Population status and breeding ecology of Black Kite Milvus migrans (Boddaert, 1783) in Pokhara Valley, Nepal

The present study attempted to provide basic knowledge on population status, breeding success and general behaviours of Black kites in the Pokhara Valley of Nepal. Nesting and roosting sites were directly observed to count the bird in the fields during the study period from December 2019 to May 2020. A total of 308 individuals of Black kites were recorded. The highest and least number was recorded in February (n=67) and May (n=31) respectively. The breeding success was found to be 47.22%. The average height, girth and canopy cover of the nesting tree were found at 16.59m, 2.23m and 63.30% respectively. About 67% of nests observed were found active during the breeding season. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient showed a perfect positive relationship between the number of chicks and the number of the nest (r = 1). Bombax ceiba and Dalbergia sissoo were the trees on which the maximum number of nests were observed.

Download Full-text

Population status and feeding behavior of black kite (Milvus migrans) in Dhaka city, Bangladesh

Jahangirnagar University Journal of Biological Sciences ◽

10.3329/jujbs.v9i1-2.53705 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1-2) ◽

pp. 35-48

Author(s):

Md Amdadul Haque ◽

Rasel Ahammed ◽

Monirujjaman ◽

Md Abraharul Islam ◽

Md Nahid H Khan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Population Density ◽

Feeding Behavior ◽

Sampling Method ◽

Population Estimation ◽

Foraging Strategies ◽

Dhaka City ◽

Population Status ◽

Milvus Migrans ◽

Black Kite ◽

The Status

The status and feeding behavior of black kite (Milvus migrans) in Dhaka city were studied from July 2015 to June 2017. Road transects and morning roost-count method were used for population estimation and distribution, whereas focal sampling method was used to study the feeding and foraging behavior. Based on roosting and foraging areas, five transects were selected for population estimation. Moreover, six different feeding areas were selected for identifying various types of consumed food and assessing the feeding behavior of black kite. The black kite population was estimated at (1296±5.87) in Dhaka city. The population density was estimated at 21.8/km2. Among selected five different transects, the recorded population ranged from 108.12±6.70, 8.34%) at S-3 (Mirpur to Ramna Park) to 805±11.88, 62.11% of individuals at S-5 (Gulistan to Demra). The present study revealed that black kites were distributed throughout the study area and the distribution was influenced by availability of food, water and roosting place. Based on the annual records, the highest population (1510±6.92) was found in 2016. Majority of black kites fed on offal and insects in study area. In garbage dumps, the highest rate of feeding was recorded in afternoon followed by in morning and lowest in the noon. Whereas in non-garbage feeding areas, the highest rate was recorded in the morning followed by in the afternoon and lowest in the noon. Among four different foraging strategies, food collection by kites standing on the ground and intraspecific cleptoparasitism was never observed during study period while interspecific cleptoparasitism (against crows) was the highest number (193.67±2.77, 68.43%). Jahangirnagar University J. Biol. Sci. 9(1 & 2): 35-48, 2020 (June & December)

Download Full-text

Nest characteristics and breeding success of Black Kites (Milvus migrans migrans) in the High Plateau (Algeria)

Zoology and Ecology ◽

10.35513/21658005.2019.2.1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 79-85

Author(s):

Sarra Messabhia ◽

Ettayib Bensaci ◽

Salah Telailia ◽

Abderraouf Chouaib Rebbah ◽

Menouar Saheb

Keyword(s):

Clutch Size ◽

Hatching Success ◽

Egg Laying ◽

Breeding Ecology ◽

Nearest Neighbour ◽

Breeding Parameters ◽

Milvus Migrans ◽

Black Kite ◽

The Mean ◽

The Mediterranean Basin

The breeding ecology of the Black Kite Milvus migrans migrans in Algeria was first studied in 2014 and 2015 on Tarf Mountain in the semi-arid High Plateaus region. The nearest-neighbour nest distance was found to range from 130 to 550 m for colonial pairs and from 1,730 to 2,390 m for the solitary ones. All 12 monitored nests were placed on cliffs at different heights ranging from 149 to 155 m. The mean egg laying period was 15 days, and the mean clutch size was 2.83 ± 0.31 and 3 ± 00 eggs per nest in 2014 and 2015, respectively. The mean hatching success was 83% and that of fledging 75%. Only 2 nests were predated. Our results disagree with those of the previous studies that were carried out mainly in the Mediterranean basin and Asia, differing in such nest characteristics as the nearest - neighbour nest distance, cliff and nesting heights, egg laying period and hatching success. Otherwise, no consistent differences in clutch size and fledging success were revealed. Finally, we determined that Black Kites tend to build their nest on the eastern side of cliffs. However, our analysis showed no effect of nest placement on breeding parameters and success.

