STUDY ON NESTING TRENDS OF AVIAN FAUNA IN MACHKOT FOREST RANGE AND URBAN ENVIRONMENT SITE OF JAGDALPUR, BASTAR DISTRICT, CHHATTISGARH

The present study offers a detailed examination of bird nesting patterns observed from April to June 2024 in two distinct environments: the urban area of Jagdalpur and the forested Machkot region. A total of 199 nests, spanning 24 species and 17 families, were recorded across these locations. In the urban setting of Jagdalpur, 135 nests from 9 species in 7 families were found, with birds primarily using man-made structures like electric poles and boxes due to the limited availability of natural nesting sites. In contrast, the Machkot forest supported 58 nests from 22 species across all 17 families, with a strong preference for natural tree sites. Species such as the Indian pied myna and House sparrow demonstrated notable adaptability to artificial nesting environments in urban areas, whereas the forest environment offered a wider range of natural nesting options, leading to greater avian diversity. The study also noted the severe impact of environmental disturbances, such as summer forest fires which resulted in a total loss of nests in affected areas, and a significant negative correlation between high red ant densities and nesting success. Differences in nesting preferences were evident, with urban birds frequently employing artificial materials and structures, while forest-dwelling species utilized natural materials and tree features. Various nest types including cup, platform, pendant, cavity, ground, and mud nests - reflected the availability of materials and environmental conditions. The findings emphasize the need for conservation measures, such as providing artificial nest boxes and planting trees in urban areas, alongside addressing environmental threats in forested regions. This study underscores the stark differences in nesting ecology between urban and forest habitats, illustrating the adaptability of urban species and the rich diversity of forest environments.