Status of Diurnal Raptors of Corbett National Park with Notes on Their Ecology and Conservation

12 Pages·1999·7.4 MB·

by  Rishad Naoroji

.
STATUS OF DIURNALRAPTORS OF CORBETTNATIONAL PARK
WITHNOTES ONTHEIR ECOLOGYAND CONSERVATION
1
RishadNaoroji2
(With one map)
Key words: Raptors, status, conservation, checklist,
Corbett National Park, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Out ofa total of69 species ofdiurnal raptors reported from the Indian subcontinent, 51 were
recorded from Corbett National Park (CNP) in Uttar Pradesh, India, over a 6 year period. The
statusoftheseraptorsandtheconservationproblemswhichcouldbefacedbysomeoftheresident
species are discussed. With theexception ofthe lesserfish eagleIchthyophaga humilis none of
,
theresidentspeciesappearthreatened,butcontinuedalterationofthehabitatthroughdeforestation
and habitat degradation outside the Park is likely to have an adverse effect on the future status
anddistribution ofmanyspecies. The Park’soverall high avian(and raptor)diversityarisesfrom
its immediate proximity to the Himalayan foothills, and represents a wide array ofHimalayan
avifauna, partly as a result of altitudinal movement. Many raptor species in CNP are either
residentorlocal summermigrantstothe Himalayan foothills upto at least2000 m. A numberof
highaltituderaptorsarewintervisitorsorvagrantstothePark. AstheParkand adjacentfoothills
formoneecosystem,facilitatingmovementofspeciesfromthemiddleHimalayan foothillstothe
Bhabartract and vice versa, the status ofthe species listed forthe Park is also applicable to the
foothills.
Introduction organised by the forest department are now a
yearly feature, and the guides and staff have
It is surprising that in an area as rich as becomemoreawareoftheimportanceofraptors.
Corbett National Park in biotic diversity A three month survey for raptors in
supporting probably the richest variety of bird protectedareascoveringmostofthetenprincipal
species in India, no majorornithological studies biogeographical zones (except the northeast)
have been conducted. No extensive literature identified by Rodgers and Panwar (1988) was
(except on flora, Pant 1976, Pant et al. 1981) conductedbyWilliamClark, Dr. VibhuPrakash
exists, though ithas longbeena favourite locale and I from January to March 1990. The high
withbirdwatchers. Foralongtime,theemphasis numbers of many lesser known resident and
has been on tiger protection and conservation, migratory raptors observed in CNP influenced
and only during the last few years has the great our choice of the Park for breeding studies on
diversity ofbirds in the area been appreciated. the rarer resident species.
The forest department, whose activity revolves
mainly aroundmanagingthetiger, isnow aware Study Area
ofCNP’suniqueornithologicalheritage,andthe
great range of birds of prey that it supports. Location and Habitat
Regular birdwatching and identification camps
CorbettNational Park, comprising anarea
of920sq. kmextendsacrosstwosub-Himalayan
'AcceptedJune,1998 districts of Pauri in Garhwal and Nainital in
G:GooddrreejjB&haBvoaync,e4AM,fgH.oCmoe.SLttrdeet,Fort, Kumaon, Uttar Pradesh, (Map 1) (29°31' to
Mumbai400001 29°35’N lat. 78°46' E long.). It is situated in the
JOURNAL BOMBAYNATURAL HISTORYSOCIETY, 96(3), DEC. 1999 387
,
DIURNAI RAPTORSOFCORBETTNATIONALPARK
Park
National
Corbett
the
of
Map
1:
Fig.
388 JOURNAL, BOMBAYNATURAL HISTORYSOCIETY, 96(3) DEC 1999
DIURNALRAPTORSOFCORBETTNATIONALPARK
lower Central Himalayan foothills immediately deciduous, tropical and subtropical. Sal Shorea
north ofthe terai, known as the Sivaliks, which robusta dominates the moist deciduous biotope
formpartoftheBhabartract. The topography is in the northern region of the Park, forming
undulating and varied with temporary marshy almostpure foreststands. In thesouthernhalfof
depressions, ravines andplateaus, (also referred thePark,thebiotopeisdrydeciduous,especially
to as Path Dun), varying in altitude from250 to along the Sivalik hills which, though low, are
1040 m above msl. A series of more or less extremely rugged and steep, and furrowed in
parallel ridges run northwest to southeast, everydirectionbymonsoonerosionandseasonal
decreasing in height southwards towards the streams. These three zones, together with the
plains. The middle reaches of the Ramganga variedtopography,accountforthebioticrichness
river (the only perennial source of water) flow of the area. The chaurs occupy a significant
westwarcj through most of the Park along an ecologicalstatusinthePark.Theywereoriginally
elevated plateau (Path Dun) until the riverturns man-made clearings for cultivation and
southwardsatanabandonedvillagenamedBoxar settlements long since abandoned, and support
(see map). The central portion of the Park is a rich dense growth ofmedium to tall grasses.
