Some breeding parameters of himalayan bulbul (pycnonotus leucogenys) in Kupwara district of Kashmir, India

The present study was carried out during two breeding seasons (April to August) of 2010 and 2011 in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir (India). The nests were made in the months April- July with May as the peak nesting month. Most of the nests were made in the bushes but some in low willows, bags and baskets hanging on walls. Both sexes took part in nest making. Nests were cup shaped with mean outer diameter of 15.22±0.82 cm, inner diameter of 7.68±0.82 cm and the depth of nest depression 4.61±0.29 cm. The average clutch size was 3.25±0.43. The eggs are dull white with red spots with average dimensions 22.67 ±0.2 mm X 16.58 ± 0.16 mm. Both sexes took part in incubation. The average incubation period was 12.1±0.76 days. Hatchlings were nidicolous and hatching success was 80.16%. Egg survival during incubation was 0.69. The fledging success was 86.37% and average nestling period was 13.95 ±0.67 days. Nestling survival during nestling period was 0.75 and overall breeding success was 69.23%.