Bar-headed Goose Anser Indicus Research Articles

Vigilance strategy differentiation between sympatric threatened and common crane species

Studies have indicated that threatened species may show reduced or elevated antipredator behavior compared with their close common relatives, but remarkably few studies revealed such differences in behavior among populations. Exploring factors affecting behavior between phylogenetically related common and threatened species could help understand such discrepancy. We tested for effects of external and internal variables including month, time of day, habitat type, distribution area, group composition status and group size on vigilance behavior (including group scan frequency and level) of two sympatric common Grus grus and threatened G. nigricollis cranes with generalized linear models. We detected significant species effect on group scan level, and grus was more vigilant than nigricollis. Model tests also indicated that group size had common effect on group scan frequency for both species, and distribution area significantly correlated with the vigilance of nigricollis, while grus was more affected by time of day and group composition status in areas of sympatry with nigricollis. But when nigricollis was absent, time had no effects on behavior by individuals belonging to grus, implying existence of inter-specific competition. We also found that grus decreased individual vigilance efforts by foraging with other species (e.g., Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus) to share large group alertness benefits (collective vigilance). As our results demonstrated, we argued that, with diverse antipredation tactics e.g., foraging with other species, alternating time rhythm or partitioning spatial utilization to mitigate inter-specific competition, reducing time allocation to preening while maintaining foraging efforts, common grus could maintain high level of vigilance, which may benefit their survival and population increase. Whereas less time spent vigilant antipredation strategy adopted by threatened nigricollis, this may have negative effects on their populations.

Tracking the Movement Pattern of Bar-Headed Goose Anser indicus Captured from the Gharana Conservation Reserve, India

Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus is a long distance migrant to the Indian subcontinent, with the major population breeding in China. There is a small breeding population in Ladakh, Mongolia, and Kyrgyzstan. To gain an understanding of their movement pattern and home range, we monitored two PTT tagged Bar-headed Geese (BG111847B also, the birds did not move to their breeding grounds till the signals were received in August. During the tracking period, the PTT fitted geese used the Tawi river floodplains of India and Pakistan, in Jammu and Sialkot districts respectively. BG111847 used a 431 km long stretch of the Tawi floodplains, while BG111848 used only a 54 km stretch. The home range of BG111847 was 52.60 sq. km [85% MCP (Minimum Convex Polygon)] and the core area was 7 sq. km (50% MCP), while the home range for BG111848 was 29.68 sq. km (85% MCP) and the core area was 2 sq. km (50% MCP). Post winter, the two geese used around 17 small wetlands in the Tawi river floodplains, moving between India and Pakistan intermittently, indicating the need for cross-border efforts for the long-term conservation of the species in this region. Our results are preliminary and further studies are needed to understand the migration pattern and habitat use of the Bar-headed Goose wintering in the Gharana Conservation Reserve and adjoining areas.

Hybrids between Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus and Snow Goose Anser caerulescens

Very few hybrids between Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus and Snow Goose Anser caerulescens have been described in the literature. In this article we give a morphological description of such hybrids, based on 35 individuals which we either observed ourselves or found pictures of on the Internet. Some hybrids were rather similar to Bar-headed Geese and others more closely resembled intermediate phase Snow Geese. General colouration, details and distinguishing features are described in the text together with photos. The yearly numbers of hybrids increased over time. This may be due to an actual increase in number of individuals, but may also reflect an increased interest in observing and reporting hybrids. Many hybrids were initially reported as something else, and there is therefore presumably under-reporting also in registers without photographs. We hope the information in this article will facilitate correct reporting.

Discussing implications of fast depleting rural ponds on the globally threatened wetland winter migratory bird in Haryana: a Case Study of Nigdu village pond in Karnal District

