ARRCN
JW^2014

ELA FOUNDATION
6-9 February 2014, Pune, India

Book of Scientific Abstracts

INTERNATIONAL RAPTOR CONFERENCE
8TH ARRCN. PUNE, INDIA - 2014

ELA FOUNDATION

Sponsors for ISG:
International Students Grant• IDEA Consultants, Inc. Japan• West Japan Engineering Consultants, Inc. Japan• Hokuriku Birds Research Institute Inc. Japan• CTI Engineering Co., Ltd. Japan• The General Environmental Technos Co., Ltd. Japan• Techno Chubu Company Ltd. Japan• Nishi-Nihon Engineering Consultant Co.,Ltd. Japan• Usami Zorin (Usami Forestry Services) Co., Ltd. Japan• The Peregrine Fund, USA• Sandeep Jagdhane & Associates, India

International Raptor Conference, 8

ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

>TH

Scientific Abstracts

S

ELA FOUNDATION

Organizer

ELA FOUNDATION
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Ela Foundation

Co-organizers

USER PUNE
ARRCN

USER Pune

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High Places

International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

COMMITTEESCHIEF ORGANIZING SECRETARY

Dr. Satish A. Pande, MB, MD, DNB,PhD, F.M.A.Sci.

Director, Ela Foundation and OENSL, Pune, India.
JOINT-ORGANIZING SECRETARY

Prof. Milind Watwe, PhD. USER, Pune
CO-ORGANIZING SECRETARY

Dr Anand Padhye , PhD. MES AG, College, Pune.
ADVISORY COMMITTEETom Yamazaki San, President ARRCN, Japan.
Dr. K. N. Ganesh, Director, USER, Pune.

Dr. K. Venkataraman, Director, ZSI

Dr. A. C. Mishra, Director, National Institute of Virology, Pune

Prof. P. A. Azeez - Director, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History,
Coimbatore

Prof. Richard Watson, The Peregrine Fund, USA.

Prof. Richard Reading, Director, Conservation Biology, Denver Zoo, USA.
Prof. Cheryl Dykstra, Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Raptor Research, RRF, USA.
Sudhir Darode, Director, Darode Jog Properties
Padmashree Achyut Gokhale, IAS

Satish Pradhan, Group Head HR, Tata Sons

Ravi Pandit, Chairman and Group CEO, KPIT Cummins, Pune
SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

Chairman: Prof. Reuven Yosef - Ph.D. Ben Gurion University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Dr. Satish Pande. - MB, MD, DNB, Ph.D., F.M.A.Sci. Director- Ela Foundation.
Prof. Milind Watve. - Ph.D. USER, Pune.

Dr. Anand Padhye. - Ph.D., Associate Professor, Abasaheb Garware College, Pune.

Dr. Kailash Chandra, Addl. Director, Z.S.I. Kolkata
Vishwas Sawarkar. - Director(Retd.) Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun.
Dr. Asad Rahmani. - Ph.D. Director, Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai.
Prof. Hemant Ghate. - Ph.D. University of Pune.
Dr. Anil Mahabal. - Ph.D. Addl. Director(Retd.) Zoological Survey of India.
Prof. Gombobataar Sundev. - Ph.D. Faculty, National University of Mangolia
Dr. Neelesh Dahanukar. - Ph.D. USER, Pune.

Dr. Suruchi Pande. - Ph.D.(PhiL); Ph.D.(Sanskrit). Ela Foundation.
Dr. Shailesh Pawar. - Ph.D. National Institute of Virology, Pune.
Late Mr. Prakash Gole. - Director, Ecological Society, Pune.
Dr. Erach Bharucha. - Chairman, Biodiversity Board, Maharashtra.

Rishad Naoroji - Author and Raptor Researcher, Godrej House, Mumbai.
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Dr. Satish Pande - Chief Organizing Secretary

Vasant Limaye - Director, High Places Management Pvt.Ltd.
Sudhir Darode - Director, Darode Jog Properties.
Prashant Deshpandewww.elafoundation.org

International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

Niranjan Sant

Dr. R. M. Sharma, Zoological Survey of India.
Dr. D. B. Bastawade, (Retd.), Zoological Survey of India.
Surendra Chavan, Everester, 1998.

Shabbir Lokhandwala
Dr. Pramod Patil
Sunil Banubakode
Dr. Pramod Joglekar, Deccan College, Pune.

WEBSITE AND

COMMUNICATIONCULTURAL PROGRAMS

Raghavendra Manavi

Shivkumar Pednekar.

Rajgopal Patil

Nivedita Pande

Vishu Kumar

Anuprita Deshpande

Dr. Nitin Sakhdeo

Mrunal Khatavkar

Pramod Deshpande

Prasaad Kulkarni

Alka Padhye
PUBLICATIONS

Bhagyashree Haldule

Dr. Satish Pande

Arundhati Vishwasrao

Dr. Suruchi Pande
Shekhar Joshi

LEGAL ADVISOR

Ravindra Joshi

Adv. Kiran Kothadia

Kaustubh Mudgal

SOUVENIR COMMITTEELOGISTICS & TOURISM

Sanjay Khatavkar

Swapnil Kumbhojkar - Daffodils

Mufaddal Lokhandwala

Holidays
Sanjay Khatavkar

LIASON COMMITTEE

Pradeep Marathe

Mufaddal Lokhandwala
Manoj Hanamsagar

VENUE

Pradeep Marathe

Prof. Milind Watve

Sachin Haldule

Dr. V. S. Rao

Col. Raj shekhar

WORKING COMMITTEE

Dr. Neelesh Dahanukar

Satish Pande

Dr. Anand Padhye

Anand Padhye

Prashant Deshpande

Milind Watve
Santosh Nevse

FIELD VISITSSanjay Khatavkar

Vasant Limaye

Prashant Deshpande

Vivek Vishwasrao

Vivek Vishwasrao

Amol Pendse

Pradeep Marathe

Rajgopal Patil

Rajgopal Patil
Vishu Kumar

BANKING

Sachin Haldule

Nitin Bhide

Prasad Kulkarni

Jayant Dange

Nitin Bhide

Dr. Satish Pande

Kiran Ghatge

Satish Karmalkar

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International Raptor Conference, 8T ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

PLENARYIRAPTOR CONSERVATION AND CULTURE - AN INDIAN PERSPECTIVE
SURUCHIPANDE
suruchipande@gmail.com

Co Founder and Secretary, Ela Foundation, C-9, Bhosale Park, Sahakarnagar No. 2,
Pune 411009. Maharashtra State,Head, Department of Ethno-Ornithology, EF and MES's OENSL - Ornithology, Ethno'

Ornithology and Natural Sounds Laboratory, INDIA.

India has a rich and ancient tradition of Sanskrit literature that goes back 6000 to 10,000

years. From the Vedic times we come across references to birds of prey such as eagles,

owls, osprey, falcons and others. The Yajurveda (approximately 1400 BC) has attributed
certain virtues to raptors, while other references are symbolic. An example of the former
from the Yajurveda is: "aalabhate vanaspatibhya ulukaan^ which means "let the plants
get the owls." It does not imply that owls were sacrificed to the forest trees during thesacred fire rituals. It probably indicates that because certain owls roost in the forest trees
and that they are inter-related. The texts titled 'Shulba Sutras' (describing the geometry
and construction of the huge fire altars) show that the ancient Indians handled raptors,
were well acquainted with their biometry, and constructed the fire altar specific to eachof the raptor species. For example, Shyena Chiti is a fire altar shaped like a falcon.
Sanskrit lexicons provide many synonyms for the different raptor species. There areother Sanskrit compositions that elaborate on the art of falconry. Some birds of prey havereligious importance and they are also described significantly in the ancient text on
Indian medicine - the Ayurveda.

In my talk, I will showcase the approach of ancient Indians to raptors in a chronologicalorder. This academic review of references from the Sanskrit literature also highlights theconservation aspects of raptors that were a prime concern of ancient Indian naturerelated philosophy.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

PLENARY II

HOW TO START A RAPTOR WATCH PROGRAM FOR RESEARCH AND
EDUCATION: WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED IN 10+ YEARS OF WORK IN
SOUTHERN THAILAND.
CHUKIATNUALSRI

bnternstar@gmail.com

The Flyway Foundation, Thailand

In the last decade at Khao Dinsor (Pencil Hill) located in southern Thailand along theeast coast on the South China Sea, we have made great progress in determining which
raptor species migrate, in what number - as well as the timing of each species'
migration. We have published scientific papers on both the southbound (autumn) andspring (northbound) migration of 30 raptor species, three bee-eater species - and otherbirds as well. In 2011 we began a ringing program and we now catch significant numbersof Accipiter species - and made discoveries about some bird species no one knew
occurred in this part of Thailand. In terms of education, the Chumphon Raptor Center
was completed in 2012 at a cost of $150,000 USD, and it is now the meeting point for
our annual raptor festival that attracts visitors from all parts of Asia, Europe and North
America. For visitors to Khao Dinsor (Pencil Hill) we constructed a series of observation
shelters and platforms to enhance their experience. To fund the entire program, we haveestablished the Flyway Foundation, because we hope to achieve what we set as our goal:
to make all Thai people aware of the raptor migration; to invite and host people to comeand see (enjoy) that migration; to study, document and protect the migration; and toensure that fiiture generations will be able to also enjoy it as we do now.
All of this had a very humble beginning: one morning in late September 1997 as I was

leaving my house for work, I happened to look up to see large birds heading south
overhead; when I returned home that evening, the large birds were still passing to thesouth. I very much wanted to know what kinds of birds these were; what were they doing
here in southern Thailand, and where were they going? In my talk I will outline what
began as a fortuitous event - that we developed into the current program by (a) involving
people in as many different ways as possible; and (b) "thinking outside the box" to get
our message out to everyone via highway signs; posters; a raptor festival and using themedia in every way possible. Most people love raptors - it is translating that love into aplan and taking action - where we have had a bit of success so far here in Thailand, andthat is what I will try and explain in my talk.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

PLENARY IIIWRITING AND PUBLISHING A SCIENTIFIC PAPER: AN INSIDER'S GUIDECHERYL R. DYKSTRA

j ournalofraptorresearch@juno. com

Editor In Chief, Journal of Raptor Research and Raptor Environmental
Writing a scientific paper may seem mundane and tame compared to the excitement offield research, but doing it well is critical to the scientific process. Many manuscriptsthat have been rejected by journals could have been saved by careful rewriting, but
researchers do not always have access to the information they need to be successful
authors.

Examination of the causes of manuscript rejection at The Journal of Raptor Research
provides insight into the important techniques and "tricks" for getting a manuscript
published. Reasons for rejection in 2008-2012 include critical flaws in study design(22.1%) and analysis (10%), conclusions that were not supported by the data (8.4%),
poor writing (14.2%), failure to follow the journal's instructions (2.1%), and content thatwas not appropriate for Journal ofRaptor Research for various reasons (43.1%).
To write papers that get accepted, researchers need to first design their studies with theend goal in mind, paying particular attention to the hypothetico-deductive approach,sample size, and the potential for pseudoreplication. The steps to publication include:

analyze appropriately, choose the right journal, identify the main finding and write an
outline, explain the novelty of the result, prepare simple figures that illustrate the result,write clearly (avoiding wordiness, passive voice, and excess use of abbreviations), assign

authorship appropriately, follow the journal's formatting instructions exactly, andunderstand the publishing process.

Although publishing is one of the most challenging aspects of raptor research, it can also
be one of the most rewarding, and successful authors are gratified by knowing that they
have contributed to our knowledge base and the conservation of raptors.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

PLENARY IV

REVIEW, UPDATE AND FUTURE PROSPECTS FOR FOUR CRITICALLYENDANGERED VULTURES IN INDIAVIBHU PRAKASH, ASAD R RAHMANI; TOBY H GALLIGAN, RHYS E GREEN,
R.D. JAKATI, DEVENDRA SWARUP, BC CHOUDHURY; SACHIN RANADE AND
CHRISTOPHER G R BOWDEN*.
chris.bowden@rspb.org.uk* International Species Recovery Officer & SAVE Programme Manager
RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SGI9 2DL

Populations of the three resident Gyps vultures declined dramatically across India andSouth Asia - by over 99% in 15 years. By 2003 the primary cause was identified as theveterinary drug, diclofenac present in the tissues of a major food source - domestic
ungulate carcasses. Efforts to prevent their total extinction have included banning the
production of veterinary diclofenac formulations and their use, and initiating a
conservation breeding programme for future reintroduction once the threat has been
removed.

Identifying a safe alternative drug was a key step in the process. There have also beenfurther in-situ measures including the 'Vulture Safe Zone' initiatives, advocacy work by
local groups and some vulture restaurants. Recent road transect surveys and otherpopulation monitoring is showing signs that the population declines are significantly
slowing down and even some suggestions of localised recovery.

Whether Red-headed vulture also declined for the same reasons is not totally clear, but
the trends appear similar and work is underway to investigate this further. The
conclusions from the declines, actions and outcomes so far are that the measures
identified are beginning to take effect, but also that further urgent steps are still required.
These steps include the need for safety-testing new replacement drugs before they enterveterinary practice and further measures to prevent human diclofenac from being
illegally misused.

*Chris Bowden. Address in India: G-10, Fortuna Classic Apartments, 4th Cross, 12th
Main, Canara Bank Layout, Saharkar Nagar, Bangalore, 560097, Karnataka, India.
Mobile:+91 9901774697.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

PLENARY V

NAGALAND FALCON CAPITAL OF WORLD "AMUR FALCONCONSERVATIONBY THE NAGALAND FOREST DEPARTMENT
M.LOKESWARARAO

madirajul@yahoo.com

I.F.S Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, Kohima:
Nagaland Department of Forests Ecology Environment and Wildlife Governmnet of
Nagaland, Kohima, NagalandDuring 2012 there was concern in international community about harvesting of Amur
falcon, during their migrating from Nagaland to southern Africa. The villagers harvest
the migratory raptors for their meat when they visit Doyang Wokha district of Nagaland
between the end of October and beginning of November. This is the scene in 2012. Hereis turnaround with in short time, this year (2013) not even a single bird is harvested,thanks to the villagers and efforts of the forest Department with the help of local NGOS
and church. Pangti, Sungro and Asha villagers near the Doyang in Nagaland pledged toprotect Amur falcons. The real heroes are people of three villages Pangti, Sungro andAsha who have shown the world how communities will help in protecting andconserving wildlife. The people have sacrificed their livelihoods and worked inprotecting the Amur Falcon helping the forest department. The Forest Department
involved Churches in wokha, churches participated and played major role in spreading
the awareness programme and the green theology among the people. This is one of the"unique conservation movement" in the world where church is involved in conservation.
The Department has organised awareness programme in schools and villagers byconducting meeting, workshops and seminars and also conducted Amur Falcon

Marathon. The Forest Protection force has patrolled the roosting site round the clock.
Amur falcon protection is not possible without the help of NGOs like Natural Nagas andWildlife Trust of India, NBWCT students of Pangti village, Fisher men community,
Village Councils have helped the Forest Department in this conservation movement ofAmur Falcon This model of community conservation by people within a short period
should be replicated in other parts of the world. The people once hunters have became
conservationists.

Ornithologists named

Nagaland as Falcon Capital of the world.

Bombay Natural History society has appreciated conservation efforts of Nagaland Forest
Department10

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

THEMATICRAPTOR CONSERVATION AND CULTURE

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014
RAPTOR CONSERVATION AND CULTURE, IN THE CONTEXT OFTHAILANDCHUENCHOM HANSASUTA DDS, MS AND SUTHEE SUPPARATVIKORN
chuenchom h@vahoo.com

Chumphon Raptor Center, Thailand

There are 58 diurnal raptor species known to be in Thailand. The raptor diversity is high.
Of all 58 species, there are 11 raptor species that are categorized according to Global
Threat Status. Throughout Thai history, we do not pay attention to diurnal raptors morethan parts of our environment. The raptors were mentioned in texts, poetry, folk songs
under five names: E-rung (Crested Serpent Eagle), Ok (White-bellied Sea Eagle), Rang
(vulture), Insee (eagle), and Yeow (all other diurnal raptors). They were described aspart of scenery. There is no sculpture, ritual, worship, or taboo. The only one taboo waswith one nocturnal raptor: Barn Owl. The association between Barn Owl and death was

no longer believed. We do not use any raptor to hunt. We appreciate the diurnal raptors
in just the same way that we cherish .our nature. The two oldest examples in Thai
literature are included. Although there was no culture to promote conservation of raptors
in particular; the shared sense of nature appreciation in poetry helps to conserve nature in
Many still write poems to describe their birding trips.

Thailand has many

projects on raptors in the last 10 years, mostly by small groups.

general.

Some projects are

scientific. Some aim to raise public awareness. The most interesting raptor conservation
project in Thailand is a local project at Baan Nongplalai and Baan Bangjak to help raptor
migrants in their winter ground.

In summary, there is no cultural importance of raptors

in Thai culture that can be used in the benefit of conservation.

But there are otheraspects of Thai culture that help conservation.

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International Raptor Conference, 8

ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

RAPTOR CONSERVATION AND CULTURE IN INDONESIA
ADAM. SUPRIATNA

asianraptor7 @ gmail.com
Steering Committee, Asian Raptor Research and Conservation Network

Conservation Committee for Indonesia, Raptor Research Foundation

Ornithologically Indonesia is rich in bird diversity (appr 1,600 species or 17% of theworld's total number known to occur in the country), many are endemic and restricted tosmall islands. Diurnal raptor species recorded in Indonesia is also relatively high (80species) inhabiting various habitats ranging from urban areas to tropical rain forest.

Indonesia is also wintering area for raptors breeding in northern parts of eastern Asia;
two raptor flyways terminate in the country: East Asia Continental Flyway and East Asia
Oceanic Flyway. Ecologically, in Indonesia raptor diversity has been relativelly wellstudied; but in terms of etno-ornithology, culture related raptor studies are still few in the
country, and relevant academic papers are scarce. In term of species, Brahminy Kite
Haliastur indus and Javan Hawk Eagle Nisaetus bartelsi are two raptor species often
mentioned in the spirit of nationalism, traditional values and symbol of the country as
well as personal status symbol. In relation to archaeological remains, two old temples:
Borobudur and Prambanan have raptor reliefs illustrating Accipitriformes: hawk andOtus sp. Besides, folklores on owls are still passed on by word of mouth in some islands.

Although the country does not have rich history on falconry but recently, falconry ispracticed in a limited manner in the country. Through literature studies and discsussion
with relevant persons, this paper will further discuss raptor-culture related issues
including conservation efforts in Indonesia.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

ETHNO-BIRD RELATIONSHIP AND TRADING OF RAPTORS AND OWLS IN
NEPAL (2009-2013)

DHAKAL HEMANTA AND TULSI SUBEDI

hdforecology@gmail. com
Tribhuvan University

The survey was conducted with informal interview with

1472 respondents from 49

districts of Nepal (2009-2013) . Respondents were found having both negative andpositive spiritual and cultural believes about the raptors and owls. Body parts of raptors
and owls were found to be very important in different communities and use them asmedicine, in cultural and religious ceremonies and decoration. Some of the community
were fully dependent upon the hunting and trafficking of raptors and owls for living. 23
districts were found to have moderate trade intensity and 19 low trade intensity. From therespondents, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Kaski, Chitwan, Dhading, Lamjung, andKapilbastu were districts with high raptors and owls' trade. Most respondents were notaware about the legislations, acts and regulations to control the hunting and trade of wild
fauna and flora that Nepal Government have. Effective government legislation and law

implementation , awareness and conservation campaign in high trade intensity areas andrehabilitation centre for birds was necessary to be launch as soon as possible.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

RAPTOR CONSERVATION AND CULTURE IN MONGOLIAUSUKHJARGAL, DORJ1 AND GOMBOBAATAR, S2.
info@mos.mn; gomboo@num.edu.mn

1 Mongolian Ornithological Society & Hustai National Park, Mongolia,
2Mongolian Ornithological Society & National University of Mongolia
A total of 44 raptor species, belonging to 3 families and 17 genera, are listed in Mongolia.

The IUCN Regional Assessment in 2009 suggested that 3 species (6.8%) were assessed
as Endangered. Raptors including hawks, falcons and eagles are mentioned in historicalreferences in different languages in Mongolia. However, it is difficult to determine either
to species or family level on petroglyphs and mostarcheologists settle on the term

"raptor birds" shown in petroglyphs. We have chronologically listed below the raptor

used on cave and rock paintings, and some decorated tools;•

Ancient art developed in 30000 - 15000 years ago B.C on cave and rockpaintings and animal domestication began in 15000 - 8000 years ago B.C.
•

Raptor worship existed from 3000-2000 years ago B.C due to animal
domestication or "private properties" on rock paintings.

•

Raptors decorated on tools such as knives and belts began

2000 years

ago,, as is the culture of falconry. Falconry was one of the most popular
cultures in Mongolia during the Great Mongolian Empire in the 13th

century. However, nowadays falconry in Mongolia only exists in the
Kazakh Community.

•

The first Dynasty was established 200 years ago in Mongolia, named"Hun Dynasty".