located partly along the Path Dun, between the There are seven major grasslands: Dhikala,
lesser Himalaya to the north and the Sivalik Fulay, Khinnanauli, Paterpani, Mohanpani,
ranges to the south. About 10% ofthe Park area Bhadhai and Bijrani, and many smaller ones.
(mainly prime grassland habitat) has been Of these, the largest are Dhikala, Fulay and
submerged by the damming of the Ramganga Khinnanauli.
river at Kalagarh, forming a large reservoir In all, more than 1 10 species oftrees (57
80 sq. kmin the western comer ofthe Park, of common) 88 of shrubs, 39 of climbers, 42 of
which42 sq. kmis withinthe Park. Anumberof grassesand 15 ofsedgeshavebeenlisted forthe
sots (springs) emerge fromthe numerous ridges Park (Pant 1976, Pant et al. 1981). The river
which comprise the secondary source of water valley, high banks, and islands are dominated
in the Park. bysheeshumDalbergiasissoo. Lcuitanacamara
(a south American exotic) is spreading
unchecked in many areas and suppressing the
Climate and Vegetation
regenerationofsalandotherherbaceousspecies.
There are three distinct seasons: winter
Cannabissativa(bhang)growsprofuselyinparts
(NovembertoFebruary),withoftenfrostynights
of the grassland and in open areas. Bamboo
and periodic rains, is coldest in January when
clumpsoccurfrequentlyonthehigherhillslopes.
temperatures can drop to as low as 2.5°C,
maximum average during the day is 25°C. Chir Pinus roxburghii is confined in small
numbers on some ofthe highest ridges (around
Summers (March to June) are warm and sultry,
the Sultanwatchtower)and in compartmentNo.
with temperatures as high as 44°C during May/
9/10 at Ghilmodya sot. For details on flora see
June, and relative humidity around 57%.
Pant (1976), Pant et al (1981).
Thundershowersandhailstorms arenotunusual
during this period. The monsoon extends from
July to September, with an average annual Avifauna
rainfall about 1650 mm. It is warm, with The diverse habitat types, contiguity with
humidity at about 80 to 90%. reserved forest to the west and the east
Three mainvegetationzonesexist. Forest, (facilitating lateral avifaunal movement and
grassland (locally called chaur) and riparian dispersal for breeding species), and its location
forests. The main forest types are a mixture of at the base of the lower Himalaya account for
JOURNAL. BOMBAYNATURAL HISTORYSOCIETY. 96(3), DEC. 1999 389
DIURNALRAPTORSOFCORBET!'NATIONALPARK
V
the high species richness and diversity ofCNP. east of the Park was regularly surveyed for
The region is ameeting ground forhigh altitude breeding raptors as well as the high hills
and plains species. Over 500 species of birds contiguous with the north and northeast
which include long distance and altitudinal boundary of the Park by jeep and on foot.
migrants have been reported by certain Intensive surveys were conducted in Fulay and
ornithologists.Thearearichestinraptordiversity Dhikala chaurs and Gethia Rao, the area was
is along the Ramganga river from Gairal to extensively covered by vehicle and spot counts
Khinnanauli, Dhikala and Fulay chaurs and were conducted in these areas for periods upto
GethiaRao, whereriverine, grasslandandforest five hours. High, elevatedpoints commanding a
habitat together create the heterogeneity wide view ofthe Park were used for spot count
preferredbymanyspecies(seeMap 1). Theriver surveys (usually during peak raptor activity
andlakeattractavarietyofwaterbirds,avaluable periods e.g. displays and soaring from 0930 to
food source for migratory raptors. 1330 hrs), which helped determine the presence
of species in the area, and also facilitated nest
Methods searches.
