POPULATION DYNAMICS AND GROUP SIZE OF CHUKAR PARTRIDGE ALECTORIS CHUKAR IN MANDAL VALLEY, GARHWAL HIMALAYA, INDIA

Present study reports population dynamics of Chukar partridge in Mandal valley, Garhwal Himalaya, India during January 2019 to December 2019. A total 1423 birds with 333 groups were recorded in 315 sightings. Overall individual per sighting, average group size and largest group size across the year were recorded 5.66?0.40, 4.02?0.54 and 7.89?0.66 respectively. Significant variation was also observed in population and group size. Maximum values of individuals per sighting recorded in month of November (8.37?0.76), maximum average group size and largest group size were recorded on month of September (7.59?0.65 and 12.92?1.23) while minimum for the same were recorded during April month.