Since the Hun Dynasty,

raptors haveextensively

appeared in national flags, stamps and other important tools throughout

Mongolian history.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014
AVIFAUNA IN JUDAISMREUVEN YOSEF

ryosef@bezeqint.net
P. O. Box 272, Eilat 880003 Israel

The Old Testament is the name the first Christians gave the collection of Jewish holy

books known as the "Tanakh11. A testament is a covenant, a treaty, and the Old Testamentis the covenant between God and the Jewish people. Birds are mentioned in the text in awide range of subjects ranging from ecological descriptions, to dietary roles (kashrutlaws), and to their annual migrations. Bird(s) - are used 42 times in the Old Testament;
Fowl(s) - are used 74 times. There are many usages of the generic words "Birds" and"Fowl" even before the birds, themselves, are named: Genesis 1:20-22; 2:20; 6:7, 20; 7:3,
8, 14, 21, 23; 8:17-20. Turtledove(s) or Turtle, Pigeon or Pigeons - these terms areused 66 times. The first bird mentioned by name is the Raven (Corvus corax; Genesis

8:7). Noah sent it forth till the flood waters dried up. Then Noah sent out a Dove and it

returned with first sign of land - an olive branch in its beak (Gen. 8:8, 11-12). Exodus
16:13 mentions Quail {Coturnix coturnix) that covered the camp of Israel in the

Wilderness of Zin, while on autumn migration. Samuel 26:20 talks about the king of
Israel hunting partridge (Amoperdix heyi) in the mountains. Job 39:13 describes the fineplumage of the Peacock (Pavo cristatus). Being native only in the Far East, it was

undoubtedly an ornamental bird 3000 years ago like at present. Job 39:13 The Ostrich(Struthio camelus) was known for its feathers and plumage, and the last was hunted in

1918 in the region. It was also known for its habit of laying its eggs and going off
without incubating them, letting the sun incubate them (Job 39:13-18). Psalms 84:3
Sparrows are mentioned 40 times in the Old Testament alone. And, it is thought that thetranslators used "Sparrow" for any small, insignificant bird they encountered. The
Swallow mentioned is probably the Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), or possibly the
Common Eurasian Swift (Apus apus). Both birds migrate through Israel. Eagles are

mentioned 30 times in the Old Testament, actually and metaphorically. There are several

species of eagles in the mountains and deserts of the Middle East. Also mentioned in Job

39:26 is the Hawk that knows when to fly south. Micah 1:16 mentions "...as bald as a
Vulture" as in the Lappet-faced Vulture {Torgos tracheliotos). After the fall of the First
Temple and the removal of the Jewish population to Babylon, Isa. 14:23 mentions

Bitterns (Botaurus stellaris) that will inhabit the desolate marshy areas; and owl (Strix
butleri, Athene noctud) the abandoned hovels.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014
RAPTOR CONSERVATION AND CULTURE IN XINJIANG, THE WEST OF
CHINA

MA MING, ZHAO XU-MAO AND ZHANG TONG
maming@ms.xjb.ac.cn

Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Science, No. 818
Beijing Road, Urumqi, 830011, Xinjiang, P. R. China,

In western China, the local raptor culture and falconry tradition can be traced backthousands of years in ancient rock paintings, and today Krygyz tribesmen at the festivals

in the streets of Akqi County, Xinjiang, in western China, are reminiscent of a time over
730 years ago, when Genghis Khan led a military expedition across Asia and Europe.
Mongol forces were accompanied by numerous hunters and falconers who supplied fresh
food for such expeditions. From 2010 to 2013, raptor culture was studied and observedto the effects of falconry and tradition on wild raptor populations. We estimate that the
number of raptors used for falconry is 1830-2230, and includes Goshawk {Accipitergentilis), Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Sparrow-hawk (A. nisus) and Saker Falcon(Falco cherrug). Chinese falconry is in direct conflict with Chinese law, the National
Animal Protection Act (1988) which protects all wild birds of prey. And we know the
Kazakh and Kyrgyz ethnic groups prefer to catch larger raptors such as Golden Eagles,
whereas the Uygur, Hui, Yi, and Manchu people catch and tame only smaller raptors

such as Goshawk, Sparrow-hawk, Barbary (F. pelegrinoides) and Saker Falcons, etc.
Traditional methods of capturing and taming birds probably had little effect on raptor

populations. Today, too many raptors are removed for wild populations to sustain thelosses. It is possible that raptors could be supplied by captive breeding, but such breeding
is expensive and requires expert knowledge. In addition, after capture and training, thebirds (mostly captured as young birds) become tame and are not suitable for release backinto the wild and thus will not contribute to the wild breeding population. It has been

discovered that falconry has been transformed from a recreational activity into an
economic activity. The falcon prices have growing rapidly in the last 15 years, which has

dramatically incentivized the capture in the field and trade of raptors to the detriment of

the population and the ecosystem. One trained raptor can bring ca. 6000-7000 Yuan
(RMB) for the falconer. In comparison, the per capita income of the peasants andherdsmen in the region is 2641-3150 Yuan (RMB)/Year. The contrast is striking. The
conflicts between the custom and conservation of raptors have excited for a long time. It
brings a new challenge to the conservation of the raptors in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous
Region, western China.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014
RAPTOR CONSERVATION AND CULTURE IN MALAYSIA
LIM SWEE YIAN AND LIM KIM CHYE
spizaetusO8@gmail.com
Raptor Study Group,

Malaysian Nature Society

Malaysia, located in South-east Asia, is divided into two regions by the South China Sea:
Peninsular (West) Malaysia on continental Asia and East Malaysia, consisting ofSarawak and Sabah states, on the island of Borneo. As a result of this zoogeographicalcoverage and its location on the flyways of migratory birds, Malaysia has a rich raptor
fauna with at least 44 species of diurnal raptors and 19 species of owls, including eight
and three species, respectively, threatened with global extinction. The population ofmany raptor species is thought to be declining due to loss and degradation of forest

habitats and, to a lesser extent, human persecution. Legal protection for all species of
raptors is governed by national as well as regional legislations. The protected areas.,

system in Malaysia, covering some 6% of the country, provides in-situ conservation of
raptors. Malaysia is also a signatory to international agreements which in essence require
the protection of raptors and their habitats. Malaysia is a relatively young country intenns of history and culture with its population consisting of the majority ethnic Malays,
the descendants of the early Chinese and Indian immigrants and the many indigenous
groups. The majority of the population, with the exception of some indigenous groups,

do not have strong cultural ties with raptors and generally regard eagles and hawks as
symbols of power and bravery and incorporate them in folklore, emblems and images.

Among certain indigenous groups in Borneo, the Brahminy Kite is widely featured intheir traditional beliefs

and customs

and the arrivalof the migratory Japanese

Sparrowhawk is used to mark a particular stage in the rice-planting calendar. In somecommunities, owls are considered omens of bad luck but the Barn Owl is widely used in
Malaysia to control rodent pests in agricultural plantations.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

HOW DID THE PEOPLE HAVE THE RELATION WITH RAPTORS IN JAPAN?
INOUE TAKEHIKO

goldeneagle@hera.eonet.ne.jp

Institutional Affiliation: Asian Raptor Research & Conservation Network

The Record that the Emperor Ojin enjoyed hawking in about A.D.200 is the oldest
description of the raptor in Japan. Some falconer clay figure called Haniwa is excavatedfrom Korun (ancient big tomb) of the sixth century.

There are many places that have name including hawk or eagle nationwide. Place nameoften appeared to have been associated with falconry, but several places are consistent

with the breeding site of raptors still.

Each family has a family crest as the symbol of family. Samurai favored the crest using
hawk feathers and there are about 60 varieties. In present, family crest is used in the
ceremonial occasions such as weddings.

Arrows were made at the times when samurai had flourished during the 10-18th century
Many eagles were hunted as the highest-grade material of arrow feathers. The hunting

was continued in certain areas until completely prohibited by law in 1947.

Further, hawks had been captured as a valuable source of protein during the migratory

season in Ryukyu Islands until the 1950s.

There were the hunters called Matagi. Some of them were making livings by hunting
hare, fox and raccoon dog using a mountain hawk eagle during winter. It is no longer
seen after the war because of the prohibition of maintaining hawks and the shortage ofsuccessor.

Of these, the culture of using raptors by the capture is no more seen at present with thechange of the times and the sense of values of people.

Instead of these, the taking pictures of raptors and the observation of migratory hawks
are becoming popular since the 1970s.
With the spread and improvement ofphotographic equipments, this population has increased rapidly. Therefore we have newproblems for conservation, such as shooting location or management of raptor habitat
mformation."Culture of use" is shifting to "Culture of coexistence with pleasure".

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

THE CURRENT STATE OF OSPREY (PANDION HALIAETUS) POPULATIONSIN THE TAIGA ZONE OF NORTH-WEST RUSSIA.

BABUSHKIN MIROSLAV VYACHESLAVOVICH AND KUZNETSOV ANDREY
babushkinO2@mail.ru

Darwin State Natural Biosphere Reserve

Between 1999 to 2013 we examined large lakes and reservoirs in the north-western areaof the forest zone and found hundreds of osprey nests and nesting sites. Till the 19701980s, in the European part of Russia the number of many large species of birds of preydrastically reduced. Under these conditions the most important centres of preservation ofrare species have become nature reserves. The responsibility for the increase of ospreysin the taiga zone of North-West Russia belongs to the Darwin Reserve (ca. 112,000 ha),and is located on the coast of Rybinsk Reservoir. Since 1945 till the present there has
been a significant increase in the number of Ospreys from 3-4 up to 55-60 breeding pairs
annually. In the 1980s the number of Ospreys in the reserve reached its maximum andyoung birds began to settle on adjacent territories that led to an increase in the number ofbreeding pairs in the region on average 4.6 times within 15 years.

Current abundance of ospreys in the European part of Russia is 2000-4000 pairs.
According to our data their number in the North-West of Russia is 600-700 couples. By
early 1990s, on large water bodies a spatially-ethological structure of ospreys'
populations has developed. It is characterized by the nests being placed in raised bogs at
distances of 2-10 km from the coastal waters. The reason the ospreys were displaced
from the optimal coastal habitat to sub-optimal is active settlement of white-tailed eagles
Haliaeetus albicilla on the coast as well as the developing of coastal areas by humans.
Nesting aggregations form linear structures along the axes of the peninsulas, i.e.,equidistant from the two coasts. It allows the birds not only to reduce the number ofencounters with white-tailed eagles nesting on the coasts but also to use their hunting
areas with greater efficiency. A significant role in the increase of ospreys' is theconstruction of artificial platforms. Ninety nest platforms were erected between 2002 to
2013; and 15-20 % are annually populated by Ospreys. To date, 151 osprey chicks havefledged from the artificial nests during this period. Breeding success varied from 1.6 to 3
chicks per nesting couple per season, on average - 2.43 fledglings per pair (n = 41).
Success indices of breeding and productivity are significantly higher for couples nestingin artificial breeding sites.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

STATUS OF RAPTOR DIVERSITY IN GOA, INDIA.
MINAL DESAI AND A. B. SHANBHAG
desaim2003 (Sivahoo. co .in
Department of Zoology, Goa University,

Taleigao Plateau Goa

Raptors, the birds of prey are at the top of the food chain. They play an important role inregulating the prey population and nutrient cycling, hence an added need for theirconservation. Contemporary literature indicates that Goa is inhabited by 46 species of
raptors belonging to five families of orders Falconiformes and Strigiformes, of these 16
species are migrants. Among the raptor species sighted in the state, White backed
Vulture (Gyps bengalensis), Long-billed Vulture (Gyps indicus) and Greater Spotted
Eagle (Aquila clanga) are already in the threatened category. A study was carried out toknow the status of raptors in Goa, in terms of diversity and habitat preference by them, ifany. The study was conducted in natural forest and monoculture plantations at fortnightlyinterval for two years. The observations revealed that, in natural forest 14 (cumulative

total) raptors belonging to six species were sighted, 6 raptors of three species in teakplantation, 14 raptors belonging to just two species mAcacia and 12 Eurrasian Sparrow

Hawk's (Accipiter nisus) in Cashew plantation were observed. In rubber plantation not asingle raptor was observed during the entire study period. On the plateau eight species

were recordeded, of which Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) was dominant followed
by Black Kite (Milvus migrans). White bellied sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) andPallas Fishing Eagle(Haliaeetus

leucoryphus) preferred wetlands, Shikra (Accipiterbadius) and Eurrasian Sparrow Hawk (Accipiter nisus) were sighted in forest area.
Occurrence of large number of raptors around the garbage dumps, fishing jetties andbutchers' stalls confirms the inference that raptors can coexist with humans. The present

study indicates that different raptor species exhibit different habitat preferences. The

species based ecological studies, can provide us clues for measures to be taken toconserve them. As a result, those species which are on the verge of being threatened canbe prevented from entering this category and those which are already threatened can bepulled out.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

NESTING ECOLOGY & HABITAT SELECTION OF BLACK KITE {MILVUS
MIGRANS GOVINDA)GEETA PADATE AND SANDHYA GODSHE

geetapadate@gmail.com

Division of Avian Biology, Department of Zoology, The M. S. University of Baroda,
Vadodara, Gujarat, India.

Breeding habitat and nest-site selection are important determinants of the population
dynamics of birds. The distribution of nesting raptors is influenced by nest site and foodavailability. Nesting of Black Kites is investigated in Vadodara city, Gujarat, India. Nest

sites were identified in the city by random search and distribution categorized based on
degree of urbanization, human activities, and habitat composition (tree species, height ofnest, height of tree, canopy cover, sub-branches, trunk diameter at breast height (DBH),
number of nests, clutch size, distance to nearest water, distance to nearest building,
distance to road, etc.). All nests were found nearer to Vishwamitry River, garbage
dumping site or poultry farms. During a study conducted from 2009 to 2011 in Vadodara
City 83 nests were observed. Of these 45 were located near busy roads, 8 near garbage
dumps and 3 nests were in gardens. In industrial areas only 1 nest was found, but 26
were located near human inhabitation. Most preferred to nest in Neem trees (Azadiracta

indica) -. The mean tree height of nest trees was 21.9 ±0.006 meter while height of nest
was 4.32± 0.42 meter. The mean canopy cover of nest trees was 71% ± 1.01 while the
DBH was 20.06 ± 0.18 cm. Nest trees showed significant correlation between canopy

cover and total tree height and nest height. We conclude that human habitation and water
sources are important for successful nesting of Black Kites.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF BLACK KITE (MILVUS MIGRANSGOVINDA) IN KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA.
S. MAZUMDAR, D. GHOSE AND D.K. SAHA.
subhendumazumdar@gmail.com

Dept.of Zoology, Shibpur Dinobundhoo Institution (College), Shibpur Howrah, Species
and Landscapes division, WWF India, New Delhi, Dept. of Zoology, University of
Calcutta, Kolkata.

Black kite (Milvus migrans govinda) is distributed throughout India and provides the vital
ecological services by scavenging on garbage dumps. However, no surveys on black kitewere previously conducted in eastern India. This lack of information makes it difficult totake effective measures for their management on a scientific basis. The present survey was

undertaken to assess the distribution and abundance of black kite in Kolkata Municipal
Corporation (KMC) area through an initial extensive survey, extended rapid survey andintensive surveys employing 'encounter transect' and 'roost count' methods. The results
revealed that black kites were distributed throughout the KMC area with an overall mean
encounter rate of 26 ± 0.598 kites/km which significantly varied in different parts of thestudy area (F=51.329, PO.05) as well as in different seasons (F=12.717, PO.05).
Abundance of roosting black kites also varied significantly between the roosting sites(F=41.115, PO.05) and seasons (F=55.136, PO.05). Both the methods revealed similarseasonal pattern with maximum kites in summer and minimum during winter. Furthermore,
preliminary surveys indicated that the numbers of black kite were significantly low in
adjoining rural areas (t=l 7.498, d£=89, PO.05).

Conservation of any scavenging raptors in human-dominated landscapes is undoubtedly
challenging and requires innovative, site-specific management strategies. Rapid and large
scale habitat alteration due to boom in real estate sector and food scarcity for modified
garbage disposal measures were found to be the threats for the black kite in the present

study. Thirty eight communal roosts of black kites were identified for the first time in
KMC area and several of them were located on private lands. Hence, marking of the roostsites, regular monitoring of roosting black kites and ensuring food for these scavengers aresome of the conservation issues to ensure continual existence of black kites in this urban
landscape.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014
POPULATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF BLACK KITE (MILVUS MIGRANS)IN BUNDELKHAND REGION, INDIA.

AMITA KANAUJIA AND RAGNI GUPTA.

kanaujia.amita@gmail.com(Biodervisity and Wildlife Conservation Lab, Dept.Of Zoology, University of Lucknow).

The Black kite {Milvus migrans) belongs to Accipitridae family. Black Kite is an average

sized bird of prey and a common resident in Indian cities. It is distributed in over fourcontinents, and is probably the world's most abundant raptor. Inspite of being theworld's most common raptor, the population of black kite is diminishing particularly inEurope and parts of Asia, as a result of agricultural pesticides, water pollution, carcass
poisoning and hunting. An intricate study was done on population distribution oi Milvus
migrans in Bundelkhand Region from 2007 to 2011. Estimation of kite population was
done through survey and direct count method. Total 144 roosting and 64 breeding sites
were located in study region. The estimated population sizes were 670, 825, 847, 995

and 1072 in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively. Maximum number of Milvus
migrans was reported in Jhansi for all the years while minimum were seen in Datia. In
last few decades, their population appeared to be in thousands due to abundance of hightrees for nesting and roosting and absence of electric power lines. Local people revealed
that the Milvus migrans population was disappearing due to various reasons. With
increase in human population, habitats were rapidly shrinking in Bundelkhand Region.
Depletion or alteration of habitat seemed to be the major cause of dwindling populationof Black kite.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

NEST SITE SELECTION OF BLACK KITE (MILVUS MIGRANS) IN
LUCKNOW, KANPUR AND UNNAO DISTRICTS OF UTTAR PRADESH,
INDIA.

AMITA KANAUJIA, SONIKA KUSHWAHA, PALLAVI GUPTA, AKHILESHKUMAR AND ADESH KUMAR.
kanaujia.amita@gmail.com

Biodervisity and Wildlife Conservation Lab, Dept.Of Zoology, University of Lucknow

The Black Kite (Milvus migrans) is a medium-sized bird of prey belonging to thefamily Accipitridae. Unlike others of the group, they are opportunistic hunters and are
more likely to scavenge. Although still large in number, the population is declining whencompared to past. Nest site preference of black kite nesting in Lucknow, Kanpur andUnnao in Uttar Pradesh was studied during the breeding period in 2010 - 2012. Field
surveys were conducted at appropriate time of the day, using binoculars and SLR
cameras. Black kites usually nested in large trees (Peepal, Semal, neem or on electricity

towers) with no leaves or few leaves. The branch where nest was constructed was at amean distance 1.5 to 2 m from the trunk or adjacent to the trunk. All the nests werelocated along human proximity. The site was selected irrespective of noise pollution,
usually along the main roadsides or along the railway tracks. The nesting place wasalways near appropriate food availability such as garbage dumps in city. Total nests (56)located in Lucknow, Kanpur and Unnao were 26, 19 and 11 respectively. Of the total
nests 53 57% were on peepal (Ficus religiosa) trees, 19.64% on Semal (Bombyx ceiba)
and 8.9% on neem {Azadarichta indica) while 17.85% were on electricity towers. We
concluded that the shortage of potential nest trees may limit the Black Kite population in
coming years. The study recommends the protection as well as promotion of trees
preferred for nesting by the black kite.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

A REPORT ON STATUS OF BLACK KITE (MILVUS MIGRANS) IN ISMAILYUSUF COLLEGE CAMPUS MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA
G.T.KEDAR

Dept. of Zoology, Govt. of Maharashtra's Ismail Yusuf College,
Jogeshwari (E), Mumbai.

gtkedar@,pmail.com

Status of Milvus migransin the Ismail

Yusuf College, Jogeshwari (E),Mumbai

campus was surveyed on a weekly basis for a year between 2011 to 2012. Out of 21

avian species found on campus (Accipiter badius , Athene brama, Corvus splendeus, ,Acridotheres tristis , Psittacula krameri, P. cyanocephala, P. eupatria, Columba liv'ia,
Halcyon smyrnensis, Saxicoloides fulicata .Rhipidura aureola .Dicrurus macrocercus ',Prinia socialis , Eudynamys seolopacea , Megalaima haemacephala , Orthotomus

sutorius, pycnonotus cafer, Oriolus oriolus, Leptocoma zeylonica and Centropus
sinensis ) Milvus migrans dominated and was estimated to be 65 % of total avifaunal
population (80 individuals). Green canopy of palm trees (Palmyra palm), large banyan
trees (Ficus benghalensis) and coconut trees (Cocos nudfera) spread in sixty acres ofarea offers an ideal habitat for Milvus migrans. They were found to carry pieces of meat,fish and small chicks from nearby fish market and to bring them to their nests and to feed'

their chicks. Nest preparation material included small twigs, plastic bags and small
pieces of clothes and preferred top of the trees as nest sites. Copulation activity wasobserved at the top of palm and banyan tree as well as on the terrace of college buildings.
But, human activities like cutting of trees for construction and burning by the nearby
locals and human interference for picking palm and coconut fruits are causing a
disturbance and subsequent decrease in their nesting attempts which were recorded by
the camera (Nikon 3100) during the study period.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION OF RAPTORS IN ANDAMAN & NICOBARISLANDS

C. SIVAPERUMAN, J. DINESH, G. GOKULAKRISHNAN AND K.
VENKATARAMAN
c_sivaperuman@yahoo.co.in

Zoological Survey of India

Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre

The Andaman' and Nicobar (A&N) Islands, popularly known as 'Bay Islands', aresituated in the Bay of Bengal, mid way between peninsular India and Mayanmar,

spreading like a broken necklace in the North-South direction. These islands are locatedbetween 6° 45', 13° 41' N and 92° 12', 93° 57' E. There are 572 islands that lies 193 km
away from Cape Negrais in Myanmar, 1,255 km from Kolkata and 1,190 km from

Chennai. Total geographic area of A&N Islands is 8,249 km2, of which Andaman groupof islands cover 6,408 km2 while Nicobar group cover 1,841 km2. The climate is typicaltropical and it is always warm, but with sea-breezes. The A&N Islands comes under thezone of tropical rain forest of the world and constitute a globally important biodiversity
hotspot as they are off the mainland and isolated, and endemism is very high in all taxa.
A total of 284 species of birds were recorded from A&N Islands, belonging 56 Families
under 17 Orders. Twenty six species of raptors belongs to five families are reported todate. Of these, seven species are migrants. Three species are endemic to these islands andlisted as globally threatened namely Andaman Serpent-eagle Spilornis elgini (Blyth),
Nicobar Sparrowhawk Accipiter butleri (Gurney) and Great Nicobar Serpent-eagle S.
klossi Richmond. In order to asses the status and distribution of diurnal raptors in Great
Nicobar Biosphere Reserve in Great Nicobar Island, Ritchie's archipelago in Middle
Andaman, and Saddle Peak National Park in North Andaman, a road side survey study
was conducted between 2008 - 2013 . We identified 12 species from Great Nicobar
Biosphere Reserve, 10 from Ritchie's archipelago and eight in Saddle Peak National
Park. The raptors of Andaman and Nicobar islands require intensive long-term study toassess their population, distribution and other detailed ecological aspects.

