Habitat selection by an avian top predator in the tropical megacity of Delhi: human activities and socio-religious practices as prey-facilitating tools

Abstract

Research in urban ecology is growing rapidly in response to the exponential growth of the urban environment. However, few studies have focused on tropical megacities, and on the interplay between predators' habitat selection and human socio-economic aspects, which may mediate their resilience and coexistence with humans. We examined mechanisms of breeding habitat selection by a synanthropic raptor, the Black Kite Milvus migrans, in Delhi (India) where kites mainly subsist on: (1) human refuse and its associated prey-fauna, and (2) ritualised feeding of kites, particularly practised by Muslims. We used mixed effects models to test the effect of urban habitat configuration and human practices on habitat selection, site occupancy and breeding success. Kite habitat decisions, territory occupancy and breeding success were tightly enmeshed with human activities: kites preferred areas with high human density, poor waste management and a road configuration that facilitated better access to resources provided by humans, in particular to Muslim colonies that provided ritual subsidies. Furthermore, kites bred at 'clean' sites with less human refuse only when close to Muslim colonies, suggesting that the proximity to ritual-feeding sites modulated the suitability of other habitats. Rather than a nuisance to avoid, as previously portrayed, humans were a keenly-targeted foraging resource, which tied a predator's distribution to human activities, politics, history, socio-economics and urban planning at multiple spatio-temporal scales. Many synurbic species may exploit humans in more subtle and direct ways than was previously assumed, but uncovering them will require greater integration of human socio-cultural estimates in urban ecological research.

Long‐term occupancy of nest boxes as a measure of territory quality for Pied Flycatchers

“…, Kumar et al. ). At the microhabitat scale, habitat quality is a key factor for reproductive success for many avian species (Johnson ) and its variation is therefore an important factor to consider in ecological studies.…”

“…Habitat selection by birds has been studied at several levels, from coarse to fine-grained (Cody 1985, Orians and Wittenberger 1991, Jones 2001, Razgour et al 2011, Ma ıcas et al 2012, Eichholz and Elmberg 2014, Camacho et al 2016, Kumar et al 2017. At the microhabitat scale, habitat quality is a key factor for reproductive success for many avian species (Johnson 2007) and its variation is therefore an important factor to consider in ecological studies.…”

Folk perceptions for avian scavengers in a tropical megacity: implications for biocultural conservation

“…We believe that the popularity of these stories and fables was based on the ease of verbal explanation or with artwork, often contributing to the homogenization of perceptions about urban animals. On the other hand, we also identify the potential of mediatisation in further strengthening of patronizing perceptions that may contribute to the preservation of socio-cultural and ecological uniqueness of tropical megacities, just as urban green spaces (Kumar et al, 2018a).…”

Factors affecting nest site selection of Milvus migrans govinda (Pariah kite), in and around AMU campus, Aligarh

“…8 The existence of PARIAH Kite, the govinda subspecies, as the secondary scavenger proves vital. 9 Therefore, it is important to maintain its good population it is important to understand the behavioral characteristics especially the nest selection that allow kites to adapt to a highly urban landscape, nest amidst human habitation and forage on dump refuse. 9 Hence, Study on nest site section by Pariah kite (Milvus migrans govinda) in the urban landscape of Aligarh was carried out to know the factors affecting the selection of nesting habitat, nest substrate characteristics and its implications for management of the species for conservation purpose.…”