Results
From 1990-93,breedingstudiesmainlyon
the mountain hawk-eagle Spizaetus nipalensis, Atotalof51 speciesofdiurnalraptorswere
collared falconet Microhierax caerulescens and
recorded in the Park, representing over 70% of
the lesser fish-eagle Ichthyophagci humilis
the total number of species recorded for the
(Samantetal. 1995)andNaoroji(1997a,b)were Indian subcontinent. Whenever observed,
carriedoutunderajointBombayNaturalHistory breedingdatesonlyforCNParegiven.Thestatus
SocietyandUSFishandWildlifeServiceproject m
ofeachofthese species inthe Park(250-1 100
onBirdsofPreyfromFebruary 1 toJune 15 after above msl) and the hills (1200-2000 m above
which the Park closes for the monsoon.
msl) is given below:
Occasional visits were made during the winter
months.Theseobservationsformpartofbreeding
StatusOfDiurnalRaptorsInThePark
studiesoflesserknownspecies. During 1993-96
independent studies were conductedbyme each
Legend
year from April to June. Fulay and Dhikala @ - Not recorded by me but by reliable
chaurs, Gethia Rao, and Gairal to Dhikala were observers. Species recorded in similar
covered by jeep. Kanda (the highest look-out habitat in Nepal (Inskipp 1989).
pointon the northernboundary ofthe Park) was # - Foraging up to 2500 m.
regularlysurveyedforbreedingraptors, andwas * - Breeding in oak forest at 2400 m.
approached by jeep and the ridge traversed on C - Common (regularly seen).
FC - Fairly common (less than above).
foot.Hilly,inaccessibleregionssuchastheSultan SB - Straggling Breeder.
watch tower were covered on foot. From ? - Status or abundance uncertain.
Dhangarhi to Marchula, Tolyo and Ranikhet, R - Resident
regularsurveysweremadebyjeep.Thechecklist, M - Migrant
with notes on resident and seasonal species, V - Vagrant
habitats and general behaviour was prepared B - Breeding
LM - Local Migrant
during extensive searches for nests throughout —PM - Passage Migrant
thePark, throughwhatcouldbe calledsustained - Not Present
opportunisticobservations.Reservedforesttothe UnC - Uncommon (rarely seen)
390 JOURNAL BOMBAYNATURAL HISTORYSOCIETY. 96(3) DEC. 1999
,
.
DIURNALRAPTORSOFCORBETTNATIONALPARK
Osprey Pandion haliaetus Migrant, Pallas's Fish-eagle Haliaeetus
:
commonly observed along the Ramganga river leucojyphus:VisitstheParkfrommid-September
and in the vicinity ofthe dam from October to to May to breed. Common along the Ramganga
April. EarliestarrivalssightedbyendSeptember. river where pairs take up residence along
A fewindividualsobservedeachyearstayingon stretchesoftheriver,repairingandre-usingtheir
atleasttill the Parkcloses in midJune. Whenor traditional nests each year. Often observed
whether they leave the Park is notknown. pirating fish from large cormorants
Status: Park - M; Hills - PM. Phalacrocorax carbo osprey and lesser fish-
,
Black Baza Aviceda leuphotes @: eagle Ichthyophaga humilis. The immediate
Possible vagrant. Not seen during the study but nesting area is actively defended. Foraging and
one sighting reported by a reliable observer nesting territories probably vary with the food
(HarakSingh,pers. comm. Dy.Ranger,Dhikala). supply. A pair nesting outside the Park along
Status: Park - V; Hills . the Kosi river between Mohan and Kumeria at
Oriental Honey-buzzard Pernis around300m(wherefoodwasapparentlyscarce)
ptilorhynchus Resident. Commonly seen foraged over longer distances than pairs within
:
throughout the Park. Displays observed through the Park. The adults were occasionally observed
MarchandApril,pairsincubatingmostlyinMay. flying over Bhounkhal village (1400 m) atop a
Appears tobe a summervisitorto the hills up to ridge whose eastern face rose directly above the
2000 m where breeding appears unlikely as the Kosi to the Ramganga river (below the western
area is now mostly denuded, except where the face), a few kilometres upstream of Marchula.
southernslopesofforestedfoothillsandreserved Within the Park pairs foraged along 4 to 7 km
forest in the Bhabar tract are contiguous. stretches of river, intruding into the peripheral
Status: Park - C,R,B; Hills - LM,R?. territoriesofotherpairs.MostbirdsleavebyMay.
