Revista de Biodiversidade, Bioprospecção e Desenvolvimento

Density of Indian Grey Hornbills (Ocyceros birostris) in and Around Haveri

Abstract

Narayan Ramappa Birasal

Indian Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros birostris) prefers dry deciduous forests, but these habitats are subjected to maximum anthropogenic disturbances. Habitat destruction is the major cause of disturbance for the hornbills population. Indian Grey Hornbill is a fairly common, mostly arboreal found throughout India. But it is not common to be sighted in towns. The regular observations for Indian Grey Hornbill was made during summer and early monsoon season in and around Haveri for two decades (March 1994 to July 2013). As hornbills depend on tree cavities for nesting, search for nest cavities was carried out. Prior to road widening works, density of these birds was high on the trees of highways. This study evaluated that, with the removal of trees in the name of development, the number of these birds increased in the recent months in Haveri town and this is due to suitable environment available for their survival.