EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENT FOOD ON BREEDING BIOLOGY OF EASTREN BLUE BIRD (Sialia sialis) IN SOUTH FLORIDA, USA
Dr Sangam Khalil1, Dr KATHRYN SIEVING2, Dr Maqsood Anwar3
1Islamia University Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan, 2 University of Florida, Gainesville, USA, 3 PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi , Pakistan
The effects of supplemental feeding on eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) populations were studied within campus of University of Florida. Total 44 nest boxes were placed in different types of habitats like; organic farms, natural open field and along roadsides to check the species preference of nest selection. Supplement food in the form of live mealworms were provided in some boxes, whereas other boxes were set as control. The study revealed that if food is limiting, supplement feed can increase survival however, feeding have no role when habitat structure found inappropriate, or when food was not limiting. Supplement feeding cause blue birds to lay second clutch earlier in boxes than, where no food were provided in boxes during breeding. Breeding season of blue bird in the study area extended from mid March to end of July. All of its nests consisting of pine needles. Egg laying occurred mainly in the months of March and May, having mean egg laying span of days (range 4-5 days) and a mean clutch size of 4.30+ 0.13eggs per nest (range 4-5). Mean incubation period was 11.69 + 1.44 days (range 13-15 days). Out of a total of 56 eggs located in various nests, 45 hatched (80%) with a mean hatching rate of 3.46+ 0.48 eggs per clutch. The fledging success was estimated at 3.38+ 0.47 per clutch (78%). Study suggested that blue bird’s successful breeding in Florida is associated with provision of supplement feed, and open fields around natural vegetation, which supports its healthy population.
Biography:
With due reverences, it is stated that I ( Dr. Sangam Khalil) am working as Assistant Professor in the Department of Forestry Range and Wildlife Management, University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UCA&ES), The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan from 01-02-2016 till date.
Presently, I am teaching under graduate courses. Now as serving in University, supervising projects of BSc (Hons.) & M.Phil wildlife students. Moreover, I have been awarded two international and a national SRGP research project as principal Investigator under Higher Education Commission.
My paper has been accepted for oral presentation in “IUFRO Regional Congress for Asia and Oceania 2016 to be held at China National Convention Center, Beijing , October 24 – 27, 2016” with title of “Threats Affecting Grey Francolin (Francolinus pondicerianus) Population in Salt Range, Punjab, Pakistan” I am actively engaged in research activities. I worked on Pheasants conservation during Ph. D and visit University of Florida,USA on short term basis under scholarship.