NEST AND NESTING ACTIVITIES OF THE WHITE IBIS (Threskiornis melanocephalus Latham) IN BHAVNAGAR, GUJARAT

摘要

The Indian white ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus Latham) is found throughout India. It is a colonial breeder, nesting on moderate to tall-sized trees such as Prosopis, Acacia and various species of Ficus which stand in or near water (Ali & Ripley, 1983; Hancock et al., 1992; Dharmakumarsinhji, 1955). According to Ali and Ripley (1983) the breeding season of the white ibis in north India is June to August, whereas in south India it takes place from November to February. In Sri Lanka the white ibis breeds during December to April and in West Java from April to August (Hancock et al., 1992). According to Dharmakumarsinhji (1955) the white ibis breeds in Saurashtra during late June to October, depending on the monsoon. The present observations were recorded to determine the breeding season of white ibis in the Bhavnagar area.