Landscape heterogeneity affects diurnal raptor communities in a sub-tropical region of northwestern Himalayas, India.

ABSTRACT: Raptors are highly sensitive to environmental and human-induced changes. In addition, several species of raptors exist in considerably small numbers. It is thus critical to conserve raptors and their habitats across relatively larger landscapes. We examined the diurnal raptor assemblages and seasonality in a subtropical habitat in India's northwestern Himalayas. Quantitative data on diurnal birds of prey and their habitat features across six distinct habitat types were collected from 33 sample sites. We observed 3,434 individuals of 28 diurnal raptors belonging to two orders and three families during a two-year survey from December 2016 to November 2018. A significant variation in bird species richness and abundance was found across habitats and seasons, with farmlands and winters being th

SUBMITTER: Kumar S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9049523 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature