Status, Distribution and Food Availability for Sarus Crane (Grus antigone) in Hassanganj and Bangarmau Tehsil under Unnao District, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Almost all crane species rely on wetlands at some time during their annual life cycle, primarily for nesting but also for foraging and protective cover. Many species also have close affiliation with agricultural fields. The sarus cranes have coexisted with wetlands for thousands of years. The sarus crane is the tallest flying bird as categorized as Vulnerable species in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Sarus crane (Grus antigone) is a large nonmigratory bird. Their primary habitat included wetlands, marshes and water bodies. But now these sarus cranes species have adapted to using agricultural lands and crops in some way – consuming waste grains or other crops, feeding in rice paddies, or foraging in pastures. The regular observation was done from July 2020 to September 2021 in Hassanganj and Bangarmau tehsil under Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh, India. Total number of individuals was counted by using point count method. Total number of 526 sarus crane were observed --Adults ( 384 ) and Juvenile (142 ). Most of the sarus were observed in agricultural fields and water bodies. Present study concluded that there are moderate number of sarus crane in Unnao district but they are under threat due to encroachment of wetlands and expanding agriculture. They play important role in maintaining ecological balance. Crop fields provide abundant, predictable, and often high-energy foods that can be particularly valuable during flight and mating dance behaviour and have literally fueled their growing populations .They are eternal symbol of unconditional love, devotion and good fortune with high degree of marital fidelity.