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DIURNAL RAPTORS OF THE WESTERN GHATS: THE ASSOCIATIONBETWEEN BODY SIZE, RANGE SIZE, HABITAT PREFERENCES AND DIET
BREADTHSINGHA ROONA, JEAN-PHILIPPE PUYRAVAUD, PRIYA DAVIDAR
roonasngh@gmail.com

Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Pondicherry University, India
The tropics are home to 222 species of diurnal raptors. However, not many studies havebeen done to look at the distributional ranges of different species with relationship totheir biological parameters. Our review aims to study the relationship between thegeographical ranges, body sizes, habitat utilization patterns, and dietary preferences ofdiurnal raptors within the Western Ghats (WG), India. A database of available publishedliterature from 1899 to 2012 was compiled to generate distribution maps of individual

species within the WG to calculate individual range size. This study compiled a total of
49 species, and 43 of which were considered for analysis, excluding rare sightings andvagrants. The results indicated no association between habitat preferences and species'
dietary preferences. However diet breadth was negatively correlated with range size
indicating that species with broader range of diets tend to have a narrower geographicalrange.
The relationship between body size and habitat diversity was positively
associated but marginally significant, indicating that larger species tended to utilize more
habitat types. The threatened species that were resident within the WG were generally
larger. This was because the critically endangered vultures are larger than most otherraptors. Thus, habitat conservation with adequate prey base in the Western Ghats willplay a crucial role in the conservation of resident raptor populations.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014^^^Vif?ANCE'AND
HAMTAT SELECTION OF FLORESHAWK-EAGLE (NISAETUS FLORIS) IN LESSER SUNDA ISLANDINDONESIA'USEP SUPARMAN, ADAM A. SUPRIATNA, AND DEWIMALIAPRAWIRADIALAGA

u suparman@vahnn.com. raptorcs2002@hormfli1 mm
Raptor Conservation Society - RCS

The Flores Hawk-eagle Nisaetus floris is a Critically Endangered species which
exclusively occupies the last remnant forest of Lesser Sunda Island, Indonesia Studies tounderstand its distribution, abundance and habitat selection through the conservation area

protected forest, forest reserve, nature reserve and recreation forest reserve are ongoing'omT^m. L01?b°k' F1°reS "* SumbaWa Island' ^nesia. We present data from a

2011 till 2012 study of the distribution and abundance of a population of Flores Hawkeagle across most of its habitat. . This paper summarizes the information of Flores
Hawk-eagle in 18 locations at Lombok Island, 28 locations in Flores Island and 15
locations in Sumbawa Island. Our study revealed that the species is present in highnumbers in the islands. The annual average population of this eagle is 330 individuals
consisting of 165 pairs in Lombok, Flores and Sumbawa Island. The study suggests that

this population has increased substantially since eight years ago. The distribution of thespecies commonly occurs at elevations of >700 meter above sea level while lower

elevation of <500 meter, is dominated by Brahminiy Kite Haliastur Indus, Bonelli's
Eagle Aquila fasciata, Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus, White-bellied Seaeagles Haliaeetus leucogaster. Among the most serious threat to the survival of theeagles are land use change, shifting cultivation, hunting, illegal logging, gold mining,

and forest clearance for agriculture.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

MODIFICATION OF THE DISTRIBUTION RECORD OF JAVAN HAWKEAGLE (NISAETUS BARTELSI) IN EAST JAVAHERUCAHYONO
hc_garuda@yahoo.com

Raptor Indonesia

Javan Hawk-eagle (Nisaetus bartelsi) is Indonesia's national symbol, yet its existence isincreasingly threatened by natural factors and illegal trade. Information about its
distribution and sighting reports mostly came from West or Central Java while its
population in East Java had been scarcely observed. Previous sighting reports of thisspecies came from a few NGOs or birdwatchers, and those reports were not properly
compiled. Observations from 2008-2013 and reports from birdwatchers as well as thearea administrator have been collected to generate a distribution data of Javan Hawkeagle across East Java. Observations took place at the areas where this species had beenrecorded before, for instance at the national parks, regions administered by the Natural
Resources Conservation Agency, grand forests, or state-owned protection and production
forests administered by Perum Perhutani. The new reports show that Javan Hawk-eagle
can still be frequently seen in the places mentioned by the former reports, with several

additional places like Baluran National Park, Sempu Island, Ngliyep Beach, as well as at

the coffee plantations and protection forest in Bondowoso-Situbondo. This species has
also been reported to appear in the production or protection forests close toneighbourhoods. These reports and observation results demonstrate that there are still
many sites left unexplored.

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SIGHTINGS, HABITAT PREFERENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF PEREGRINEFALCON FALCO PEREGRINUS CALIDUS IN THE CITY OF NAGPUR
CENTRAL INDIA, AND ITS FUTURE IN A GROWING CITY.
SUDHANSHU KOTHE
sudhanshu.kothe@.gmai1 .com

'Bird Katta' (Environmental unit of ADI)

There are two subspecies of Peregrine Falcon, the Shaheen Falcon Falco peregrinus

peregrinator and Falco peregrinus calidus recorded in and around the city of Nagpur,

Maharashtra, India (300m above msl). Shaheen Falcon F. p. peregrinator is a resident on
the Indian subcontinent, and F. p. calidus is a migratory subspeciesShaheen have been
seen sporadically around Nagpur: one in 1991, one in 2000, one in 2010, and only one

pair, unconfirmed, seen sometime around 2009, only once.

This paper describes the sightings, distribution and habitat preference of F. p. calidus inan urban setting. Between December 2007 to September 2013, there have been regularsightings of F. p. calidus in the city of Nagpur. 2007:1, 2009:1, 2010: 2, 2011: 3,2013: 7.
F. p. calidus visits the city between August and April, and frequents two diverse habitats:high-rise buildings in congested urban areas, and a lake in the city.

This habitat selection of F. p. calidus poses unique challenges towards protecting thebirds, their habitat, and available prey. The challenges are due to: 1. the stress of humanfishing activities on Ambazari lake, which the F. p. calidus seems to have made it's winter home. There is increased disturbance to the migratory birds, and the number of
migratory birds visiting the lake, which are the prey of the falcon, has declined over theyears. 2. The other chosen habitat is a patch of busy Civil Lines area, with good tree
cover, which has a tall unused building. There is a large colony of feral pigeons whichroosts on this building, and the F. p. calidus hunts these feral pigeons. This is a single
population of pigeons, and any change in roosting site, or significant reduction in their
population here will affect the presence of the falcon. The trees where the falcon rests in
Civil Lines are interspersed with buildings, and there is a significant movement of
humans there. No hunting of these falcons has yet been observed. It will entail raisingawareness amongst the urban residents and office goers, as well as local fishermen,
towards this bird's presence, and the importance of its survival.

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THE STUDY OF FIELD SURVEY IN THE EASTERN GRASS-OWL (TYTO
LONGIMEMBRIS)TSENG, CHIEN WEI AND Y. H. SUN
strixallnightfS.gmail.com

Institute of Wildlife Conservation,

National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan

The Eastern Grass-owl (Tyto longimembns pithecops) is a subspecies endemic to Taiwan.
It was also enlisted as an endangered species in 2009. However, information about its
distribution and population is vague, and suitable survey method for this bird is nottested. Playback technique was often used to investigate rare or secret bird species likeowls. This study aims to test three survey methods, such as playback/listening, automaticrecording, and automatic playback/ recording, and try to find out the most suitable
survey method for surveying this species in the near future for the conservation strategy.

The detection rate of the playback in breeding season (October-March) was 5.72 ± 4.2%,
and 5.97 ± 4.38% in non-breeding season(April-September), and was slightly higher inMarch (12%) and July (12.9%). The absence of the owl in most sample areas may be
responsible for the low detection rate. If only the 9 owl-presence sites were included foranalysis, the detection rate could reach 100% when the playback time accumulated to
425 min in the breeding season and 470 min in the non-breeding season. It would takeonly 185 min in breeding season and 470 min in the non-breeding season to detect the
owl for two known nesting sites.

During April-September, the detection rate could reach 100% when the duration of
automatic playback/ recording was up to 880 minutes, and the automatic recording 3020

minutes. The grass owl uttered call more often both in April and August, and at 18 - 19p.m.

By considering the pros and cons of the three survey methods, we suggest that the
playback/listening is the most suitable method for surveying the Eastern Grass Owl.
After analyzing the habitat composition of the owl-presence sites (n=9), we found thatmost were composed largely of savanna and woodland.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

RAPTORS OF THE ALTAI-SAYAN REGION: DISTRIBUTION, NUMBERS,THREATS, AND TRENDS.

KARYAKIN I. V. AND NIKOLENKO E. G.

elnik2007(g),va.ru: ikar_research@mail.ru
Russian Raptor Research and Conservation Network, NGO

In the Altai-Sayan region 37 species of birds of prey and owls 11 were found. 30 speciesof the birds of prey (European Honey Buzzard, Crested Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Hen
Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Marsh Hawk, Goshawk, Eurasian
Sparrowhawk, Japanese Sparrowhawk, Upland Buzzard, Common Buzzard, Short-toed
Eagle, Booted Eagle, Golden Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Greater
Spotted Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Eurasian Black Vulture, Lammergeier, Saker Falcon,

Peregrine Falcon, Hobby, Merlin, Red-footed Falcon, Amur Falcon, Lesser Kestrel,'Common Kestrel) and 10 species of the owls (Eurasian Eagle Owl, Long-eared Owl'

Short-eared Owl, European Scops Owl, Tengmalm's Owl, Little Owl, Eurasian Pygmy
Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, Ural Owl, Great Grey Owl) nest here. Rough-legged Buzzard,
Long-legged Buzzard, Pallas's Fish Eagle, Eurasian Griffon Vulture, Himalayan Griffon
Vulture, Gyr Falcon and Snowy Owl are regularly observed during migrations. There are
known observations of Egyptian Vulture. Monitoring of breeding groups carried out
from 1999 for White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), Golden Eagle (Aquila
chrysaetos), Eastern Imperial Eagle (A. heliaca), Steppe Eagle (A. nipalensis), Greater
Spotted Eagle (A. clanga), Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus), Upland Buzzard (Buteo

hemilasius), Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug), Peregrine
Falcon (Falco peregrinus), Merlin (Falco columbarius), Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo).

Monitoring of Ural Owl (Strix uralensis) started in 2011.

The region has preserved the largest in the Russian populations of Golden Eagle (14001900 bp), Eastern Imperial Eagle (1150-1350 bp), Steppe Eagle (1110-1490 bp), Greater
Spotted Eagle (350-370 bp), Booted Eagle (1174-1407 bp), Eurasian Black Vulture (7196 bp), Lammergeier (55-86 bp), Saker Falcon (1196-1440 bp), Peregrine Falcon (6811059 bp), Merlin (4160-6656 bp: all population lymani subspecies and populations
pallidus and aesalon subspecies), Eurasian Eagle Owl (2617-4034 bp).
Status of populations of most species of birds of prey in the Altai-Sayan region is stable.
In Tuva in 2002-2003 a sharp decline in the number of Eastern Imperial Eagle, Steppe
Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Eurasian Black Vulture, Upland Buzzard and Saker Falcon
eagles were marked, probably due to poisoning bromdialonom during migration throughMongolia. Since 2010 restore their numbers began due re-occupation nesting sites byyoung birds. Steady downward trend in the number is observed only for Saker Falcon,
and upward trend - for Peregrine Falcon.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014
FACTORS AFFECTING TO FLEDGING SUCCESS OF GRAY-FACEDBUZZARDS BUTASTURINDICUS.
ATSUKIAZUMA.

azuma@iwate-u.ac.jp
Iwate University, Japan

Gray-faced buzzard (Butastur indicus) is a typical migratory raptor species in East Asia.
It breeds in northeastern China, the Korean Peninsula, and Japan (expect Hokkaido
Island), while it winters in southwestern Japan and Southeast Asia. The buzzards preferto breed in SATOYAMA, the traditional rural landscape of Japan that consist of irrigatedrice paddies and secondary forests, and nest in mature pines or Japanese cedars. They
feed on frogs, snakes, insects and a variety of other small animals. Since they listed asvulnerable in the Red List of Threatened Species published by Ministry of theEnvironment of Japan in 2006, its rapid population decline has been a source of concern.
In my lab, we conducted monitoring breeding buzzards in Iwate Prefecture where thenorthern limit of its breeding range is. For 6 years (from 2007 to 20lf) we collected dataon the 63 nests. According to the survey, number of fledging success was higher in nests

early start of breeding (2.25 fledglings avg. N=28) than in the nest late start of breeding(1.69 fledglings avg. N=29). Also, breeding stage tended to be 10 days earlier in old
reuse nests, comparing old reuse nests (breeding nests used in previous year) and newly
constructed nests at that year. It seems that reuse old nests do not require time and energy
to build new nests and affect earlier start of breeding. Thus, it suggested that artificial
maintenance and repair of old nests prior to their migration would contribute to increase
fledging success rate of this species and become one part of conservation efforts.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

BREEDING BIOLOGY OF TAWNY FISH-OWLS KETUPA FLAVIPES ATWXJLXN, CENTRAL TAIWAN.

CHEN-LIN WANG, YUAN-HSUN SUN, SHIAO-YU HONG, JIAN-WEI ZENG.

chen-lin wanght402@nenu.edu.cn(Institute of Wildlife Conservation, Pingtung University of Science & Technology,
Taiwan).

Little is known about the breeding behavior of Tawny Fishing-owl Ketupa flavipes in

Asia. It was first described in Taiwan with only one-nest observation at a low-elevation
stream in eastern Taiwan. Between 2010-2013 we observed four nests of two breedingpairs at mid-elevation streams in Chichiawan and Yersheng at Wulin, central Taiwan.

The pairs occupied stream sections of about 7 km in length. The two females re-matedafter they lost their original mates in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Three nests werelocated in broken tree tops, 10-12 m high, 120-130 cm DBH, and 30-450 m from water.

The Yersheng female, a floater in 2009, nested at the same tree twice. Females laid 1-2
eggs during late February and early March. A total of 6 eggs hatched between 27 Marchand 2 April.

Two newly-hatched chicks of the same nest perished after their female

parent deserted them after heavy rain; the sick female was found dead two days later.
The diet of young owls comprised mainly of Taiwan shoveljaw carp {Onychostoma

barbatulum), by Taiwan Common Toad (Bufo bankorensis), and small rodents, shrews,
and birds like brown dipper (Cinclus pallasii)) and Mandarin duck (Aix galericulata)
chick. One to seven feeding bouts were delivered to the nests per day. Brooding stopped

after one month of hatching.

After 57-59 days of nesting period, four owlets fledged,

having attained ca. 70% of their parents body mass of 2,440g and 2,000g, respectively.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

THE MOVEMENT PATTERNS OF ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARDS (PERNISPTILORHYNCHUS) IN TAIWAN.

YANG CHIEN-HUNG AND LUCIA LIU SEVERINGHAUS.
chienhung.yang@gmail.com(Raptor Research Group of Taiwan).

Oriental Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhyncus) is an important migratory raptor in East
Asia. It was considered as only a migratory species in Taiwan until a resident population

was found in 2005. Resident and migratory individuals seem to be morphologicallyindistinguishable. We have satellite tracked their movements in order to learn theirmigration route through Taiwan. However, the 12 individuals we tracked up to 2013 did
not leave Taiwan. Summer field surveys found Oriental Honey Buzzards in all parts of
Taiwan. Northern Taiwan seems to have more birds than the other regions. Satellite
tracking data showed that all tracked birds remained within Taiwan throughout the year,
but their movement patterns varied. Based on their movement patterns, Taiwan's
Oriental Honey Buzzards can be grouped into 3 types: north-south moving type,irregularly moving type, and local residents. Except the irregularly moving type, Oriental
Honey Buzzards show high fidelity to breeding area, wintering area, and movement
routes. This study did not find any migratory Oriental Honey Buzzards, but gained
significant understanding on the distribution and movement of this species within
Taiwan.

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International Raptor Conference, 8

ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

OBSERVED BEHAVIOUR OF CRESTED SERPENT-EAGLE {SPILORNISCHEELA) IN WILD BOAR {SUS SCROFA) -WALLOW.

ALBERT, WIDO RIZKI, W. NOVARINO, RIZALDI, J. NURDIN, M. N. JANRA

widoalbert@vahoo.co.id

Biology Dept. In Andalas University, Indonesia and Biodiversity Institute at Universityof Kansas, US

The Crested Serpent-eagle Spilornis cheela is a diurnal raptor protected by Indonesianlaw. It preys on amphibians, reptiles, and other vertebrates. This foraging activity
requires it to descend to the forest floor. A frequent occurrence in the understory is theresult of Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) wallow. Following initial observations we hypothesizedthat these depressions that fill with run-off and provide water, mud, minerals and otherresources could benefit the Crested Serpent-eagle. We conducted camera trapping at
three wallow sites in order to survey the activity pattern of wild boar and of the raptor
use of the wallow. Three camera traps were deployed in the Biology Education andResearch Forest (Hutan Pendidikan dan Penelitian Biologi—HPPB), Andalas University,
West Sumatera, Indonesia. Of a total of 122 days of observations , we obtained 113

photos and 150 5-second video recording. In 27 photos and 21 videos we recorded
Crested Serpent-eagle activity on 13 different visits. Serpent-eagle visited wallow sites
between 1000 to 1700 hrs, and peak activity was between 1200 to 1500 hrs. On eachoccasion, visits to the wallow were solitary. Using the photos and video recordings, weare able to describe their activity pattern. The Crested Serpent-eagle usually descends a
short distance from the wallow, walks into the pit where it spends two to four minutes
before it walks out and flys away. This behaviour is obviously a non-foraging activity.
We think that it drinks water and maybe even practice geophagy in order to gain
minerals from the clay. Our observations are an important contribution to ourunderstanding of wild boar-wallows as water and/or minerals for Crested Serpent-eagle
and other forest animals.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014
HABITAT PREFERENCE, NEST SITE SELECTION AND BREEDING
SUCCESS OF BONELLFS EAGLE HIERAAETUS FASCIATUS IN
MAHARASHTRA AND KARNATAKA, INDIA

SATISH PANDE, NEELESH DAHANUKAR, SHIVKUMAR PEDNEKAR,

RAJKUMAR PAWAR, MURLIDHAR MAHAJAN, NIRANJAN SANT, AVINASHNAGARE AND PRASHANT DESHPANDE

pande.satish@gmail.com

Ela Foundation and M.E.S's Ornithology, Ethno-Orathology and Natural Sounds
Laboratory - OENSL, Pune, India

Bonelli's Eagle Hieraatets fasciatus (Family: Accipitridae) is a resident, diurnal,
uncommon raptor. We studied the habitat preference, nest site selection and breeding
success of Bonelli's Eagle in Maharashtra and Karnataka states, India from 2006to 2013.
In the study area it breeds from October to March. We recorded the nests in various
habitats such as evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, deciduous forests, semi-arid
regions, agricultural cropland, near water bodies and in mountains. In all 29 nesting sites
were studied, of which 20 were on tree (nest height 12 - 15 m), 8 on cliffs (45-50m)and 1 a on cell phone tower (25 m). The tree species used for nesting were
Eucalyptus spp., Bombax ceiba, Ficus religiosa and Syzigium cumini. In Europe, itmainly breeds in cliffs, where its population is declining, whereas in our study area wefound maximum nesting on trees followed by cliffs. We studied 123 breeding attempts inseven consecutive breeding seasons. The nesting success was 100 %. Of these, 87 wereon trees 35 on cliffs and 1 on mobile tower Out of 123 breeding attempts hatching
success in 16 attempts was 72% (23 young from 32 eggs). The average breeding successwas 1,5(on trees 1.4, cliffs 1.6, mobile tower 2). The prey items included mammals, birds
and reptiles. Threats to tree nesting eagles included tree felling, trapping for illegal tradeas pets and falconry, hunting and poisoning because of its poultry lifting habit. In general,
there were no threats observed for cliff nesting eagles because the nests were situated ininaccessible and remote sites.

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International Raptor Conference, 8

ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

URBAN ECOLOGY OF RED-HEADED FALCON FALCO CHICQUERA INBANGLADESH.

MOHAMMOD FOYSAL.

pakhivhai@vahoo.com(Bangladesh Spoon-billed Sandpiper Conservation Project).

Raptors worldwide are declining due to the direct effects of a variety of anthropogenic

factors. In the face of these declines, raptors species that have adapted to urban areas
may have a greater chance to survive in the face of habitat loss. Wildlife habitat in urban

and rural settings in Bangladesh has been greatly diminished over the past few decades,
leading to species loss (13 species extinct; 10 mammals, 2 birds and 1 reptile). Six pairsof Red-headed Falcon Falco chicquera were studied in urban and suburban areas in four
districts in Bangladesh. Four pairs extensively used man-made structures for nesting,roosting, hunting and feeding. One of these four pairs consecutively nested in man-madestructures since 2009.

Reproductive success was highest for this pair (46%, n=24). In 2012 one pair nested neara chemical factory and one nestling with deformed legs was found. We suspect this to be
the result of chemical contamination. Use of man-made structures appears to be a
response to the shortage of large trees and this could be regarded as ecological flexibility
that may help this species survive in increasingly urbanized landscapes.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014
THE SAKER FALCON IN RUSSIA AND KAZAKHSTANNIKOLENKO E. G. AND KARYAKIN I. V.

elnik2007@ya.ru; ikar_research@mail.ru
Siberian Environmental Center, NGO.
70 years ago the Saker Falcon {Falco cherrug) was a common species of Russia andKazakhstan. The Eastern European population in Volga-Ural region has been extinct
completely due to the situation in wintering grounds and migration routes. Also, thenumber of species was strongly reduced in the whole area of its breeding, while therange has shrunk significantly (about 90%).
Now the number of Saker Falcon is estimated to be from 1900 to 2700 pairs in Russia

and from 1882 to 2179 in Kazakhstan (Moshkin, 2010). At present about 75% of theRussian Saker Falcon population breeds in the Altai-Sayan region. Now the main

breeding groups of the species are Altai-Sayan - about 1300 br. p., Western Kazakhstan(Usturt) - about 1600 br. p., Eastren Kazakhstan - about 100 br. p., Central Kazakhstan about 150 br. p.

A total of 1196-1440 breeding pairs (1325 pairs on average) and 562-668 successful
pairs (615 on average) are estimated to inhabit the Altai-Sayan region in 2011. The total

number decreased during the last 9 years (2003-2011) by 28%, during the last 3 year
(2008-11) by 12.7%, and during the last year (2010-11) by 9.7%.

In Kazakhstan trend for 20 years was -61% (Moshkin, 2010), in Eastern Kazakhstan - 96.4% (Levin at al., 2010)

Crushing the population connect with negative factors'impacting both in breeding places,and during wintering migration: legal and illegal trapping, bird electrocution, poisoning
are the main.

However, disappearance of females and as a result a sharp decrease in ages of females inbreeding pairs, that was confirmed by perennial observations, and by bird ringing, show,that pressure of catching on the species is excessive.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014
MIGRATION PHENOLOGY OF STEPPE EAGLE (AQUILA NIPALENSIS)AND OTHER RAPTORS IN THOOLAKHARKA WATCH SITE, NEPAL.
T.R. SUBEDI, R.DECANDIDO, J.L.LINCER AND H.S.BARAL.
tulsi.biologist@grnail.com

Himalayan Research and Conservation Institute - Himalayan Nature

Study on migration phenology of Steppe Eagle and other raptors was conducted incentral west Nepal from Thoolakharka watch site (28°18.188! N, 083°49.788f, El 2050 m)
between 15 September and 04 December 2012. Our goal was to determine total
migrating Steppe Eagles and other raptors as well as (heir migration phenology. In 81

days of migration study, we have counted approximately 10,000 individuals of raptors
leaving the Tibetan plateau and northern Asia and heading south in Middle-East or even

Africa following the Himalayan Ranges of Nepal and India. In total we have counted 30

species of migrating raptors including 10 species of Eagles [Pallasfs Fish-Eagle(Haliaeetus leucoryphus)-2, Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)- 2, Crested SerpentEagle (Spilornis cheela)-26, Indian Spotted Eagle (Aquila hastate -3,

Greater Spotted

Eagle (A, clanga) - 3, Steppe Eagle - 6597, Golden Eagle (A. chrysaetos) - 7, Bonellifs

Eagle (A. fasciata) - 13, Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus) - 155 and MountainHawk-Eagle (Nisaetus nipalensis) - 1], four species of Vultures [Egyptian Vulture(Neophron percnopterus - 24, Himalayan Vulture (Gyps himalayensis) - 1270, Griffon
Vulture (G fulvus) - 85 and Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) - 73], six speciesof Falcons [Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) - 66, Common Kestrel (F. tinnunculus) 83,

Amur Falcon (F. amurensis) -78,

Eurasian Hobby (F. subbuteo) - 80,

Saker

Falcon (F. cherrug)- 5 and Peregrine Falcon (F. peregrinus calidus) - 29], three speciesof Buteos [Himalayan Buzzard (Buteo (buteo) burminacus) - 180, Long-legged Buzzard(B. rufirius) - 4 and Upland Buzzard (B. hemilasius) - 4], two species of Accipiters[Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) - 107 and Northern Goshawk (A. gentilis) - 3],

two species of Harriers [Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) -19 and Pallid Harrier (C.
macrourus)- 7],

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)-3,

Oriental Honey-buzzard (Pernis

ptilorhyncus)-381 and Black-eared Kite (Milvus lineatus) - 324. Steppe Eagle migration

started from 5th October and continued till the end of the observation period withaverage number of 14 eagles/hr. The highest daily count was 572 eagles on 3 November.
Migration of Steppe Eagle was observed between 0800 H to 1700 H. The peak number
was observed in the afternoon hours (1200 H to 1600 H) and highest count of total
number of the Steppe Eagles during this time was 1907. We have counted highest of 243

Steppe Eagles within a single hour between 1400 H to 1500 H on 8 November. In

Thoolakharka watch site approximately 60% Steppe Eagles passing overhead were adult.
We identified and counted 697 Juveniles (1st plumage), 1328 Sub-adults (2nd - 4th

Plumage) and 1931 adults (>5th plumage). Overall, the best time to see the most species
in one day was in early November - but different species peak at different times during
the autumn migration. For example, in 2012 the Amur Falcon and Lesser Kestrel
migration peaked from approximately 20 October through 5 November, Oriental Honeybuzzard peaked from 25 to 31 October, Himalayan Vulture

peaked from 10 to 20

November. On the other hand, the largest movement of Steppe Eagles occurred in early
to mid-November. Even in late November, the Steppe Eagle migration was strong (up to
300/d), and species such as Himalayan Vulture, Griffon Vulture and Cinereous Vulture
were regularly seen moving east to west past us.
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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

FLIGHT IDENTIFICATION AND COMMENTS ON THE SIX ACCIPITERSPECIES SEEN DURING SOUTHBOUND MIGRATION AT KHAO DINSOR,THAILAND (2011-2012).

