Distribution pattern and habitat preference of the Black Francolin (Francolinus francolinus asiae) in Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

Research activities on the Black Francolin in the Himalayan region are very limited, and its status in this region is rather unknown. So, the main focus of our study was on the assessment of its distribution, habitat preference and abundance at different altitudes. The current study was conducted at an altitude of 100–2000 m in Uttarakhand State, India. The bird survey was carried out employing the trail walk method. Bird abundance, habitat preference and vegetation characterization were estimated by encounter rate, using correlative approach and quadrate methods, respectively. This study shows that the abundance of this bird species is increasing along an altitudinal gradient, while below the 500 m altitude it is lower. The obtained data on habitat preference show that at an altitude above 500 m, this bird prefers cultivated fields with abandoned land (CL + AL) > cultivated land with forest edges (CL + FE) > crop land (CL) and at an altitude below 500 m, it shows preference for crop land (CL) > cultivated fields with abandoned land (CL + AL) > cultivated land with forest edges (CL + FE). In the pure forest type, the Black Francolin was not encountered (no encounter rate). The roosting and nesting patterns of the Black Francolin also indicate its preference for an agro- ecosystem.