HABITAT ECOLOGY OF ASIAN KOEL EUDYNAMYS SCOLOPACEUS IN AGROECOSYSTEM.

The important role of birds in agriculture has long been recognized. The present study on the habitat, feeding and roosting behavior of Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) in agro ecosystem of Punjab was carried from August 2021 to July 2022 at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. It was conducted in three study areas i.e. study area A (agricultural field area), B (tree plantation area) and C (residential/ roadside area). The annual relative abundance of House Crow (Corvus splendens) was highest everywhere whereas of Asian Koel was 1%, 2.04% and 2.66% at study area A, B and C respectively. The feeding behavior of Asian Koel revealed that fruits and berries were preferred. It was found roosting mainly on Dhek, Neem, Peepal, Purple Bauhinia and Safeda trees. Asian Koel was most active during summer months and during the winters, it is not observed which might be because of its southward local migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]