Preference of Nesting Habitat in Asian Openbill Stork (Anastomus oscitans) in an Urbanizing Environment: Evidence from in and around Dr. Rajendra Prasad Children's Park, Aurangabad, Bihar, India

Abstract

The Asian Openbill Stork (Anastomus oscitans) is a colonial nesting waterbird widely distributed across the Indian subcontinent. Nesting habitat selection is influenced by tree characteristics, food availability, and the surrounding environment. The present study was undertaken to assess the nesting preferences of the Asian Openbill Stork (Anastomus oscitans) across different tree species in and around Dr. Rajendra Prasad Children’s Park, Aurangabad, Bihar, India, during the onset of the breeding season (July). The study focused on evaluating tree-species use and nesting density to identify species that were preferentially selected for nesting. Eleven tree species comprising 219 individual trees were surveyed. A total of 250 nests and 618 adult birds were recorded. Although Cordia myxa was represented by fewer trees than Ficus religiosa, it exhibited a higher nesting density (4.00 nests per tree) compared with F. religiosa (2.33 nests per tree), indicating a greater concentration of nests on individual C. myxa trees. In addition, Polyalthia longifolia and Peltophorum pterocarpum were among the most abundant tree species in the study area but supported relatively fewer nests per tree, indicating comparatively lower nesting density. Thus, their high representation in the tree community did not correspond to a proportionately high use for nesting. The results indicate a clear preference for large-canopied native tree species, particularly Ficus religiosa, which supported a relatively high number of nests and exhibited high nesting density. These findings highlight the ecological importance of conserving mature trees within urban landscapes to sustain breeding colonies of Asian Openbill Storks.