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Offal dumping sites influence the relative abundance and roosting site selection of Black Kites (Milvus migrans govinda) in urban landscape: a study from Kolkata metropolis, India

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Abstract

Although Black Kites (Milvus migrans govinda) serve as major scavenging raptor in most of the urban areas, scientific studies on this important ecosystem service provider are almost non-existent in Indian context. The present study was carried out in a metropolis in eastern India to find out the factors influencing relative abundance and roosting site selection of Black Kites. Separate generalized linear models (GLMs) were performed considering encounter rate and roosting Black Kite abundance as response variables. The study conclusively indicated that encounter rates of Black Kites were significantly influenced by the presence of garbage dumps in its vicinity. Numbers of Black Kites were also higher in the roosting sites situated closer to garbage dumps and open spaces. In addition, expected counts of Black Kites significantly increased in roosting sites situated away from buildings and water bodies. However, built-up area and tree cover around the roosting sites had no influence on the abundance of Black Kites therein. With rapid urbanization and changing offal disposal patterns, our findings would be useful to ensure continued availability of food and roosting sites of Black Kites in urban areas.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the suggestions of many ornithologists, naturalists and residents of Kolkata. Special thanks are due to Mrs. Bidisa Mazumdar for her regular assistance in field during data collection and during data entry. We appreciate the permission given by the Executive Engineer, KMC (Parks and Square); Head Master of Rajendra Siksha Sadan, Tollygunge; and Curator, Victoria Memorial Garden, Kolkata to carry out research activities in their premises and express our gratitude for the Head, Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta and the Principal, Shibpur Dinobundhoo Institution (College) for their encouragement and infrastructural support. We also acknowledge the constructive inputs from Dr. Mriganka Sekhar Sarkar and two unknown reviewers in improving this manuscript.

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  1. Department of Zoology, Shibpur Dinobundhoo Institution (College), Shibpur, Howrah, India

    Subhendu Mazumdar

  2. Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India

    Subhendu Mazumdar & Goutam Kumar Saha

  3. Species & Landscapes Division, WWF-India, 172B Lodi Estate, New Delhi, India

    Dipankar Ghose

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Mazumdar, S., Ghose, D. & Saha, G.K. Offal dumping sites influence the relative abundance and roosting site selection of Black Kites (Milvus migrans govinda) in urban landscape: a study from Kolkata metropolis, India. Environ Monit Assess 190, 20 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-6391-7

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