Pre-Roost Habitats of Western Marsh Harriers (Circus aeruginosus) Wintering in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur in Northwestern India

Western Marsh Harriers (Circus aeruginosus) wintering in Keoladeo National Park (KNP), India, exhibit distinct pre-roost habitat preferences depending on their location. Within KNP, harriers predominantly perch on trees to gather before roosting, with a strong preference for sacred fig (Ficus religiosa) despite its lower abundance, likely due to its tall stature and wide canopy. In contrast, outside KNP where tree cover is sparse, harriers primarily pre-roost in open fields. This behavior may facilitate the formation of large roosting flocks, potentially offering protection from predators and access to shared food resource information. Notably, while trees were used as pre-roosting sites within KNP, no overnight roosting on trees was observed during a three-year study period. The scarcity of suitable open areas near primary roost sites in KNP may explain the reliance on tree perches for pre-roosting.

Verma, A. (2024). Pre-Roost Habitats of Western Marsh Harriers (Circus aeruginosus) Wintering in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur in Northwestern India. Journal of Raptor Research, 58(3). https://doi.org/10.3356/jrr-22-100