Seasonal Flooding and Habitat Heterogeneity Affecting Nesting Success, Juvenile Survival, and Foraging Behavior of Aquatic Birds

Abstract

Factors such as seasonal floods and varying habitat diversity play an integral role in breeding success and feeding ecologies of aquatic birds within wetlands. In this study, the influence of the level of flood intensity and habitat type on nesting success, juvenile survival rates, and foraging behavior in aquatic birds was investigated in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India. The study areas were categorized into low-flood, moderate-flood, and high-flood zones based on flood intensity levels. Field observations comprised assessments on nesting success, juvenile survival rate, habitat quality, and foraging behavior during the various hydrological periods. It was revealed that the moderate-flood zones had the best ecological conditions in terms of nesting success (78%), juvenile survival (82%), and foraging rate (26 captures/hour). The low-flood zones had moderately favorable conditions with nesting success at 58%, juvenile survival of 61%, and a foraging rate of 14 captures/hour, mainly because of the vulnerability to predator attacks. The high-flood zones had the least desirable conditions due to nesting failure (nest inundation) and lower prey availability; nesting success was at 49%, juvenile survival at 55%, and foraging rate at 12 captures/hour.