Breeding Biology of Chakoor partridge (Alectoris chukar) in Bajaur, Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan: Critically affected by eggs collection and predation

The purpose of the study was to explore the main barriers responsible for the breeding success of chakoor partridge in four different mountainous locations of Bajaur during breeding seasons 2018 and 2019 respectively. This research work will enhance protection for the future progeny and grants beauty to the environment. Scientifically this is the first contribution in which a total of nineteen nests were explored with the help of a systematic survey and local shepherds. Data about breeding biology, nest characterization, and destructive factors recorded. The average clutch size 12.86±1.3 eggs and incubation 24.04±0.6 days of (n=238). While 6 nests consisting of 75 eggs were destroyed by egg collection and predation. The overall hatching success was (69%). The egg’s look was oblong with a smooth texture. The average weight of eggs 18.35±0.6 (g) and length 3.28±0.07 (cm) with diameter 3.08±0.07 (cm). The look of nests was partial round, which was constructed from local dry grasses Fimbristylis squarrosa 60%, Cynodon dactylon, Desmostachya bipinnata, Dichanthium annulatum 35%, and feathers along with undifferentiated materials 5%. Similarly the average nests diameter 26.42±3.3 (cm), cup diameter 24.12±3.2 (cm) and cup depth 6.19±0.4 (cm). This study concluded that chakoor perform their breeding activity from May to August in the mountainous habitat however, in absence of eggs collection, nest destruction, and predation, the breeding success will be more secure. We recommend that to generate awareness in public about this valuable bird and the implementation of regulations is required on a prior basis.


Introduction
In district Bajaur, the Chakoor partridge are known as "Zaurk" and "Zaurka" for male and female respectively due to its luminous yellow eyes color. While in Turkish this partridge is recognized as "Kınalı" because of its red color legs and beak [1]. The current research proposes an explanation of breeding biology and the main factors affecting the breeding of chakoor. Comparatively very low data about breeding biology are present especially in Pakistan because of difficulty to explore their nest. Chakoor partridge's basic ecology, reproductive biology, and behavior were studied in America by Galbreathe [2] and in Navada Christensen [3]. Various researches have been conducted on different aspects of chakoor, but very little information is present about their breeding ecology. So possible results obtained are more time consuming and striving in mountainous habitat because they make their nests in hideous and incredible places [4,2]. The origin of chakoor partridge is hilly and mountainous areas that are famous for game purposes [5], which belongs to order Galliformes and family Phasianidae [6][7][8]. Generally, the sexes have similar morphology, but the male is somewhat larger with a spur on their legs. Chakoor partridge is a medium physique bird i.e. the male is about 510 to 800 g and the female has 450 to 680 gm [1, 9,10]. Chakoor partridge selects the habitats which satisfy the basic necessities of life definitely, like required food and secure nesting habitat [11,12]. Amongst all resources presence of water is the initial and very vital part of habitat in the mountainous and hilly areas for chakoor [13]. Chakoor partridge wants reproductive partners, female and male that coupling reproductively in April a male complete all their breeding behaviors [10]. Once the environmental conditions are unfavorable only a few couples perform breeding. The male chakoor takes away the female partner, to far away from the access of other males. Couples start calling and perform a "tide betting habit" kicking on the ground and pecking at various small things. The common kecking calls were a slow check, check, check made by both partners that slowly converts to chikor chikor, that can easily be heard from more distance [6, 10, 14]. Basically, chakoor partridge laying once per annum but mostly depend on environmental conditions. Impregnates take place during early April to late July, clutch size per breeding, ranging from 5 to 23, usual hatching duration is about 23-24 days [4]. The status of the chakoor is regular residents breeding habitat is not regular, the nest site location, and the number of offspring not regular [15]. Nestling able to fly at the age of fewer than twenty-one days [16]. Chicks are commonly not differentiated from their adult birds when they attain the age of 5 months. Mostly the chicks live in groups. They perform the basic activity in the form of groups too, like resting in the shadow of rocks or any shrubbery and taking water during daytime routinely and more specifically when the ecological temperature is more than 37 (Cº) [17,18]. In natural habitat sufficient study has not been conducted specifically on the breeding ecology of chakoor, because probable target recordings are so trying due to hiding nest location [4, 2]. As a ground nester each time they are at risk. Common predators along with humans are mammals and avian predation [4]. The objectives of this study were to explore the basic pattern of breeding habit and to know the structure and the composition of the nest, breeding season, clutch size, incubation period, breeding success and to note the effect of predation on eggs and eggs collection on breeding success of chakoor in Bajaur Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan.

Study area
The present research was carried out in the mountainous range of district Bajaur (34⁰41.250 N, 71⁰30.541 E), 3000 to 5500 ft.  Through both methods, targeted species nests were explored. Besides some nests were explored on behalf of local shepherds and hunters. All the targeted nests were allotted an identification number [7, 18-20]. The target nests were surveyed very carefully on a daily basis till the laying of the first egg, then after every two days until nest destruction, predation, or fledging noted ( Fig.  2A). On each survey, all the relevant data regarding the number of eggs, constriction, destruction, eggs collection, and predation was recorded. Besides also noted each egg length, width, volume, texture, incubation period, hatching, and fledging success, nest shape, external and internal diameter, and cup depth as shown in (Table 1 & 2). During the whole collection period, [21] methods and guidelines were followed for utmost precaution and care.

