The Breeding Ecology of Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula on Farmland in the Mardan District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Abstract Research on the breeding ecology of birds is key to understanding not only their ecological, evolutionary and behavioral traits but also for developing effective conservation strategies. We studied the breeding ecology of Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula on farmland in the Mardan District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan from April to July 2018. Nests were searched systematically in all potential farmland sites. A total of 39 nests was found, of which 25 were active. Nests were cup shaped or somewhat oblong mainly concealed within 15–25-cm tall grasses. Nests were constructed of local grasses and dry leaves of trees and local crops. The average nest mass was 17.20±0.9 g. Average nest measurements were: outer diameter 9.17±0.8 cm, inner diameter 7.65±0.6 cm and inner cup depth 6.45±0.5 cm. Eggs were oval in shape and dusty-grey in colour with dark grayish spots more concentrated on the broader end. The average egg mass was 3.0±0.13 g. Average egg measurements were: width 2.30±0.4 cm, egg length 3.25±0.17 cm2 and egg volume 3.68±0.07 cm3. The average incubation lasted 12.08±0.7 days and the nestling period was 12.59±0.5 days. The average clutch size was 3.16±0.9 eggs, and brood size averaged 2.76±0.7 nestlings. Fledgings were found from early May to late July. The average number of young fledged was 2.18±0.7 and overall breeding success was 60.75%. Results suggest that farmland represents a good yet risky breeding habitat for the skylarks. Factors such as nest destruction, grazing, predation, agricultural disturbance and human intervention are affecting the breeding success of Oriental Skylark in Pakistan.