Wetlands as the Preferred Roosting and Breeding Site of Sarus Crane, Grus antigone (Linneaus, 1758)

Abstract

Indian Sarus Crane, Grus antigone a world’s tallest flying bird. The present study was conducted from November 2019 to October 2020 in the Dhanauri wetland. A total of 71 individuals of Sarus crane were noted. Consisted of 59 adults and 12 juveniles. A study found that the maximum number of Sarus Crane was found to perform roosting (53%) and nesting (15%) activities in wetland areas as compared to other habitats Wetlands perform several ecological functions such as groundwater recharging, maintenance of balance between drought and flooding situations, nutrient cycle, and also conservation of biodiversity. Wetland encroachment will also be detrimental in near future. If the encroachment will remain, then there may be risk of the disappear of wetland areas resulted in imbalance in the nature. The importance of preserving and promoting the ecosystem of wetlands cannot be over emphasized for the sake of agriculture, water conservation and the economy. In the present study it is investigated that human activities are using wetland area for different purposes like, construction of houses, roads, agricultural land and overfishing etc. In view of this finding, it can be suggested that regular monitoring of the bio-parameters and recording the changes, if any, should help maintain the natural vibrancy of the valuable natural assets of marshlands in Uttar Pradesh.

1. Introduction

Indian Sarus Crane, Grus antigone a world’s tallest flying bird [1, 2, 3]. These birds are monogamous and believed to mate for life and suffer the loss of their mates even to the point of starving to death [4]. Due to their habitat destruction, their number is declining gradually, and also listed as vulnerable species as per the IUCN red list of threatened species [5]. It is the only species of breeding crane in India [6]. These birds mainly prefer to live in a habitat like a wetland, marshland that is covered with water during monsoon season, plenty of paddy rice fields, and grassland [7, 8]. Wetlands play a critical role in maintaining many natural cycles and supporting a wide range of biodiversity. They purify and restock our water, and provide the paddy and fishes that feed millions. They serve as a natural sponge against drought and flooding, protect our shorelines and help fight climate change. Wetlands are particularly important providers of all water-related ecosystem services. They regulate water quantity, groundwater recharge, and can contribute to regulating floods and the impacts of storms. Wetlands also help in erosion control and sediment transport, thereby contributing to land formation and increasing resilience to storms. All these ecosystem services improve water security, including security from natural hazards and climate change adaptation. Wetlands are the major habitat for most of the world’s waterbirds and key habitat for migratory species. Almost all of the world’s waterbirds use wetlands as feeding and breeding grounds. Migratory water birds use wetlands throughout their range which can sometimes literally be from pole to pole. The feeding, breeding and stop-over areas across and between continents that migratory birds depend on requires coordinated wetlands conservation efforts among many nations. Sarus Crane is considered a flagship species that residing a large wetland covered by agricultural land [9]. These birds are omnivorous, and mainly prefer to feed on insects, small fishes, frogs, and some aquatic plants and seeds as well [3, 6]. Sarus cranes generally make association during the pre-monsoon and winter seasons [3, 10]. Among North India, Uttar Pradesh holds the largest population of this species unfortunately intensive data collection is not available for the state. Wetlands perform several ecological functions such as groundwater recharging, maintenance of balance between drought and flooding situations, nutrient cycle, and also conservation of biodiversity [11, 12]. Sarus cranes usually spend most of their time in wetlands to get respite from extensive heat in summers. They congregate into large groups, prior to breeding season in wetland habitat. Bursting with biodiversity, wetlands are a vital means of storing carbon. Wetlands are also tremendously productive ecosystems that provide a myriad of services to society worldwide. Due to the shrinkage of wetlands, they generally prefer to forage on agricultural crops. The present study was carried out to collect information about the preference for wetland habitat by Sarus Crane during breeding and a non-breeding season in Dhanauri wetland, Uttar Pradesh which is one of the favorite sites of these cranes. Continued population declines of many species of aquatic birds indicate the need for additional understanding of how human activities negatively impact water quality and bird populations and what mitigative actions can be taken.

