Influence of Nesting Habitat and Nest Emplacement on the Breeding Success of the Black Francolin (Francolinus francolinus, Phasianidae): A Case Study from Pakistan
Issued Date
2025-06-01
Resource Type
eISSN
26736004
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105009312994
Journal Title
Birds
Volume
6
Issue
2
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Birds Vol.6 No.2 (2025)
Suggested Citation
Ullah A., Shams S., Ayaz S., Ibáñez-Arancibia E., Siraj U., De los Rios-Escalante P.R., Badshah F. Influence of Nesting Habitat and Nest Emplacement on the Breeding Success of the Black Francolin (Francolinus francolinus, Phasianidae): A Case Study from Pakistan. Birds Vol.6 No.2 (2025). doi:10.3390/birds6020016 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/111077
Title
Influence of Nesting Habitat and Nest Emplacement on the Breeding Success of the Black Francolin (Francolinus francolinus, Phasianidae): A Case Study from Pakistan
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Limited research exists on the breeding ecology of the black francolin (Francolinus francolinus) in northern Pakistan. This study assessed egg dimensions, clutch size, hatching, fledging, and overall breeding success across different habitats and nests (n = 25) at Totali Game Reserve, Buner. Generalized linear models (GLMs) were used to analyze the effects of nest site characteristics and nest traits on breeding parameters. Egg dimensions were consistent across sites whereas bush nests had slightly wider eggs. The average clutch size was 5.9 ± 1.7 eggs, with an average of 4.8 ± 1.0 hatchlings per nest. A total of 111 chicks fledged, averaging 4.4 ± 1.0 per nest, yielding an overall breeding success rate of 75.5%. Nests containing six eggs had higher hatching success (76.6%). GLMs results showed a significant positive relationship between clutch size and hatchling, while nest site and traits had no significant effects. However, fledgling success was positively influenced by hatchling numbers, with nests in wetland habitats yielding significantly more fledglings (4.6 ± 0.9) than those from dryland habitats (4.0 ± 1.2). These findings suggest Black Francolins prefer nesting in wetland areas in bushes, likely due to better protection and favorable conditions.