Abstract:
Pheasant Tailed Jacana, Hydrophasianus chirurgus is only beautiful bird maintain its presence in
abandoned wetlands of Punjab during summer season. This study was designed to study the
population status and its future potentials to estimate the threats and to propose the measures for
its conservation if required. Literature suggested sites were selected and schedule of visits month
and year wise was developed and sites were visited accordingly, data gathered was analyzed
statistically.
The population distribution appears, between 298 and 347 highest (83-96) at Marala and lowest
(21-57) at Balloki, while density found highest (3/km2) and lowest (0.3/ km2), being the
migratory bird March was observed as start of arrival and October was observed as completion
of departure from the study areas. Female to male ratio appears 1:0.75 while juvenile to adult
ratio observed 1:0.35 are sign of population stability. Physical factors of the habitat such as
temperature, pH and phytosociological studies of the habitat distribution and frequency of rooted
vegetation species were recorded to understand their association with the species. This shows 32
species distributed in 4 vegetation types within the habitats lies in study areas. The studies on
biology of this bird were focused on food and feeding, food consumption which revealed that
56.3% of its food is consists of plant matter and 27.3% on animal matter. Breeding biology
studies suggests the clutch size remains between 1-4 eggs, and most of the fertile females laid 2
consecutive clutches to hand over two different males for hatching and chick rearing, incubation
calculated of 25-29 days hatchability found around 80%. Defensive responses, egg laying and
chick care were observed to understand general behavior of the species.
The results of this study suggested that major threats to Pheasant Tailed Jacana are the
commercial activities within its habitat and immediate adjacent to them, which could be
regulated for its sustainability.
