Indra Acharja

The knowledge on habitat selection and preferences allows both the inference of specific habitat management measures as well as develop models to estimate distribution, potential habitats or population sizes which can facilitate conservation planning and setting up the priorities. White-bellied Heron is a critically endangered heron species which is verging extinction with less than 60 individuals left in the world today. Historically known from most of the Himalayan region, it is now one of the rarest birds in the world having disappeared from most of its historical range including Nepal and Bangladesh. The most recent surveys in the range countries have found 29 individuals in Bhutan, 6-8 birds expected India and less than 25 in Northern Myanmar and the population is believed to be further declining rapidly. Widespread loss of riverine habitats and low breeding success are presumed to be the primary threats. Habitat selection is determined by a number of proximate and ultimate factors, including habitat structures, floristic composition, biogeographical parameters, competition, food availability, potential disturbances, and predation risk. Habitat selection is an inherited evolutionary behavior, and it is essential to enhance breeding success and to flourish. Moreover, an in-depth understanding of nesting and breeding habitat selection and preferences of threatened species is necessary to recreate safe habitats and enhance breeding success. Therefore, considering the current dearth of information on characteristics of nesting habitat, habitat selection, and preferences, I plan to evaluate the nesting habitat and nest-site preferences by this rare bird.