti-bacterial property which helps to relieve cold. It’s
known to boost immune system and keep other diseases at bay. By maintaining the pH
balance in the stomach it helps to ease acidity. Some phytochemicals in tulsi are known
to protect against cancer too.
 Botanical Name: Ocimum Santum(O. tenuiflorum)
 Local Name: Tulsi.
 Distribution: Tulsi is widely grown in the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and Sasangir National Park in
India.
 Uses:
1. It acts as a detoxifying, cleansing and purifying agent – both from within and
without.
2. Therefore it is good for skin – both when consumed and applied topically.
3. It is also effective in treating skin disorders, itching and issues like ringworms.
4. It can be made into teas or can be had raw, powdered, paste or in form herbal
supplements.
5. It has antibiotic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-carcinogenic properties.
6. It helps in relieving from fever, headache, sore throat, cold, cough, flu and chest
congestion.
7. It is also beneficial in treating respiratory ailments like chronic bronchitis,
asthma et cetera. Healing Properties, Common colds, Headacher, stomach
disorders, inflammation, heart disease, various farms of poisoning and malaria.
 Mango(Mangifera indica)

Mangifera indica, commonly known as mango, is a species of flowering plant in

the sumac and poison ivy family Anacardiaceae. Mangoes are believed to have
originated from the region between northwestern Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India. It
is a large fruit-tree, capable of growing to a height and crown width of about 30 metres
(100 ft) and trunk circumference of more than 3.7 metres (12 ft).
 Scientific name: Mangifera indica
 Distribution: The mango is now cultivated in most frost-free tropical and
warmer subtropical climates. It is cultivated extensively in South Asia,
Southeast Asia, East and West Africa, the tropical and subtropical Americas, and
the Caribbean.
 Uses:
Mango tree:
 Mango tree is used to get unripe mango to make pickles.
 Mango tree leaves are used for medicinal purpose.
 Mango tree leaves helps in keeping body energetic.
 Mango tree leaves helps in keeping skin clean.
 Mango tree is rich in proteins, nutrients and vitamin C.
For health:
 It helps in fighting cancer.

 Helps in maintaining cholesterol level.

 It helps in cleansing skin.

An Aphrodisiac fruit. M. indica were domesticated separately in South Asia and

Southeast Asia since ancient times, resulting in two distinct genetic populations in
modern mangoes – the "Indian type" and the "Southeast Asian type". Mangoes have
since been introduced to other warm regions of the world.
 Aloe Vera

Aloe vera ( or) is a succulent plant species of the genus Aloe. The name comes from
two root words: "aloeh" is an Arabic word meaning bitter, and "vera" is Latin for
"truth." An evergreen perennial, it originates from the Arabian Peninsula, but grows
wild in tropical, semi-tropical, and arid climates around the world. It is cultivated for
agricultural and medicinal uses.
 Scientific name: Aloe Barbadensis Miller
 Botanical Name: Aloe vera
 Local Name: Grhetakumari
 Uses:
 Soothes Rashes and Skin Irritations.
 Treats Burns.
 Heals Cold Sores.
 Moisturizes Hair and Scalp.
 Treats Constipation.
 Helps with Digestion.
 Boosts the Immune System.
 Provides Antioxidants and Reduces Inflammation.
 Helps in smooth functioning of the properties of soothing defornyhing the body,
cleaning and helping the body tomaingain healthy tissues. It louens cholesteral
and total triglycrides facilities, digestion aiding blood and lymphatic circulation
and well as improving kidney, liver and gall bladder functions.
 Rose(Rosa)

A rose is a woody perennial flowering plant of the genus Rosa, in the family Rosaceae,
or the flower it bears. There are over three hundred species and tens of
thousands of cultivars.They form a group of plants that can be erect shrubs, climbing,
or trailing, with stems that are often armed with sharp prickles.] Flowers vary in size
and shape and are usually large and showy, in colours ranging from white through
yellows and reds. Most species are native to Asia, with smaller numbers native
to Europe, North America, and northwestern Africa.] Species, cultivars and hybrids are
all widely grown for their beauty and often are fragrant. Roses have acquired cultural
significance in many societies. Rose plants range in size from compact, miniature roses,
to climbers that can reach seven meters in height.] Different species hybridize easily,
and this has been used in the development of the wide range of garden roses.
 Scientific name: Rosa
 Distribution: Most species are native to Asia, with smaller numbers native to
Europe, North America, and northwestern Africa. Species, cultivars and hybrids are all
widely grown for their beauty and often are fragrant. Species
 List of Rosa species:The genus Rosa is composed of 140-180 species and
divided into four subgenera.
 Hulthemia
 Hesperrhodos
 Platyrhodon
 Rosa

