01 Oca 2026 Perşembe
First-ever breeding record of Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) in Southern Rajasthan, India
Abstract : The present study provides first breeding record of Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus in Southern Rajasthan, India or the second breeding site of Black-necked Stork (BNS) in Rajasthan at the Sarjana Dam (24°38'34"N 73°58'36"E), Vallabhnagar, Udaipur district. We visited this site in the first week of January 2025, at around 1000 hrs. We observed a nest of BNS on the top canopy of the of an Vachellia nilotica (Desi babool) tree approximately 06-07 m above the water level. In Rajasthan, the breeding of BNS was recorded only in Eastern Rajasthan (Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur) earlier. This paper presents the first breeding record of BNS in Southern Rajasthan or the second breeding site of BNS in Rajasthan. The abundance of fish in this dam attracted BNS and other fish-eating birds. The establishment of fishing nets in this dam and the passing of high-tension power lines near this site are serious threats to these fish-eating species.