Habitat preference of the Nicobar megapode Megapodius nicobariensis in the Great Nicobar Island, India

Abstract

Mound-nesting Nicobar megapodes are threatened due to their clumped distribution toward coastal areas of Nicobar group of islands. Despite the obvious importance of habitat to these specialized birds, there have been no detailed studies on habitat preferences in this group. Hence, we have studied the habitat preference of the Nicobar megapode in the Great Nicobar Island based on the nesting and foraging site preferences between 1996 and 1998. Most of the mounds were distributed within 200 m from the high tide mark. Sandy and sandy-loam substrates and the microhabitats of Pandanus spp. mixed stands were highly preferred for mound construction. Microhabitats dominated with Pandanus, Macaranga, and Dracaena stands were highly used for breeding as well as foraging in both dry and wet seasons of the year. There was no change in the habitat selection of the Nicobar megapode between seasons (P > 0.488). Based on the findings, it is suggested that for the conservation and management of the Nicobar megapode in the Nicobar Islands, all coastal habitats which have sandy and sandy-loam substrates or species of Pandanus, Macaranga, and Dracaena (dominated habitats) will need to be taken into consideration.