 Uses: Roses are best known as ornamental plants grown for their flowers in
the garden and sometimes indoors. They have been also used for commercial
perfumery and commercial cut flower crops. Some are used as landscape plants,
for hedging and for other utilitarian purposes such as game cover and slope
stabilization.
 Madagascar Periwinkle
(Catharanthus roseus)

Catharanthus roseus, commonly known as bright eyes, Cape periwinkle, graveyard

plant, Madagascar periwinkle, old maid, pink periwinkle, rose periwinkle,[2] is a
species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae. It is native
and endemic to Madagascar, but grown elsewhere as an ornamental and medicinal plant.
It is a source of the drugs vincristine and vinblastine, used to treat cancer.[3] It was
formerly included in the genus Vinca as Vinca rosea.
 Scientific name: Catharanthus roseus
 Distribution: Catharanthus roseus, more commonly known as the Periwinkle of
Madagascar, is a native species to the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar.
Madagascar is located off the east coast of Southern Africa. The Periwinkle is a
perennial plant that is very prevalent in areas that are tropical to sub-tropical.
 Uses: In traditional medicine, the periwinkle has been used for relieving muscle
pain, depression of the central nervous system, also used for applying to wasp
stings and to heal wounds. Its application ranges widely from the prevention of
diabetes to treatment of stomach ache (Gajalakshmi et al., 2013)
 List of Madagascar Periwinkle:rosy periwinkle, bright-eyes, Cape periwinkle,
old-maid, periwinkle, pink periwinkle, rose periwinkle, vinca.
 COLOURS:The commonly found flower colors in periwinkle (Catharanthus
roseus)—pink, white, red-eyed, and pale pink center—are reported to be
governed by the epistatic interaction between four genes—A, R, W, and I.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First and Foremost I would like to extend my deepest gratitude and thanks to
SERAMPORE COLLEGE, SERAMPORE for providing me with an
opportunity to explore into such an upgraded project STUDY OF COMMON
BIRDS AND PLANTS.

Secondly I express my sincere thanks to my project guide Prof.

Dr. Abdul Khaleque for this steady guidance and ever so encouraging
advice. His endless encouragement motivated me to perform to the best of my
ability. Moreover he was ready to provide me with feedback which helped me
to a great extent in the betterment of my work and making it comprehensive.

Also I would like to convey my gratitude and thanks to our Vice Principal
for providing me with such a golden opportunity which will help me in
future for sure. The college library has also been an excellent source of
relevance material information. I am also thankful to my family and
friends whose constant support and motivation was there for me and
providing me with the strength in completion of this project.
 CONCLUSION
This and the fact that bird movements and migrations are well documented are the
reason we chose to focus our study on birds). Evidence found specifically from birds
shows that there is a correlation between bird population characteristics and alterations
in climatic factors such as temperature and precipitation. Bird beaks are multi-
functional tools.
Birds use them to weave nests, defend their territory, attack competitors,
groom feathers, communicate, and most significantly, to gather or capture food. Birds
are an important fundamental element of the environment. Over the last 200 or so years,
many animals including birds have become extinct or rare, thanks to human activities.
It is the moral and ethical responsibility of human beings that they save many species
from becoming extinct.Wildlife in general and birds in particular, are important from
the economic and other points of view. Wildlife (including birds) carries positive as
well as negative values (Shaw 1985).

This and the fact that plants are well documented are the reason we chose to focus our
study on plants. Evidence found specifically from plants shows that there is a correlation
between plant’s characteristics and alterations in climatic factors such as temperature
and precipitation .plants are most important living thing .They provide oxygen and
consume CO2 and also prevent so many natural callamaties like soil erosion,
earthquake, etc . It also make a healthy environment for all creatures.
Plants are an important fundamental element of the environment. Over the last
200 or so years, many plants have become extinct or rare, thanks to human activities. It
is the moral and ethical responsibility of human beings that they save many species
from becoming extinct. Wildlife in general and particular, are important from the
economic and other points of view. Wildlife carries positive as well as negative values

In the present discussion, management for harvest is not considered, because

it is banned in India. Therefore all the suggestions and recommendations are with
reference to preserving plant and bird diversity and solving most of the problems related
it.
 Suggestions and
Recommendations
The very basis of suggestions and recommendations, presented here are that they should
be

 Practical
 Feasible
 Simple to implement
 Require limited budget
 Possible as individual, group and public level activity

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Information has been collected from the following various websites:
 www.google.com
 www.wikipedia.org
 WWW.birds.com
 www.scribd.com
 www.kolkatabirdsw.com
 www.harbpathy.com
 www.triponzy.com