v7i1.150

ISSN: 1800-427X (print)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v7i1.150

Submitted date: 22 February 2014
Accepted date: 30 July 2014
Published date: 19 January 2015
Pp. 14–19, Pl. 9–11.

PREYING FREQUENCY OF COMMON KINGFISHER, Alcedo atthis (LINNAEUS, 1758) IN BANGLADESH

Habibon Naher
*Corresponding author. E-mail: habibonnaher@yahoo.com

Abstract
A study on the preying frequency of common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) was conducted from September 2008 to September 2011 at Nikunja-1 in Dhaka City Corporation Area of Bangladesh. The objective of the study was to determine the average preying frequency per day across different months using focal animal sampling method. It preyed 8.5 times / day, with the highest frequency of preying at 11:01–12:00 h and 16:01–17:00 h. The average frequency was highest in September and lowest in April and highest in monsoon season and lowest in summer. Food items comprised of arthropods (31.7%) and fish (68.3%). From May through September, they avoided arthropods preferring fish as it was peak breeding season. During this period, they were preoccupied with courtship, nest building and caring of their nestlings.

Key words : breeding season, behaviour, Dhaka City, feeding activities, monsoon, summer

Section Editor: Varadharajan Gokula