Breeding performance of the Indian sarus crane in the agricultural landscape of western India

Abstract

The breeding performance of the Indian sarus crane Grus antigone antigone Linn. was studied in the agricultural landscape of western India during 1996–1998. Detailed records of 70 nests were maintained from egg laying till fledging. At least one chick hatched from 50 clutches (71.43%). Nineteen clutches (27.14%) were destroyed due to various factors, but at least 7 pairs re-nested. Egg mortality was mainly due to flooding (7.35%), predation (11.03%) and conflict with farmers (8.09%). Chick mortality due to predation was 8.24% and to unknown factors was 30%. Number of chicks hatched and number fledged did not differ significantly in different microhabitats. Average breeding success was 25.74%. Breeding success was comparatively lower in paddy crop fields than in other microhabitats due to human disturbance and higher predation risk. The juveniles formed only 10.14% of the total sarus sighted during the post-breeding period. An increasing conflict of sarus crane with the farmers in the agricultural landscape is a matter of concern for sarus crane conservation. The economic loss due to nesting in the crop field, if compensated, will help in sarus crane conservation.