Evaluation of Reproductive Success in Red Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) in two Diverse Habitats of Jammu (J&K)

Sakshi Koul, Deep Novel Kour* and D.N. Sahi

Department of Zoology, University of Jammu, Jammu - 180 006, India.

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bbra/1143

ABSTRACT: The present study is an attempt to analyse the reproductive success in Red Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) belonging to Order Charadriiformes, by comparing two nesting sites in Jammu. The nesting sites taken under consideration were open agricultural fields and the top of flat roofed buildings. The breeding season ranged from March to August with average clutch size of 3.53 - 0.56 eggs (n=30) and an incubation period of 28-30 days. The most preferred site for nesting was found to be agricultural fields near some water source because of availability of food. In agricultural fields due to drying up of water source during peak summer, the scarcity in food resources for the young ones was noted thereby leading to the mortality of young ones of Red Wattled Lapwing, whereas it was also observed that on roof tops, eggs or hatchlings were easily predated by predators like monitor and the young ones were not able to land safely on the ground from such a height which caused their death.

KEYWORDS: Mortality; agricultural fields; roof tops; anthropogenic pressure; predation

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