Black-shoulderedKiteElanuscaeruleus the oddadult orsubadult observed staying on at
:
Fairly common in the grassland. Numbers least till the Park closes in June.
fluctuate annually, possibly in relation to prey Status: Park - M,B,C; Hills - PM.
availability and accessibility. A few pairs may White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla:
breed,butmostexploitthegrasslandforforaging Occasional, individuals (adults and mainly
and appear to breed outside the Park. No nest juveniles)visittheParkforafewdays in winter.
was located. Usually seen along the Ramganga, mostly in
Status: Park-R?,LM,FC;Hills-LM,UnC. Dhikala and Fulay chaurs feeding on carrion or
Black Kite Milvusmigrans Uncommon, piratingfoodfromthePallas’sfish-eagle.Ac/uila
:
found mainly around tourist centres such as and other smaller raptors. Also reported from
Dhikala and Bijrani. One pair nest annually at Loha Chaur along the Mandal river on the
Dhikala, commencing breeding in March. northernboundaryofthePark(ShahidAli,pers.
Status: Park - UnC,B; Hills - R. comm.).
Black-eared Kite M.m. lineatus: Status: Park - M.O; Hills .
Migratory and uncommon. LesserFish-eagleIchthyophagahumilis:
Status: Park - M,UnC; Hills - UnC. One ofthe mostendangeredraptors in India and
Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus. the speciesmostatriskinCorbett. It is restricted
Uncommon, restricted mainly to the dam area. totheRamgangariverinehabitatswhereitisfairly
One pair observed nesting at Dhikala during common. Itfeeds exclusively on fish and favours
February/March 1992. — forested habitat adjacent to fast flowing streams
Status: Park - UnC,B; Hills - and rivers at altitudes from 300 to 2400 m
JOURNAL. BOMBAYNATURAL HISTORYSOCIETY. 96(3). DEC. 1999 391
DIURNALRAPTORSOFCORBET1NATIONALPARK
(sAulriveyasndbyRmieplienyth1e9K8u7,maBoankehirlls1h9a3v2)e.inRdeiccaetnetd tcooKmamnodnaf(rHoamra1k50S0inmgha,bpoervse.mcsolmanmd.)a.bRoevlea,tievveelny
m
that viable habitat above 1000 has shrunk in more abundant at higher altitudes. The massive
the middle Himalaya, and that the species now denudationofthemiddle rangeshasenabledthis
mainlyrangesbetween300mand 1300m. Much openhabitatspeciestoexpanditsforagingrange
of its former habitat in the middle Himalayan to lower altitudes (around 1000 m) wherever
fanges has been denuded and additionally suitablehillhabitatisavailable.OutsidethePark,
contaminatedby pesticides. individuals (adults and immatures) sporadically
The direct effects of deforestation and observed by the author during winter and also
changing land use patterns which have polluted April/May flying over degraded reserved forest
the Himalayan riverine ecosystem threaten the atBhalon(600m),eastoftheKosiriveradjacent
species’ survival.BesidesKumaonandGarhwal, tohighranges. Oneimmatureobservedfromthe
Nepal’sriversystemshavesimilarlybeenaffected ClaridgesresortalongtheKosiriver(ShahidAli,
(Ormerod, 1990), and the species may be under pers. comm.). As long as food and safe nesting
similarthreat inotherparts ofitsrange. Thinner sites are available, the species will continue to
than normal egg shell fragments collected from prosper.
one nest analysed by Dr. Robert Risebrough of Status: Park - V; Hills - FC,R,B.
USA contained significant levels of DDT and EgyptianVultureNeophronpercnopterus
:
dieldrin (Naoroji 1997b). In 1993, no nest was AfairlycommonresidentinthePark.Nestsboth
located. Courtship commences by February, on trees and on high eroded mud banks of the
incubation by mid March. Nests were closely Ramganga and Kosi rivers. Nests are
spaced, often not more than 2 km apart. This traditionally used each year if undisturbed.
specialised feeder is shy and easily disturbed at Nesting period stretches from end February/
the nest, and successful breeding is further March to early or mid June. Newly hatched
limitedbynestpredationby the common langur downy nestlings have been observed from early
Presbytis entellus, yellow-throated marten to mid May. Breeds in the hills up to at least
MartesflavigulaandfoodpiratingbythePallas’s 2000 m.
