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SELECTIVE BEHAVIOUR OF INDIAN SARUS CRANE IN CHOOSI NG PLANT

SPECIES FOR NEST CONSTRUCTION IN AND AROUND ALWARA LAKE OF

DISTRICT KAUSHAMBI (U.P.), INDIA

ASHOK KUMAR VERMA 1 & SHRI PRAKASH 2 1Department of Zoology, Government P.G. College, Saidabad Allahabad, U. P., India

2Department of Zoology, K.A.P.G. College, Allahabad, U. P., India

ABSTRACT

Birds are oviparous vertebrates and their egg laying property is more or less associated with nest construction.

Our present survey and exploration were conducted during two breeding seasons from June 2014–July 2015 to find out

the selective behaviour of Indian Sarus Crane in constructing the nests in and around Alwara Lake of district

Kaushambi Uttar Pradesh. It was found that both male and female cranes choose 21 local plant species in constructing

the nests. Moreover, some roots, stems and leaves of unidentified plant species were also reported there. The nests were

seen on large wetlands, uplands, paddy fields, scattered irrigation ditches, adjoining areas of lake etc. around the

human settlements.

KEYWORDS: Nesting Materials, Local Flora, Indian Sarus Crane, Conservation, Alwara Lake

Received: Mar 24, 2016; Accepted: Apr 07, 2016; Published: Apr 13, 2016; Paper Id.: IJZRJUN20161

INTRODUCTION

Birds are endothermic vertebrates characterised by feathers, a beak without teeth, pneumatic light

weighted strong endoskeleton, high metabolic rate, four-chambered heart. These are oviparous and lay cleidoic

eggs. Huxley (1868) called ‘birds as glorified reptiles’.

The Indian sarus crane, Grus antigone antigone (Linnaeus, 1758) is the world’s tallest and biggest flying

water bird. It is the only resident breeding crane in India and is declared as State Bird by the Government of Uttar

Pradesh for its conservation. It is well known as an eternal symbol of unconditional love, devotion and good

fortune and its occurrence in abundance represents a healthy wetland ecosystem.

The Indian sarus crane has been listed as globally threatened i.e. vulnerable avian species (Bird Life

International 2012) because of its declining numbers. Main reasons behind this decline are deterioration of natural

habitat and increased anthropogenic activities for urbanization as well as for industrial expansion.

A few investigators like Chauhan et al (2000), Sunder et al (2000a & 2000b), Sunder (2010), Jha et al

2014, Prakash et al (2014, 2016), Ansari et al (2015), Verma et al (2015, 2016a & 2016b) have tried to study the

demography, ecology and status of Indian sarus crane on large scale in Uttar Pradesh but Sunder et al (2003) gave

its literature review in detail. As far as the study of this sarus crane in and around the Alwara lake is concerned, it

is done only by few Zoologists like Prakash et al (2014, 2016) and Verma et al (2015, 2016a & 2016b). A

limnological, zooplanktonic and phytoplanktonic study of the said lake was done by Prakash et al (2015a, 2015b,

Original A

rticle International Journal of Zoology and Research (IJZR) ISSN(P): 2278-8816; ISSN(E): 2278-8824 Vol. 6, Issue 3, Jun 2016, 1 - 6 © TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

2 Ashok Kumar Verma & Shri Prakash

Impact Factor (JCC): 1.9758 NAAS Rating: 2.59

2015c) and Verma et al (2016c, 2016d). A very little studies have been done till now on the nesting materials and suitable

selection of nesting sites from conservation point of view and the studies on constituent of nesting materials and their

effects on the safety of the eggs and juveniles around Alwara lake is still unexplored.

The present investigation is an attempt to find out the selective behaviour of Indian sarus crane in choosing the

local plant species to construct the nests in and around Alwara Lake of district Kaushambi Uttar Pradesh during two

breeding seasons from June 2014–July 2015.

STUDY AREA

The Alwara Lake is located in Sarsawan block of Tahsil Manjhanpur district Kaushambi of Uttar Pradesh

(Image 1). The Alwara Lake is a natural lake and now an important perennial wetland, as shown in photograph 1. It is

situated between the latitude 25024’05.84”S – 25025’10.63”N and longitude 81011’39.49”E-81012’57.95”W with altitude

MSL – 81.08 meter.

The lake under investigation is surrounded by Paur Kashi Rampur in east, Tikara in the north, Shahpur in the

south and the river Yamuna in the west. The most adjoining and influenced village is Paur Kashi Rampur. The study area

was divided into following three major transects based on its vastness, diversity and habitat of sarus crane: (i) Paur Kashi

Rampur, (ii) Tikara and (iii) Shahpur.