The Nigdu-Sarovar is located in Nilokheri block in Karnal district in Haryana (29°50°N, 76°55°E). The duration of observations span over seven years (September, 2005 to March, 2012). The recording of wetland winter visitor birds during 2005-08 in winter season included atleast 58 species of birds belonging to 10 orders and 18 families. It is important to mention that 29 species of wetland birds were winter migratory, 17 residents, 9 local migratory and three species of wetland birds like Lesser-whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica, Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus and Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus were summer migratory. The special features of 2005-06 winter was the huge populations of birds like Northern Shoveller Anas clypeata, Northern Pintail Anas acuta, Common Teal Anas crecca, Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhynchus, Common Pochard Aythya ferina, Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus, Greylag Goose Anser anser, Gadwall Anas strepera, Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos and Common Redshank Tringa totanus etc.In successive years, the scenario was more or less a substantial one depicting stability with respect to diversity of birds, number of birds upto the year of 2008. The popular birds included Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Openbill Stork Anastomus oscitans, White-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus, Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia, Spotted Greenshank Tringa guttifer and Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrines. The sharp decline in winter migratory birds at Nigdu-Sarovar started in the year of 2008 when the pond was leased out for FISH-FARMING as per the policies of Govt. of Haryana. Fish Farming based deepening of the pond by excavation of bottom resulting in total decimation of rooted, floating, submerged and ejecting plants along with its subsidiary fauna, Zooplanktons, phytoplankton etc. The age old structural regime of the pond was obliterated to turn it in a scientifically managed fish pond. The year of 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 (March, 2012) showed the total absence of migratory birds like Mallards, several Geese, Dabbling Ducks, Pochards and Teals etc. As of today (2012), the sarovar is a clean sheet of water with bird repelling devices installed in places.

Analysis of avian-biodiversity in rural wetland environs in Panipat district in Haryana, India

The present study has observed 67 species of wetland birds, belonging to, 10 orders and 18 families from rural wetland Environs in Panipat district located at a distance of 90 KMs north of Delhi on National Highway No.1 (29.39°N 76.97°E) in Haryana, India. Out of 67 species, 35 species were winter migrants, 18 residents, 10 local migrants and four species were summer migrants. Peculiar species of birds recorded in Panipat rural ponds are Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, White-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus, Asian openbill- Stork Anastomusoscitans, Lesser Adjutant Stork Leptoptilos javanicus, Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, Oriental White Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus, Black Ibis Pseudibis papillosa, Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus, Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia, Brahminy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea, Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos, Tufted Pochard Aythya fuligula and Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus. On the other hand, familiar species include amongst others, Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus, Common Coot Fulica atra, Northern Shoveller Anas clypeata, Northern Pintail Anas acuta, Common Teal Anas crecca, Common Pochard Aythya ferina, Gadwall Anas strepera and Lesser-whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica etc. Longest stay during winter season was demonstrated by birds like Northern Shoveller, Northern Pintail, Bar-headed Goose, Greylag Goose and Rudy Shelduck, whereas shortest winter sojourn was observed in case of Mallard, Eurasian Wigeon and Common Pochard. It is interesting to note that migratory birds like Northern Shoveller, Northern Pintail, Common Teal, Bar-headed Goose, Tufted Pochard, and Common Pochard come to Panipat rural ponds from very far off places like Central Russia, Caspian USSR, Siberia, Ladhakh and Central Asia, West and Central Asia and Siberia respectively.

TRADITIONAL RURAL WETLANDS IN HARYANA STATE OF INDIA ARE CURRENTLY CONFRONTING MULTICORNERED THREATS LEADING TO EXTINCTION SOONER THAN LATER

The most serious threat to traditional rural ponds in Haryana is associated with transformed societal behavioural patterns, ethics, values and life style, amongst several others. The siltation of ponds with adjoining areas, soil coming in with rain water is a very serious cause of stratification of rural ponds. Also contracting of village community land for sun drying of cow dung cakes inspires villagers to overload periphery of each pond with cow dung turning the premises into grave-yard of dung. This dung is the major source of polluting pond water into blackish water with high load of organic matter. Moreover, it leads to over excessive eutrophication. Building of major highways and connectivity roads have resulted into compartmentalization and degradation of village ponds. Inhabitation of peripheral village ponds boundaries by lower section of society for dwelling purposes is more threat to wetlands. The indifferent inclination of villagers towards silted ponds drenched in bad odour and blackish sludge is the story of 80% of the cases. The total blockage of run-off rainy water towards the natural age old rural ponds due to obstruction by way of human inhabitation has resulted into desertification of shallow water sheet in 90% of the cases. The oblivion of harvesting dried silt in summer for brick making has spelled doom for the ponds turning them into flat ground through successive decades and so on. The water quality in all ponds was overshooting the decaying stage due to the continuous mixing of cow dung drenched rainy water. Over excessive usage of ponds for bathing of cattle, dumping of cow dung and rotten vegetables waste has turned ponds into live sinks of dirt, garbage and rural dairy wastes. Majority of village ponds are now out of existence or in deep black sludge laden or converted into Fish-Farming wetlands. The present studies have indicated that Winter migratory birds like Greylag Goose Anser anser, Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, Gadwall Anas strepera, Northern Shoveller Anas clypeata, Northern Pintail Anas acuta, Garganey Anas querquedula, Common Teal Anas crecca, Common Pochard Aythya ferina, Tufted Pochard Aythya fuligula, Common Coot Fulica atra, Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius, Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrines, Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus, Common Redshank Tringa tetanus, Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis, Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola and Pied Avocet Recurivirostra avosetta arrive in the extremely dilapidated rural ponds in Haryana from far off places including Russia, Siberia, China, and Caspian region, east Asia each winter season without any break. As such the extinction of ponds in Haryana directly threatens global avian biodiversity. Keywords: Traditional Rural Wetlands, Perennial Rainy Water, Road Side Puddles, Land Filling, Commercial and Residential Construction, Highway reconstruction

