On biology of Houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata Macqueenii) in Balochistan, Pakistan: Breeding
1998
Mian, A. (Bahauddin Zakariya Univ., Multan (Pakistan). Inst. of Pure and Applied Biology)
Spotting of 7 nests and 10 broods in Balochistan (Pakistan) suggests a regular breeding of 50-100 hens over some 9,000 km raise to the power is 2. Breeding potentials are high for Rakshan (Bisemah and Nag), medium for northern Chagai and Kharan, and low for south-western and central Kharan. Average clutch (2.0 plus minus 0.2) and brood (1.9 plus minus 0.2) size suggests normal breeding potentials. Egg laying starts from late February and lasts till late April, while chicks appear between late February and mid May. Egg laying is restricted to stony deserts located in mild hilly undulates at 600 m above sea level. Shrub (6-11%) and herbal (5-19%) cover is low and all the species are green and sprouting. Zygophyllum sp., Anabasis sp., Astragalus hyrcanus- Ziziphus sp., Cocculus sp., communities have been identified. Lepus capensis, Vulpus sp., Gazella bennetti, Felis sp., Canis lupus, C. aureus (Mammals), Alaemon alaudipes, Pterocles sp., Cursorius cursor, Burhinus oedicnemus, Ammoperdix griseogularis, Ammomanes deserti, Alauda arvensis, Galerida cristata and a number of raptors (birds) are widely distributed. Insects (beetles, ants grasshoppers) and reptiles (lizards, snakes) are common. Grazing stress and human disturbance are high. Male starts displaying at its own, selecting a raised surface. Nest represents a scrap on the ground and is placed on the ridge away from shrubs. Only hens incubate the eggs and protect chicks. Hens frequently leave nest to foraging or on spotting approaching predator.
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]