Breeding Biology of White Cheeked Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys) in Margalla Hills National Park, Pakistan

Present study was designed to investigate breeding biology of white-cheeked bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys) in Margalla Hills National Park Pakistan (MHNP). Eighty nests were located in the study area out of which 43 were used by birds for breeding. Highest successful nests were located on fork 38.75%, followed by middle 25%, terminal 20% and other position of the plants 16.25%. Preferable height for nest construction by white-cheeked bulbul was 1-2m (60%) followed by 2-3m (23.7%) and 0-1m (16.25%). Outer diameter of nest was recorded (16.0 +/- 4.22cm) while inner diameter was (10.8 +/- 2.95cm). The preferred plant species used by white-cheeked bulbul for nest construction was garanda (Carrisa opaca; 58.7%) followed by sanatha (Dodonaea viscosa; 26.25%), panch phuli (Lantana camera; 6.25%), beri (Zizyphus mauritiana; 3.75%), kronda (Carissa macrocarpa; 2.5%) and mallah (Zizyphus nummularia; 2.5%). Clutch size in white-cheeked bulbul ranged from 1 to 5 eggs with mean clutch size of 2.6 eggs. Maximum percentage of nests (30.2%) had clutch size of 2 and 3 eggs. The overall hatching success in active nests was 61.7% and fledging success was 67.6%. During month of May, maximum number of eggs and nestlings were recorded while no breeding activity was recorded during month of February. It is concluded that (MHNP) is a favorable site for breeding activity of white-cheeked bulbul.