2. Materials and methods

2.1 Study area

The study was conducted from November 2019 to October 2020 in the Dhanauri wetland. This wetland is located in Thasrana village of Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Dhanauri wetland is located at 28⁰20′12.54” N latitudes and 77⁰37′09.77″ E longitudes covers a total area of around 100 acres surrounded by agricultural land. The wetland is filled with water in monsoon and is also home to the largest number of Sarus cranes. While a large number of migratory birds make this wetland a good avian diversity spot.

2.2 Data collection

Before making regular observations, a preliminary survey was carried out to identify the preferred habitat of Sarus Crane and to know their status. Initial information on Sarus inhabited areas was collected through a questionnaire filled by the villagers, farmers, and other respondents of the area. GIS sampling was carried out in order to find their distribution. eTrex Garmin GPS was used to record different coordinates during the study period. Point count methods were made to count the number of the cranes in the study area, by using recorded GPS coordinates we prepared a distribution map. Arc GIS 10.8 in conjugation with Google earth pro was used to locate various sightings of Sarus Crane. Trail cameras (Cuddy back with motion sensors) and a Digital camera (Canon SX70 HS) were used to document the presence or absence of Sarus Cranes at the nest as well as various threat factors behind their vulnerability. Various activities of the birds were observed at the selected sites by monitoring them during the morning and evening hours; 06.00 h–7.30 h and 17.00 h–19.30 h, respectively. Sarus Cranes were recorded in groups and each flock was treated as a separate sample unit, with one GPS point recorded for each.

3. Results

A total of 71 individuals of Sarus crane were noted. Consisted of 59 adults and 12 juveniles. During our study, Sarus crane was seen in pairs or family groups for the whole year but during the non-breeding season for the formation of pairs or finding their mates they form a congregation of 60–70 individuals. The present study found that these birds mainly prefer wetland areas (n = 54) while present in congregations during the non-breeding season while selecting their mate (Table 1 and Figure 1). There were only 7 individuals of Sarus cranes has been observed for a long time which was not associated with a large group and they were continuously foraging in agricultural land. Our study also has suggested that the group with very a much smaller number of juveniles as in group 4 already had 2 pairs i.e., 2 males and 2 females were not interested to join the congregation. It has been observed that these birds engage in social displays to facilitate the pairing of unmated birds.

Parameters	Group 1	Group 2	Group 3	Group 4
GPS coordinates	28^020′12.54” N; 77^037′09.77″ E	28^020′14.18” N; 77^037′07.04″ E	28^020′18.10” N; 77^037′14.25″ E	28^020′08.12” N; 77^037′03.83″ E
Habitat	Wetland, grassland	Wetland	Wetland	Agricultural land
Adult	23	10	10	16
Juvenile	02	03	06	01
Total (n)	25	13	16	17

Table 1.

Number of individuals of Sarus crane in different groups.

Figure 1.

Map showing 4 different groups noted in Dhanauri wetland.

During the study, a maximum number of Sarus Crane was found to perform roosting (53%) and nesting (15%) activities in wetland areas as compared to other habitats (Figure 2). However, foraging was strongly preferred in the agricultural landscape, which is likely due to the availability of food in farmlands. It also has been noted that male attracts females to display dance-like movement and also display beak touching behavior as well as flipping up and down while chasing another individual. Dhanauri wetland holds the maximum number of Sarus Crane (Figures 3–5).

Figure 2.

Various activities performed by Sarus crane in different habitat of Dhanauri wetland.

Figure 3.

Congregation of Sarus crane in Dhanauri wetland.

Figure 4.

Roosting of Sarus crane in Dhanauri wetland, Uttar Pradesh.

Figure 5.

Sarus crane building nest in water.

