Breeding habitat preference of black francolin Francolinus francolinus asiae in chamoli district of Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya

Study on selection of breeding habitat is important for conservation of black francolin. During present study, four sites had been selected and encounter rate were observed in M I (7.75±0.25), M II (9.35±0.35), G I (6.4±0.40) and G II (8.2±0.30). The abundance of black francolin found more in marginal areas of crop fields (4.7±0.28), then crop fields (2.26±0.47) and very low in forest (0.87±0.62). The average diameter of nest (21.95±0.8 cm) and depth (7.7±0.38 cm) were found. The average clutch size was recorded 6.5±0.5 in the present study area. Selection of nest sites and encounter rate suggest that during breeding period black francolin prefers perennial grass and shrub cover along with cultivation field in high altitude area of Uttarakhand.