Some Breeding and Ecological Aspects of Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Some breeding and ecological aspects of Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) were studied in Ahmedabad, Gujarat during January 2015 to December 2015. The population of Platalea leucorodia was observed in wetlands of the study area. During study period 10 nests were observed. Breeding period was observed June 2015 to October 2015. The nesting of Eurasian Spoonbill starts from 3rd week of June, which extends up to 2nd week of October. It prefers Goras amli-Pithocellobium dulce for nesting. They prepare nest with twigs platform, both sexes build the nest. Its clutch size was 3 to 4 eggs. It requires average 7 days for nest building and 6 days for egg laying. The incubation periods were recorded 23 days and nestling period was 47 days. Both sexes incubate and feed the young by regurgitation. About 79 days are required to complete its nesting cycle. Maximum active nests were observed during 4th week of August. Its fledgling period was over at the end of 2nd week of October. Food availability and favourable habitat are main factor for breeding of this species at this site.