fish-eagle. Incubationwasunsuccessfulinseven Status: Park - FC,R,B; Hills - R,B.
nests located at Corbett. Two pairs hatched Indian White-backed Vulture Gyps
young, whichdidnotsurvive formore thanfour bengalensis Commonest vulture in the Park,
:
to five days. One nest was located at Garjia on breeding in winter. Also summers (no evidence
the Park’s eastern boundary but incubation was ofbreeding) in the middle foothills up to about
unsuccessful. Observed occasionally along the 2000 m. Breeds from Novemberto March.
MandalriveratthenorthernboundaryofthePark Status: Park - C,R,B; Hills - R,LM,C.
andalong the upperreaches ofthe Ramganga in Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus: The
the north-eastern buffer zone ofthe Park from race G.i nudiceps (resident in the foothills) is
Domunda to Marchula. Its breeding behaviour observed mainly in the northern sector of the
will be described in a separate paper under Park, pairs breeding singly and solely on trees.
preparation. The species is now rare outside the YoungfledgebyearlyMaybutarenestdependent
Park with only two sightings in six years along till early June.
the highly disturbed Kosi river. Status: Park - R; Hills - R.
Status: Park - FC,R,B; Hills - R,B,UnC. Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis:
Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus. A CommonlyseenlocalwintermigranttothePark
rare vagrant to the Park in winter. A single from the surrounding hills where it breeds in
individual observed flying over Dhikala across summer. No nests observed in the hills
392 JOURNAL, BOMBAYNATURAL HISTORYSOCIETY. 96(3) DEC 1999
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DIURNALRAPTORSOFCORBETTNATIONALPARK
immediately to the north up to 1800 m. InCorbett,thepreyvariedfromtheusualsnakes,
Status: Park - LM,C; Hills - C,R,B. lizards and rodents (Naoroji and Monga 1983,
Eurasian Griffon Gyps fulvus: Naoroji 1985), occasionally to birds e.g. jungle
Uncommon, seldom seen. Occurs singly in the babbler Turdoides striatus common myna
,
Park and in adjoining reserved forest, mainly Acridotheres tristis and once a flying squirrel
,
during the winter months. No evidence of Hylopetesfimbricitus (Naoroji, 1994b). A pair
breeding in the Park or adjoining foothil—ls. wereobservedfishingforfingerlingsinshallow,
Status: Park - M,R?,UnC; Hills - tarsus-deep water. Inspite of its commonness,
Cinereous VultureAegypius monachus noneoftheeggsinthethreenestslocatedhatched
:
Migrant, mostly seen singly or in small groups successfully. The species is easily drivenoffthe
of3 to4oncarcassesintherelativelyopenareas nest by the common langur which, along with
of the Park during the winter months from the yellow-throated marten, feed on the eggs.
November to early March. Frequently observed CourtshipdisplayswereobservedfromFebruary
in the chaurs around Dhikala (N and S of the toearlyMarch,incubationbyendMarchthrough
Ramganga river) .*and along the northern April orvariably later in the Park. Unsuccessful
boundary ofthe Park at Marchula, Chimtakhal nesting may be due to the high rate of nest
toTolyoandalongtheKumeria-Ranikhetroad. predation, andpossibly the cumulative effect of
Status: Park - M; Hills - M,UnC pesticides ingested from the food chain through
Red-headedVultureSarcogypscalvus#: predation on water snakes. Nesting success was
Common throughout the Park and observed higheroutsidethePark, inrelativelyunprotected,
foraging up to 2500 m. It is equally at home in degraded reserved forest close to human
moist-deciduousforestorinthemixofdegraded habitation, and this was probably due to a lower
opencountry,pineandoak inthemiddleranges. density ofnatural predators.
Status: Park - C,R,B; Hills - R,B,FC. Status: Park - C,R,B; Hills - R,B,LM.