Download Full-text

Environmental factors affecting the wintering raptor community in Armenia, Southern Caucasus

Community Ecology ◽

10.1007/s42974-021-00038-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Gianpasquale Chiatante ◽

Michele Panuccio

Keyword(s):

General Pattern ◽

Abundant Species ◽

Theoretic Approach ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Milvus Migrans ◽

Gyps Fulvus ◽

Black Kite ◽

Southern Caucasus ◽

And Migration ◽

Information Theoretic Approach

AbstractThe species–habitat relationships can change during the year because of the seasonality of resources. Therefore, the investigation of habitat use by animals in each season plays a fundamental role in their conservation. The main aim of this research was to investigate the raptor community that spends the winter in Armenia, southern Caucasus, and to explore its relationship with environmental features, such as land use and topography. During January 2012, we collected data by carrying out 15 roadside counts along which we calculated three community parameters: the relative abundance, the species richness, and the species diversity. Then, we carried out a multiple linear regression with the Information-Theoretic Approach, to explain the relationship between the parameters and environmental variables. Besides, we computed a Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) between the species and the environment around their observations. As a general pattern, the community was associated with permanent crops, maybe because of their heterogeneity, which in turn allows them to support higher densities of prey during the winter. The most abundant species was the Black Kite (Milvus migrans), followed by the Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) and the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus). To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies investigating the wintering raptor community in the Caucasus, with raptors generally studied in this area during the breeding season and migration.

Download Full-text

Black Kite Milvus migrans in Slovenia – its distribution, phenology, breeding and habitat

Acrocephalus ◽

10.1515/acro-2018-0006 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 39 (178-179) ◽

pp. 71-83

Author(s):

Dejan Bordjan

Keyword(s):

Sea Level ◽

Arable Land ◽

Breeding Population ◽

Water Bodies ◽

Lower Percentage ◽

Breeding Density ◽

Breeding Sites ◽

Milvus Migrans ◽

Black Kite

Abstract Between 1984 and 2017, 1,388 Black Kites were recorded, mostly in lowlands with 70% of observations made at Dravsko polje. They were observed from sea level to around 1,600 m a.s.l. with an average elevation of 271 m a.s.l. The species was present in Slovenia from mid-March to early December with indistinct spring and autumn migrations. The highest number of observations was recorded in May. The Black Kite was observed in 71 out of 238 10x10 km grid squares in Slovenia (29.8%), with more observations around known breeding sites and at sites with higher observer effort. Both the number of observations and the number of probable and confirmed breeding pairs increased. In 2011–2018, 10 breeding pairs were found at 7 sites (3–7 per year). Additionally, 11 probable breeding pairs at 9 sites (0–6 pairs per year) were found. The breeding population in 2011–2018 is estimated at 10–21 pairs with an average breeding density of 0.3–0.9 breeding pairs per 100 km2. The highest density was recorded at Dravsko polje with 0.6–2.2 breeding pairs per 100 km2. If possible breeding (breeding attempts) were also taken into consideration, the estimate would be up to five breeding pairs higher. The species was recorded at known breeding sites in most years after the breeding was confirmed. Black Kites were observed closer to larger water bodies and to rubbish tips than expected by chance. More Black Kites were recorded in areas with a lower percentage of forest and arable land and a higher percentage of meadows, settlements and wetlands.

Download Full-text

Roosting habits and habitats of the Indian Flying Fox Pteropus medius Temminck, 1825 in the northern districts of Tamil Nadu, India

Journal of Threatened Taxa ◽

10.11609/jott.7468.13.12.19675-19688 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (12) ◽

pp. 19675-19688

Author(s):

M. Pandian ◽

S. Suresh

Keyword(s):

Colony Size ◽

Tree Species ◽

Tamil Nadu ◽

Water Bodies ◽

Species Selection ◽

Milvus Migrans ◽

Black Kite ◽

Geographical Regions ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Flying Fox

