HABITAT PREFERENCE AND BREEDING BIOLOGY OF GREY FRANCOLIN (Francolinus pondicerianus) IN SALT RANGE, PUNJAB

Abstract

Grey francolin (Francolinus pondicerianus) belongs to Order Galliformes and Family Phasianidae. It is a medium sized game bird, considered a friend of the farmers as believed to consume insects, their eggs and larvae which are harmful to crops, hence, serving as biological control agent. Populations of grey francolin have declined over the time mainly due to excessive hunting and habitat destruction. Research studies have not been carried out on Grey francolin in the Salt Range and data on their biological and ecological aspects is lacking. The present study was conducted in two protected areas i.e. Chumbi Surla Wildlife Sanctuary (CSWS) and Diljabba Domeli Game Resrve (DDGR) to generate information about preferred habitat, feeding habits, population density, distribution pattern and breeding biology, including breeding season, nest structure, clutch size, incubation period and hatching success in the Salt Range. Four habitat types were selected and compared for habitat analysis study. These included: Habitat I- cultivated crop fields and associated natural vegetation on field boundaries; habitat II- natural forest and associated grassland; habitat III - open land; and habitat IV- wetlands and associated natural vegetation. Through vegetation survey, 38 plants species were recorded from CSWS; among those seven were trees, five shrubs, 15 herbs, nine grasses and two cultivated crops. Thirty four plant species were recorded from DDGR, including six trees, five shrubs, 14 herbs, seven grasses and two cultivated crops. The preferred habitat of Grey francolin found in both study areas (CSWS and DDGR) was Habitat-II that was natural forest habitat with highest IVI values for trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses. In addition to this, other variables such as elevation, slope, aspect and water availability were also considered for habitat preference by Grey francolin. In CSWS, Grey francolin showed high preference for the habitat having Ivelve’s value (IV) of 0.26, an elevation of 697 m to 704 m, a slope of 25 º to 55 º, with open aspect (without dense vegetation cover) and where water was available. In DDGR, high preference was shown by Grey francolin for habitat having elevation from 505 m to 523 m with aspect that was not very close and slope of 25 º to 45 º with water availability having Ivelve’s value 0.19. Dominant tree species in all selected habitats were Acacia modesta, Acacia nilotica, Dalbergia sissoo, and Olea Cuspidata, dominant shrub was Ziziphus jujuba and grasses were Andropogon contortus, Desmostachya bipinata and Cynodon dactylon. Plant species used for roosting by Grey francolin included Acacia modesta, Acacia nilotica and Ziziphus jujuba in CSWS and Dilbergia sissoo, Acacia modesta and Ziziphus jujuba in DDGR. For population estimation of Grey francolin, 40 transects were laid in the both areas and Grey francolin population were recorded both by direct sighting and calls and data was analyzes by DISTANCE Software 6.0. There was significant difference in population densities among different sites both by sighting and calls method. In CSWS, population density by sighting was the highest at Open land habitat (3.23 individual ha-1) while lowest at cultivated habitat (1.58 individual ha-1) and by calls was the highest at (2.87 individual ha-1) from natural forest habitat, while lowest at (1.59 individual ha-1) from cultivated habitat. In DDGR population density by sighting was highest from wetland (2.47 individual ha-1) and lowest at (2.09 individual ha-1) from natural forest habitat, by calls highest from open land habitat (2.45 individual ha-1) and lowest from wetland habitat (1.10 individual ha-1). Breeding season for the Grey francolin in the study area extended from mid March to end of July. All the nests located during the study were found on the ground in natural vegetation consisting of Acacia modesta, Acacia nilotica, Ziziphus jujuba, Dalbergia sissoo, Desmostachia bipinnata and Cynodon dactylon. Shape of nest varied from round to elongate. Outer and inner diameter of grey francolin’s nest in cultivated and natural forest habitat did not differ significantly. However, egg length, width and volume were higher significantly in cultivated habitat versus forest habitat. Color of the egg was dusty white to pink with white spots on it and texture was somewhat rough and smooth, while shape was oval in both habitat types. Out of a total of 68 eggs located in various nests, 53 hatched (74.80%) with a mean hatching rate of 5.3+0.85 eggs per clutch. The fledging success was estimated at 4.6+0.81 per clutch (77%). Data on threats to Grey francolin habitat and population were collected through questionnaire survey from hunters, local people and wildlife staffs. Major threats affecting grey francolin in both CSWS and DDGR were identified as hunting, trade, habitat destruction, predation, livestock pressure, agriculture activities, fuel wood collection, land clearing and stone crushing. Major threat to Grey francolin populations and habitats reported in CSWS included: 38% illegal hunting ;18 % agriculture activities; 18% land clearing; 06% by trade; 06% habitat destruction; 04% predation; 04 % live stock pressure; 04% by fuel wood collection and 02% due to stone crushing. Similarly major threat to Grey francolin reported by respondents in DDGR were: 46% illegal hunting; 18 % agriculture; 16% fuel wood collection; 04% trade; 04% predation; 04 % live stock pressure; 04% land clearing; 02% habitat destruction, and 2% due to stone crushing. This study generated information about the preferred habitat, population density, distribution pattern and breeding aspects of Grey francolin in the study area and identified major threats affecting grey francolin’s population in the study area that provide baseline data for the conservation of Grey francolin, ultimately helping to sustaining the population of this important game bird in the Salt Range. Results of the study suggested that the Grey francolin is successfully breeding in the study area and that is mainly associated with natural vegetation and crop cultivated fields around natural areas, which supports its population in Salt Range.