DIET COMPOSITION OF BLACK KITE (MILVUS MIGRANS) INHABITING THE ARID ZONE OF RAJASTHAN, INDIA
Authors/Creators
- 1. Research Scholar, Maharaja Ganga Singh University, Bikaner, Rajasthan-334 001, India
Description
The diet composition of the black kite (Milvus migrans) was studied during the 2012-2014 in twelve microhabitats in and
around Churu city (28o 15’ N and 74o 55’ E, 286 msl) of Rajasthan, India. Stomach content analysis, fecal pellet analysis
and field observations method was used to study diet composition of the black kite found in different microhabitats.
Observations were taken in twelve viz. waste water body (WWB), municipal garbage dumping station (MGDS), animal dead
body dumping station (ADBDS), agriculture field (AF), sand dune (SD), forest area (FA), slaughter house (SH), grazing
field (GF), out skirts area of highways (OSH), human inhabitation (HI), graveyard area (GYA) and garden area
(GF).Thirteen species of prey, belonging of six prey groups were registered in the diet. The most common prey was
rodents, primarily rats and carrion of mammals. The second important group of food was birds, insects, lizards, snakes,
frogs, sweats and snacks supplemented the diet. It was seen prey remains in the nest and nesting area of the black kite
during the field observation. There are maximum prey’s remains of other food material and minimum remains of prey
reptiles at about 28.78% and 6.06%. Maximum biomass percentage 321.81% is from reptiles and minimum biomass
percentage 0.30% from insect by the black kite.
Files
1. IJZAB 249.pdf
Additional details
References
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Subjects
- Zoology
- 10.5281/zenodo.1311978