Insight into Wetland Winter Migratory Avian Biodiversity in Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana State in India

Hathnikund is a place in Yamunanagar District in Haryana where Yamuna Rivers forms a sort of Lake over raised plinth after descending into plains from Himalayas nearby Ponta Sahib town near Haryana-Himachal Border. At the same time, Tajewala Barrage is one more pool like scenic place where waters of Western Yamuna Canal are collected by Govt. of Haryana for subsequent multipurpose. In the present studies, wetland bird’s diversity of Hathnikund has been recorded, analyzed and interpreted. The studies were conducted for a period of three years (September 2005-March 2008) during winter season only. The present studies revealed that in all 47 species of wetland birds belonging to 9 orders and 13 families were observed during September 2005-March 2011. Out of these 47 species of wetland birds, 26 species were Winter Migratory, 13 Resident and 9 species were Local Migratory. In so far as Abundance Status is concerned, 26 species of birds were Common, Nine species were UnCommon, Seven Species of birds were Very Common and five species were Rare. Truely winter migratory birds observed belong to Orders, Ciconiiformes, Anseriformes and Chardriiformes. Prominent migratory birds include, amongst others, Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus, Brahminy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea, Gadwall Anas strepera, Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, Northern Pintail Anas acuta, Northern Shoveller Anas clypeata, Red-crested Pochard Rhodonessa rufina, Common Pochard Aythya ferina, Tufted Pochard Aythya fuligula which come to Hathini Kund during winter from far off places like Russia, Siberia, South and East Asia, China and Caspian region. It is recommended that Hathnikund be further promoted as Winter Halting Place for migratory birds by adding islands within the Water Sheet, the construction of wide margins on the peripheral zones and a rich canopy of endemic trees by implanted in plenty. It is further recommended that Eco-tourism facilities be generated at Hathnikund, linking biodiversity with society’s economic upliftment, employment and awareness. It is also recommended that Fish angling sport can be an added attraction to Bird Watching. In correlation with mystery-wrapped natural ambiences of Hathnikund, it can be sold to tourists of foreign origin thus generating exchange earning facility. As of today, no body known about Hathnikund except amateur bird watchers who turn out to be tourists too, if appropriate lodging boarding facilities are available.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijls.v5i1.5953 International Journal of Life Sciences Vol.5(1) 2011 39-43

Determination of spectrum of winter migratory birds in Yamuna nagar district in Haryana (India)

During the three years of study (2005-08), some 58 species of wetland birds were observed in approximately 120 village ponds; out of these, atleast 28 species of wetland birds are winter migratory, coming from far off places located across the Himalayas. During the winter sojourns, these winter migratory birds face multiple threats in rural ponds of Haryana due to cipher attention of conservation authorities and persistent and accelerated utilization of rural ponds by the resident villagers. If the present admixture of interference and disturbance continues, then winter migratory birds like Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus, Greylag Goose Anser anser, Common Coot Fulica atra, Northern Shoveller Anas clypeata, Northern Pintail Anas acuta, Common Teal Anas crecca, Gadwall Anas strepera, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, Common Pochard Aythya ferina, Tufted Pochard Aythya fuligula, Brahminy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea and Red-crested Pochard Rhodonessa rufina will be wiped out just like Siberian Cranes arrived in Keoladeo National park in Rajasthan in India. The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India should pay timely attention to save migratory birds that visit India every winter in Lakhs and Crores.

