Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(6)

Published: June 1, 2024

Abstract Colonial nesting waterbirds in agricultural landscapes have historically received limited research attention, especially South Asia. For example, the Asian openbill ( Anastomus oscitans ) is a colonial species that extensively utilizes landscapes, yet there notable lack of substantial studies despite increasing urbanization across these landscapes. We investigated factors affecting breeding ecology openbills eastern Nepal. used grid‐based approach to locate stork colonies and monitored them throughout season from May November for three consecutive years (2020–2022). Altogether, we observed total 67 active colonies, comprising 4020 nests, which successfully fledged 7566 chicks. Additionally, most were located within areas human settlements (40%), followed by community forests (33%) land (27%). The primarily preferred large trees, such as Bombax ceiba (72%), nesting. mean height trees was approximately 4 m taller, diameter at breast twice large, canopy cover area times greater than non‐nesting trees. positively influenced colony size, while size fledgling's success. Our study underscores significance providing sufficient space accommodating number nests fledglings. These findings significant implications conservation efforts protect along with wetlands lands, crucial measures ensure sustainable this nationally vulnerable species.

Language: Английский