Short-toed Snake-eagle Circaetus Harriers: are migratory (mainly passage
gallicus A vagrant, opportunistic visitor to the migrants), seensporadically,eitherindividually
:
Park for foraging. It was sighted only twice in orintwosandthrees,inopenchaursduringwinter.
sixyears during winter. The individuals foraged Western Marsh Harrier Circus
inthechaurforafewdaysandthenleftthePark. aeruginosus: A fewindividualscanbeobserved
The species is fairly common in the agricultural quartering the chaurs along the banks of the
areasbeyondthePark’ssouthernboundarywhere Ramganga river and near the reservoir.
the habitat is more suitable. Occasionally seen Status: Park - M; Hills - PM.
quarteringbarrenhillslopesupto2000m,where Eastern Marsh Harrier Circus
it is a local migrant. spilonotus: A rare vagrant. The only confirmed
Status: Park - V; Hills - LM. sighting of a juvenile quartering the Dhikala
Crested Serpent-eagleSpilornischee—la #: chaur and Gethia Rao in March is a range
One ofthe commonestraptors in the Park an extension,as ithas notbeenpreviouslyrecorded
opportunist and adaptable species (Naoroji, west of Assam (Ali and Ripley, 1987), and a
1994b). Foundthroughoutthe lowerandmiddle record for the Park (Naoroji, 1994a).
m
Himalaya up to 2600 and probably higher in Status: Park - V; Hills .
its northeastern range. Though the species Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus:
usually builds its own nest, three pairs were Infrequentlyobserved,doesnotstaycontinuously
observedoverthreeconsecutiveseasonsbreeding throughoutthewinter, butstopsover inthe Park
in unused nests of the Indian white-backed for short periods. More common in the hills.
vulture, changeable and mountain hawk-eagles. Status: Park - M,UnC; Hills - M,FC.
JOURNAL BOMBAYNATURAL HISTORYSOCIETY, 96(3), DEC. 1999 393
,
:
D/URNALRAPTORSOFCORBEITNATIONALPARK
Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus. buteo japonicus is uncommon and usually
Infrequentwintermigrant. StopsoverinthePark observed over degraded hill slopes to the north
for shortperiods, probably on passage. ofthe Park.
Status: Park - M; Hills - PM. Status: Park - M; Hills - M,PM.
Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus: Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus
:
Status same as Pallid Harrier. Migratory and though not common, it is more
Status: Park - M; Hills - PM. frequently seen in the Park than the common
Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus buzzard.
@:Uncommon,notobservedbyme,butprobably Status: Park - M; Hills - PM.
resident and has been reliably reported (Harak Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis #*:
Singh, pers. comm.). Partial to hill forest. Found at low density
Status: Park - UnC,R; Hills . throughout the Park, mainly north of the
ShikraAccipiterbadius. The commonest Ramgangariver. Occasionallyseenonthe lower
resident Accipiter frequently observed slopes ofthe hills (once observed at Gairal) but
,
throughout the Park. Breeds in the hills up to more frequently along the higher ridges such as
m
1400 (All and Ripley 1987) but frequently at Kanda. It is also commonly associated with
observed during summer at 2000 m. Oak forest up to 2500 m. Its status in the hills
Status: Park - C,R,B; Hills - R,LM. varies from area to area, determined mainly by
Besra Accipiter virgatus: Mainly a local the level ofhabitat degradation.
migrant from the higher foothills, where it Status: Park - UnC,R,B; Hills - FC,R,B.
breeds. Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquilapomarina:
Status: Park - LM; Hills - R,B. Status within the Park is rare, with only one
Eurasian SparrowhawkAccipiternisus recorded sighting. A pair seen outside the Park
MigratoryinthePark,theresidentraceprobably in September 1991 near Kaladunghi along the
breeds at higher altitudes above 2000 m. margin of forest and cultivation (preferred
Status: Park - LM; Hills - R?B? habitat), were probably breeding. Two
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis unidentified Aquila observed soaring and
:
Migratory. Rare, oneadultseeninMayatKanda hunting at a distance over barren hill slopes
(1000 m). A record of the species nesting in interspersed with Oak Quercus and Chir
( )
m
Garhwalat1000 (Baker, 1932),lendscredence Pinus roxburghii forest at Chaubattia, Ranikhet
tothebeliefthatsporadicbreedingmayoccurin (1800 m) in end May 1993 and 1994 appeared,
the lower foothills. from aphotograph, to be this species, according
Status: Park - LM; Hills - LM,B?. toWilliamS. Clark,(pers. comm.). A singlebird
White-eyed Buzzard Butastur teesa: seen by Shahid Ali (pers. comm.) in reserved
Uncommon, only seen occasionally in the open forest outside the Park near Chopda in March.