Seasonal migrations of four individual bar-headed geese Anser indicus from Kyrgyzstan followed by satellite telemetry

The Kyrgyz population of the bar-headed goose Anser indicus has declined dramatically during the past decades. Human persecution during migration and habitat loss at stopover and wintering sites are commonly regarded as most serious threats. However, little is known about seasonal movements, migration routes, and wintering sites of the bar-headed geese from Kyrgyzstan, which represent the westernmost geographical population of the species. As part of a conservation project, which also included reinforcement of the wild population by the release of hand-reared juveniles, in late summer of 1998, five bar-headed geese, three wild adults and two hand-reared goslings, were fitted with sun-powered satellite transmitters in order to track their movements from Lake Son Kul and Lake Chatyr Kul in Kyrgyzstan. The five individuals contributed very unevenly to the more than 5,000 signals in total that were received from the French ARGOS system: one failed after 8 weeks, while another one was tracked for more than 2 years. The four geese contributing to this study followed three completely different migration routes leading to their wintering areas in Pakistan, India and Uzbekistan, while stopover areas were situated in southern Tajikistan and in western Tibet. Both in autumn and spring the adult birds migrated distances of 1,280–1,550 km in two steps, with stopover periods of 32–46 days (autumn) and 16–23 days (spring). Flight speeds of up to 680 km per actual migration day were recorded regularly, even during crossings of very high summits. A hand-reared juvenile flew non-stop for 790 km to southern Uzbekistan and even visited southernmost Turkmenistan, where the species is very rarely seen. The timing of migration varied considerably between individuals but also for the same individual between years. We compare our tracking results with previous findings (field observations, ring recoveries, and satellite tracking results) and discuss them with respect to migration over high-mountain habitats and a general migration strategy of the species.

Fugler i Norge 2003 – Rapport fras Norsk faunakomité for fugl (NFKF)

THE NORWEGIAN BIRD REPORT 2003 - a report on locally uncommon and scarce birds in Norway in 2003, by the Norwegian Bird Records Committee (NFKF) The basis of this report is the annual reports produced by the county rarities committees. All counties contributed to the report for 2003, although the Svalbard archipelago and Jan Mayen as well as Finnmark, Troms, Sogn & Fjordane and Vest-Agder counties did not publish own county reports. We believe this report reflects fairly well observations from Norway in 2003. Readers should take care to note the geographical or time delimitation of the records stated for the different species, as stated in codes immediately after the scientific name of the species. The Norwegian Bird Records Committee (NFKF) has published annual reports since 1991. The occurrence of Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus was the best in NFKFs history, while the occurence of Lesser White-fronted Geese Anser erythropus at the traditional feeding and roosting site Valdakmyra, Porsanger (FI) continued to be low. One breeding pair of Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus at Grindøya, Troms county was the first breeding attempt on the Norwegian mainland (excepting an attempt by a hybrid pair). Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus was seen in exceptionally good numbers. Gadwalls Anas strepera have occurred in steadily increasing numbers in Norway in recent years, and 2003 was the best year to date for this species. One breeding record of Smew Mergellus albellus from Vikna, Nord-Trøndelag county was the first breeding record in Norway outside Finnmark. The occurrence of Common Quail Coturnix coturnix and Corncrake Crex crex was the second best, while the occurrence of Spotted Crake Porzana porzana was the third best in NFKFs history. The Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo is a raptor that has occurred in high numbers in recent years, and 2003 was the best year ever. The occurrence of Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta and Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa was the best ever in NFKFs history, while the occurrence of migrating Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus was poor with only one individual during the autumn migration period. Migrating Pomarine Skuas Stercorarius pomarinus and Long-tailed Skuas Stercorarius longicaudus were seen in good numbers and the occurrence of Glaucous Gulls Larus hyperboreus was the best in NFKFs history. Also the occurrence of Little Gulls Larus minutus was very good, givingc the second best year ever. Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur had a very good year during both spring and autumn, giving the best year in NFKFs history. The number of Hoopoes Upupa epops was the third best since 1991. The occurrences of Wood Larks Lullula arborea and Richard’s Pipits Anthus richardi was the third best, while the occurrence of Red-throated Pipits Anthus cervinus was very low. The number of Pied Wagtails Motacilla alba yarrellii, singing Grasshopper Warblers Locustella naevia, Yellow-browed Warblers Phylloscopus inornatus and Red-breasted Flycatchers Ficedula parva was the highest ever recorded, while Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris, Barred Warblers Sylvia nisoria and Great Grey Shrikes Lanius excubitor experienced second best numbers since 1991. The number of Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus was the lowest ever recorded in NFKFs history. Two-barred Crossbills Loxia leucoptera continued to occur in good numbers after the autumn 2002 influx, but very few individuals remained after the summer. The Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes still show a marked increase in the north of its distribution range, especially in the Trøndelag counties. The Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana continued to occur in low numbers while the occurrence of Little Buntings Emberiza pusilla was the second best in NFKFs history.