A preliminary study on Nest Site Selection by Egyptian Vultures in Uttar Pradesh, India

Author: Shivangi Mishra*, Adesh Kumar*, ** and Amita Kanaujia*, **

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Abstract

Egyptian Vultures maintain their territories and generally built several nests during their breeding season. They select a breeding place in cliff sites of smaller size, on sheltered or camouflaged narrow ledges or equivalent caves, tall trees, ancient monuments and on old and historical temples where two eggs are laid early in the spring and where other competitors like black kite and other vultures are generally not present. During the study period four districts of Uttar Pradesh: Unnao, Rae-bareli, Lakhimpur Kheri and Gonda respectively have been surveyed for searching and observing the nest habitat preference of Egyptian vultures from June 2015 to September 2017. The objectives of the study were, to determine the factors influencing the nest site selection of Egyptian vultures. A total point count has been used to assess the breeding population of the Egyptian vulture. The nests found were mainly at the remote areas where there is least human disturbance and usually away from the m

Keywords

Umbrella species, Conservation, Nesting substrate, Nest site

Conclusion

Egyptian Vulture prefers high nesting platform usually located in undisturbed areas (away from human population) but close to good quality habitat (close to food and water resource). Nests made were close to other conspecific nest. They prefer mature trees to build their nests probably due to the fact that large trees are necessary to hold their heavy nests. Roosting and Nesting usually occurs within or immediately adjacent to water (Wetland, River, Pond or artificial water body). The minimum elevation of nest was around10 ft. and maximum elevation was above 100 ft. from the ground. Nests are generally Heavy, large and open with a number of materials used in it such as wool, cotton, bones, sticks, leaves, clothes etc. (Mishra et al. 2017). The nest with least elevation from ground was found destructed which shows that height from ground is crucial for the nest success. Among trees, they prefer mature trees to build their nests probably due to the fact that large trees are strong enough

References

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How to cite this article

Shivangi Mishra, Adesh Kumar and Amita Kanaujia (2018). A preliminary study on Nest Site Selection by Egyptian Vultures in Uttar Pradesh, India. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 10(2): 90-95(2018).