R. DECANDIDO, C. NUALSRI, M. SEPONEN, K. SUTASHA, A. PIERCE, AND P.D.
ROUND.

rdcnv@earthlink.net, bnternstar@gmail.com(Chumphon Raptor Center, Thailand).

The migratory bottleneck watch site, Khao Dinsor (Pencil Hill) on Thailand's southeast
coast is the premier raptor migration watch site in the Oriental region with more than

250,000 raptors of at least 30 species seen, on average, each year. Six Accipiter species

are observed here - the most at any raptor watch site in the world. Five are migratory:
Chinese Sparrowhawk {Accipiter soloensis); Japanese Sparrowhawk (A. gularis); Shikra(A. badius)\ Besra {A. trivirgatus); and Eurasian Sparrowhawk (A. nisus). Anotherspecies, Crested Goshawk {A, trivirgatus) is resident in the area though some juveniles

may migrate as well. Each Accipiter species (including male vs. female, and adult vs.

juvenile) can be identified in flight by a few key morphological characters combinedwith flight pattern as they move past our watch site - and we will detail these charactersin our presentation with photos. The Chinese Sparrowhawk is the most commonly seen
Accipiter (and in certain years the most common raptor migrant) with 80-125,000
counted; Besra and Eurasian Sparrowhawk are the least commonly seen (<50/yr). Ourdata show that Japanese Sparrowhawks have the longest migration period of any raptor
species at Khao Dinsor: from mid-August through early November at least. One species(Chinese Sparrowhawk) is an obligate flocking species though lone adults (late August)and lone juveniles (late October) occur. For the Accipiters, we are most interested inunderstanding why in one species (Japanese Sparrowhawk), adults migrate first andjuveniles follow later in the season. By comparison, juvenile Shikras precede adults to agreat degree. Finally, adult and juvenile Chinese Sparrowhawks migrate together in huge
flocks. Identification is one key to understanding the biology of a species, and it mightthen be possible to develop conservation strategies to ensure the future of the raptors allof us enjoy watching so much.

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ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

DEMOGRAPHICS AND ECOLOGY OF WINTERING AQUILA EAGLES IN
THAILAND.

KASORNDORKBUA CHAIYAN.
trogon@,gmail.com

Thai Raptor Group, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
Kasetsart University, Thailand

Aquila eagles are winter visitors to Thailand. There are three species recorded andinclude Greater Spotted Aquila clanga, Steppe Aquila nipalensis and Eastern Imperial
Eagles Aquila heliacal The counts at a paddyfield site in Phetchaburi province, central
Thailand, where all three eagle species aggregated, foraged and night-roosted, were done
on weekly visits from November 2011 to March 2012. The habitat was an area of

seasonal paddy field, approximately 10 by 20 km2, with scattered trees of >15 m.

Maximum number per day of eagles, identified to age-class plumages (namely hatchyear/juvenile, subadult, adult) was performed to determine the demography of the eagle
population. Age-class identification was confirmed by available photographs, followed
Forsman, 1999. Forty Aquila eagles were recorded. Greater Spotted Eagle was the mostnumerous species (N = 24; 18 juvenile, 4 subadult, 2 adult). Nine Eastern Imperial andseven Steppe Eagles were also counted. None of them were adults. Four Eastern Imperial
were juveniles and 5 subadults, whereas two Steppe Eagle were juvenile and 5 subadult.
Foraging aggregates of the eagles were positively related to plowing periods in thepaddies when carcasses of Ricefield Rat Rattus argentiventer and Greater Bandicoot
Bandicota indica were unearthed due to flooding of the fields and injury by the plowing

machine. Interspecific kleptoparasitism among the three species of Aquila on the rodent
carcass and live rodents was frequent. Black-eared Kite Milvus migrans lineatus werealso kleptoparasitized by the eagles when carrying food items. Paddy fields are an
important foraging site for Aquila species and plays a significant role to sustain thewintering populations.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

AUTUMN MIGRATION OF AMUR FALCON FAICO AMURENSIS IN
THAILAND.

JAKTHONG PATTARAPONG AND C. KASORNDORKBUA.
pjharrier@gmail.com(Kasetsart University, Thailand).

Amur Falcon Falco amurensis is a trans-oceanic and trans-continental migratory species.
In Thailand, the species is generally regarded as rare passage migrant. Based on thesatellite tracking data, the falcons travel through South-east Asia over the golden triangleof Myanmar-Laos-Thailand border, towards the Indian subcontinent, before launching
the Indian Ocean crossing to reach Southern Africa. To study the autumn migration ofAmur Falcon in Thailand, a season-long count of Amur Falcon migration in autumn was

carried out from late September to early November at Wat Tha Ton site, Chiang Mai
province in northern Thailand. The site is located immediately close to Shan state inEastern Myanmar. The results, when compared to those originated from the fiveconsecutive year counts at Radar Hill count site in southern Thailand, and sighting
records throughout the country, showed that there are two patterns of movement of thefalcon in the country; the first pattern is the major route where the falcons travels inflocks, heading from North-east towards South-west directions into Eastern Myanmar.
The second is single falcons observed elsewhere in the country, as individuals wanderingaway from the first aforementioned major migratory path.

All sight records at Radar Hill site pertained exclusively to the falcons in juvenile
plumage whereas the records in the other parts of the country were either juvenile orfemale birds. All of the falcons seen at Radar Hill headed southward to the Malay
Peninsula, where rare occurrences of the similar age-class falcons were accorded withthe records in southern Thailand. The findings suggest the juvenile dispersal pattern of
the species. And Amur Falcons migrated in remarkable different altitudes, ranging fromthe inter-valley paddy fields of 200-600 meters above sea level to the Daen Lao
Mountain range of 2000 m high before they crossed the country border, and entered
Myanmar.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

RINGING MIGRANT SPARROWHAWKS IN SOUTHERN THAILAND ATKHAO DINSOR.

CHUKIAT NUALSRI, P.D. ROUND, AJ. PIERCE, K. SUTASHA and R.
DECANDIDO.

bnternstar@gmail.com(Chumphon Raptor Center, Thailand).

We banded migrating birds, including raptors, at Khao Dinsor, coastal south Thailand,
during the 2011 and 2012 southbound migration seasons. For raptors we deployed five,
12 m-long, (3-5 cm mesh) mist-nets, the uppermost panel set to reach 3.5-4 m height, invegetation gaps along a ridge top, perpendicular to the line of flight. We set nets on 19
days in total during the two seasons. Neither live birds nor other prey (nor decoys) wereused to attract the raptors, thus reducing sampling bias. We trapped 48 migrating
Accipiter gularis (Japanese Sparrowhawk); 26 A. soloensis (Chinese Sparrowhawk); and
1 A, badius (Shikra). Almost all (96%) were caught during only ten days during late
September to early October, when the birds were flying into south-west monsoon
headwinds. Most A. gularis were captured after 14h00 when headwinds strengthened
substantially due to increased thermal activity on south-facing slopes, or inclement
weather/onset of dusk forced A soloensis flocks, and lone A, gularis, to look for roostingareas on the ridge. Our results indicate: (a) almost all non-juvenile birds showed arrested
moult of flight feathers; (b) the measured weights and wing lengths of adult m/f A.
soloensis showed overlap, though females were on average approximately 16 g heavier
than males, and females had only slightly longer (c. 7 mm on average) wing lengths; (c)by comparison there was no overlap in wing lengths of measured adult m/f A. gularis females averaged 27 mm larger than males. There was a slight overlap in weight withfemales averaging approx. 50 g heavier than males. So far as we know, we are the only
research station that has captured this many A. gularis and A. soloensis on migration. Ourplans for 2013 and beyond are to expand the range of raptor species caught and begin
satellite tracking certain individuals/species.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

RADAR STUDY ON THE SPRING MIGRATION OF GRAY-FACEDBUZZARDS BUTASTURINDICUS AT HENCHUN PENINSULA, SOUTHERNTAIWAN.

YUAN-HSUN SUN AND TSAI-WEN DENG.

ysunbirdOO@gmail.com(Institute of Wildlife Conservation, Pingtung University of Science & Technology,
Taiwan).

The migration pattern of Gray-faced buzzards (Butastur indicus), the second mostnumerous migratory raptor in East Asia, is little known at Luzon Strait. In April 2007,
we employed weather radar at Renting of Henchun Peninsula to study the spatial andtemporal distribution and flight behavior of migrants.

Buzzard flocks migrated acrossLuzon Strait toward Taiwan (n = 171) averaged 4.21

km in length (+ 6.58 SD, range

0.5-46.4 km) and 1.20 km in width (0.45, 0.5-3.3 km). About 60% of them bypassed thePeninsula on which ground observation was undertaken, which was partly a result ofwind directions en-route. Buzzards tended to fly on days with tailwind conditions,avoiding those with headwind. Ground speed of flying buzzards averaged 50.93 ± 8.61

km (n=136), and increased under favorable wind condition.

Buzzards approach thePeninsula most often between 12:00-15:00, and a few arrive after sunset. Average flightheight was 379.2 ± 135.2 m (n=105), and birds flew lower when facing head wind.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

OBSERVATION ON WINTERING HARRIERS IN BLACKBUCK NATIONAL
PARK, BHAVNAGAR - INDIA
LR.GADHVI

indragadhvi@gmail.com

Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University

A tropical grassland, internationally known for the largest concentration of Blackbuck
Antilope cervicapra, is now famous for the largest population of harriers Circus spp. in theworld during winter, and also for one of the largest breeding populations of the Lesser
Florican Sypheotides indica in monsoon. The existence of a large, regular winter roost of
harriers Circus spp. has been known since the mid-1980s, and assessments of the number ofbirds present at the peak period have ranged up to 2,000 (Clarke 1993).

Over 185 species of birds have been recorded from this area (Akhtar 1998). The area has
been reported as the largest roosting ground in the world for four species of harriers, which
migrate to the Park: Western Marsh Circus aeruginosus. Montagu's C. pygargus, Hen C
cyaneus, and Pallid C macrourus harriers. Another threatened bird is White-browed
Bushchat or Stoliczka's Bushchat Saxicola macrorhyncha which has been recently
confirmed from this site. During winter, Macqueen's Bustard Chlamydotis macqueeni (Near
Threatened) is also found in this area in small numbers.

Forest Department and local bird watchers with an NGO and the Students of Department ofMarine Sciences monitor the harrier population since last two decade. Estimate thepopulation of wintering harriers in the National Park by direct count method. The populationis around 800 to 2600 in the last 7 years.

The harrier population in Blackbuck National park is influenced by the rainfall and the crop
pattern of the surrounding region. The harriers are beneficial to the cotton growing farmers
as they control the locust population damaging the cotton crop.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014
BREEDING ECOLOGY OF RED-NECKED FALCON FALCO CHICQUERA IN
PUNE DISTRICT, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA.

SATISH PANDE, RAJKUMAR PAWAR, MURLIDHAR MAHAJAN AND
PRASHANT DESHPANDE
pande. satish@gmail. com(Director, Ela Foundation and M.E.S's Ornithology, Ethno-Ornthology and Natural
Sounds Laboratory- OENSL, Pune, India)

The Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera (Family: Falconidae) is a resident, uncommon,
diurnal raptor. Scant information is available on the ecology and breeding status of thespecies. Hence, we studied the breeding ecology of the Red-necked Falcon in Pune

district, Maharashtra, India from 2006 to 2013.The study was conducted in Haveli,
Purandar, Baramati, Indapur and Phaltan talukas (sub-districts) in the western part ofPune district, which fall in the bio-geographic zone of the Deccan Plateau. We found thatit breeds from January till May, and recorded three types of nest sites: tree nests (n=10),
on mobile towers (n=4) and on electric high-tension pylon (n=l). The nest trees wereFicus religiosa, F. bengalensis, Eucalyptus sp. and Azadirachta indica. Nests of crows
were reused in 5 instances of the 10 tree nests. Both parents contributed in nest building
and bringing food to the young but only the female incubated the eggs. We observed 52
breeding attempts over seven consecutive years, of which 36 were on trees, 11 on mobile

towers, and 5 on pylons. All breeding attempts were successful. In 15 nests we observed
number of eggs laid (n=53) and the number of young hatched (n=38). Hatching success
was 71.7 %. The incubation period was 33 to 34 days. During the study period,

altogether 112 young fledged from 52 breeding attempts. The average breeding successwas 2.0 (range 1 - 3). The average breeding success was marginally higher for trees than
towers and pylons. We also studied the habitat preference of Red-necked Falcons. We

observed that in general, they preferred agricultural cropland, semi-arid habitats andurban fringes for nesting, while in some instances (nests on mobile towers) they nested inurban areas. Their diet consisted mainly of birds, but also bats, reptiles and insects. Thereis some relationship in habitat parameters and choice to build a nest in tree or on tower. Breeding
success, however, is only marginally affected and is slightly more for tree nests. There is somerelationship between food preference and habitat in the 5 km radius of the nest. But breeding

success is not related either to the food or to the habitat.The threats to the falcons weremobbing by House Crows Corvus splendens, Black Kite Milvus migrans and Indian

Grey Hornbill Ocyceros birostris; felling of nest trees (n=2) and hunting by local people
because of the falcon's poultry lifting habit.

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international Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014PRELIMINARY INSIGHTS IN DISTRIBUTION AND DEMOGRAPHY OF THE

l^nOWETHETEROGLAUXBLEWITTIIN MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA
PRACHIMEHTA, S.K. SAJAN AND JAYANT KULKARNI
prachimehtal@gmail.com

Wildlife Research and Conservation Society, 1A Shriyog Society, 127/5, Sus Road,
PashanPune-411021, Maharashtra, India.

Owing to its small population and discontinuous distribution in Central India, the Forest
Owlet is declared as a Critically Endangered Species by IUCN. In December 2012 webegan a long-term study of the distribution, demography and ecology of Forest Owlet in

Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh. In the first phase of the project, an intensive study

area from East Kalibhit Range has been selected to assess the distribution of the Forest
Owlet. The study area is divided in to 2 km x 2 km survey units which are further
divided in to 16 500 m x 500 m survey stations. From March to June 2012 a distribution
survey by occupancy method was conducted in 50 of the survey units and 792 survey
stations. Twenty-five individuals of Forest Owlet were located at 12 survey units. For
understanding demography patterns, color banding of birds is being conducted. Colorbanding is essential to locate individual birds for monitoring their nesting and breeding
success. Color banding will also help to answer questions related to ecologicalrequirements of Forest Owlet. Preliminary analysis on ecological co-variates indicatethat the Forest Owlet is found primarily in teak dominant forests, in plain or gently
undulating terrain, in forest interior with an altitude ranging between 350-450 meter asl.
The Forest Owlets occupy sites which had low level of timber logging, fire occurrence
and vehicular traffic. Medium intensity of livestock grazing was observed from theoccupied sites. The final outcome of this study will help understand the environmental
factors affecting occupancy, demography and ecology of the Forest Owlet in Madhya
Pradesh.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

ASSESSMENT OF HABITAT SELECTION AND THE EFFECTS OF
ANTHROPOGENIC DISTURBANCE UPON PALLAS'S FISH EAGLE(HALIAEETUS LEUCORYPHUS) IN MONGOLIASTEELE MARLA LYNN*, S. GOMBOBAATAR AND V. PRAKASH
mls013@email.uark.edu*University of Arkansas

A total of 26 species of long distance migratory raptors have been record for Indonesia
between 2001 - 2012. The three most common species recorded in Indonesia are
Oriental-honey Buzzard Pernis ptiloehynchus, Chinese Goshawk Accipiter soloensis andJapanese Sparrowhawk Accipiter gularis.

There are five important migration watch sites in Indonesia at Rupat Island in Sumatra,
Puncak in West Java, Penggaron in Central Java, Mt. Segara Bali Island and Sangihe
Island in North Sulawesi. These sites have become traditional watch sites in the last

decade.

Rupat Island is a satellite island of Sumatera, which is ca. 38 km south of the Malaysian
Peninsula. This island is an important route of migratory raptors in both seasons. Other
important route is Sangihe Island in Sulawesi. During spring and autumn 2007 ca. 230,
214 raptors were record in the area (Germi et.al 2009). The count indicates that there is alarge raptor movement from the Philippines to Indonesia in the East Asian Oceanic
Flyway.

Puncak pass area in Western Java, Penggaron in Central Java and Mt Segara in Bali arealso important routes. Those areas are a bottleneck on the islands of Java and Bali.
Thousands of raptors migrate through this area every year. Moreover, Penggaron inCentral Java is also important in both autumn and spring migrations.

Several conservation efforts had been conducted in these important areas and include
monitoring, public awareness and annual raptor festival. Moreover, Rupat Island has
established an Ecosystem Essential Area which is a protected area for migratory raptors.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

RICE FIELD USE BY RAPTORS IN NORTHERN PENINSULAR MALAYSIAAZMAN NUR MUNIRA, N.S. ABDUL LATIP AND M.H. SAHARUDIN
salmi@usm.my

Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia

Rice fields, the landscape of the primary Malaysian traditional crop, provide important

habitat for'raptors. In Malaysia, very few studies have examined raptor communities

present in this agriculture area. Field data of Permatang Pauh, Penang, Peninsular
Malaysia was obtained between 2000 and 2011 from field observation, road surveys andBird-I-Witness database maintained by Malaysian Nature Society. Peninsular Malaysia's
location on the East-Asian Australasian flyway makes it a host to more than 120
migratory birds with at least 44 species of diurnal raptors recorded. In this study, a totalof 20 species of raptors were sighted utilizing a diversity of habitats in the area.
Consisting of families Pandionidae and Accipitridae, 10 were migratory raptors, sevenresidents, one resident and migrant, and two vagrants. Species identified included Aquilaclanga and Aquila heliaca, two wintering species ranked as IUCN Vulnerable. Others
were Pandion haliaeetus, Alviceda leuphotes, Pernis ptilorhynchus, Milvus migrans,
Haliastur indus, Haliaeetus leucogaster, Elanus caerulus, Circaetus gallicus, Spilomis
cheela, Circus spilonotus, Circus melanoleucos, Accipiter trivirgatus, Accipiter gularis,

Aquila pennatus, Spizaetus cirrhatus, Microhierax caerulescens, Falco tinnunculus andFalco peregrinus. The high diversity of raptor occurrence was largely restricted to thecultivation season with maximum abundance during harvesting and migratory season(September-March). This could coincide with their food availability that consists ofsmall mammals feeding on different ripening stages of rice. Small mammals crowding
into marginal habitat along canals and roads might increase prey availability during theharvest season. Large predators such as Haliastur indus (Brahminy Kite), Elanus

caeruleus (Black-shouldered Kite) and Spilomis cheela (Crested Serpent-eagle) wereobserved to occur in the harvested areas and respond quickly to the intentional burningof fields. Most raptors in this study were believed to originate from nearby forest patches,mangrove and oil palm plantation. Rice fields serve as important feeding grounds,
roosting and wintering habitats for resident and migratory raptors. Urbanization and rice
field conversion in the area must be informed by data on the relative importance of thedifferent habitats to the existing raptors.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

BEHAVIOURAL OBSERVATIONS ON LONG-BILLED VULTURES (GYPS
INDICUS) AT THE ADARWADI NESTING CLIFF IN TAMHINI GHAT,
MAHARASHTRA, INDIA.

PADHYE ANAND, DEVNA ARORA, SOHAM DIXIT KSHITIJA KULKARNI AND
NEELESH DAHANUKAR.

adpadhye@gmail.com

Department of Zoology, MES' Abasaheb Garware College, Pune

The Long-billed Vulture (Gyps indicus) is poorly studied in its natural habitat andobservations on nesting behaviour are primarily available only from captive populations.

Being a declining species under grave threat, it is vital to document their nesting
behaviour in the wild. A study was conducted on the small colony of Gyps indicus
nesting on the cliffs at village Adarwadi, Tamhini Ghat (Maharashtra, India) for a periodof 3 lA years. Though the maximum number of vultures seen at any given time was 19,
the colony may be of a bigger size. Data were collected bi-monthly using non-invasive
methods and observations were made using a pair of binoculars at an average distance of
400 meters from the cliff nests. Our observations indicate peak activity and movement at
the nest site between 1200 to 1530 hours. While the vultures were observed to roostcommunally during the day, only the nesting vultures remained at the nest site during thenight. The nesting colony was most active late in the winters and early summer
coinciding with their breeding behaviour. On average 2 fledgling chicks were observed
each year. Bones collected opportunistically from the base of the nesting cliffs indicatedthat the adults brought back chunky portions of flesh for the chicks. The vultures rarely
roosted on the cliff face - they typically slept either inside the caves or elsewhere awayfrom the cliffs. The nests are usually formed inside the caves or on the covered ledges on
the cliff except for one incidence wherein a pair had chosen to nest on an uncovered(open to the sky) ledge. Frequent movement of several individuals at nests, and thesimultaneous rejection of some of those individuals indicate a determining factor inallowing the helpers at the nest site. Although nesting behaviour was seen at the
beginning of each calendar year, a pair of vultures was observed to have mated twice inthe month of May.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014
RAPTOR MIGRATION IN MONGOLIA

GOMBOBAATAR SUNDEV AND USUKHJARGAL DORJ

info@mos.mn; mongolianbirds@mail.com

Mongolian Ornithological Society and National University of Mongolia Hustai National
Park, Mongolia, B.O.Box 537, Ulaanbaatar 210646A, Mongolia

To date, a total of 44 species of raptor of 3 families and 17 genera have been documented
in Mongolia. Of these, 25 species (57%) are breeding visitors and passage migrants, 7(16%) are vagrants, 5 (11%) are summer visitors and passage migrants, 5 (11%) areresident breeders, and 2 species (5%) are winter visitors. Raptor species richness differs
across the country. High species richness of raptors occurs at Mongol Daguur Steppe,
Hentii Mountain Range, Dornod Mongol Steppe (north-eastern and central Mongolia),
Northern Khangai and Mongol-Altai Mountain Range (western Mongolia) most possibly
due to these areas being located on the Central and East Asian Migratory Flyways. Dataand information on raptor migration research in the country in the past were poor due toman power, capacity, and lack of communication and coordination between countries.
Up to date, raptor researchers conducted migration studies on 6 species of raptors in
Mongolia including Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis), Saker (Falco cherrug) and Amur
Falcons (Falco amurensis), Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus), Short-toed Snakeeagle (Circaetus gallicus), and recently Pallas's Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus).