This paper pertains to the study on roosting habits and habitats of the Indian Flying Fox Pteropus medius Temminck, 1825 in 12 villages of four northern districts—Vellore, Krishnagiri, Tiruvannamalai, and Viluppuram—of Tamil Nadu. Studies targeted roosting tree species, population status, diurnal-roosting behaviour, interactions with other animals, and probable threats to the species. A total of 22,365 individuals of the species were observed in 72 roosting colonies in 72 trees belonging to nine families, 11 genera, and 13 species. The tree species that harbored the greatest population of P. medius (n= 12,465) were those of Tamarindus indica L. (Fabaceae) (n= 39), followed by Ficus religiosa L. (Moraceae) (n= 3,960), Madhuca latifolia J.F. Macbr. (Sapotaceae) (n= 2,760), and Ficus benghalensis L. (Moraceae) (n= 1,620). One-Way ANOVA revealed that a significant relationship exists between colony size and tree diameter at breast height (dbh), and their canopy size (p <0.05). However, no significant difference occurred between the colony size and tree height. The time taken for emergence of individuals of the colony from the canopy for foraging varied between 20 and 40 min after 1750 h in the evening. The species mostly roosted on trees proximal to human settlements, electrical power lines, and water bodies. Individuals of P. medius used various tree species in different areas in different geographical regions and did not maintain any consistency in roosting tree species selection. A majority of individuals (88.7 %; n= 887) were found roosting using both legs and a minority of P. medius (11.3 %; n= 113) were clinging to tree branches using one. Individuals of P. medius flew to nearby water bodies to quench thirst and cool their bodies. Mating was observed during day roost in 146 pairs including male-female fellatio in seven pairs. Smoke from shrines in sacred groves, pruning of branches for various cultural reasons, populations of House Crow Corvus splendens (Vieillot, 1817) (Corvidae), Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus (Desfontaines, 1789) and Black Kite Milvus migrans (Boddaert, 1783) (both Accipitridae) were key disturbances to roosting populations of P. medius.

Download Full-text

Breeding biology of coppersmith barbet, Megalaima haemacephala (Müller, 1776)

University Journal of Zoology Rajshahi University ◽

10.3329/ujzru.v31i0.15397 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 31 ◽

pp. 31-34

Author(s):

Noor Jahan Sarker ◽

M Firoj Jaman ◽

Shariar Mustafa ◽

Md Saidur Rahman

Keyword(s):

Incubation Period ◽

Breeding Season ◽

Breeding Success ◽

Brood Size ◽

Botanical Garden ◽

Egg Laying ◽

Breeding Biology ◽

Average Weight ◽

Average Height ◽

Average Depth

Breeding biology of the Coppersmith barbet, Megalaima haemacephala (Müller, 1776) was carried out between February, 2006 and January, 2007 at Sharawardy Uddyan, Ramna Park, Curzon Hall and National Botanical Garden. The breeding season started from December and ended in June. In total 20 nests were observed, of which 10 nests were studied in details in four study areas. The coppersmith barbet mostly preferred to make holes on the branches of koroi (Albizzia procera) for nesting. Egg laying started on 15th February in the study areas. Average height of nests from the ground was 9.7m and average depth and diameter of the holes was 29.20cm and 4.46cm respectively. New holes were constructed yearly or the old one was reused. Both the sexes took part in incubation of eggs, brooding and feeding to the nestlings. A total of 30 eggs were laid in 10 nests. Clutch size varied from 2 4 eggs (average: 3 eggs). Among them, 20 (66.67%) eggs were hatched and the rest 10 (33.33%) were unhatched and lost. Average incubation period was 14 days. The male and the female incubated the eggs for an average of 27.44 minutes/ hours and 32.56 minutes/ hours, respectively. Average number of nestlings (brood size) per nest was 2. Out of 20 nestlings, 16 left their nests successively. The breeding success was 53.33% in relation to the number of eggs laid and 80% in relation to nestlings hatched. The average weight of eggs and nestlings was 3.59g and 9.33g, respectively. The main causes of loss of the eggs and nestlings were human interference, predation and ectoparasitic infections. Insects and fruits were fed to the nestlings by their parents.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ujzru.v31i0.15397Univ. j. zool. Rajshahi Univ. Vol. 31, 2012 pp. 31-34

Download Full-text

Nests of Black Kite (Milvus migrans govinda) in Urban Landscape of Kolkata, India

Proceedings of the Zoological Society ◽

10.1007/s12595-015-0163-6 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 70 (2) ◽

pp. 201-205

Author(s):

Subhendu Mazumdar ◽

Dipankar Ghose ◽

Goutam Kumar Saha

Keyword(s):

