Breeding Success of the Ashy Prinia (Prinia socialis) in the Subtropical Foothills of the Western Himalayas, India

One of the most fascinating aspects in the life of birds is their breeding phase and for the success of the breeding propitious season and safe nesting site are required. In the present study data have been collected about the onset of breeding, nest-site selection, clutch size, incubation period, hatching success, provisioning period, predation pressure and total breeding success, etc. of Ashy prinia in a subtropical area of western Himalayan foothills (Dehradun). The present study was conducted in the suburbanized habitat of Dehradun (30.3165 & DEG; N, 78.0322 & DEG; E), Uttarakhand State, India during breeding season. Results indicated that Ashy prinia built the nest in bushes by stitching two or more leaves of the host plant similar to the nest of tailorbird. Nest consisted of 3-4 large leaves of Lantana (Lantana camara), Bhimal (Grewia optiva), Corton (Codiaeum variegatum), and Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) etc. stitched with the help of Madar (Calotropis gigantea) fiber. This species entered into breeding in the month of June. Fifteen nests were found during the study period. Both the partners were involved in nest construction. The average height of the plants on which the nests were constructed was 110.16 & PLUSMN; 48.27 cm. The average depth of nests was 8.29 & PLUSMN; 1.73 cm. The clutch size ranged between 3 and 4 (Mean 3.16 & PLUSMN; 0.80). The incubation period was 12.27 & PLUSMN; 6.35 days and about 14 & PLUSMN; 6.35 days were taken for provisioning. The total breeding success was 67.4% indicating less predation pressure in the study area.