Territoriality in Kerala Laughingthrush Strophocincla fairbanki meridionalis

Abstract

The Kerala Laughingthrush Strophocincla fairbanki is a Near Threatened, endemic species of the Western Ghats of southern India, south of the Palakkad Gap (=Palghat Gap). Within its restricted range, it has two subspecies - the more widespread nominate race found in the high ranges north of the Shencottah Gap; and meridionalis , occurring south of the Gap. A study on territoriality was carried out on the latter at four study sites, namely Pandipath, Pandimotta, Kodayar, and Mahendragiri, in the Agasthyamalai hills from January 2011 to March 2011 after a pilot study in December 2010. Territory size of 30 pairs was estimated by following them and marking their locations using a GPS unit. The territories were found only in shola forests above 1,200 m above msl. Territories were not recorded in tea plantations, grasslands, scrub dominated rocky areas, bare rocky areas, forest patches adjoining reservoirs, and in large swathes of Ochlandra . The average territory size was estimated to be about 2 ha. No overlap of territories was observed and the territories were separated by an average distance of 66.04 m. Pairs were formed and territories defended only in the breeding season. Habitat loss and deterioration were identified as serious threats to the subspecies.