Birds Associated with the Coconut Palm Cocos nucifera n an Agroecosystem in the Western Ghats Region of Kerala, southern India

Birds visiting coconut palms (Cocos nucifera) were studied using the direct observation method in the village of Kizhakkoth panchayath. Thirty one species of birds, belonging to seven orders were recorded in coconut palms for foraging/breeding/roosting purposes. The intense use of palm trees by birds in the agroecosystem is attributed to the scarcity of native wild plants and the availability of preferred prey species on the palm. Conversion of coconut plantation to rubber plantation will lead to the disappearance of common birds from the rural agroecosystems of Kerala.