Habitat utilization by Malabar Grey Hornbill at Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Ghats. (TH12)

Abstract

Utilization of habitat resources, particularly fruit and nest trees, by an endemic bird species, Malabar Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros griseus) was studied in a tropical semi-evergreen forest and the adjoining tea/coffee plantations at Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Ghats. This bird species is mainly distributed in the moist forests of southern Western Ghats. Though some aspects of Malabar Grey Hornbill in an evergreen forest at Anamalai Hills have been studied during the breeding season, fruit utilization during the non-breeding season is not known. Also, the preference of this endemic hornbill for food and nest tree species is unknown. This study aimed to assess the food preferences of Malabar Grey Hornbill during breeding and non-breeding seasons, nest-tree preferences and to identify the keystone resources for the Malabar Grey Hornbill in the semi-evergreen forest.