Habitat preference and roosting behaviour of the Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus (Aves: Galliformes: Phasianidae) in Deva Vatala National Park, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan

Abstract

In Pakistan the Red Junglefowl is reported only from Deva Vatala National Park.  The present study investigated the habitat preference and roosting behavior of the Red Junglefowl in three different habitat types which included a wild area, cultivated lands and a human settlement area.  Habitat preference during the summer season comprised 87.50% wild area, 2.5% cultivated area and 10% human settlement area; during the winter season, the preference was 90% wild area and 10% human settlement area.  More numbers of female birds (22) were seen during both the seasons as compared to males (17).  The birds preferred old trees for roosting.  A total of 16 roost sites were explored on five different tree species; including Acacia nilotica (25%), Acacia modesta (12.5%), Olea ferruginea (18.75%), Magnifera indica (25%) and Dalbergia sissoo (18.75%).  The species roosted in groups of 4-8 birds and the duration of the average roosting time was about eight and half hours.  We propose that similar studies on the ecology of Red Junglefowl should be conducted to get a better understanding of the species in the study area which is perquisite for its conservation.