Population and Ecology of Sarus Crane (Grus antigone, Linnaeus 1758) in Northern Region of Rupandehi District

Abstract

The present study was carried out on Sarus Crane (Grus antigone antigone) to estimate population of Sarus crane in the Northern region of Rupandehi district, to know breeding success and nest ecology of Sarus in the study area. This survey was carried out in August to October, 2013.Village road was taken as transect. Field observation and informal discussion was conducted to assess population status to know breeding success and assess nest ecology. Nests were visited and measured with a tape without disturbing eggs. Survey was carried out in 18 VDCs. 95 individuals of Sarus crane were found among which 29 were breeding pairs, 11 were observed in flock and 3 as single individuals and 23 were juveniles. Mean encounter rate of the Sarus was about 9 individuals per 7 sq. km. The maximum flock size was 11 individuals.

Hatching success rate was 63.88 chicks per 100 laid eggs and 127.77 individuals per 100 nests. Among the active nests monitored, at least one egg was found in 18 out of 19 nests. So nesting success was 94.73 %.

Among the 19 nests, 42.10 % were observed in wetland and 5.26 % in agricultural land and 52.6 % were in the interface of wetland and agricultural land. Average area of nest was 2.76 m 2 (n=19).