Statistical analysis
Sample sizes varied for different parameters about breeding biology and nest characterization because we couldn't compare breeding variables for statistical significance due to the low sample size. However, analyzed as a mean±standard deviation by MS Excel (365).

Results
Chakoor partridge nests pointing out and breeding activities As a whole 19 nests of chakoor partridge were studied in four different locations. In each Location; 7, 4, 5, and 3 nests were explored respectively. Among four targeted locations in the mountains, belts of location-A significantly higher number of nests (36.84%) were explored followed by location-C (26.31%), while location-D has the least number (15.78%) of nests ( Table 3). The exploration of Chakoor partridge nests is a very difficult task because they select their nest's site in unbelievable places. During laying the partridge cannot flash in or out of nests but use hide walking in bushes, and undoubtedly low population density. All the nests were explored in dense shrubbery, between rocks and caves covered by grasses. All nests were explored in the field survey from April to August 2018 and 19. Comparatively more nests were recorded during June (31.57%) followed by May and July (26.31%) respectively, while a very low number of nests (15.78 %) recorded during August, so these months reflect its breeding season ( Table 1). The breeding season of chakoor in Bajaur begins during May and lasts till August. During this period the chakoor was recorded in pairs of 2-5 (Fig. 2D). The pairing started from April to July, while the breeding duration May to August. The clutch size ranged from 8 to 16 eggs. Eggs collection by illegal hunters, shepherd, and predation were noted in all locations. In location-A and C (2) while in B and D (1) nest destruction noted respectively, with a total of 75 eggs, predated (25) and collected (50) ( Table 3). The collected eggs are incubated and hatched by a laying hen in captivity and then the chicks use them for trade purposes (Fig. 2B). On a monthly basis, maximum nest destruction was recorded during June and July (2, 2) followed by May and August (1, 1) as shown in (Table 1).

Chakoor partridge eggs sketch
The color of eggs was Pale white with purplish spots, oblong look mostly with a smooth texture, the average weight of eggs was 18.35±0.6 (gm). The average length 3.28±0.07 (cm) and the diameter 3.08±0.07 (cm) ( Table 2). The period of incubation ranged from 23-24 (24.04±0.6) days. But hatching victory of 69.1% was so low because of egg collection and predation. However, the nestling left the nest very soon after hatching, so breeding success is equal to that of the hatching victory for this study ( Table 3). Eggs collection and predation greatly affected the hatching success of chakoor. Hatching in location-A was 57.85%, B 77.35%, C 64.28% and D 76.92% recorded. All the eggs hatch within a few hours with open eyes and body covered contour feather nestling (Table 3). Nidology Nest constructed activities were not studied because they collect nest material by hiding walking in presence of any threat that does not show the exact location, however, they construct the nest out of find of other chakoor partridge according to local experts. But after complete breeding success, all the diametric measurements and materials of nests were analyzed. Basically, total nests were explored in dense grasses and bushes mostly between rocks covered by grasses in slopes (Fig. 2C). All the characteristics of nests were measured. Outlook of nests was almost partial round with mean outer diameter (26.42±3.3), cup diameter (24.12±3.2) and cup depth (6.19±0.4). As ground nester the materials of nests were local grasses. The dominant grasses used as nest construction materials by mass was Fimbristylis squarrosa 60%, Cynodon dactylon 5%, Desmostachya bipinnata 15%, Dichanthium annulatum 15%, contour feathers 4%, undifferentiated materials 1% (Table 4, Fig.  2C & D). Table 1. Month wise detected nests of Chakoor partridge in each location along with coordinate gradient "E" East Longitude, "ft" feet, "L" location, "N" North Latitude, "Sr", Serial number

Table 2. Chakoor partridge (Alectoris chukar) eggs average morphometry in district Bajaur, (April-August) 2018 and 2019
"cm" centimeter,"gm" gram, " M±std" Mean standard deviation Table 3. Breeding design of Chakoor partridge (Alectoris chukar) in district Bajaur (April-August) 2018 and 2019 respectively "Avg" average, "ↇ" destructed, "PR" eggs predation, "Cl" eggs collection "♀" eggs, "L" locations A, B, C and "±" Mean standard deviation, "Θ" nest, "%" percentage "Sr" Serial number In all four locations of district Bajaur possible habitat for the breeding of chakoor was present. But unfortunately, local shepherds, hunter ignorance activity, and habitat loss are involved to decrease the breeding success of chakoor. We recommend that to influence the awareness in local hunters and shepherds about the importance of chakoor and other wildlife that eggs collection, threatening and habitat destruction leads to finish off the pretty and precious bird locally. So we will improve the breeding success of chakoor to enhance and protect their habitat by improving awareness in locals. This investigation is helpful for the protection of chakoor breeding success in district Bajaur.

Conclusion
This study concluded that the breeding activities of chakoor begins from April and lasts until August in the mountainous territories of Bajaur valley. All possible habitats for breeding purposes are available, however, in absence of eggs collection, nest destruction, and predation, the breeding success will be more secure. But unfortunately breeding success and productivity are not fully because of more threats. Measurable protection are needed for the preservation of future progeny of chakoor partridge.

Authors' contributions
Conceived and designed the experiments: K Gabol, Performed the experiments: RU Khan, Analyzed the data: RU Khan, Contributed materials/ analysis/ tools: K Gabol, Wrote the paper: RU Khan.