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The Malabar Pied Hornbill (MPH) is a near threatened and this species is endemic to the low elevation moist forests of Western Ghats, a few locations in central India, Eastern Ghats and Sri Lanka. The present study was aimed to understand on the nesting tree preference by A. coronatus in Pillur Valley, Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, and Southern India from November 2017 to March 2018. A total of five tree species were identified as nesting trees preference by MPH in Pillur Valley, Western Ghats. Most of the nesting tree species were identified as a hard wood category Among the five nesting trees Madhuca longifolia recorded more number of nests (n=6) as well as nesting trees (n=5). Overall seventeen nest site characters were calculated in order understand nesting tree preference of MPH. The location of nests on the nesting trees by MPH result shows that 55% of nests were located on the primary branch. The location of nest direction on the nesting trees shows that most of the nests (n=7) were located on the North East direction. The overall nest cavity length and width shows that 31.38 cm and 18.06 cm respectively.
About the author
Mr. Arockianathan Samson, M.Sc (Zoology & Wildlife Biology), M.Sc (Geo-Informatics), Research Biologist, Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre, Environmental Conservation Department, Bombay Natural History Society, Pinjore, Haryana 134102.
