Abstract:
Studying isotopic composition of bird feathers is an emerging field. It can yield
important information regarding diet and provenance of the birds. In this study we
have carried stable isotopic analysis for the feather museum samples. These
samples are obtained from all over the India by BNHS. In this study δ15N feather
values were dependent on tropic level. δ13C feather values were determined by C3 &
C4 proportion in diet of the birds. δ34S values were dependent on underlying geology
of the place but also showed some dependence on diet. Seabird species used
showed enriched δ34S and δ15N values and this can be used to distinguish between
marine diet and terrestrial diet. δ18O and δ34S of bird feathers appears to have a
spatial control and hence could be useful in studying migration of birds in the Indian
context. We have demonstrated here that the birds from different geographical
regions/biomes in India have distinct isotopic signatures. Baseline data created in
the present study will form basis to study migration of birds in India.
