Ramde Bhatiya,
Vibhuti Raval,
- Student, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Noble University, Junagadh, Gujarat, India
- Assistant Professor and Head, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Noble University, Junagadh, Gujarat, India
Abstract
The Great Thick-knee (Esacus recurvirostris) is a captivating bird species that has garnered significant attention from researchers due to its unique breeding behaviors and adaptations. This large wader, characterized by its distinctive upturned bill and striking black and white facial pattern, is a local breeder in humid southern Asia. The breeding season of the Great Thick-knee typically commences in February and extends through July, with peak laying activity occurring in March and April. During this period, pairs establish and defend territories, often selecting dry, open areas near water bodies such as reservoirs, riverbeds, and lakeshores. The nest is just a shallow depression in the bare ground, without any complex structure. A clutch usually consists of two large, cryptically colored eggs, which are incubated by both parents for approximately 28 days. Parental care extends beyond incubation. Both parents actively participate in brooding and guarding the chicks, shielding them from potential predators and harsh weather conditions. The chicks are precocial, which means they are quite developed when they hatch and can move around on their own. Both parents feed the chicks by placing food directly into their mouths. Around 40 days after hatching, the chicks fledge, becoming independent and able to find food on their own. The breeding habits of the Great Thick-knee depend on several factors, such as habitat quality, food supply, and the risk of predators. Human activities, such as habitat loss and disturbance, can pose significant threats to their breeding success. However, based on available research, it is generally quite low at 0.2887 and 0.343 for two different sites of studies. Understanding the intricacies of their breeding ecology is crucial for implementing effective conservation measures to protect this remarkable species.
Keywords: Breeding biology, hatching success, nesting success, great thick-knee, breeding
[This article belongs to Research and Reviews : A Journal of Biotechnology ]
Ramde Bhatiya, Vibhuti Raval. Breeding Biology of Great Thick-Knee (Esacus recurvirostris) in Fresh Water Reservoir near Wankaner of Morbi District, Gujarat. Research and Reviews : A Journal of Biotechnology. 2025; 15(01):44-49.
Ramde Bhatiya, Vibhuti Raval. Breeding Biology of Great Thick-Knee (Esacus recurvirostris) in Fresh Water Reservoir near Wankaner of Morbi District, Gujarat. Research and Reviews : A Journal of Biotechnology. 2025; 15(01):44-49. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjobt/article=2025/view=196666
References
1. Ali S, Ripley SD. Handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan. Compact edition. Oxford University Press and BNHS, Mumbai. Ali, S. and SD Ripley (1995). The Pictorial Guide to the Birds of Indian Sub-continent. Oxford University Press and BNHS, Mumbai. Baskaran, ST (1992). Sighting of Dusky Horned Owl. Newsletter for Birdwatchers. 1983;32(9):10.
2. Arya AK, Joshi KK, Kumar D, Bachheti A. A study on the breeding habits of Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus Boddaert, 1783 (Aves: Charadriformes: Charadridae) in the agricultural landscape of Muzaffarnagar District, Uttar Pradesh, India. J Threat Taxa. 2023;15(4):23119–23122. doi: 10.11609/jott.8066.15.4.23119-23122.
3. Drucker J. Birds of India: Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology. 2016;128(2):468–471.
4. Gupta RK, Kaushik VK. Ecology and breeding Biology of Indian Stone Curlew (Burhinusindicus) in Kurukshetra, Haryana. Int J Sci Environ Technol. 2012;9(1):147–152.
5. Helvoort BE. A breeding record of Great Thick-knee Esacus maqnirostris on Bali. KUKILA. 1985;2(3):68–69.
6. Baidya P, Bhagat M. A checklist of the birds of Goa, India. Indian Birds. 2018;14(1):1–31.
7. Mundkur T. Prey items of the great Thick-knee Esacus recurvirostris. Forktail. 1970;6:71–72.
8. Sethi VK, Bhatt D, Kumar A. Hatching success in yellow-wattled Lapwing Vanellus malabaricus. Indian Birds. 2010;5(5):139–142.
9. Yogev A, Ar A, Yom-Tov Y. Determination of clutch size and the breeding biology of the spur-winged plover (Vanellus spinosus) in Israel. The Auk. 1996;113(1):68–73.
10. Islam MZ, Khan MZ. Breeding biology of the Great Thick-knee Esacus recurvirostris in Bangladesh. Forktail. 2004;20:129–132.
11. Khalil S, Hussain T, Anwar M, Rafay M, Abdullah M, Khalid M, et al. Breeding biology of red wattled lapwing (VanellusIndicus) from Southern Punjab, Pakistan. Int J Biodivers Conserv. 2019;11(2):78–84.
12. Starck JM, Ricklefs RE. editors. Avian growth and development: Evolution within the altricial-precocial spectrum. USA: Oxford University Press; 1998. pp. 3–30, USA.
13. Sethi VK, Bhatt D, Kumar A, Naithani AB. The hatching success of ground-and roof-nesting red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus in Haridwar, India. Forktail. 2011;27:7–10.
14. Reeves SK. Bird notes from Rajkot, Gujarat. Newsletter for Birdwatchers. 1963;3(11):11.
Research and Reviews : A Journal of Biotechnology
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue | 01 |
| Received | 16/01/2025 |
| Accepted | 28/01/2025 |
| Published | 01/02/2025 |
| Publication Time | 16 Days |