4. Discussion

The agricultural land around the Dhanauri wetland is also important for Sarus Crane as it frequently uses them to foraging, nest building and breeding. This is largely owing to the fact that this site provides a vast expanse of shallow waters. By way of its long beak, these birds mostly forage in water usually less than 30 cm deep [13]. The ecological suitability of this site in Uttar Pradesh is due to the thriving paddy fields and the absence of the pressure of urbanization. The existing wetlands provide a healthy ecosystem for Sarus cranes and other flora and fauna. Our study revealed that the distribution of Sarus Crane depends upon the suitability of the niche within the habitat. During the non-breeding season, these birds are mostly restricted to the agricultural land, because they spend maximum time foraging for food. Cranes mainly prefer wetland for roosting and nesting and agricultural land for feeding. Instead of building their nests in wetlands, as usual, these birds also move to agricultural land for hiding and to protect their nest and eggs from predators. Due to the ever-increasing urbanization, some other water bodies, that Sarus Cranes may visit, have become unsuitable for nesting during the breeding season. This alarming situation is an eye-opener for the state administration in particular and people in general. The Sarus habitat is outside protected areas, in natural wetlands with low water depth, marshy and fallow areas and agricultural fields. They play a vital role in ecological balance by controlling the population of harmful insects and have significant cultural importance, while also being sociable. Sarus is omnivorous, feeding on fish and insects, as well as roots and plants. Wetlands also help in erosion control and sediment transport, thereby contributing to land formation and increasing resilience to storms. All these ecosystem services improve water security, including security from natural hazards and climate change adaptation. Wetlands are the major habitat for most of the world’s waterbirds and key habitat for migratory species. Almost all of the world’s waterbirds use wetlands as feeding and breeding grounds. If the protection of this unique habitat of Sarus Cranes receives the priority it deserves, a multidimensional strategy can be drawn to involve all stakeholders. Wetland encroachment will also be detrimental in near future. If the encroachment will remain, then there may be risk of the disappear of wetland areas resulted in imbalance in the nature. Carbon dioxide gas will increase, as a result there will be depleting of ozone layer and it will create several diseases like bronchitis, various skin diseases etc. to living organisms. The homelands of plants, water birds, and animals will be affected. All these are directly or indirectly need for human being. This will degrade the environment near future. In the present study it is investigated that human activities are using wetland area for different purposes like, construction of houses, roads, agricultural land and overfishing etc. The wetland area is going to decrease day by day due to human encroachment. At the grass-root level, village-based education programs and other local developmental programs should be helpful in creating an ambiance for improving the conservation of wetlands [6].

5. Conclusion

The importance of preserving and promoting the ecosystem of marshlands cannot be over-emphasized for the sake of agriculture, water conservation, and the economy. The Dhanauri wetland supports a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including a variety of water birds. Due to the ever-increasing pressure of urbanization, a wetland in India is shrinking fast. Besides, several human activities increasingly pollute these precious water bodies. Our study indicates that Sarus Cranes mostly prefer agricultural land near Dhanauri wetland because it is the least disturbed habitat providing protection to their nests and progeny from predators. The direct encouragements to conserve biodiversity as an efficient tool in the delivery of conservation results in a way that also offers developmental benefits to local people. Authors suggest conserving regular monitoring of the wetlands and record the changes if any, should help to maintain the natural vibrancy of the valuable natural assets of wetlands in Uttar Pradesh. The importance of preserving and promoting the ecosystem of wetlands cannot be over emphasized for the sake of agriculture, water conservation and the economy. The wetlands of Uttar Pradesh support a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including a variety of water birds. Due to the ever-increasing pressure of urbanization, wetlands in the study area especially Dhanauri wetland shrinking rapidly. Besides, several human activities increasingly pollute these precious water bodies. Continued population declines of many species of aquatic birds indicate the need for additional understanding of how human activities negatively impact water quality and bird populations and what mitigative actions can be taken. Considering this finding, it is possible to infer that regular monitoring of bio-parameters and documentation of changes, if any, will help in the conserving natural beauty of Uttar Pradesh.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the financial support provided by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi. The authors are also thankful to Kurukshetra University for providing the necessary facilities. I acknowledge my gratitude to the Forest & Wild Life Department of Haryana for allowing me to conduct this research in the protected areas of Haryana. However, the authors would also like to thank Amit Kumar and Deepak Kumar Goswami for assisting in data collection during the study.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they do not have any conflict of interest.