Abstract
This study investigated the foraging behaviour and diet composition of grey francolin (Ortygornis pondicerianus) in different seasons (breeding and non-breeding) and habitats (agricultural land, tree-covered land, shrubland, and barren land). Focal sampling and faecal analysis methods were employed to examine the foraging behaviour and diet composition of the grey francolin, respectively. Foraging techniques showed non-significant (p=0.829) variation across different habitat types; however, walk-halt-peck (WHP) was the most commonly utilized foraging technique across all habitats. Additionally, foraging success varied significantly across seasons (p<0.05) and habitats (p<0.05). We recorded significantly higher feeding rates in the shrubland during the breeding season. The percentage of successful attempts was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the breeding season compared to the non-breeding season. Furthermore, faecal analysis results showed a significant (p<0.05) difference in composition between plant and animal matter, especially during the breeding season. However, the grit content showed non-significant variation (p>0.05) across seasons.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
