Abstract
Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis) is a vulnerable Red list species whose populations are declining. However, little is known about Black-necked Cranes’ habitat requirements or the causes of their population decline. We identified Black-necked Cranes’ winter roost and foraging preferences of Black-necked Cranes in Bhutan during the winter of 2013–2014. Black-necked Cranes’ roosts were recorded using Garmin GPSmap 60CSx, while foraging preferences and threats to the birds were identified based on a survey of household heads (n = 107) residing within a 3 km radius of roost sites. We grouped the threats identified by the communities into four major categories, viz. biological, social, political and natural threats based on the relevance. Of the four major threats, communities residing within the roosting and foraging habitat of the Black-necked Crane reported biological threat as major. Biological threats as reported by communities include loss of habitat, food shortage and competition from other animals. We recommend the present roosting areas be designated as part of the conservation areas for Black-necked Crane wintering in Bumthang district. In addition to preserving these areas, government should also encourage farming in foraging habitats of Black-necked Crane, because they mainly feed on barley, wheat, paddy, potatoes and buckwheat, besides roots, tubers and insects in the wetlands.
Highlights
Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis) is the only alpine crane species and the last of the world’s 15 crane species to be discovered by the Russian naturalist, Count Przhewalski near Lake Koko Nor in northeastern Tibet in 1876 (ICF 2012)
Black-necked Crane (BNC) reside in Bhutan from late October to mid-February (Lhuendup and Webb 2007) each year and the major winter habitats are in Phojikha and Khotokha in Wangduephodrang district, Bomdeling in Trashi Yangtse and Gyatsa in Bumthang districts (Fig. 1)
The Population of BNC wintering in Bhutan is increasing (Fig. 2), and this is due to increasing number of BNC wintering in Phobjikha as per the record maintained by Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN)
Summary
Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis) is the only alpine crane species and the last of the world’s 15 crane species to be discovered by the Russian naturalist, Count Przhewalski near Lake Koko Nor in northeastern Tibet in 1876 (ICF 2012). The population of BNC is estimated at 10,070–10,970 individuals globally (Birdlife International 2012) and is classified as vulnerable under the IUCN Red List (IUCN 2009). Bhutan is one of the major wintering sites for BNC, in addition to China and India. BNC reside in Bhutan from late October to mid-February (Lhuendup and Webb 2007) each year and the major winter habitats are in Phojikha and Khotokha in Wangduephodrang district, Bomdeling in Trashi Yangtse and Gyatsa in Bumthang districts (Fig. 1). The Population of BNC wintering in Bhutan is increasing (Fig. 2), and this is due to increasing number of BNC wintering in Phobjikha as per the record maintained by Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN). Record maintained by RSPN showed gradual decline in BNC visiting Bumthang, Bumdeling and Khotokha in Wangduephodrang district
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