grassland, which it exploits for foraging. It Status: Park - LM,?,R?,0; Hills - V.
probably breeds outside the Park. A vagrant to Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga.
the hills up to 2000 m (in summer) where UncommonmigranttothePark. Mainlyobserved
excessivedeforestationhasprobablyextendedits around the Dhikala chaur perched on trees in
foraging range. the vicinity of the river and reservoir. A few
Status: Park - UnC; Hills - V. juveniles, occasionally an adult, observed
Common Buzzard Buteo buteo: Both stopping over sporadically during winter.
races are migratory and infrequently observed Status: Park - UnC,M; Hills - PM.
in the Park. The Steppe buzzard Buteo buteo EurasianTawnyEagleAquilavindhiana:
vulpinus is commoner; the Eurasian race Buteo Rare both within and outside the Park. Not
394 JOURNAL BOMBAYNATURAL HISTORYSOCIETY, 96(3) DEC. 1999
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DIURNALRAPTORSOFCORBETTNATIONALPARK
observed by me but two sightings within and have favoured the species. Three nests observed
outside the Park (Samant et al 1995) indicate between Bhounkhal and Tolyo on chir pine.
.,
its presence in the area. Two Aquila, possibly Though not observed, the species may also be
this species, were seen by me in early June, nesting on suitable rocky ledges. Incubation
quartering the barren slopes below Almora at begins byFebruary, youngusually hatchby end
around 1200 m. March and fledge by mid May.
Status: Park - 0,LM?; Hills . Status: Park - FC,R; Hills - C,R,B.
Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus A
: :
Uncommon migrant, though seen more sporadic winter visitor and passage migrant in
frequentlythangreaterspotted,duringstopovers. the Park. Not very common, mostly observed
Mostlyjuvenilesobserved,andveryoccasionally soaring.
adults. In the hills, hundreds of steppe eagles Status: Park - M; Hills - PM.
were observed on passage from end September Rufous-belliedEagleHieraaetuskienerii:
to early November. Large numbers of steppe A forestdependentspeciesfavouringhillytracts.
eagleswereobservedstoppingoverinNovember- Fairly common resident throughout the Park,
m
December on onward migration and from mid- both adults and juveniles seen up to 1000
March and early April on return migration at mostly observed soaring, rarely perched.
municipal garbage dumps at Ranikhet and Unfortunately, no nest was located. Found at
Nainital. comparatively low densities, and continued
Status: Park - UnC,M; Hills - C,M,PM. shrinking of its forested habitat could pose a
Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca threat to the species outside the Park.
:
Uncommon migrant, less frequently observed Status: Park - FC,R,B; Hills
.
than the greater spotted and steppe eagles. Changeable Hawk-eagle Spizaetus
Status: Park - 0,M; Hills - PM. cirrhatus. CommonthroughoutthePark, mainly
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos A rare south of the Ramganga river; more frequently
:
winter vagrant to the Park. One individual seen than the mountain hawk-eagle. Breeding
observed in January by William Clark (pers coincides withthat ofthemountain hawk-eagle,
comm.) the main entrance at Dhangarhi. Two variablyfromendFebruarythroughMarch,when
birds,anadultandanimmatureseenatDomunda incubation commences, till the end ofMay, up
onFebruary 15, 1998 (ShahidAli,pers. comm.). to mid June when young fledge. Observed
m
Occasionallyseenforagingfrom 1800 to3000 breeding outside the Park in degraded and
m, where the increasing human population and disturbed forest habitat near human habitation,
resultant disturbance coupled with the and also in undisturbed forest areas.
degradation of the middle foothills have Status: Park - C,R,B; Hills .
decimated its naturalprey and safenesting sites. Mountain Hawk-eagle Spizaetus
It is commoner at higher altitudes (3000 m to nipalensis: A fairly common resident, mostly
the snow line) where inaccessible rock ledges heard or seen perched in forest at the edge ofa
providesafenestingsitesabovethepreferredmix clearing. Rarely observed soaring. More
ofhigh-altitude meadows and coniferous forest commonly observedinhillforest inthe northern
where it procures its food. section ofthe Park than in the southern portion.