Image 1: The Location of the Study Area Photo 1: A View of Study Area of Alwara Lake

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The sarus crane is a huge bird and visible from a distance hence authors locate them nicely and almost accurately.

The cranes, their nests and eggs were recorded and photographed by using binocular and zoom camera.

Localization and identification of crane nests were documented by direct visiting, tracing the crane pair and local

enquires. Authors collected the used nesting materials and identified most of them with the help of local people.

Identification of collected plant materials from nests were done with the help of Botanical Survey of India, Wildlife

Institute of India (1999) and Aryal et al, (2009), Swapna et al (2011) and Mukherjee et al (2014).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

The selection of nesting site and nesting materials largely depends upon the vegetation around the nests. Both

male and female cranes build the nests, in both wetlands and uplands and breed during wet season in their range. A

Selective Behaviour of Indian Sarus Crane in Choosing Plant Species for 3 Nest Construction in and Around Alwara Lake of District Kaushambi (U.P.), India

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secluded spot in the territory is chosen and the cranes unison-call there, then walk away from the selected place and

throw nesting materials lightly over their shoulders towards it. Returning to the nest site, they pull into the nest material

which is within reach, then slowly walk away and throw more material towards the nest, repeating this sequence until

sufficient nesting material has been accumulated.

A list of plant species used as nesting material by Indian sarus crane in and around Alwara Lake is presented in

the table given below:

Table: Different Plant Species Used As Nesting Material

S. No. Botanical Names of Plant Local Hindi Name 1. Argemone maxicana Bharbhanda 2. Commelina benghalensis Kankavwa 3. Cynodon dactylon Dhub 4. Cyperus rotundus Motha 5. Digitaria sanguinalis Tikari 6. Echinochloa colonum Shamma 7. Eichhornia crassipes Jal khumbhi 8. Eleochharis dulcis Hair gross or naryee 9. Hydrilla verticillata Jhangi kureli 10. Ipomoea aquatica Patuasaga karmi 11. Ipomoea carnea Behaya 12. Kirganelia reticulata Mankhi 13. Nymphoides indica Kumudani 14. Oryza rufipogon Fasahi 15. Oryza sativa Dhan 16. Typha angustata Patera 17. Scirpus littoralis Deer grass 18. Pennisetum typhoideum Bazara 19. Sorghum bicolor Jawar 20. Calotropis gigantea Madar

21. Codiaeum variegatum

Croton

22. Unidentified root, stem & leaf Still to explore

Authors succeeded in identifying 21 plant species that were used by both male and female cranes (Photographs 2

& 3) in constructing the nests. These plant species were seen frequently in and around the Alwara Lake. They preferred to

use local flora in constructing the nests. Besides, some roots, stems and leaves of unidentified plant species were also

reported there. The nests were seen on large wetlands, paddy fields, scattered irrigation ditches, adjoining areas of lake,

village ponds etc around the human settlements. Female usually lays two eggs (Photograph 4) but sometimes one

(Photograph 5) and rarely three.

Selection of a suitable nesting site and specific nesting material is a vital aspect of nesting behaviour of sarus

crane. Nesting behaviour, size and materials used, exhibited peculiarities and conservational values of the birds. Majority

of the nests were fabricated with twigs, stems and roots of aquatic floating plants which were round in shapes, larger and

floating type.

4 Ashok Kumar Verma & Shri Prakash

Impact Factor (JCC): 1.9758 NAAS Rating: 2.59

CONCLUSIONS

Authors identified 21 plant species used by sarus cranes in constructing the nests. These plant species were found

available frequently in and around the Alwara Lake. Thus, it can be concluded that they preferred to use local flora in

constructing the nests. Author’s findings will be proved very useful in understanding and formatting the strategy to

conserve this endangered Indian sarus crane, Grus antigone antigone. The authors recommend the declaration of the entire

Alwara lake as “Sarus Safe Zone” for the conservation of this threatened species, as the ecological condition of this lake is

found suitable for them by Prakash et al (2014, 2016) and Verma et al (2015, 2016a & 2016b).

Photo 2: Paired Crane Ready to Perpare Nest Photo 3: Crane Sitting on Nest for Egg Laying

Photo 4: Two Eggs of Crane Upon Nest Photo 5: One Egg of Crane Upon Nest

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Authors are highly grateful to the Principal Govt. P.G. College Saidabad, Allahabad for providing necessary

laboratory facilities. We are also obliged to local Gram Pradhans and authorities of district administration Kaushambi,

Uttar Pradesh for their co-operation during entire survey programme.

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Selective Behaviour of Indian Sarus Crane in Choosing Plant Species for 5 Nest Construction in and Around Alwara Lake of District Kaushambi (U.P.), India

www.tjprc.org editor@tjprc.org

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