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Striped Keelback in the Diet of White-Throated Kingfisher Dishant Parasharya1*, Janki Teli2 and B.M

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Striped Keelback in the Diet of White-Throated Kingfisher Dishant Parasharya1*, Janki Teli2 and B.M Striped Keelback in the diet of White-throated kingfisher Dishant Parasharya1*, Janki Teli2 and B.M. Parasharya3 White-breasted kingfisher or White-throated kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis (Linnaeus, 1758)) is a widespread resident breeding bird of India including Gujarat (Rasmussen and Anderton 2012, Parasharya et al. 2004). The bird is also resident to Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Egypt and Iraq (Ali and Ripley, 2001). Both, systematic studies and opportunistic observations on the diet of the species have been reported frequently (Mukherjee 1975; Yahya and Yasmin 1991; Sen 1994; Oommen and Andrews 1998; Asokanet al. 2009). Diet of the White-throated kingfisher is largely composed of arthropods (Naher and Sarker 2014), and to some extent annelids (Yahya and Yasmin 1991), vertebrates such as fishes, amphibians, reptiles Fig 1. White-throated kingfisher with the kill (Naher and Sarker 2014) birds (Theba 2010; Roberts and Priddy 1965; Sen 1944) and mammals (Tehsin Sarker 2014). The only record of a snake is of the 1989; Ali and Ripley 2001). The diet composition of Common Wolf snake with approximate size of 30 cm the species shows the lower frequency (numerical (Soud et al. 2010). Hence, this may be a record value) of reptiles 1.1% (Naher and Sarker 2014) to length of the prey consumed by this species and the 2.81% (Asokan et al. 2009). record of Striped Keelback snake in the diet of this species is a noteworthy record. On 10th November 2015, we were observing birds at Kumbharwada Sewage marsh on the outskirts of Acknowledgement Bhavnagar city, Gujarat (21°46'52.83"N;72° We thank Dr. Raju Vyas for his help to identify the 5'33.11"E). We noticed a White-throated kingfisher reptile. on the electric line with a dead snake hanging in its bill (Fig 1). On the basis of photographs the snake References was identified as Striped Keelback Ali, S. and S.D. Ripley (2001). Handbook of the (Xenochrophisvittatus (Linnaeus 1758). birds of India and Pakistan together with those of Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. Vol 4. When we saw the kingfisher, the snake was already 2nded. Oxford University Press, Delhi. dead as it did not show any movement during the Asokan, S., A.M.S. Ali and R. Manikannan observation. The bird took three minutes and twenty (2009). Diet of three insectivorous birds in seconds (200 seconds) to engulf it. Prey handling Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu, India – a time depends on the size and biomass of the prey preliminary study. Journal of Threatened Taxa 1(6): (Holling1959). Moreover, there is a risk of 27-33. competitors likely to snatch away its prey known as Holling, C.S. (1959). Some characteristics of simple kleptoparasitism (Kushlan 1978). However, we did types of predation and parasitism. Canadian not observe any competitor disturbing the kingfisher Entomology 91:385–398. as the phenomena was recorded at about 11.45 Hrs. Kushlan, J. (1978). Nonrigorous foraging by Majority of the birds have bimodal feeding habits robbing egrets. Ecology 60:649-653. (morning and evening hours), hence likely to be Mukherjee, A.K. (1975). Food-habits of water-birds absent in the surrounding. of the Sundarban, 24 Paraganas District, West Bengal. India-V. Journal of Bombay Natural History The approximate length of the snake was 30-35 cm Society 72: 85–109. (calculation based on comparing length of snake and Murthy, T.S.N. and K.V.R. Rao (1988). known size of the bird). However the size of the bird Observations on some snake eating birds of the is average 25-30 cm (Rasmussen and Anderton Chilka Lagoon, Orissa. Journal of Bombay Natural 2012, Ali and Ripley 2001), which is lesser than the History Society 85(3): 620. captured prey. Most of the published records show lesser frequency of reptiles in the diet of White- throated kingfisher (Naher and Sarker 2014; Asokan et al. 2009). Amongst the reptiles, mostly lizards 1GEER Foundation, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 2 (Calotes sp. and Hemidectylis sp.) are reported (Ali Centre for Environment Education, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. 3Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat. and Ripley 2001; Asokan et al. 2009; Naher and Email: [email protected] (Corresponding author) ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 5, May 2016 19 Naher, H. and N.J. Sarker (2014). Food and Society 62 (1): 152–153. feeding habits of White-throated kingfisher (Halcyon Sen, S.N. (1944). Food of the White-breasted smyrnensis) in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Journal of kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnenis fusca). Journal of Zoology 42(2): 237-249. Bombay Natural History Society 44(3): 475. Oomen, M. and M.I. Andrews (1998). Food and Soud, R., K. Mazumdar and A. Gupta (2010). feeding habits of the White-breasted kingfisher Predation by White- throated kingfisher Halcyon Halcyon smyrnensis. pp. 132–136. In: Dhindsa M.S., smyrnensis on Common wolf Snake Lycodon aulicus Shyamsunder P. & Parasharya B.M. (Eds.), Birds in (Linnaeus), NeBIO 1 (1): 53 – 54. Agricultural Ecosystem, Society for Applied Tehsin, R. (1989). Feeding behaviour of White- Ornithology (India), Hyderabad. breasted kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis. Journal of Parasharya, B.M., C.K. Borad and D.N. Rank Bombay Natural History Society 86 (3): 449. (2004). A Checklist of the Birds of Gujarat. Bird Theba, I.N. (2010). On the diet of the White- Conservation Society, Gujarat. Anand. throated kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis. Indian Birds Rasmussen, P.C. and J.C. Anderton (2012). Birds 5(6): 181. of South Asia: the Ripley Guide. 2nd ed. Washington, Yahya, H.S. and S. Yasmin (1991). Earthworms in D.C. and Barcelona: Smithsonian Institution and Lynx the dietary of the White-breasted kingfisher Halcyon Edicions. 2 vols. smyrnensis (Linn.). Journal of Bombay Natural Roberts, T.J. and C. Priddy (1965). Food of the History Society 88: 454. Whitebreasted kingfisher [Halcyon smyrnensis (Linnaeus)]. Journal of Bombay Natural History Announcement Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology: Research personnel wanted Name of the position: Junior Research Fellow (2 positions); Fellowship: Commensurate with qualification / experience (+ hostel accommodation as applicable); Age: below 28 years as on the date of application; Duration: Five years or co-terminus with the project duration, whichever is earlier; the appointment will be initially for one year, and the tenure will be renewed every year based on the performance. Qualification: Essential: M. Sc. [Environmental Sciences / Environmental Chemistry / Aquatic Biology / Marine Sciences (Marine Biology / Oceanography)] or B Tech / M Tech (Environmental Engineering). Previous working experience on environmental monitoring studies (air quality monitoring, air quality modeling, marine sampling and analysis), and laboratory analytical techniques will be an added advantage; Desirable: The candidate is expected to have proven communication skills. Candidates interested in pursuing higher studies (research as career) are only advised to apply. Name of the position: Project Assistant (One Position); Stipend: Rs. 8000 /- per month consolidated; Age: below 28 years on the date of application; Duration: Five years or co-terminus with the project duration, whichever is earlier; the appointment will be initially for one year, and the tenure will be renewed every year based on the performance; Qualification and Experience: Essential: B. Sc. in any branch of science. Desirable: The candidate is expected to assist the project team in field and laboratory, and all other project related activities. Age limit relaxation is available for ST/SC/OBC (NCL) /Women/PH candidates as per the Govt. of India norms. Application on plain paper, superscribing the name of the project clearly, in the following format should reach The Director, Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology, Post Box-83, Mundra Road, Opp. Changleswar Temple, Bhuj – 370001, Gujarat latest by 27th May 2016: (1) Name, (2) Date of Birth and Age, (3) Community, (4) Address for Communication, (5) Educational Qualifications, (6) Details of experience, if any, (7) a one-page write up on your research interest (8) List of publications and (9) Name and contact details of two referees familiar with your work. Attested copies of the degree & community certificates and mark sheets need to be enclosed. Alternately, an electronic version of the application may be sent to [email protected] (Director’s Office) or [email protected] (Dr. B. Anjan Kumar Prusty, Senior Scientist, EIA Division). ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXXI, Number 5, May 2016 20.
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