Studies on Merops orientalis Latham 1801 with special reference to its population in Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu.
Role of habitat-structure and climatic factors in the population dynamics of the small green bee-eater Merops orientalis was evaluated in three habitats viz., agricultural lands, river banks and human habitations during 1991-1993. The river banks supported relatively high population of bee-eaters (157/Km2) followed by the agricultural lands (101/Km2) and human habitations (58/Km2). Bee-eater populations showed year-wise variations in river banks and human habitations having high values during 1992 (123/Km2) and 1993 (43/Km2) respectively. Agricultural lands showed a significantly low mean density in 1991 than other years. Seasonal variations in the bee-eater densities among the habitats were also recorded. Vegetation structure, food (insects) availability, climatic conditions and human disturbance were the casual factors for variations in bee-eater populations.
Asokan
S
S
PG and Research Division of Wildlife Biology, Department of Zoology, AVC College, Mayiladuthurai-609 305, India. beeAsokan@yahoo.com
Thiyagesan
K
K
Nagarajan
R
R
Kanakasabai
R
R
D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000502:physiology*; D004777:Environment; D007194:India; D011156:Population Density; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012621:Seasons