Urban Landscape ◽

Milvus Migrans ◽

Black Kite ◽

Milvus Migrans Govinda

Download Full-text

Nesting dispersion of a Black Kite population in relation to location of rabbit warrens

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z94-224 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 72 (9) ◽

pp. 1680-1683 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Javier Viñuela ◽

Rafael Villafuerte ◽

Claudine De Le Court

Keyword(s):

Population Density ◽

National Park ◽

Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽

Considerable Increase ◽

Breeding Area ◽

Doñana National Park ◽

Main Prey ◽

Milvus Migrans ◽

Black Kite ◽

Feeding Resources

Previous studies have shown that the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is the main prey of the Black Kite (Milvus migrans) in Matasgordas (Doñana National Park, southwestern Spain), and that the reproductive success of pairs is enhanced with increasing rabbit consumption. In our study area, rabbits live mainly in large warrens patchily distributed across the breeding area of Black Kites. Rabbit consumption was higher for Black Kite pairs having warren entrances close to their nests. During the 3 years of the study, this population of Black Kites suffered a considerable increase. New pairs in the area selected nesting trees inside areas with a high density of rabbits. The pattern of Black Kite aggregation in our study area, where they breed in a "colony" with a population density among the highest recorded, can be explained, at least partially, by rabbit aggregation. Defense of feeding resources could help to explain the territorial behavior of Black Kites. Coloniality and feeding territoriality are not mutually exclusive.

Download Full-text

When and where mortality occurs throughout the annual cycle changes with age in a migratory bird: individual vs population implications

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-019-54026-z ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Fabrizio Sergio ◽

Giacomo Tavecchia ◽

Alessandro Tanferna ◽

Julio Blas ◽

Guillermo Blanco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Population Dynamics ◽

Annual Cycle ◽

Migratory Bird ◽

Seasonal Effects ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Gps Tracking ◽

Milvus Migrans ◽

Black Kite ◽

Breeding Migration

AbstractThe annual cycle of most animals is structured into discrete stages, such as breeding, migration and dispersal. While there is growing appreciation of the importance of different stages of an organism’s annual cycle for its fitness and population dynamics, almost nothing is known about if and how such seasonal effects can change through a species lifespan. Here, we take advantage of the opportunity offered by a long-term satellite/GPS-tracking study and a reliable method of remote death-detection to show that certain stages of both the annual and life cycle of a migratory long-lived raptor, the Black kite Milvus migrans, may represent sensitive bottlenecks for survival. In particular, migratory journeys caused bursts of concentrated-mortality throughout life, but the relative importance of stage-specific survival changed with age. On the other hand, the balance between short-stages of high mortality and long-stages of low mortality made population-growth similarly dependent on all portions of the annual cycle. Our results illustrate how the population dynamics of migratory organisms can be inextricably linked to ecological pressures balanced over multiple stages of the annual cycle and thus multiple areas of the globe, suggesting the frequent need for challenging conservation strategies targeting all portions of a species year-round range.

Download Full-text

Polychlorinated biphenyls in raptor and owl eggs in the Czech Republic

Veterinární Medicína ◽

10.17221/5791-vetmed ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 48 (No. 12) ◽

pp. 363-368 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

I. Kustova ◽

M. Vavrova ◽

ILiterak

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Tyto Alba ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Pcb Congeners ◽

Milvus Migrans ◽

Marsh Harrier ◽

Black Kite ◽

Circus Aeruginosus ◽

Lipid Weight ◽

Aquila Heliaca

In 2001, raptor and owl eggs were collected for the purpose of detection of contamination by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at 15 sites in the southeastern area of the Czech Republic. In total 31 unhatched eggs of 4 raptor species and 3 owl species were examined. PCB determination was carried out by high-resolution gas chromatography. PCB content was expressed in μg per 1 kg of lipid weight for the major PCB congeners 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180, serving as indicators. In all examined eggs the indicator PCB congeners were found. The ranges of total values of indicator PCB congeners found in different raptor and owl species were as follows: kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) 37.0 and 44.3 (n = 2), black kite (Milvus migrans) 28.3–40.5 (n = 3), imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca) 66.4 (n = 1), marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus) 45.1 (n = 1), barn owl (Tyto alba) 20.6–46.1 (n = 17), long-eared owl (Asio otus) 32.0–41.9 (n = 6) and tawny owl (Strix aluco) 47.5 (n = 1) μg/kg of lipid weight. PCB congener 153 was the one most frequently found.

Download Full-text