Status: Park - V; Hills - O. Nesting females of the northern race are
Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus. extremely aggressive in nest defence,
Fairly common resident in the Park, commoner unhesitatingly making contact with intruders
m m
in the hills north of the Park from 1000 to climbing trees within a radius of20 to 30 of
2000 m, where extensive degradationappears to the nest. Conflict usually arises when villagers
JOURNAL, BOMBAYNATURAL HISTORYSOCIETY, 96(3), DEC. 1999 395
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DIURNALRAPTORSOFCORBETTNATIONALPARK
lop trees in the vicinity of nests near villages, May. Rarely observed in summer when it nests.
invitingdeterminedattacks,sometimesresulting Breeding status vague, perhaps a straggling or
in the villagers destroying the nests. There are rare breeder in the Park. Only one nest was
two known instances outside the Park near located over a three year study period and
Chopda where women lopping branches were incubation was unsuccessful (Naoroji, 1997a).
attacked without warning, fell and succumbed The species breeds in disused nest-holes ofthe
to their injuries. The species was also observed large green barbet Megalaima zeylanica or the
to be pugnacious and aggressive in nest defence lineatedbarbetM. lineata.Breedingextendsfrom
against the numerous natural predators, mainly endFebruaryto May. —
theyellow-throatedmartenMartesflavigiilaand Status: Park - R,SB?,LM7; Hills -
the common langur Presbytis entellus. Within LesserKestrelFalconaumanni: Passage
the Park it takes a greater number ofthe large migrant, observed at Kumeria outside the Park
Galliformes such as kalij pheasant Lophurci (W.S. Clarkpers. comm.).
leucomelana and red junglefowl Gallus gallus Status: Park - PM, Hills - PM.
(which are more easily available), and smaller Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
:
prey like parakeets, doves, mynas and tree pies. Passage migrant, seen around September/
Outside the Park it subsists primarily on small October,foraginginopengrassland.Theresident
birds, taking a lesser percentage ofthe scarcer race F.t. interstinctus is a common breeder in
Galliformes. The species’ original countrywide the hills (Ranikhet) from 1500 to 3500 m.
distribution (Ali and Ripley 1987, Baker 1932) breeding recorded by me from March to June.
in the middle Himalayan foothills from 1400 m Status: Park - LM; Hills - C,R,B.
to 2500 m has shrunk due to massive Amur Falcon Falco amurensis: Very
deforestation and resultant scarcer prey. The occasional winter passage migrant. Observed
available habitat may not be able to sustain a once in April 1976 at Dhikala chaur by Shahid
viable population except in certain pockets. In Ali (pers. comm.). In 1997, a flock ofabout 150
Kumaon,thespeciesisnowmorecommonlyseen to200observedinDhikalachaur(RajivBhartari,
inthepredominantlysaldominatedBhabartract pers. comm.).
m
from600 to 1200m, andonly occasionally in Status: Park - 0,PM; Hills
the higher foothills. The only unmistakable Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo.
sighting I have had in the Kumaon hills was at Migrant, mainly observed in the Park during
Munsiari, Pithoragarh dist. With continuing winter in the Dhikala chaur but doubtless
human pressure on—the depleted forests of the frequents similar open spaces within the Park.
SivaliksandDuars changingl—andusepractices Over two seasons three adults were observed in
and repeated summer burnings the mountain April, MayandJune, perched onsmallboulders
hawk-eagle may soon run out of habitat except about 20 cmhigh in opengrassland. Fromthese
in suitable protected areas within its former look-out perches, they would hawk insects and
range. Breeds variably fromFeb./Mar. to May. huntwarblersandlarks. Breeds inthe hills north
Status. Park - FC,R,B; Hills - UnC,R,B. ofthe Park. A breeding pair located at Ranikhet
Collared Falconet Microhierax at 1800 m in June.
caerulescens: Observed mostly during winter Status: Park - LM; Hills - R,B.
(October-January),huntingattheedgeofnatural Oriental HobbyFalcoseverus: OnApril
orman-madeclearingsinforest. Seenfrequently 4, 1995, a pair was seen hawking insects in the
at Dhikala watch tower. High Bank and at late evening at Gethia Rao. Only one sighting
Dhangarhi. Outside the Park, observed during in six years.
winterat Sitabani andonce at Chopda village in Status: Park - 0,PM; Hills .
396 JOURNAL. BOMBAYNATURAL HISTORYSOCIETY. 96(3) DEC. 1999