Risk of brood parasitism and predation in relation to human activity in Jahangirnagar University campus, Bangladesh

Type Working Paper
Title Risk of brood parasitism and predation in relation to human activity in Jahangirnagar University campus, Bangladesh
Author(s)
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2014
URL https://daim.idi.ntnu.no/masteroppgaver/008/8696/masteroppgave.pdf
Abstract
Brood parasitism and nest predation are two important causes affecting avian breeding success. Human disturbance is furthermore a serious problem in avian conservation and is increasing at a steady rate globally. The main aim of the present study is to examine how human activity influences risk of nest predation and brood parasitism at Jahangirnagar University campus outside Dhaka in Bangladesh. A total of five cuckoo species was recorded in the study area which parasitized six passerine species nests. This study is the first to confirm that plaintive cuckoos use common tailorbirds as hosts in Bangladesh. Two hypotheses were tested. First, as cuckoos assess human activity as a source of disturbance; there should be a negative relationship between parasitism rates and distance from human settlements. Second, as predation mainly depends on predator species and predators are found in all types of habitats; there should be no relationship between predation and distance to human settlements. The results supported both hypotheses. Finally, there was a significant relationship between nest predation and brood parasitism. Parasitized nests had lower success rates than unparasitized nests. The results of the present study showed the importance of natural habitat in cuckoo conservation and the negative effects of human habitat encroachment. Large areas with little human disturbance should be established. Some cuckoo species may be driven to extinction if the human habitat encroachment continues.

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