They used metal rings, wing-tags, radio-telemetry and satellite devices for migration
studies of raptors. Based on data and information of these migration studies in recent
years we conclude that raptors from Mongolia take the general migration route oi birds
migrating on East Asian-Australasian and Central Asian Flyways depending on thespecies. In order to get accurate migration data and to coordinate effectively with acrosscountry borders, ARRCN should prioritize the species that we can collaborate on
throughout Asia, initiate the activity for allocation of wing-tag colours for member
countries, and identify the important Asian Raptor Sites under IUCN and ARRCN
criteria.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

FALL MIGRATION OF PALLAS'S FISH EAGLE IN MONGOLIASTEELE MARLA LYNN, S. GOMBOBAATAR AND V. PRAKASH
mls013@uark.edu

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas

Pallas's Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus) is a globally vulnerable species with adecreasing population trend. The species' historical range extended from the Caspian Sea
to China and from Russia to the Indian Subcontinent. The species' seasonal movements
and migration patterns are complex and severely data deficient. Conflicting observations

suggest the potential for two separate breeding migrant populations located in the north,around Mongolia and Kazakhstan, and the south, Pakistan to Myanmar, whose range
overlaps around the Himalayas with inverse breeding seasons based upon climatic
factors, such as the timing of spring thaw and the onset of the East Indian monsoon.
During the summer of 2013, a 70g GSM-GPS transmitter backpack was attached to ajuvenile Pallas's Fish Eagle at Ogii Nuur, Mongolia. The GSM-GPS unit collects -300
data points per day with an average accuracy of +/- 18 m horizontal and +/- 22 m
vertical. The collected GSM-GPS coordinates will be used to assess the geographic andtemporal characteristics of seasonal movements. In addition, potential impact of seasonal
weather conditions upon migration will be analysed via the MoveBank online NOAA
Re-analysis-2 weather database run by University of Konstaiiz and Max Planck Institute
fur Ornithologie and New York State University.

This project will provide the first assessment of the fall migration route and timing of
migration for the northern population of Pallas's Fish Eagle breeding in Mongolia. This
study is vital in light of recent global climate changes; determining future impacts upon

Pallas's Fish Eagle migration without a comprehensive understanding of their seasonal

movements would be impossible.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

SATELLITE TRACKING THE AUTUMNAL MIGRATION OF THE AMUR

FALCON FALCO AMURENSIS FROM NAGALAND, INDIA TO AFRICARAMANI SURESH KUMAR

suresh@wii.gov.in; suresh.wii@gmail.com

Department of Endangered Species Management, Wildlife Institute of India. Post Box #18, Chandrabani, Uttarakhand

The Amur Falcon Falco amurensis is a long distance, trans-equatorial migrant and has
one of the longest and most arduous migration routes of any bird, travelling from theirbreeding grounds in eastern Asia to their wintering grounds in Southern Africa and back.
Part of this annual migration involves a passage through India, including a major stopover for a few weeks each year during October and November, at specific sites innortheast India especially in the State of Nagaland. It was at these stop-over sites that alarge number of the falcons were reported harvested in 2012 for human consumption.
Following a global publicity campaign, conservation initiatives were immediately

introduced to stop the killing, which was considered both unlawful and unsustainable. To
support the conservation efforts and to better understand the migratory movements of theAmur falcon during its passage through India, a satellite tracking study was begun inNovember 2013. A total of 30 Amur falcons were trapped using mist nets on the night of

6th November at the Doyang roost site in the Wokha district of Nagaland. All were
weighed and select morphometric measurements recorded. Before release on 7th

November, each falcon was ringed with a metal ring on the left leg and a color-coded
plastic ring on the right.

Also, three of the adult falcons (one male and two females)

were each fitted with 5 gram solar-powered satellite transmitter manufactured byMicrowave Telemetry Inc. The duty cycle of all three tags was programmed forcontinuous operation for 2 months thus allowing unprecedented detail on migratoryroutes and decisions of the tagged birds. Just a few days after release, the three falcons

began their migration. They travelled separately but followed very similar routes. Within
10 days, all three falcons had reached Somalia, including three days of flight across the

Arabian Sea from the western seaboard of India. After arriving in Africa the behavior
and flight direction of the falcons changed which is discussed in the paper.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014PRELIMINARY STUDY OF VOCAL BEHAVIOR ON MOUNTAIN HAWK-EAGLE NISAETUS NIPALENSIS IN TAIWAN.
HUANG YUNG-KUN, H. C. CHEN, Y. H. SUN, AND P. J. CHIANG.
ysunbirdOO@gmail.com(Institute of Bio-resources, Ping-Tung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan).

Vocalizations have been widely studied in avian species. However, there are relatively
few studies on the vocalizations of raptors . Most of these studies focus on nocturnal
species, whereas diurnal species are relatively neglected. Mountain hawk eagles Nisaetus
nipalensis.di large raptor, is distributed across Taiwan, China, South-East Asian countries
to Bhutan and India. Vocalizations of mountain hawk eagles are described in somestudies, but none of them provide a comprehensive summary with which to conductsubsequent research. This study was conducted in the mountain region of South-Eastern
Taiwan from 2006-2009, We found that mountain hawk eagles produce seven types of
vocalizations based on context and structure. Some vocalizations occurred only during
the breeding season or at the nest. Our aim is that this study provides a systematic andcomprehensive result on the vocalizations of mountain hawk eagle and the preliminary
understanding of vocal behavior in terms of seasonal and geographical changes

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

ACOUSTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF VOCALIZATIONS IN OWLS :IMPLICATIONS FOR SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND CONSERVATION
AWARENESS
ANIL KUMAR

anilsonta@gmail.com

High Altitude Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Solan-173 211, Himachal
PradeshOwls belong to the order Strigiformes, and the majority of the species under the family
Strigidae. They are generally medium sized birds, widely distributed, mostly nocturnal or
crepuscular and feed on insects and small animals. Many have similar morphologicalappearance which makes them difficult to identify in their natural habitats. However,their vocalizations are distinct, and comprise of fairly loud, low pitched calls. I
investigated the physical characteristics of vocalizations in six species of owls (Otus
lettia, Bubo bubo hemachalana, Glaucidium cuculoides, G. radiatum, Athene brama andNinox scutulata) recorded the vocalizations at various localities, mostly in eastern andwestern Himalaya, during April 2003 to May 2012. Vocalizations were recorded using
Marantz PMD222/ PMD670 digital sound recorders and Sennheiser ME-66/ AudioTechnica AT815b microphones. Recordings were analyzed using Avisoft SAS Lab Pro.
Analysis and interpretation of data reveals that all species use a species-specificsignature vocalization composed of discrete, high amplitude repetitive calls made up of
mostly simple, flat frequency elements and having mostly low frequency (Range: 0.29 to
2.00 kHz). However some species, such as the Spotted Owlet produce a wide band
(Range: 0.6 to 18.5 kHz), harsh vocalizations made up of complex, frequency modulated
multiple elements. It is concluded that vocalizations are not only helpful to understandthe communication biology of owls, but also useful for species identification, playbacks
for census and other studies on systematics and behavioural biology. Vocalizations canalso be used for conservation awareness as owls are often killed or captured for esotericreligious activities.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014
BLOOD LEAD SURVEY FOR MIGRATING EURASIAN BLACK VULTURES(AEGYPIUS MONA CHUS) IN THE
REPUBLIC OF KOREA.

KENNY, DAVID E; KIM, YOUNG JUN, LEE, HANSOO, READING, RICHARD P.
daveandmegkennv@vahoo.com; RReading@denverzoo.org

Denver Zoological Foundation; Chungnam Wild Animal Rescue Center;
Korea Institute of Environmental Ecology

Lead poisoning is the most common heavy metal toxicity for avian species including
raptors. Lead poisoning in avian species is a multi-systemic disorder affecting the liver,kidney, heart, gastrointestinal, hematopoietic, reproductive, and the nervous system.
Acute lead poisoning can lead to death but little is known about the long-term survival
effects of chronic lead poisoning.
It is well known from the California condor(Gymnogyps californianus) that lead poisoning from hunter spent lead ammunition is the
major morbidity and mortality factor for the successful recovery of this endangered
species. Since 2009 the Denver Zoological Foundation in collaboration with Mongoliancolleagues has been evaluating blood samples from Eurasian Black Vulture (Aegypius
monachus) chicks for blood lead levels (BLL) using the LeadCare® I point-of-careanalyzer. We determined a mean BLL of 2.50 ±0.10 SE ^ig/dl, n = 121. We hypothesizethat this level represents the normal background BLL in an area not contaminated withhunter spent ammunition. From wing tagging and GPS satellite telemetry projects weknow juvenile birds from this population migrate to the Republic of Korea in
November/December and return to Mongolia in March/April. Since we believe thenesting area in Mongolia is relatively free of hunter spent ammunition we wanted to see
if these vultures might acquire lead while visiting Korea. Hunting with lead ammunitionis permitted in the Republic of Korea. In 2012 we began collaborating with Koreancolleagues evaluating free-ranging and rescued Eurasian Black Vultures. We evaluated
13 rescued juvenile Eurasian Black Vultures at a rescue center in northern South Korea
close to the demilitarized zone. In 2013 we evaluated an additional 18 free-ranging
vultures captured at a vulture restaurant during a canon net capture and 32 more birds
that were presented to rescue centers from various places in the Republic of Korea. The
mean BLL for all birds was 7.36 ±1.05 SE |ag/dl, n = 63. There is a statisticallysignificant difference between the BLL for chicks in Mongolia and migrating juveniles
in Korea (U =6,672, P <0.001, Mann-Whitney U-test). The mean we determine in Korea
is only an approximation because one bird presented with acute lead poisoning. The
BLL was >65 |ig/dl which is the upper end detection limit for the analyzer. This bird

was assigned a value of 66 jag/dl. We believe this supports our hypothesis that the birds
are acquiring lead during their winter migration. This paper will discuss BLL for 63
juvenile vultures from the Republic of Korea and its implications for acute and chronic
lead poisoning in the Eurasian Black Vulture.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014
TEN YEARS AFTER DISCOVERING THE FATAL EFFECT OF DICLOFENACRESIDUE ON VULTURES: IS THE ASIAN VULTURE CRISIS OVER?
M.Z. VIRANI, R.T. WATSON, M.J.I. CHAUDHRY, and H.S. BARAL.
rwatson@peregrinefund.org

The Peregrine Fund, Boise, USA

In 2003, The Peregrine Fund identified the veterinary drug diclofenac sodium as thecause of the catastrophic population collapse of three species of Gyps vulture in South
Asia. Vultures that consumed livestock
carcasses
contaminatedwith residuesof diclofenac died of renal failure at rates so high that their populations declined by>30% per year.
In February 2004, a high-level summit meeting was held in
Kathmandu, Nepal to disseminate results to government authorities from Pakistan, India
and Nepal. By 2006, these governments had banned the veterinary use and manufactureof diclofenac. We present encouraging results from ourpre-ban and postban vulture population monitoring in India, Nepal and Pakistan that suggestthat Gyps vulture populations may have started to stabilize and at some sites may even be
increasing. The crisis is not over, however, as populations are vastly depleted. Weemphasize the need for continued work to restore vulture populations, especially Gyps
tenuirostris, continued vulture population monitoring, and public awareness, especiallyon the emergence of new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in theveterinary market that could potentially jeopardize vulture conservation efforts in theregion.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

COORDINATING EFFORTS AND LATEST PROGRESS TO SAVE THREE OF
ASIA'S GYPS VULTURES FROM EXTINCTION.

BOWDEN CHRISTOPHER G.R., VIBHU PRAKASH, KHADANANDA PAUDEL,JUDDHA GURANG, JEMIMA PERRY-JONES, UZMA KHAN, RAM JAKATI, ANILSHARMA, NICK LINDSAY, CAMPBELL MURN, RICK WATSON, SIMONMAHOOD and IAN NEWTON.
chris.bowden@rspb.org.uk

RSPB - Royal Society for the Protection of Birds; BNHS - Bombay Natural History
Society; The Peregrine FundAll three resident Gyps vulture species of South Asia have declined by over 99% since
the early 1990s and the main cause of these declines was diagnosed by 2004 as
diclofenac poisoning. Efforts to agree the priority actions and to implement them in timeto prevent extinction of these Critically Endangered species have been led by several
organisations in conjunction with the range Governments. More recently in February
2011 these organisations formally joined together under the banner 'Saving Asia's
Vultures from Extinction' (SAVE) which provides a clearer identity for the partners towork together to achieve their shared conservation goals. The composition andfunctioning of SAVE is outlined here, as well as the ways that this complements the
newly formed 'Regional Steering Committee' for the species and the IUCN Vulture
Specialist Group. The main achievements so far have been to instigate a ban in all four
countries - India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal - of the veterinary formulations anduse of diclofenac, as well as the establishment of viable stock of all three species in
captivity. The captive populations are already breeding successfully, and we areapproaching the preparation stages for release back into the wild assuming the diclofenac
threat can be fully removed.

However, serious challenges remain, including widespread illegal use of human
diclofenac formulations by vets, and the emergence of new replacement veterinary drugs
that are also toxic to vultures. As well as the need to address both of these issues, SAVE
has identified a further approach to the problems through the creation of 'Vulture Safe
Zones' - areas of 100km radius where intensive monitoring, advocacy and awarenesswork is targeted and it is hoped these will be among the first areas where captive birds
can be safely released back into the wild.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

PROBABLE THREATS FOR VULTURES AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE
SUSTAINABILITY OF 'VULTURE SAFE FEEDING SITES' OF RUPENDEHI
AND DANG, NEPAL.

HEMANT DHAKAL, SHARMA HARIPRASAD AND CHAUDHARY ANANDA.
hdforecology@gmail.com
Tribhuvan University, Nepal

Nepal supports six resident and three migratory vulture species of the nine species foundin South-Asia. Among them, Indian Long billed vulture (Gyps indicus ) ( Oriental
white-backed vulture (G. bengalensis), Slender-billed vulture (G. tenuirostris), and Red

headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) are listed as Critically Endangered; and the Egyptian
vulture (Neophron percnopterus) as Endangered in IUCN Red list because of the drastic
decline m their population from South-Asia. Diclofenac, one of the NSAID (spell out
first time) has been identified as the primary cause of the population decline. Symptoms

like visceral gout, kidney failure and finally death of vulture were observed after they
had consumed carcasses with residues of Diclofenac. Vulture Safe Feeding Sites (VSFS)
were first established in 2007 at Kawasoti, Nawalparasi in Nepal to provide Diclofenacfree carcasses to vultures.

The present study was conducted in three Village Development Committees (VDCs) of
Rupandehi district (Bishnupura, Rudrapur and Suryapura), three VDCs of Dang district(Ghobodiya, Lalmatiya and Sisaniya) and Vulture Safe Feeding Sites of two districts(Rupandehi and Dang). The main objectives of the study were to detect the probablefuture threats for vultures and its impacts on sustainability of vulture safe feeding sites
Direct observation and questionnaire survey methods were implemented During

questionnaire survey, more than 600 samples were selected using Stratified Random

sampling method. People were supportive towards VSFS but wanted Government to
uplift their economic status. Competitors like dogs, crows and eagles were comparatively
tew in numbers but were found disturbing vultures at carcasses. Food scarcity habitat
loss, poisoning, low level of awareness among local people about vulture and NSAIDs
full dependence of people for VSFS management on foreign support and donation were

VSFS tO

maj°r thrCatS f°r VUltUrC conservation and sustainable management of

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

STATUS AND CONSERVATION OF INDIAN VULTURES

H. S. A. YAHYA.
has.vahva@.gmail.com

Professor, Dept. of Wildlife Sciences, (Aligarh, India): A. M. U. Aligarh-202002

Encompassing diverse climatological and geographical biome, India is bestowed withlarge number of floral and faunal varieties. Despite great loss of habitat and otheranthropogenic pressures the avifauna of the country represents about 11% of global
species. However, the same percentage of Indian avifauna is under threats of various

category. Vultures, being large and scavengers, have been a prominent component ofIndians agro-based lifestyle. As described in the epic Ramanaya, vultures played asignificant role in Hindu mythology. Parsee communities respect and assort to "skyburial" wherein their dead are offered to the vultures. This is also true for Buddhist
communities in northern India. In addition to above mentioned benefits, ecosystemservices rendered by them are also invaluable. Along with several other common birds
the population of almost all 8 species of vultures found in India has declined, and morethan 97% population of three species - long-billed (Gyps indicus), griffon (G.fulvus) andwhite-backed (G. bengalensis) - have vanished from the plains of India in the past 20
years. While I used to observe them in hundreds in Bahratpur (Rajasthan), Darbhanga(Bihar) and Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh) and elsewhere in north India during 1970s and 1980,
by 2000 they had almost vanished from most locations. This is the fastest decline everrecorded in a bird population in the world. Even the most common scavenger, theEgyptian vulture (Nephron percnopterus), is not so common. Although evolution andextinction are natural processes, disappearance of large species such as vultures in such ashort span of time is intriguing and sad. Results of the studies conducted so far indicatethat the diclofenac, a pain killer medicine, and certain diseases could be the reason forthe population crash. However, there could also be several other reasons, such as
gradual adoption of tractor-based farming that have reduced use of cattle in certain areas
and decline of wildlife population thereby loss of food, loss of large nesting trees,

extensive use of insecticides and pesticides resulting thinning of egg-shells, etc, for thecrash of their populations. Therefore, in addition to captive breeding and reintroduction
programs there is an urgent need to investigate the matter with broader ecologicalobjectives evincing 'multi causative factors' for suggesting remedial measures tomaintain a viable population of vultures in India. Public awareness campaigns remains

the most desirable tool for effective conservation and management of India s wildlite
vis-a-vis the vultures.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

MONITORING VULTURE POPULATION AT PENCH TIGER RESERVEMAHARASHTRA, INDIA.

BAVISKAR, BAHAR S. AND P. B. BAVISKAR
drbaharbaviskar@gmail.com(Society for Wildlife Conservation, Education and Research (WILD-CER), Nagpur,
India).

Out of nine species of vultures found in Indian subcontinent, population of three species
namely Indian Long Billed Vulture (Gyps indicus), Indian White Backed Vulture (Gyps
bengalensis) and Slender Billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris) exhibited unprecedented
dramatic decline during mid-nineties of the last century. Today vultures in Indian
subcontinent are found predominantly in the protected areas with less human disturbanceomTlr^POPUlatlOn m thC Pench Tiger Reserve' Maharashtra was monitored from 2011 to'2013. During survey, Indian White Backed Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) was found to be
the predominant species .(75%) of all gyps vultures. Small population of Indian Long
Billed Vultures (Gyps indicus) (12.5%), Red Headed Vultures (Sarcogyps calvus) (10%)
and Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) (2.5%) was also found during the survey
The study time was split into monitoring the existing nests, searching the new nests
monitoring the activity at all the nest, survey of the villagers and of forest department

personnel.

rChanging pattern of the processing the livestock have changed the feeding habit ofvultures dramatically. In Pench Tiger Reserve, we found that they are mostly dependent
on the carcasses of the wild animals like Chital (Axis axis) 70%, Gaur (Bos gauras) 20%

and Szmbar (Cervus unicolor) 10% respectively.

Observations on nesting pattern of the vultures were recorded considering several

parameters^ It was found that 50% nests were built on Saja (Terminals alata). 28.50%

were on Dhoban (Dalbergiapariculata) and 2L50% were Siras (Albizia procera) 28%
nests were close to the roadside where recognizable human disturbance like tourism etc
was noticed. Other observations included nest predation by House crow (Corvus
splendens) and Black drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus) on the vulture nests.

Recommendations were made to the Maharashtra State Forest Department on the basisof the observations of the vulture population and diclofenac survey in villages in andaround the Pench Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

VULTURE CONSERVATION ENDEAVOURS IN BUNDELKHAND REGION,
INDIA.

SONIKA KUSHWAHA and AMITA KANAUJIA.
sonika2107@gmail.com(Biodervisity and Wildlife Conservation Lab, DeptOf Zoology, University of Lucknow).

There are endless incidences when animals suffered due to never-ending desires andthoughtlessness of human beings. A recent example of this is the decline in vulture
population Until recently, little was known about vulture presence in Bundelkhand
Region The Bundelkhand region has an area of around 70,000 sq. km and stretches over
districts of Southern Uttar Pradesh and Northern Madhya Pradesh. The results are basedon work of last 6 years (2007-2012). Out of 9 vulture species in India, a total of 7
vulture species have been reported from the study region including 4 residential species(Gyps bengalensis, Gyps indicus, Neophron percnopterus and Sarcogyps calvus) and 3
migratory species (Gyps himalayansis, Gypsfulvus and Aegypius monacus). The vulture
conservation endeavors included rescue of dehydrated and injured vultures, proper laws
to stop human disturbances (such as shooting of Hollywood movie "Singularity",
tourism mining etc.) to the vulture populations specifically during the breedmg season^
The protection of breeding, roosting and feeding sites to help in the conservation ofvultures awareness and education programmes for people to encourage them tocontribute in vulture rescue operations through International Vulture Awareness Day,
Wildlife Week, and workshops.

Proper coordination and understanding between various departments such as Forest

Department (for surveying and monitoring of vulture colonies), Archaeological

Department (for protecting of nests in monuments), Tourism Department (preventing

disturbance by tourists), Agriculture Department (avoiding use of harmful pesticides anddrugs) and Education Department (for awareness among local people, students, villagers
and forest officials) have been established. This led to the first "vulture restaurant m

Mahavir Swami Sanctuary, Deogarh in Lalitpur. Regular monitoring and census are been
carried out by the Forest Departments. The Forest departments will also have a one room

"Rehabilitation centre". All the efforts have led to a stable vulture population m theregion.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014
PCR BASED MOLECULAR SEXING OF RAPTORSPRAMANAYUDA

pramyd@staff.uajy.ac.id
Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta (UAJY)

Determination of sex is very important in ecological studies and conservation of the birds,
including raptors. Since most of the raptors are monomorphic, sexing is not an easy task,even when the bird is in hand. We applied PCR based molecular sexing to determine theunknown sex of raptors, which were temporary kept in the cage facility of Natural
Recourse Conservation Agency (Balai Konservasi Sumberdaya Daya Alam - BKSDA)
Yogyakarta and Yogyakarta Wildlife Foundation.
The birds were voluntary handed over or confiscated from the owner/collector. The aimsof the study were to obtain the most effective molecular primers among the mostcommonly used combination primers: P2/P8,

1237L/1272H

andu2550F/2718R, todetermine the sex of the raptors. Samples were obtained from the blood and DNA wasextracted using DNA extraction kit.
Totally ten birds of four species were used in this study: Javan Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus
bartelsi (3), Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus (5), Crested Goshawk Accipitertrivirgatus (1) and Spotted Kestrel Falco moluccensis (1). PCR conditions followed theprevious studies and the amplicon were separated in 3% agarose gel electrophoresis andvisualized under UV light.

