Slope Direction, Elevation and Clutch Size Influences Breeding Success of White-Crested Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos) in Margalla Hills National Park, Pakistan
Slope Direction, Elevation and Clutch Size Influences Breeding Success of White-Crested Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos) in Margalla Hills National Park, Pakistan
Ali Akhter1, Bushra Allah Rakha1*, Muhammad Sajjad Ansari2, Shamim Akhter1 and Sakhawat Ali3
ABSTRACT
White-crested kalij pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos) is endemic to Pakistan and recognized as flagship species of Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP), Pakistan. Data on breeding biology of kalij pheasant in MHNP are not available. Therefore, present study was conducted to document the breeding parameters and influence of slope, aspect, elevation and clutch size on breeding success. Kalij pheasant constructs nests with needles of chir pine Pinus roxburghii (65% by mass), oak leaves Quercus incana (20%), sticky hop bush (sanatha) Dodonaea viscosa (5%) and munj sweetcane (Sarkanda) Saccharum bengalensis (5%) on ground and can be found in natural vegetation viz., phulai Acacia modesta, sticky hop bush, Indian olive Olea ferruginea, shisham Dalbergia sissoo and boxwood Buxus papillosa. Breeding takes place in February to June and clutch size of 6.42±0.30 eggs was recorded. Hatching success were recorded the highest in nests with seven-egg clutches (52.57%). Multiple regression analysis shows that slope and elevation influence (P<0.05) nesting success. Kalij pheasant constructs a greater number of nests on north facing slopes at higher elevation as compared to south facing slopes. Only female incubated and brooded the eggs, eggs were hatched synchronously after 24.12 ± 0.07 days of incubation. Breeding success was recorded as 45%. Daily nest survival probability (0.992) and total survival probability were recorded 0.833 for kalij pheasant. Mongoose Herpestes javanicus and Jackal Canis aureus predated eggs. It is concluded that breeding activities of kalij pheasant are in good state. Slope, elevation and clutch size influence the breeding success. This is the first ever report on the breeding status of kalij pheasant in Pakistan.
To share on other social networks, click on any share button. What are these?
