Habitat, feeding and breeding ecology of Shikra (Accipiter badius GMELIN)
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Date
2023
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Punjab Agricultural University
Abstract
The current study on the habitat, feeding and breeding ecology of Shikra (Accipiter badius GMELIN) was conducted from June 2022 to May 2023 at three selected locations i.e. location 1- Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, location-2 Akalgarh village in the district of Ludhiana and location-3 Jhabkra village in the district of Gurdaspur. Location PAU was divided into two different study areas i.e. crop field area (A) and tree plantation area (B) which were further subdivided into six sites. In the present study a total of 45 bird species were recorded. The dominant species in the study area were House Crow and Rock Pigeon. Shikra had the highest annual relative abundance at location 1 (1.18%), followed by location 3 (0.98%) and location 2 (0.72%). Shikra was observed to feed on frogs, lizards, mice and squirrels. Shikra was predominantly observed to roost on Safeda trees. Vocalization of Shikra were also recorded. The breeding ecology of Shikra was studied and a total of 8 nests were recorded at location 1 out of which 4 nests each were found at study area A and B. A total of 20 young ones of Shikra were observed during the study period. Using a feed scale consumption monitor, the feeding behavior of Bandicota bengalensis was recorded in response to Shikra vocalizations during the present study. Significant differences in the observations were found between control and experimental data at 5% level of significance. Field observations of rodent burrow in relation to presence of Shikra revealed positive correlation between Shikra presence and number of rodent burrows with increase in radial distance from Shikra roosting sites.
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Kajal (2023). Habitat, feeding and breeding ecology of Shikra (Accipiter badius GMELIN) (Unpublished M.Sc. thesis). Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.