The result showed that only the combination primers of

P2/P8 and 1237L/1272H successfully amplified all of the samples.
All Javan and Changeable Hawk-Eagle and Crested Goshawk samples had one band andwere sexed as males. Spotted Kestrel was sexed as female. Meanwhile, the combination

primer of 2550F/2718R was able to amplify only seven samples.

However, the band

pattern confirmed the same sexes as the PCR results using previous primers.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014
FLIGHT IDENTIFICATION OF THE BLACK-EARED KITE MILVUS

MIGRANS LINEATUS VS. THE PARIAH BLACK KITE MILVUS MIGRANSGOVINDA IN NEPAL AND THAILAND.
R. R. DECANDIDO, T. SUBEDI, C. NUALSRI, M. SIPONEN, K. SUTASHA, A.
PIERCE, AND P.D.ROUND.

rdcnv@earthlink.net; tulsi.biologist@gmail.com
Chumphon Raptor Center

Two (sub)species of the Black Kite Milvus migrans occur in the Oriental Region: (a) the
palearctic lineatus (Black-eared Kite) that is regularly observed on migration each
October moving north to south in Thailand, as well as east to west in Nepal; and (b) thetropical breeding govinda (Pariah Kite) which makes shorter intra-regional movements

in response to food availability, weather (seasonal rains), etc. Distinguishing between thetwo subspecies is difficult, particularly birds in flight. In this presentation, we detail
differences between the two subspecies that we have noted in the field, and from photos
we have taken and then analyzed as part of our raptor migration studies at Khao Dinsor,
southern Thailand and Thoolakharka, in central west Nepal. Although there is overlap
between the two subspecies in some plumage characters, by selecting individuals toward

the extremes, we have found that the two most easily seen characters for flight
identification are (a) the size of the white carpal patch over the lower base of the

primaries; and (b) the color of the vent compared to the upper chest/breast area. We hope

this information is beneficial to conservationists in the Oriental region concerned withthe presumed decline in breeding populations of M migrans govinda, as well as migrantand overwintering M. m. lineatus.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

A STUDY OF GENETIC DIVERSITY OF BARN OWL (TYTOALBA) BY USING
MITOCHONDRIAL DNA IN THAILAND.

KIDSIN KAMCHAI, P. JAKTHONG, K. HAMARIT, C. KASORNDORKBUA, W.
WAJJWALKU.

jap.hawk@gmail.com(Center for Agricultural Biotechnology, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus,
Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand).

Barn Owl {Tyto alba) is the most widely distributed species of owls. In Thailand, Barn
Owls are found in barns, temples, abandoned buildings and open areas such as
agricultural areas. They have been introduced to control rodents in oil palm plantations

and paddy fields. Although, description and ecology about Barn Owl are abundant there
is no information about genetic diversity of Barn Owl in Thailand. At present the Barn
Owl populations are declining and the major causes are habitat loss, resulting fromchanging agricultural practices, road mortality and rodenticides poisoning. In the present
study, we analyzed the genetic diversity on mitochondrial DNA of Barn Owls. We used

the partial second subunit of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase (ND2)
sequence of mitochondrial DNA to investigate the genetic diversity of Barn Owls, foundin oil palm plantations in Southern Thailand and other regions of the country. Blood
samples from sixty-seven Barn Owls were obtained. Mitochondrial DNA of Barn Owls
were extracted and amplified with specific primers for ND2 gene of Barn Owl using
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique. The PCR products were used for DNA

sequencing and compared with data in GenBank. The 787- base pair (bp) fragments ofmitochondrial ND2 gene were analyzed. We detected seventeen variable sites on ND2gene . These variable sites were identified as seven haplotypes among the 67 samples.

This result could provide the basic element for suitable management, conservation andcaptive breeding of Barn Owls in Thailand.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

A RAPID, NONINVASIVE, DIRECT PCR ANALYSIS FOR SEX

DETERMINATION IN MULTIPLE RAPTOR SPECIES.
INSEE JIRANAN

fvetwww@yahoo. com

Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetic Engineering

A rapid and accurate method to determine sex is important for the study of raptor biology

because behavior, habitat, and migration can all be influenced by sex. However, the lackof sexual dimorphism that makes it difficult to differentiate between male and female isfound in many raptor species, especially in young birds. The molecular method has been
proved to be a valuable tool for sex determination. We investigated the possible
application of direct PCR-base method amplified a region of the chromo-helicase-DNA-binding (CHD) gene to determine sex in raptors. Blood and feather samples werecollected from Crested Serpent-eagle (Spilornis cheela), Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus
axillaris), Rufous-winged Buzzard (Butastur liventer), Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus),Spotted Owlet (Athene brama), Collared Scops Owl (Otus lettia) and Asian Barred
Owlet (Glaucidium cuculoides). PCR was amplified directly from blood or feather
samples. The result show that CHD-Z and CHD-W fragments were amplified in all
raptor species. A single band (CHDZ, -650 bp) was observed in male raptors and two
bands (CHDZ, -650 and CHD-W, -450 bp) in females. The difference length between
CHD-Z and CHD-W were identified clearly by 1.5% agarose gel electrophoresis. In
conclusion, the direct PCR helps to successfully identify the sex in raptors, which
requires noninvasive sample collection (1 feather). Especially, this method is rapid,
simple, cost-effective, and large number of samples can be processed quickly andefficiently. Furthermore, the technique can also be applied for molecular sexing in otherbird species.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

DIVERSITY OF RAPTORS IN OMKARESHWAR NATURE RESERVE,KHANDWA -DEWAS, MADHYA PRADESH.
KHALIQUE MOHD AND SANGEETA RAJGIR
ibcnmp@gmail.com(Environment Conservation Society & Bhopal Birds. Madhya Pradesh, India)

Madhya Pradesh is rich in diversity of raptors but specific studies have not been
undertaken. A study was conducted in 2010-11, to understand the diversity anddistribution of raptors in Omkareshwar Nature Reserve (ONR). ONR is situated in
Khandwa and Dewas district of Madhya Pradesh with a total area of 645.84 sq km2
which includes Omkareshwar National Park, Singhaji Sanctuary, Mandhata Sanctuary,
Narmada Conservation Unit-I and Narmada Conservation Unit-II. The area was regularly
surveyed for raptors and other species of birds in all the major habitats and all the 7ranges of the reserve i.e., fresh water reservoir, grassland, dry deciduous forest,
agriculture land in all the 7 ranges of the reserve

1.
2.

Narmada Nagar north (22O16'37.92"N,76°27'53.95"E)
Narmada Nagar south (22°19'50.48"N,76°29'43.54"E)

5.
6.
7.

Mandhata(22°14'59.45 "N,76°09'08.53 "E)
Pipari(22°24'02.69"N,76°16'39.70"E)
Punjapura(22°32'23.41"N,76°22'00.24"E)3.
4.

Punasa (22°13'50.71 "N,76°23'32.48 "E)
Satwas(22°32'01.26"N76°41 '01.26"E)

In the nature reserve the vegetation type include Teak, Hardwickia , Boswellia ,Acacia .In the reserve there are many natural water bodies. The entire area is surroundedby the Narmada River Basin.

Surveys were done in vehicles and boat and transects using binoculars and standard field
guides. The records were maintained for all the seasons during the study period for theentire study area. 26 species of raptors were recorded in all 7 ranges of the study area; 23
species in Narmada Nagar North, 19 species in Narmada Nagar South, 12 species inPunasa , 17 species in Pipari, 14 species in Punjapura, 16 species in Mandhata and 11
species weye found in Satwas. In all five families of raptors were reported in the study
area. Family Pandionidae with one species; Accipitridae with maximum 16 species; 6
species in family Strigidae, 3 species in family Falconidae and only one species wasrecorded in family Tytonidae. It is concluded that Omkareshwar Nature Reserve had therichest diversity of raptors which need to be extensively studied and proper conservationplans should be established.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

DIVERSITY STATUS OF FALCONIFORMES AND STRIGIFORMES IN

VARIOUS HABITATS OF RIVER CHAMBAL IN RAJASTHAN STATE, INDIA.
SANJEEV KUMAR
dr.kumarsanjeev@gmail.com.

(Zoological Survey of India, Desert Regional Center, Jodhpur).

River Chambal is the only perennial riverine wetland ecosystem of Rajasthan and shares
its border with Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It passes through six districts ofRajasthan state viz. Chittorgarh, Kota, Bundi, Sawai-madhopur, Karauli and Dholpur. It
occupies an area of ca. 648 Kms from Garh Singadiya in Kota district to Gadi Tedawali
in Dholpur district of Rajasthan state. The major portion of the Chambal falls under
National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary and Jawahar Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary. In addition,
it shares its boundary with Bhainsrorgarh Wildlife Sanctuary and Kela Devi Wildlife
Sanctuary. These protected areas greatly contribute to the conservation of different
habitats of the River Chambal along its length and which harbours great faunal diversity
which includes diurnal and nocturnal raptors. Extensive surveys conducted between 2010
to 2013 revealed 43 species of raptors and owls. Some of the raptors such as Pallasfs
Fish-Eagle: Haliaeetus leucoryphus (Pallas, 1771), White-rumped Vulture: Gyps
bengalensis (Ginelin, 1788), Long-billed Vulture: Gyps indicus (Scopoli, 1786), Red
headed Vulture: Sarcogyps calvus (Scopoli, 1786), Pallid Harrier: Circus macrourus(S.G. Gmelin, 1770), etc recorded are in various categories of conservation status. The
paper presents their habitat distribution, abundance, migratory and conservation status.

The man induced habitat destruction and ever increasing interference due to populationpressure including developmental activities are the major threats to this wetland and to
the species found in or in its vicinity. A three state joint effort is required to prevent the
Chambal River ecosystem from further degradation. The recorded diversity of raptors
indicates the prevailing pristine environment all along the Chambal River except at few
places where immediate conservational measures are required to save the environment of
this wetland.

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STATUS OF RAPTORS OF KANHA TIGER RESERVE, MADHYA PRADESH,
INDIA.

RAVI SHANKAR KANOJE.

ravishankerkanoj e@ymail. com
Retired Forest Officer

The Kanha Tiger Reserve (KTR) is well known for its tigers. It lies in the central

highlands of Madhya Pradesh, India. Kanha was brought under the umbrella of "Tiger

Project" in 1974. The core zone consists of 940 km2 of the KTR and an additional 1009

km comprise the buffer zone. Management objectives targeted some of the large
mammals but birds remain neglected. Though avian checklists are available, very little
study is known about the raptors. The objective of this paper is to highlight the status andthe ecology of some of these raptors.

Observations were made between August 1993 to December 1997 during the tenure of
the author as a Ranger Forest Officer in the KTR. Bird watching was opportunistic while
patrolling and other field work.

In KTR 32 species of raptors have been identified -18 species of Accipitridae, 3

Falconidae, 1 Tytonidae, and 10 of Strigidae. Populations of 15 raptor species are
decreasing.

Four species of vultures display a decline in numbers in India. They are- Red-headed
Vulture Sarcogyps calvus, Indian Vulture Gyps indicus, White-rumped Vulture G.

bengalensis and Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus. The first three are "CriticallyEndangered" where as the Egyptian Vulture is "Endangered". White-rumped Vulture isrelatively common in KTR and may be safe in the National Park as it feeds on dead wild
animals. Solitary Red-headed Vulture and Egyptian Vulture are seen and are rare in the
Park; however Egyptian Vulture is seen in the Buffer Zone. The Indian Vulture hasdisappeared completely from Kanha National Park.

Of the three Harrier species- Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus, Pied Harrier Circus
melanoleucos, Western Marsh-harrier Circus aeruginosus - only the Pallid Harrier,which is classified as "Near Threatened", is declining . The Mottled Wood-owl Strix
ocellata, is an endemic to the Indian Subcontinent, and is stable.

The Park authority should ensure the implementation of the ban on the use of diclofenac
in treatment of live stock. The population of birds of prey particularly Vultures, andPallid Harrier, should be monitored regularly and their nesting sites documented
thoroughly in the KTR.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014
RAPTORS IN WEST SUMATRA: SYNTHESIS FROM VARIOUS SURVEYTECHNIQUES.

JANRA M.N, W.NOVARINO, A.H.HANDIKA.
mnjanra@gmail.com
Biodiversity Institute at University of Kansas,US and Biology Department in Andalas
University, Indonesia

Sumatra is one of the richest islands in Indonesia, due to its size, variability of habitats

and it past connection with Asia continent. Sumatra possesses more than 580 bird species,

where 31 among them are endemic to this island. Raptor species, which place on the topof the food trophic, also give contribution to the diversity of avian in this island. Recent
publication listed 34 diurnal raptor species from Sumatra Island. Here we will take into

account both of diurnal and nocturnal raptors from West Sumatra province in the central
part of the island. Data is compiled from various fieldworks conducted from July 2009

until June 2013 in West Sumatra through the use of some field techniques such as
digiscoping, mistnetting, camera trappings and surveying bird in captivity. As result, weenlisted 10 (ten) species of raptors, which include diurnal raptors from order

Falconiformes with two families and six species (Accipitridae: Halistur Indus,
Haliaeetus leucogaster, Spilornis cheela, Accipiter gularis, Ictinaetus malayensis;
Falconidae: Falco peregrinus) and nocturnal raptors from order Strigiformes (one family,
Strigidae with four species: Otus lempiji, Bubo sumatranus, Ketupa ketupu andGlaucidium brodiei).

In this writing, we emphasize the potential of mistnetting technique for raptor birding,such as its durability to survey nocturnal and elusive species, its applicability to measurebody parameters, biological indication, as well to apply tag for individual identification.
We also see it as one alternative technique to survey migrant raptor that specificly
choose the mountainous line in western side of Sumatra island as their migration route.
We confirmed two forms of Sunda Scoop-owl using this technique; brownish form fromlowland and grey form from highland. TTie recent use of camera trapping technique also
gives a considerable hope for documenting behavioral aspect of raptor.

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FEEDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EGYPTIAN VULTURES IN UTTARPRADESH, INDIA

KUSHWAHA SONIKA, AMITA KANAUJIA, ASHISH KUMAR, AKHILESHKUMAR AND ADESH KUMAR

wildlifeconservation.lko@gmail.com

Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation Lab, Department of Zoology, University ofLucknow

Egyptian vultures are colonial birds. After the vulture crash in India, Egyptian vultures
are most commonly seen vultures in Uttar Pradesh at present. The food of Egyptian
Vulture varies extremely and is one of the major causes that have helped the Egyptian
vultures to face and adapt to the changing habitats and food availability. Foodavailability is a basic concern for animal survival; consequently, it is a fundamental
component to identify the habitat utilization, survival changes and population density of
the animal. The study started in Uttar Pradesh in 2010 and is continuing. The foodavailability as well as the variety was noted through direct observation while surveying
for the scavengers at appropriate time of the day, using binoculars and SLR cameras. The
results show that the Egyptian vultures feed on cattle carcasses when available, they areseen feeding on bone pieces in Bone mills as well as sugarcane factories. They are seenaround the slaughter houses as well as garbage sites. Neophron percnopterus also known
as 'Gobar Giddh' (literally Cow-dung Vulture) is observed searching invertebrates fromdung that is thrown in large quantities near the slaughter houses and leather factories.
The stray dogs are the strong competitors while feeding. The Egyptian vultures arealways seen waiting for the turn to feast on carcasses. Although the reported feeding
opportunities may be enough for the scavenger to continue, it may have an effect on thebreeding success and that should be studied further. This study illustrates the capabilityof the Neophron percnopterus to exploit different food resources, as well as point out theimportance of feeding sites and recommends their management for the persistence andproductivity of the species.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014
THE CRASH IN RESIDENT GYPS VULTURE POPULATIONS IN INDIA AND
THE CONSERVATION MEASURES INITIATED TO SAVE THEM FROMPOSSIBLE EXTINCTION.

VIBHU PRAKASH, SACHIN RANADE, MANDAR D. KULKARNI, ROHAN N.
SHRINGARPURE, NIKITA V. PRAKASH.

(Bombay Natural History Society).

Nine species of vultures are recorded from the Indian subcontinent. The populations of

three resident Gyps species, namely Oriental White-backed

Vulture Gyps bengalensis,

Long-billed Vulture G. indicus and Slender-billed Vulture G tenuirostris crashed during
the mid nineties. Vulture declines were first documented at Keoladeo National Park,

Bharatpur, Rajasthan. Subsequently, the crash in populations was documented across thecountry, Numbers of Oriental White-backed Vulture declined by 99.9% between 1992
and 2007 on transects surveyed each year during that period. The equivalent decline in

the combined total of Gyps indicus and G tenuirostris was 96.8%. However the surveys
conducted in 2011 revealed that

populations of all three species of vultures remained ata low level, but the decline had slowed. The main cause of crash in vulture populations

was found to be the veterinary use of diclofenac, a non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drug
given to cattle for treating inflammation and pain. The vultures get exposed to the drug

diclofenac when they feed on a carcass on ungulate which was administered diclofenac

hours before its mortality. The drug is extremely toxic to vultures and causes kidney
failure which results in visceral gout.

A complete ban on the use of diclofenac in livestock, the establishment of conservation
breeding centres and establishment of vulture save zones are suggested to prevent theextinction of these three species of vultures.

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EFFORTS IN CONSERVATION OF RESIDENT GYPS SPECIES OFVULTURES IN THE STATE OF ASSAM.
SACHIN RANADE.

sachinranade@yahoo.com(Bombay Natural History Society).

The three species of resident Gyps vultures - Oriental white-back vulture (Gyps
bengalensis), Long-billed vulture {Gyps indicus) and Slender-billed vulture {Gypstenuirostris), in Asia have declined by almost 99% in last decade. The veterinary drug

diclofenac is considered as the main cause of the problem. Based on an estimate there

were over 40 million vultures of the three species in India in the nineties; and today, only

a few thousands of vultures exist. Historically in India, the Slender-billed Vulture wasrecorded from Himachal Pradesh in west to Arunachal Pradesh in the east along theHimalayan foothills; but now it is confined only to the eastern part largely to Assamstate. Although the remnant population is small, it is very important for the survival of
the species. The Oriental white-backed vulture has wider distribution in India but facing
drastic decline all over including Assam. The vulture population is under constant threatof diclofenac poisoning (as NSAID is used as painkiller both in animal and human). The

vultures die even by single feeding on the diclofenac laced carcass. To save the three
species from extinction, In-situ and Ex-situ Conservation efforts are being carried out in
India. In the year 2007, the third Vulture Conservation Breeding Center (VCBC) in India
has been set up in Assam for the augmenting the wild population as well as to save themfrom extinction. Oriental white-backed Vulture and Slender-billed vulture found in
Assam have been considered for conservation breeding program here. The protocols

have been developed for husbandry and veterinary care, keeping in mind theirreintroduction in the wild as the final objective. Both species have been breeding
successfully at the VCBC, Assam since 2011. Also, concerted efforts are being made in
the areas where there are extant vulture populations so as to save them from diclofenac
poisoning. This has lead to emergence of the concept of establishing Vulture Safe Zone.
An area of 100 km radius around Majuli island (26.9500° N, 94.1667° E) has been
identified for establishing Vulture Safe Zone where targeted advocacy and awarenessprograms have been initiated. The cattle carcass sampling and pharmacy surveys arebeing carried out to determine the efficacy of advocacy and awareness programs. The
ultimate objective of this project is to create a safe zone for vultures in Assam forreintroduction of vultures in the wild from the captive breeding centre and also to savethe remnant population of vultures of that area from the threat of diclofenac poisoning.

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POPULATION STATUS OF EGYPTIAN VULTURE (NEOPHRONPERCNOPTERUS) IN ALIGARH, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA
Mohammad Sajid and Satish Kumar

Dept of Wildlife Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202 002, UP, India

A survey of Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), which is listed as endangered in
the current IUCN Red List category was conducted in Aligarh city and its surrounding
areas from January to April 2013. We established seven line transects, each 5 km long m
major roads radiating out from Aligarh city for documenting population of Egyptian
vulture. Each transect was monitored eight times during the study period. Animal
carcasses were also recorded on these transects. We also identified and monitored 12
garbage dumps in different localities of Aligarh, which were monitored 8-10 times for
documenting population of the species. The density of vultures varied from 0-0.0019
individuals/sq km in the selected transects. The encounter rate for the species varied
from 0-0.43 individuals/km in the selected transects. Animal carcasses encounteredduring transect monitoring varied from 0.03 to 0.25/km along transects. The averagegroup size of vultures recorded in transects varied from 0-2.13 individuals. The densityof the Egyptian vulture in 12 garbage dumps varied from 0-8.75 individuals/sq km. The
study indicates mat the population of Egyptian vulture is declining continuously over the

past 15-20 years in Aligarh as a result of various factors. The species was recorded inhundreds till mid 1990s in the same areas where the present study has been conducted.
The total population of Egyptian vulture has been indicated to be about 55 individuals in
Aligarh in a previous study on status of vultures in 1999. However, the total populationof Egyptian vulture surviving presently in Aligarh is between 30-35 individuals, which isan alarming signal towards developing a comprehensive conservation plan for the
species.

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VULTURE CONSERVATION IN MOYAR VALLEY, TAMIL NADU, INDIA.
S.CHANDRASEKARAN
Researcher; Tamil Nadu, India

Old world vultures have suffered a steady decline over the years in the sub continent
where they were common. The main reason appears to be a NSAID, diclofenac but
habitat loss is also a factor. Owing to the drastic decline, vultures have been awarded thestatus of critically endangered and are red listed by the IUCN.

Vulture populations in forests have not been studied in depth and yet the criticality of
their status requires a study to ascertain their true status. Hence, sporadic studies orobservations gain importance.

Vultures in the Moyar valley, South India and runs through Mudumalai, Bandipur andSathyamangalam, is of interest because they have not suffered a great decline and'only
the population of Egyptian vultures seems to be in great danger. All others, viz, White

backed, Long billed and King vultures are apparently stable. .The long-billed had always
occurred in small numbers. The reason seems to be the contiguous savannah type forest
with a good prey base and reduced anthropogenic activities with NSAID effect—theshifting pattern of nesting and local migration may also influence this factor.

Several studies of short duration and observations support this theory. We have collated
these observations and studies for the years 2009 - 2013. . Habitat conservation appears

to be a significant parameter in order to sustain an optimum population. Our findings areunlike other efforts to artificially breed and introduce decimated populations. The Moyar
Valley is a good example of a naturally suited site for in-situ conservation.

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77International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014PROVISIONS FOR ASSESSMENT OF CHANGES IN RAPTOR BIODIVERSITY
IN DELHI, INDIA, BEFORE AND AFTER THE CRUSH OF THE VULTURE
POPULATIONSVLADIMIR GALUSHIN AND NATALY ZAKHAROVA
v-galushin@yandex.ru; natalia2317@rambler.ru

Working Group on Raptors of Northern Eurasia, Moscow, Russia

Raptors in Delhi were studied between 1967-1971 by VG (as UNESCO education expert)
and by his short visits in 1984-1986, and in 1996 by both VG and NZ. It was performedby mapping of active nests (728 in total) and nesting territories (68) within 26 sample
areas (0.15-5.1 km2, totally 37 km2 or -25% of Delhi territory at that time).

