NEST CHARACTERISTICS AND NESTING SUCCESS OF THE INDIAN PIED MYNA (GRACUPICA CONTRA) IN JAMMU REGION (J&K).
- Research Scholar, Department of Zoology, University of Jammu.
- Professor, Department of Zoology, University of Jammu.
- Head, Department of Zoology, University of Jammu.
- Abstract
- Keywords
- References
- Cite This Article as
- Corresponding Author
The nest characteristics and nesting success of the Indian Pied Myna (Gracupica contra) were studied from May, 2013 to September, 2015 in Jammu region of J&K State. A total of 55 nests were studied. Nesting started in April and continued till August. Fourteen plant species were used for nesting and maximum number of nests was found on Mangifera indica. The nest was quite untidy but the innermost chamber was examined to be flask-shaped and nest constructed by plant, animal and artificial matter by both sexes. The mean nest hole diameter and depth was 8.17?1.23 cm and 14.10?1.52 cm respectively. Height of nests from ground ranged from 1.54-11.68 m and had a significant effect on nesting success. The maximum number of nests were recorded at height range of 5.1-7.5 m with success rate of 42.85%. Tampering with nest and nesting tree was the major cause of nest failure during present study.
- Ali, S. and Ripley. S.D. 1987. Compact handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan. Oxford Univ. Press, New Delhi.
- Ali, S. (2002). The book of Indian Birds. Thirteenth ed. Oxford University Press.
- Ali, S. and Ripley, S.D. (1972). ?Handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan. Vol.5. Oxford University Press, Bombay. P. 1-276.
- Bechard, M.J., Knight, R.L., Smith, D.G. and R. E. Fitzner, 1990. Nest sites and habitat of sympatric Hawks (Buteo) in Washington. J. Field Ornithol., 61: 159-170.
- Dewar, D. (1929). ?Indian Bird?s nest?. Thacker, Spink and Co. Calcutta and Bombay. p. 1-117.
- Fazili, M.F. 2002. Studies on annual cycle of some birds of Wular Lake, Kashmir. Ph.D Thesis submitted to University of Kashmir.
- Feare, C. and Craig, A. (2010). Helm identification of Starlings and Mynas illustrated by Barry Croucher, Chris Shield and KarmolKomolphalin. pp.167.
- Frederick, P.C. (1986). Conspecefic nest takeovers and egg destruction by White Ibises. Wilson Bull 98:156-157.
- Frederick, P.C. (1987a). Choronictidallyinduced nest failure in a colony of White Ibises. Condor 89: 413-419.
- George, N.J. (1970). The Pied Myna, Sturnus contra in Bombay. J. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc., 68: 243.
- Hullsieg, C. and D. M. Becker, 1990. Nest site habitat selected by Merlins in south-eastern Montana. Condor, 92: 688-694.
- Kailey, J.S. (1973). Studies on the biology of Pied Myna, Sturnus contra. M.Sc thesis, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.
- Kumar, S. (2006). Diversity of avian and mammalian fauna of district Kathua, J&K. Ph.D. Thesis, submitted to University of Jammu.
- Martin, T.E. and Roper, J.J. (1988). Nest predation and nest-site selection of a western population of the Hermit Thrush. Condor, 90: 51-57.
- Pandey, D.N. (1991). Nesting habitat selection by the Pied myna, Sturnus contra 88: 285-286.
- Shah, G.M. (1984). Birds of Hokersar: food, feeding and breeding biology of resident and non-resident birds. Ph.D Thesis, P.G. Department of Zoology. University of Kashmir.
- Tyagi, A.K. and Lamba, B.S. (1984). A contribution to the breeding biology of two Indian Mynas, Zool. Surv. India 55: 12-34.
- Whistler, H. (1928). ?Popular handbook of Indian birds?. Ist edition. Oliver and Boyd. Edinburgh and London, p.1-560.
[Meena Kumari, D. N. Sahi and Seema Langer. (2018); NEST CHARACTERISTICS AND NESTING SUCCESS OF THE INDIAN PIED MYNA (GRACUPICA CONTRA) IN JAMMU REGION (J&K). Int. J. of Adv. Res. 6 (Feb). 903-909] (ISSN 2320-5407). www.journalijar.com
1. Research Scholar, Department of Zoology, University of Jammu
