Population biology of black francolin (Francolinus francolinus) with reference to Lal Suhanra National Park, Pakistan
2013
Khan, W.A. (Islamabad Model Postgraduate Coll., Islamabad (Pakistan). Animal Ecology Lab.) | Mian, A. (Bioresource Research Centre, Islamabad (Pakistan))
Transect data collected on black francolin, known as black partridge in Pakistan and India, (Francolinus francolinus) population from Lal Suhanra National Park (south Punjab, Pakistan) between 1993 and 2004 suggested that the species was present in only 6/23 stands (mainly in irrigated plantation with reed vegetation) with an average density of 8.40 plus minus 1.39/km2; varying between 3.44 plus minus 0.88 and 13.28 plus minus 2.25/km2 in different stands. Densities were lower during winter (November-March, minimum in February) and maximum during summer (May-July), explained on population recruitment cycle, mortality and local movements. Densities were not significantly different between study years, yet these were generally lower during drought years compared to better rainfall years. Sex ratio (male/ female = 1.31) was skewed towards males. There were 0.32 plus minus 0.09 young/adult female and 0.14 plus minus 0.03 young/adult birds, while 2/6 stands had no young, representing non-breeding stands. Young were not observed or could not be identified separately during October-February, and the young/adult ratio was the highest in August. Dispersion index (variance/mean) of 0.60 plus minus 0.09 suggests random-uniform dispersion. Group size averaged at 1.88 plus minus 0.15 birds/group (range 1-5), majority of individuals appeared as singles (52.39%). More uniform dispersion appeared during the evening and in winters.
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