In early 1970's Delhi was inhabited by about 3000 pairs of raptors (19.3 pairs/km2)
including -2400 pairs (16.1 p/km2) of Black Kite (Milvus migrans), -400 pairs ^.7

p/km2) of White-backed Vulture (WBV; Gyps bengalensis) and -100 pairs (0.5 p/km )of Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) as well as Shikra (Accipiter badms) andBlack-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus). However, by late 1980's the kite population
decreased by 25-30% while the number of WBV almost doubled. Vultures appeared1 ingreat numbers in central and southern Delhi where they had been absent in early 1970 s.

Nevertheless in February 1996 the number of WBV declined by 25-30% and kites also

continued to decrease by 10-20%. Therefore, by late 1980's the total raptor Population in
Delhi reached a peak of 3000-3400 pairs including 1800-2100 pairs of kites and 1000-

1200 pairs of WBV. The crash of WBV occured in early 1990's. In mid 1990 s Delhi
was inhabited by 2400-2700 pairs of raptors including 1700-1800 pairs of kites and 700800 pairs of WBV.

It is vital to know how biodiversity of Indian raptors has changed after the recent crashof WBV populations. To that purpose our data provide a specific quantitative base toassess population changes that have occurred for over forty years. All primary materials
concerning number of nesting raptors including field notes and original maps of every

sample area with indication of each raptor living nest and breeding site are still available

from the authors. Their copies and translation into English will be provided to anybody
who expresses willingness to undertake similar raptor surveys within the same sample
areas using the same methodology either jointly with us or independently.

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PRE-DECLINE POPULATIONS OF THE WHITE-BACKED VULTURE GYPSBENGALENSIS AND OTHER RAPTORS IN NORTHERN-CENTRAL INDIAVLADIMIR GALUSHIN

v-galushin@yandex.ru

Working Group on Raptors of Northern Eurasia, Moscow, Russia

In the second half of the XX century, i.e., before the crash of vulture populations
throughout the Indian Subcontinent, it was inhabited with a remarkably high diversity^n^f8 °lraP!°rS' ThBy W6re SUrVeyed in ■fffcutomd landscape around Delhi inI

I r r?m three sPot-samPles: round Baslanbhi village (20 km2) near Pataudi

Punjab (-40 km south-west of Delhi); near Lahli village (20 km2) west of Rohtak'
Punjab (-70 km north-west of Delhi), and along Eastern Jumna Canal (10 km2) west of

Meerut,Uttar Pradesh (-30 km north-east of Delhi).

At the three agricultural sample areas (50 km2), 112 pairs of 10 species of nesting raptors

were recorded. Average density was 2.2 pairs/km2. The most numerous was the White-backed Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) - 70 pairs (1.4 pairs/km2) which comprised over 62%
of all raptors. The Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnoptems; 12 pairs) and Black Kite

2fllZimgramA: U pairs) comPrised about 20% of the total number of raptors there

The White-eyed Buzzard (Butastur teesa), Black-winged Kites (Elanus caeruleus) andother species were uncommon or rare. Human settlements comprised a tiny part of the

agricultural sample areas (<5% altogether) while over 30% of all birds of prey (mostly
vultures and kites) nested within or near villages where they were never disturbed bytolerant local people. So, it could be presumed that overall raptor populations inagricultural and urban habitats (i.e. nesting also in Delhi and other towns) of NorthernCentral India (c.50,000 km2) at the beginning of 1970's consisted of ca 120-150
thousand breeding pairs including 70-75 thousand pairs of the White-backed Vulture 2025 thousand pairs of Black Kite (most of them live in urban habitats), 12-15 thousand
pairs of Egyptian Vulture, and 5 thousand pairs each of Black-winged Kite and Whiteeyed Buzzard.

A half a century back raptor populations in Northern-Central India appeared to be thehighest in the world. Thanks to abundance of high trees for nesting, availability of foodmostly provided by people (garbage, dead cattle, traffic kills, etc.) as well as traditional
Indian culture that manifests itself as a good-will attitude of people to all living beings
including raptors. After the recent crash of vulture populations it is significant to clarify
whether or not they have been replaced by other raptors, for example kites? If so, to what

extent? To accomplish this aim our initial data with mapped living nests and breedingareas can be put at the disposal of any researchers who are interested to obtaincomparative data on changes of raptor biodiversity within the same sample areas after alapse of over forty years. Both past and proposed studies could be reliable starting points
for assessment of future changes in raptor diversity and populations in Northern-Central
India.

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79International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

IDENTIFYING SOME BIRDS OF PREY IN THE 'KALPADRU KOSHA': 1660
AD.

PANDE, SURUCHI.
suruchipande@gmail.com

Ornithology, Ethno-Ornithology & Natural Sounds Laboratory, Ela Foundation, Pune,
India

A Sanskrit lexicon titled Kalpadru Kosha was written by Keshava in 1660 AD. A

lexicon is a unique type of literature in Sanskrit where we find important synonyms^

There are many references to birds which are presented apparently as synonyms but ifthey are minutely studied, they suggest different types of birds. For example,"shaalmalistho vajratundo garutmaan khagaraat puna: \Sumukha: shobhanaasya: syaanmanitundastarakshaka: ||" 11.86"Shaalmalistha = One who takes shelter on a shalmali tree (the silk cotton tree);

Vajratunda = Vajra is a name of a mythological weapon made of bones; it means adestructive weapon like a thunderbolt and tunda means a beak; it means a vulture or also
as a name of an eagle;

Garutmaan = One who has prominent wings; garut also means swallowing;

Khagaraat = One who is the king of birds;
Sumukha = One who looks handsome;

Shobhanaasya = One who has beautiful mouth or jaws; shobhana means beautiful andaasya means mouth or jaws;

Manitunda = One who has jewel-like beak."

It is interesting to note that the descriptive references to some birds of prey documented
by the author. There is an attempt to identify the species of birds of prey, their hunting

habits and their possible habitats as far as possible. This study gives a documentation of
birds of prey seen in 17th in India. It is important to see how many species of these birdsof prey are seen in present scenario.

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RAPTOR CONSERVATION AND CULTURE IN PHILIPPINESTERESA AND ALEX M. TIONGCO
alextiongco@gmail.com

Wild Bird Club of Philippines

The Philippines is a small country in the western rim of the Pacific Ocean about 4,600
miles from India. It is a small country, about twice the size of Nepal, or 1.5 times the sizeof Gujarat, about the same size as Maharashtra. However, it is not one solid block of land,
it is composed of at least 7,107 islands scattered in one small area in the western Pacific.

It is very rich in bio-diversity with about 670 species of birds but no large mammals. So
it has evolved to be one of the few areas in the world where the top predator is a bird the Great Philippine Eagle.

Although the Philippines is an important link in the East Asian Oceanic Migration

Flyway, no structured studies and counts have ever been conducted in the Philippines

which presents a substantial gap of the Oceanic migration routes, of species and numbers
on passage and wintering, ecology, etc.

But there is hope. With the involvement of the Philippines in the projects of the ARRCN,
hopefully this "black hole" in raptor migration and conservation in the east will be asource of light for more intensive studies.

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CONSERVING GYPS VULTURES IN CENTRAL GUJARAT: CONFLUENCEOF SCIENCE, AWARENESS AND ADVOCACYSHASTRIKARTIK B AND ADITYA A ROY

feathered.bipeds@gmail.com, kartikgyps@gmail.com
Jivdaya Charitable Trust, Ahmadabad

Gujarat, has a considerably good population of Gyps bengalensis, estimated at 577 in
2012, is an important state for vulture conservation in India. Ahmedabad andsurrounding 100km radius area is one of the major pockets holding almost a third of thispopulation. As the species is known to forage up to 100km from nest or roost site, it is
crucial to safeguard the entire area. This is the central idea behind the creation of vulture
safe zones (VSZ) of ca. 36,000sq.km, and central Gujarat is one such provisional VSZ
proposed by the NGO - SAVE. We have monitored vulture populations in this area
since 1999 and established a large volunteer network across all vulture nesting andfeeding sites. In the last three years we have rescued 136 Gyps bengalensis in this region.
The major problem is visceral gout caused by diclofenac and dther toxic drugs, followed
by severe injuries caused by string used for kite-flying kite. We have established a stateof-the-art veterinary facility in collaboration with Jivdaya Charitable Trust (NGOworking for animal welfare) and State forest department. This facility has been a great
help for treating > 100 vultures in the last three years. Through regular monitoring ofvulture nests, vulture feeding sites and availability of non-steroidal anti Inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs), awareness programs, interactions with veterinarians, paravets andforest department, we have created an intense multidisciplinary network for vulture
conservation. We have also pushed advocacy at state level with the chief wildlife warden,
drug commissioner and director of animal husbandry and received support from thesestakeholders. We have initiated distribution of vulture-safe drug meloxicam at a
subsidized price, to actively phase out the use of human diclofenac formulations in theveterinary sector.

Thus through scientific monitoring, awareness and advocacy we aremaking progress towards the creation of a vulture safe zone in central Gujarat.

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FARMER'S PERCEPTION OF CROP DAMAGE BY RODENTS ANDECOSYSTEM SERVICES RENDERED BY OWLS: A SOCIAL SURVEY ANDOUTREACH ACTIVITIESPRASHANTH MB, MATHIVANNAN M AND T GANESH

prashanth.mb@atree.org, mathi@atree.org, tganesh@atree.org

Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, www.atree.org,
Royal Enclave, Srirampura, Jakkur post, Bangalore - 560064, Karnataka,
Ph: 080-23635555, Extn 219.

Farmers in the vicinity of the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve employ a traditional
practice by erecting owl perches in paddy fields to rid them of rodents. The practice is in

decline in recent times due to apprehensions on the absence of owls and due toavailability of manual and conventional methods of rodent control. These methods areeither expensive or may lead to secondary poisoning.

In order to understand the aforementioned interactions between forest dwelling owls androdents in paddy fields, we conducted an ecological study on owl occurrence, their dietand rodent presence. The functionality of perches was evaluated with camera traps andby observing visits by owls. Here, we present the results of a questionnaire that wasundertaken to understand the farmer's perception on benefits of owls, utility of owl
perches, disservice caused by rodents and cost effective ways to control rodent
populations. The questionnaire survey involved more than 100 farmers from the wet anddry cultivable areas. Additionally, outreach activities were organised to communicate theresults of the survey.

More than 90% of the respondents reported financial loss due to rodent presence. Cropdamage was restricted to a small period during the growth cycle, and, rodenticides werecommonly used. A majority of the respondents felt owl perches and owls were partly

beneficial, since they had not witnessed preying of rats by owls. Farmers were also morefamiliar with the smaller owls (owlet) than the larger owls that predominantly feed on
rodents. Manual trapping was considered to be most effective since mortalities could berecorded but was considered to be expensive. In an attempt to further the understandingof the advantages of owls we organized a farmers meeting describing the effectivenessof the practice with suitable alternatives. Street plays on owls in paddyfields were
perfomed by professional artists at three villages where owl occurrence was fairly
common.

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InternationalRaptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014RESCUE AND REHABILITATION OF RAPTORS IN URBAN LANDSCAPESSHERWIN EVERETT, KARTIK SHASHTRI, VIPUL KAVECHIYA, DIPESHRAKSHIT AND ADITYA ROY,

kartikgyps@gmail.com

Jivdaya Charitable Trust, Ahmadabad
Raptors and other avian species are being constantly threatened by uncontrolled
Urbanisation. During our work at an Ahmedabad based Bird Hospital, Jivdaya Charitable
Trust, we found interesting similarities and trends in injuries and diseases among urban
raptors. Frequently observed problems in raptors were; a) Head trauma, from vehicular

accidents or by flying into glass panes, b) Secondary Poisoning from rat poisons andpesticides, c) Injuries by Kite-flying d) victims of Black magic, e) Electrocution. Winteris the breeding season for resident species and migratory season for many raptors. This
coincides with a kite flying festival in Gujarat (14-15 January) wherein birds often get
cut by glass-coated kite strings. During treatment of injured raptors in captivity, we haveencountered diseases ranging from Fungal infections

Bacterial infections (E.

(Serratospiculum,(Aspergillosis,

Candidiasis),coli, Pseudomonas), Bumblefoot and Parasitic infestation

Coccidiosis,Capillaria,

Trichomoniasis).

Raptorspeciestreatedinclude 23 different species: White-rumped Vulture, Long-billed Vulture, Egyptian

Vulture, Aquila eagles(4 species), 0wls(6 species), Falcons(3 species), Kites(3 species),
Buzzards(2 species), Shikra ,Eurasian Marsh Harrier.
A few of the case studies :Treatment of Bumblefoot in a Peregrine Falcon: A

Peregrine Falcon grounded byextensive damage to the left propatagium, developed stage 3 bumblefoot, after surgery
and supportive treatment by new medication, the bird recovered from the Bumblefoot.

Successful restoration of the Right Patagium in an Indian Spotted Eagle:
Severe damage to the patagium after being cut by kite-strings. The patagium was sutured
back together. After 2 months of recuperation and physiotherapy the bird was released.
Treatmentof
HeadTrauma/PoisoninginaCommonBuzzard:Common Buzzard with paralysis and head trauma, treated for poisioning,neurologicaland physiological problems. Recovered after 2 months of physiotherapy and flight
excercises. Released back into the wild.

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84International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014

RELATIONS BETWEEN VULTURE AND PEOPLE IN THE WEST OF CHINA

MA MING1, XU GUOHUA1, ZHAO XUMAO \ DAO CAIWUJIAP2, SHAN JIAP2,
AIZIJIANG MAIMAITIMING 2, XING RUIl AND LUO BIAO lmaming@ms.xib.ac.cn and maming321 l@yahoo.com
1 Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 818

Beijing Road, Urumqi, 830011, Xinjiang, P. R. of China
2 The Bureau of Forestry, Hejing County, 841300, Xinjiang, P. R. of China
Vulture or Griffon (Gyps fulvus) is a gentle and low-profiled bird species in the world.
Although it belongs to the raptors, it is unlike most other species in the same family inthat it scavanges. It is highly respected in Buddhist culture, and is called the scavenger ofnature - carrying out the sacred and noble duty of cleaning up nature every day. But
from many decades in Tianshan, there has been over-gazing, marmot poisoning,extensive mining, poaching and egg-collecting by local people. This has adversely
affected the breeding and roosting areas, and the population size of large vultures has
declined sharply. We know Mongolians shepherds are highly influenced by Tibetan
culture and Buddhism. In the past they practice sky burial when people died. When
Tibetans moved out gradually, this practice also faced change. There were more andmore ground burial and cremation. This affected directly the life of large carrion feeding

birds such as vultures. We also observed that vultures appeared shortly after Yaks were

killed by wolves, and shared the feast. Human population has increased and theiractivities have adversely affected wild ungulate habitat. In Xinjiang, the Islamic culture
is against eating animals that are not slaughtered according to their ritual and do not eat
animals that die naturally. This had helped the vultures in the past. Since the price ofmeat has increased sharply, Chinese people collect animals that died naturally. SomeHan people that had no religious belief or moral standard would process these deadbodies into dry spicy meat for sale illegally. All these factors have reduced the foodsource directly and we found very few carcasses in the wild. One adult dead horse or yak
can be eaten completely by vultures in less than a day. Due to competition, there will be
nothing left for vultures to eat if they decide to wait until the carcasses decay. We haveseen juvenile vultures fed mostly with fresh, still bloody meat and decayed meat was nolonger included.

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RAPTOR AND OTHER AVIAN ELECTROCUTIONS IN WESTERNRAJASTHAN, INDIA
RICHARD E. HARNESS AND PRANAY RAO JUVVADI

pranay.juwadi@gmail.com

EDM International, Inc., 4001 Automation Way, Fort Collins, CO 80525 U.S.A.
Raptor Conservation Foundation, l-10-63/4,Chikoti Gardens, Begumpet,
Hyderabad-500 016, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Providing electricity to communities in rural India is a government priority and in

December 2011 we visited 11 kV distribution pole line sections in western Rajasthan toassess avian electrocutions. We visited 10 line sections consisting of 495 rural poles
located south and west of Bikaner servicing farms and rural villages.

These concrete

poles were constructed with grounded metal crossarms and grounded pole top pin
supports.

We detected 159 bird carcasses under 103 structures, including 14 raptors

consisting of Common Kestrels Falco tinnunculus (n=5), White-eyed Buzzards Butastur

teesa (n=4), Tawny Eagles Aquila rapax (n=2), and three owl species. Although burnmarks were visible on some birds, we did not conduct necropsies. During inspections 59

House Crow Corvus splendens carcasses were noted under 48 poles. Due to reports of
H5N1 virus responsible for mass death of crows in Jharkhand, India, (1500km from ourstudy sites) we inspected 131 poles in similar habitat without energized wires to help ruleout disease as a significant causal factor. Only one carcass was discovered under these
unenergized structures, a House Crow. This compares to one or more crows found under
every 10.27 energized poles. A chi-square test confirmed our hypothesis that carcasses
were more likely detected under energized lines (X2 = 25.04, df = 1, P < 0.001). Using
AICc modeling, the number of jumpers and the height of the center insulator effectively
predicted electrocution risk. Specifically, electrocution risk increased with an increasing

number ofjumpers, and increased when tangent structures had their center pins mounted
lower to the grounded pole top.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014
ASSESSING COLLISION RISK IN WHITE-TAILED EAGLES HALIEAAETUS
ALBICILLA USING LASER RANGE-FINDER TECHNOLOGY.
SIMON HULKA.

simon.hulka@jiatural-research.org

Natural Research Ltd, Banchory, Scotland, UK

Collision with power lines and wind turbines is a demonstrated cause of mortality ineagles. Appropriate siting and strategies to mitigate the effects of these developments inareas used by eagles' benefit from conservation advice based on accurate 3-dimensional
flight-path monitoring of birds using the area over time.

To achieve this at a proposed wind farm site in Sweden we have employed a techniqueusing binoculars fitted with laser range-finding and data storage capabilities to obtainflight location and height information along the flight routes of white-tailed eagles
Halieaaetus albicilla and used the data to obtain turbine-specific collision risk estimates.
Here we describe; the field method used to obtain flight path and flying height
information, how the field data was prepared for collision risk modelling, and explore theadvantages and limitations of this technique and the range of situations where it could be
effectively used.

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International Raptor Conference, 8th ARRCN, India. Pune 6-9 February, 2014
CESTODE (PHYLUM: PLATYHELMINTHES) PARASITES OF INDIAN
RAPTORSSURANJANA BANERJEE AND K.A.SUBRAMANIAN

suranjana_banerjee@rediffinail.com; subbuka.zsi@gmail.com

Zoological Survey of India, M-Block5 New Alipore, Kolkata-700053

Cestoda or Cestoidea is the name given to a class of parasitic flatworms. commonly
called tapeworms, of the phylum Platvhelminthes which are important internal parasitesof vertebrates.

Its members live in the digestive tract of vertebrates as adults, and often in the bodies ofvarious invertebrates as juveniles. All tapeworms spend the adult phase of their lives as
parasites in the gut of a vertebrate animal (called the primary host). Most tapeworms
spend part of their life cycle in the tissues of one or more other animals (calledintermediate hosts) which may be vertebrates or arthropods. The cestode infection is amajor cause of morbidity among host. The pathogenic effect of cestodes on animals isdiverse as the parasites absorb a considerable amount of nutritive substances from thebody of the host through their body surface.

Tapeworm infection is a major problem in birds. Heavily infested birds usually show
impaired general conditions and are listless, apathetic with dull, ruffled plumage, loss ofweight, anaemia and leg weakness. Cestode infections are responsible for significant
chronic mortalities and poor growth that is reflected in low survival in affected birds.
In this paper, based on literature studies, we report the presence of 26 species of cestodeparasites from three families of birds of prey from different states of India. The raptors

harbouring the cestode parasites are represented by families such as Accipitridae,
Falconidae and Strigidae. The tapeworm parasites are reported from Milvus migrans,
Circus assimilis, Hieraaetus pennatus, Gyps indicus, Neophron percnopterus, Torgos

calvus, Butastur teesa, Accipiter badius (Accipitridae); Falco tinnunculusJFalco jugger(Falconidae) and Ketupa zeylonensis and Asio flammeus (Strigidae). All the parasites
were reported to be collected from the intestine of the host. We discuss in the Indian

context, the importance of cestode infections in conservation management of raptors.

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DETECTION OF AVIAN MALARIA BY PLASMODIUM LOOP-MEDIATED

ISOTHERMAL AMPLIFICATION OF CONFISCATED HAWK-EAGLES IN
THE YOGYAKARTA, INDONESIAYUDAPRAMANA

pramvd@staff.uaiv.ac.id

Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta (UAJY)

Javan Hawk-eagle Nisaetus bartelsi and Changeable Hawk-eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus areillegally trapped and traded as pet birds in Indonesia. As part of ljaw enforcement, birds
are confiscated and released in the wild when possible.

Weapplied molecular identification to

detect avian malaria in the confiscatedraptors, which prior to release were kept in at the Natural Resource Conservantion
Agency (Balai Konservasi Sumberdaya Daya Alam/BKSDA) Yogyakarta and Wildlife
Rescue Center Yogyakarta . We used loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) to

detect Plasmodium in the blood of the raptors. DNA samples were obtained from theblood of two Javan Hawk-eagles and four Changeable Hawk-eagles. The primers andthe condition of the LAMP reaction followed the protocol for amplification of genus
specific Plasmodium for human malaria. The incubation was run using water bath, in
60°C for 60 minutes. The amplicon was separated in 3% agarose gel and visualized

under UV light. The visualization of the amplicon indicated that a Javan Hawk-eagle
and a Changeable Hawk-eagle were positively infected.

Since naturally the mountain raptors are not infected by the avian malaria, a low-landdisease, further clinical examination for the infected bird is required. The released bird
may introduce new diseases into the wild population; hence such studies are necessary to
prevent further spread of the disease in wild populations.

The result of the study also suggested that LAMP may provide a simple, reliable andeconomical tool to screen or detect for avian malaria, in comparison with nested PCR or
microscopy assay.

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POTENTIAL THREATS TO THE BARN OWL (TYTO ALBA) IN
YOGYAKARTA PROVINCE, INDONESIARANDA, BINTANG RANTAU

sterna bergii@yahoo.co.uk

Faculty of Agriculture of Ankara University, Indonesia
In Indonesia, especially in Yogyakarta Province, it has become difficult to find the Barn
Owl (Tyto alba) living amongst humans. The species plays an important role inecosystems by controlling populations of rats, which are an agricultural pest and a vectorof leptospirosis epidemic. In urban areas, the Barn Owl occupies cavities in buildings.
But unfortunately, its ecological roles are not well understood. Consequently, people
hunt the birds and renovate existing buildings regardless of their presence in the building.

This research focused on the characteristics of the species, behavior, and the impact ofrenovation on their lifecycle.

Methods used during this research were direct observation, literature search andinterviews. I found that: 1) Barn Owls build their nests in broken ceilings, 2) the birds
choose strategic places to choose nests, 3) renovation negatively impacts the species andcould potentially affect its population, and 4) from our interview, most people (60%) are

not aware of the importance of their ecological role. Nest-boxes can be a solution to thisproblem.

Hence, we conducted a workshop for farmers in the Yogyakarta Province to demonstrate
how to prepare and set up nest-boxes..

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ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS IN RAPTORS AND REPORTEDMORTALITIES: A LOOK AT THE SAARC SCENARIO
GOPESH SHARMA, MANISH KUMAR, B. ANJAN KUMAR PRUSTY*, AND P. A.
AZEEZ* anianeia@,gmail.com. anianeia@sacon.in

Environmental Impact Assessment Division

Salim AH Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON),
Anaikatti (PO), Coimbatore - 641108, India
Post Minamata episode, "Silent spring" and incidences of egg shell thinning, assessing environmental
contaminants in wild species were felt strongly required by the scientific community across the world.
Subsequently laboratory works bloomed, followed by residue analysis in wild specimens. Though fishes
have been favourable test organisms for such research works in laboratories, especially bioassays, birds
also have been gaining momentum due to their position in the food chain and the likely transport ofchemical residues to them through the various trophic levels. Raptors are good indicators because theyoften hunt for injured or sick prey in farms and fields, where applications of agro-chemicals occur. There
have been some classical studies across the world in which certain raptor species population crashed due toenvironmental contaminants; for example Bald Eagle due to DDT, and the California Condor partly due tolead poisoning; poaching and habitat destruction being the other reasons.

The present attempt is to collate studies on various environmental contaminants in different raptor species
reported from SAARC (spell out first time) countries, and make a critical analysis of the present state ofknowledge and information on reported level of environmental contaminants in various raptor species, andreported mortalities. Papers published from SAARC countries include those from India, Pakistan,
Vietnam, Nepal and Bangladesh on various raptor species; Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), Whitebacked Vulture (Gyps bengalensis), Long-billed Vulture (Gyps indicus), Egyptian Vulture {Neophron
percnopterus), Griffon Vulture (Gyps fiilvus), Indian Eagle Owl (Bubo bengalensis), Himalayan Greyheaded Fishing Eagle (Ichthyophaga humilis plumbeus), Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), Peregrine
Falcon (Falco peregrinus) and Spotted Owlet (Athene brama) are the prominent ones. The contaminantsstudied in species are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) Diclofenac, several Persistent
Organic Pollutants (POPs), and heavy metals (e.g. Pb). While much emphasis has been given in assessing
the levels of drugs such as Diclofenac, relatively lesser emphasis was given in measuring levels of otherenvironmental contaminants, POPs etc. Of all the nations that recorded raptor mortality, India has
witnessed largest number of reported scientific investigations. Persistent Organochlorine Pesticide residues
in tissues and eggs of White-backed Vultures from different locations were reported.

The catastrophic decline of Gyps vultures in last three decades is one of the most important examples of
how a simple drug can drag species to extinction levels. The identification of the causative agents for the
decline also brings out the intricate, but subtle, relation between human activities and wild species thatrarely has obvious and explicit direct interaction with humans; the insidious exposure through food chain.
Three species of Gyps vultures namely G bengalensis, G. indicus and G. tenuirostris suffered a 99%
population fall in Indian sub-continent since 1990s due to exposure to Diclofenac, which resulted in kidney
failure and subsequent death. Other NSAIDs were also found to be toxic, to Gyps as well as other birds
such as Storks. During 2000 to 2007, annual decline rates in India averaged 44%. Similarly, among
Persistent Inorganic Pollutants (PIPs) reported from Pakistan, feather samples had shown significantly
higher levels of Cd, Zn, Ni, and Pb suggesting higher ability of falcons to accumulate metals from theenvironment through the food chain. A study of opportunistic carcasses of several bird species in south
India showed spotted owlet (A. brama), contained considerable concentrations of PCBs compared to othernon raptor species suggesting need of further studies on OC contamination with special reference toraptorial birds. Though there have been several cases of reported mortalities, and catastrophic declines of
raptor species, lack of an organized and comprehensive compilation gave us the impetus for such a
collation and discussion in this larger platform. The need for greater emphasis on assessing the levels ofother residues of Persistent Inorganic Chemicals (PIPs) and POPs is also felt.

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CONFERENCE FOR STUDENTS

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GLOBAL RAPTOR CONSERVATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY-LESSONS FROM THE PAST, CHALLENGES AHEAD
RICHARD WATSON
rwatson@.peregrinenindorg

The Peregrine Fund (USA)The Peregrine Fund has conducted raptor conservation projects worldwide for over 40
years. Key to success is a scientific understanding of the species' status and factors
limiting its distribution and abundance. This requires quantitative study of the species'

population ecology and behavior which typically precede conservation intervention If
the species is in decline, the cause should be resolved before conservation can be
successful but, in some cases, experimental restoration may be initiated even before thecause is known and reintroduced birds studied to learn what factors limit their survival
A well-defined and achievable conservation goal helps to focus effort on conservation
actions that will make a difference. Actions must be adapted to the goal and haveusually involved restoration through captive breeding and release of criticallyendangered species, habitat protection, and public awareness to change human behaviors
such as shooting and misuse of pesticides, poisons, or drugs. Sufficient funding overtime is one of the most important resources needed, but talent and skill are just as
important and often overlooked. Talent includes people with the knowledge, experiencepassion, drive, and determination to be successful. Developing skill locally is important'but finding the right mix of knowledge and passion is often difficult. Other usefulelements include organizational support, a method for annually evaluating results, and astrategy that includes adaptive management of the project as new information is gained
We have found that working coUaboratively with people who may be responsible for the
species' demise produces better, long-term results than confrontation and litigation, and acooperative philosophy also appeals to land owners and financial donors whose support

is often needed. Laws can be detrimental to conservation results, even if they wereintended to be beneficial. I conclude with an evaluation of raptor conservation

challenges ahead to help guide new conservation and research efforts.

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SUBURBAN RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS: REPRODUCTION, SURVIVAL,
AND BEHAVIORCHERYL R. DYKSTRA, SARA J. MILLER, MELINDA M. SIMON, AND JEFF L.
HAYS
joumalofraptorresearch@iuno.com

Raptor Research Foundation, USA

Red-shouldered Hawks (Buteo lineatus) inhabit the suburban areas surrounding the cityof Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A. We used banding (ringing) to study the reproductive rateand survival of this population for 17 years. In 2011-2012, we also used time-lapse
video cameras to record behavior from egg-laying to fledging. We found that

reproductive rate of the suburban birds was relatively high, 1.5 ± 0.2 young per active

nest, not significantly different from a population of Red-shouldered Hawks in a typical,
forested rural habitat near Cincinnati. Using video-recording, we found that egg-laying
interval between subsequent eggs was 2.9 ± 0.1 d. Hatch interval was 0.56 d between thefirst and second young hatched, 1.24 d between the second and third hatched, and 2.42 d
between the third and fourth hatched. The differences between laying intervals andhatching intervals were influenced by incubation behavior: most birds incubated part of
the time after the laying of the first egg and started full incubation with the laying of thepenultimate egg. We also found that nestling behaviors in the second and third week
after hatching differed by hatch rank. First-hatched young were significantly .more
aggressive and consumed more food than their younger siblings. No nestlings weredirectly killed by siblings, but several last-hatched young starved, and predators
including Great Horned Owls {Bubo virginianus) and raccoons (Procyon lotor) reduced
reproductive success at other nests.

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A FIELD STUDY ON THE WINTERING ECOLOGY AND BEHAVIOUR OF

HARRIERS IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA.
LIM KIM CHYE

spizaetusO8@gmail.com

Raptor Study Group, Malaysian Nature Society

A field study on the ecology and behavior of harriers wintering in Changkat Lada (N4.0789°, E

100.9233°), Perak state, Peninsular Malaysia was conducted from

10

December 2011 to 8 April 2012. Changkat Lada is located in the Seberang Perakagricultural estate of mixed croplands that includes 4,700 ha of paddy Oryza sativa fields.
The study aimed to investigate the characteristics of the harrier roost and the species
utilizing it, their behavior and the threats they face at the study site. The roost wasbordered on the east and south by roads and on the west by irrigation canals and an oilpalm Elaeis guineensis plantation. The roost habitat was paddy fields at progressive
stages of the crop cycle and oil palm plantation. Harriers shifted their roost site in

response to the paddy planting activities and chose to roost in the undisturbed fields andoil palms when harvesting and burning took place. Eastern Marsh-harrier Circus
spilonotus and Pied Harrier C. melanoleucos roosted communally in one main roost,with secondary roosts of small numbers of harriers sometimes present nearby. Arriving
harriers initially gathered and circled around until almost dark when they would finally

fly into the roost. Counts of all harriers at the roost recorded a maximum of 178 harriers,

establishing this roost as the largest currently known in Peninsular Malaysia. Intra-

specific and inter-specific aggressive behavior, involving mostly pursuits for prey items
and disputes over hunting territory and perches, were observed in both harrier species.

Similar antagonistic behavior was also noted between harriers and other migrant andresident raptors present in the area. Harriers were seen feeding on dead rodents and thus
may potentially face the risk of secondary pesticide poisoning.

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WHAT IS NEW IN (ASIAN) RAPTOR TAXONOMY?
ANITA GAMAUF.
anita.gamauf@nhm-wien.ac.at

Museum of Natural History, Dept. Vertebrate Zoology-Ornithology, Vienna

The dramatic increase in data on phylogenetic relationship by techniques that directlycompare DNA sequences led especially during the last decade to a largely finalclassification in birds. The interpretation of genetic data for implementation into aclassification is a rapidly evolving field. Since the publication of the "Handbook of birdsof the world" several markedly changes in birds of prey systematics and taxonomy
happened. After many years of uncertainty about higher-level relationships among birdsof prey, DNA-based research has brought some clarity. Well supported is that the falcons
are not related to the traditional order Falconiformes, but rather to the song birds(Passeriformes) and parrots (Psittaciformes). The falcons now form an own order(Falconiformes), whereas all the other birds of prey (eagles, hawks, buzzards etc.) belong
to the order Accipitriformes. Within this accipitriforms, the osprey and secretary-bird are
the sister groups of all the remaining accipitrids. On fine-taxonomy-level remarkablechanges were conducted, for example within the booted eagles, the snake-eagle groupand the buzzards. However, still widely unresolved are the relationships within theaccipiters. Not only changes in scientific names on genus and species level wereconcerned, but also their position within the systematical order. An overview about thesechanges is given and discussed under special consideration of Asian taxa.

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GENETIC STRUCTURE AND PHYLOGEOGRAPHY OF THE GOLDEN
EAGLE (AQUILA CHRYSAETOS).

CARINA NEBEL1'2, ANITA GAMAUF1'2, ELISABETH HARING1'2, GERNOTSEGELBACHER3, ALEXANDRE VILLERS4, FRANK E. ZACHOS1'2
anita.gamauf@nhm-wien.ac.at

1 Natural History Museum Vienna, Vienna, Austria; 2 Department of Integrative Zoology,

University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; 3 Wildlife Ecology and Management, AlbertLudwigs-Universitat Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; 4. Section of Ecology, Department of
Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland

The Golden eagle {Aquila chrysaetos) is one of the most emblematic and charismatic
raptor species. It is also among the most widespread birds of prey, covering basically thewhole Palaearctic from Europe and North-Africa through Asia until Japan, to the NorthAmerican continent. Although, largely due its wide distribution, not endangered as a
species (IUCN-status: Least Concern), Golden eagles have undergone local
anthropogenic extirpation and bottlenecks in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Yet, only
few studies have addressed the species' genetic structure arid the consequences of its
demographic history so far, and none of them have covered larger areas of the
distribution range. Our present study aims at closing this gap. Based on more than 400
samples (mostly feathers collected in the field or from museum collections) across the
species' distribution and ranging back in time to the first half of the 19th century wewant to uncover the phylogeography of the Golden eagle, but also to investigate possible
genetic consequences of the species' bottleneck(s) by comparing genetic diversity ofhistoricaland modern

Golden eagle populations using DNA

sequencesof themitochondrial control region. The analyses are ongoing, but first results based on some
140 sequences (which yielded 18 haplotypes) suggest a phylogeographic split between
two groups, one comprising mainly samples from Asia, northern Europe, and North

America and the other one those of central-southern Europe. Comparison of old andrecent samples has shown that single haplotypes may have been lost in the wake of theabove-mentioned bottlenecks, but the majority of haplotypes found in historical samples
is still present in the Golden eagle's extant gene pool.

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AMUR FALCON AT DOYANG, NAGALAND WHERE HUNTING IS NOWHISTORY!

SAKET S. SHROTRI
sslO28@gmail.com

Ranwata Nature & Environment Conservation Society, Satara
Maharashtra, India.Pin 415002

The Amur Falcon {Falco amurensis) breeds in south-eastern Siberia and Northern Chinaalong the banks of Amur River and winters in Southern Africa. They roost in Pangti,
Ashaa and Sungro villages near Doyang river dam, Wokha district of Nagaland, inNorth-East India for a month before proceeding to Africa. It is an elliptical migrant, withthe southbound route over the Arabian Sea and the return route largely over land, withthe total distance of 22000 kilometers!Every year, more than 100,000 Amur Falcons
were hunted for food at Nagaland during passage. They were either captured with nets or
killed and sold in the markets for Rs 30 per bird at Wokha town to Rs 60-100 in Kohima
andDimapurmarkets.
Mr. Rokohebi Kuotsu , who was conducting the Amur falcon census informed that thisyear the falcons had arrived in October. 50-60 birds were sighted initially and their
numbers had gone up to a hundreds of thousands. Following reports of persecution andslaughter of the falcons in large numbers in 2011-12, a Rapid Action Project (RAP) was
created by the Natural Nagas and WTI (Wildlife Trust of India) to assist the state Forest

Department to protect the falcons. Amur Falcon Protection Squad (AFPS), a group of
former hunters assisted the Nagaland Forest Department staff in patrolling. In Assam, theNGO's Wild Flowers and Green Guard were working to protect the falcons. NWBCT(Nagaland Wildlife & Biodiversity Conservation Trust) and Conservation India wererunning eco clubs in local schools. The students had pledged not to hunt or kill wild
animals and became "Amur Ambassadors". Ronchamo Shitiri, Chairman of the Pangti
village council proudly said, "The village councils have declared hunting of Amur
falcons illegal in their jurisdiction, imposing a fine of 5000 rupees on offenders".

Amur Falcon is an insectivorous raptor, devouring up to 200 termites and locusts in anhour, which are found in plenty around the dense forest around Pangti, henpe the falcons
actually protect the local crops, a point that was used for conservation education. T Lotha,
Chief Wildlife Warden, Nagaland has declared, '^Nagaland is a safe haven for Amur
falcons, This year too, millions have Amur Falcons had arrived in the Doyang roostingarea, and working together with local communities, police, administration^. Forest
Department and NGOs, we ensured that no killing takes place. We shall continue ourefforts to improve the economic status of the local people, for long term protection of thefalcons".

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IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES ON VULTURES IN UTTAR PRADESH
AND MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA

KUSIIWAHA SONIKA, AMITA KANAUJIA, ASHISH KUMAR, AKHILESHKUMAR AND ADESH KUMAR\v i ldlifeconservation.lko@gmail.com

Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation Lab, Department of Zoology, University ofLucknow

Homo sapiens, the most civilized of all animals has left no living species unaffected.
Despite the legal protection given to vultures by the Wildlife Protection Act, The Action
plan for vulture conservation and the many awareness generation measures, the Skylords
still fail to have a concerned heart in their fight for survival. The impact of humanactivities on vultures was studied in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh since 2008 andthe same is in continuation. There had been various incidences when the Nature's
cleaners paid the price for human negligence. There was a gradual drop in the breeding

success of vultures in Tikamgarh (M.P.) in 2009-2011. The reason for such a fall was themaintenance of monuments that started with the start of breeding season. Moreover the
disturbance caused during the shooting of the Hollywood movie Singularity in April
2011 added to the threats to the critically endangered vultures. The superstitions also
disturbed the scavengers. During the festive season the anthropogenic activities increase
disturbances. On 17th February 2010 in Uttar Pradesh in Laxmipur range of theMaharajganj forest area, in a train accident, 30 Oriental White-backed vultures lost theirlife. The sites in Lalitpur on the other hand are being disturbed due to the encroachmentof cliffs by sadhus (saints). The site is disturbed due to the collection of wood forcooking as well as the smoke that arises due to cooking. Logging and mining are two
major reasons for deforestation. The areas dotted with densely forested hills are now left
with just barren and badly bruised mounds. Stone mining and blasting; not only scares
vultures, but other birds too. Monitoring the existing vulture sites with co-ordination
between various departments is extremely significant. Conducting population surveys
and reviewing them periodically is also vital to know if these populations are selfsustaining or not. The ongoing population estimation studies along with ranging patterns,
foraging movements and protection of existing colonies will ensure breeding success inthe wild. People need to be made more aware of the ongoing crisis and the steps theyneed to take for conservation.

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NYLON KITE STRING... AN EMERGING THREAT TO RAPTORCONSERVATION IN INDIABAHAR SHRIKRISHNA BAVISKAR
drbaharbaviskar@gmail.com

Society for Wildlife Conservation, Education and Research (Wild-Cer), Nagpur, India.

Society for Wildlife Conservation, Education and Research (Wild-CER) is a registeredconservation organization located in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Being mainly involved in the
rescue and rehabilitation of the wild animals for more than one and half decade, we aretrying to resolve the man animal conflict issues in and around Nagpur, India.

In 2012, Wild-CER rescued 25 raptors involving 10 species which included Shikra{Accipeter badius) 44%, Barn owl (Tyto alba) 16%, Black kite (Milvus migrans) 12%
and Indian Eagle Owl (Bubo bengalensis) 4% etc. The most common reason for the
rescue was nylon kite string (36%) followed by nest fall (24%), starvation (8%) andunknown reasons (8%). Human induced injuries contributed 64% while 36% cases were
due to natural reasons. Out of all the species rescued, 60% species were affected becauseof the nylon kite string popularly known as Chinese manja in India. Rescue calls arrived
before the beginning of the kite festival (Mid January), when they peaked but continued
throughout the year when they again peaked in the monsoon. The festival of Makar

Sankranti is celebrated widely throughout India as Kite Festival on 14th January every

year. Low price and easy availability of nylon kite string has made it a popular
instrument for the kite festival. Nylon kite string does not decompose easily and hangson the trees and eventually causes fatal injuries to the birds, many times resulting in their
death due to strangulation or starvation.

Out of all the rescued raptors, 64% were released in the wild while 36% succumbed totheir injuries.

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NESTING BEHAVIOUR OF BLACK KITE (MILVUSMIGRANS) IN URBAN
AND SEMI-URBAN HABITATS IN AND AROUND PUNE CITY.
VEDANT DIXIT, SATISH PANDE*, PRANAV PANDIT AND SIDDHESH
BHAVSARpande.satish@gmail.com

Black Kite {Milvus migrans) is one of the commonest raptors found in urban habitats. It
is a scavenger as well as a hunter and is usually seen on the garbage dumps in cities.
Even though Black Kite is widely present all over India, very little is known about its
nesting ecology. We conducted a study based on line transects to understand the basic
nesting ecology of this raptor. During this study 27 line transects of 1 km length werecarried out over two breeding seasons. Out of 27 line transects, 21 were conducted inurban while 6 were conducted in semi-urban habitats in and around Pune city to record
the nests and their features. Urban habitats with water-body showed maximum numberof nests as compared to the other habitats. On an average 2 to 3 nests were reported in atransect. The distance between adjacent nests varied with the number of nests within atransect. Black Kites were observed to build their nests on the trees, mobile towers aswell as on the street light poles. They were also found to re-use the same nest for
subsequent breeding seasons. Nests were found on various tree species, the mostcommon nesting tree being Ficus religiosa (36.5%).

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Preliminary findings from the nest monitoring of the cliff nesting Indian Vulture
Gyps indicus using motion sensing camera: The First Asian Study.

SATISH PANDE*, RAJGOPAL PATIL*, NITIN KAKODKAR#, AMOL PENDSEA,PANCHAM KELKARA AND VASANT LIMAYEA.
* Ela Foundation, Pune; # Chief Conservator of Forests, Pune;
A High Places Management Pvt. Ltd.

pande.satish@gmail.com; rajnpatil@gmail.com; nhkakodkar@rediffinail.com

Indian Vulture Gyps indicus is a cliff nesting species. Their populations have globallycrashed by 95 to 99 % in the past decade. However, there are some sites in Maharashtra
where these vultures continue to breed till date. No data for this species is available on

the behavior of the parents and the nestling during the breeding period. Their nests are onhigh ledges in cliffs on vertical surfaces of mountains like the Western Ghats and hence
the nests are not easily accessible.

In order to understand their behavior while the chick is in the nest, we deployed a motion
sensing camera over two different nests in a cliff face in Pune district, Maharashtra, India
with the collaboration of the Maharashtra State Forest Department. The cliff wasaccessed with the help of mountain climbing experts and the camera was fitted when theparent vulture was not in the nest. More than 80,000 photographs were obtained. The
data was stored in a digital card within the camera.

The preliminary results from this monitoring conducted over a period of two years(2011-12 and 2012-13) are presented in this poster. This is probably the first such study
for this species in Asia. The behavior of the nestling (preening, standing, eating,interacting with parents, wing flapping, resting and sleeping, etc.), the behavior of theparents (sentinel, feeding, self preening, preening the chick, perching, etc.), the day andnight variations in the temperature, vultures' response to sunlight, nocturnal and diurnal
activity will be photographically presented. This ethological data will be useful forscientific management of the conservation efforts.

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THAILAND

9th ARRCN 2016
INVITATIONCHUENCHOM HANSASUTA

chuenchom_h@yahoo. com

Chumphon province, near the Isthmus of Kra, Southern Thailand has, since 2001, beenrecognized as major center for bird watchers, nature lovers, wildlife photographers andconservationists.

Its main attraction is provided by the spectacular diurnal migration of over a quarter
million raptors of at least 25 species that takes place each spring and autumn along theThai-Malay Peninsula. Additionally, the site is increasingly recognized, through banding
studies, as an important observatory for a much wider range of land bird migrants,
including warblers, flycatchers and others.

The principal observation site is a 310 meters elevation ridge, less than 1 km from thecoast, on the steep mountain of Khao Dinsor, where many birds pass at eye-level.
Chumphon Provincial Government recognizes the site's significance, and thanks to thededication and commitment of Chukiat Nualsri, the local official who first discovered the
flyway, has funded the construction of a Bird Migration Research Center, where bothThai and visiting overseas researchers, and thousands of visitors, come to study the
migration.

Migratory birds play a major role as global ambassadors for international cooperation
since their conservation depends upon collaboration among flyway countries. Theirsurvival is a delicate balancing act-they make annual, continent-spanning round trips ofthousands of km, and fit their remarkable journeys into an annual cycle that encompasses
breeding and molt, dodging the many hazards as they go.

Populations of many

migratory birds are declining due to an increasing range of threats: hunting, habitat
destruction and global climate change caused by the expanding human population. Theirstudy and conservation therefore assumes added urgency.
We thank 2014 ARRCN International Symposium Organizing Committee for providing
us the time to invite you to join us for the next ARRCN International Symposium in
October 2015 in Chumphon, Thailand.

104

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ELA FOUNDATION
6-9 February 2014, Pune, India
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Gold Sponsor

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