• T Meganathan
• Paul. Jeevanandham

Population Size and Feeding habitat preference of Asian Openbill Stork Anastomus oscitans in relation to prey availability at Sembanarkoil region, Nagapattinam District, Tamilnadu, India were studied during period from January 2017 to December 2018. During these study periods 124 in 2017 and 156 foraging sites in 2018 were observed respectively. The population size was range from 9 to 143 birds. Maximum birds were observed in Keelaiyur to Vallam village. Maximum numbers of birds in all four sites were recorded in month of June to September and decline the population in month of March to May. Maximum availability of prey was observed during pre-monsoon and monsoon season. Most commonly sighted in agriculture and marshes habitats 58% in 2017 and 66% in 2018 and least sighted were observed in river bank and ponds 22% in 2017 and 21% in 2018. Variations were found the Population size and availability of prey in different season and between the habitats. Relationship between availability of prey and population size was positively correlated in both years during study period. Present study reveals that variation of population size directly associated with availability of prey. Feeding habitat preferences also depend upon the availability of prey was recorded. These studies reveal that availability of prey is controlled by population size and habitat preference of Asian Openbill Stork in this region.

Asian Openbill Stork, population size, spatial, seasonal, prey availability.

"Population Size and feeding habitat preference of Asian Openbill Stork Anastomus oscitans in relation to availability of prey at Sembanarkoil region, Nagapattinam District, Tamilnadu, India", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 4, page no.257-263, April-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1904134.pdf

"Population Size and feeding habitat preference of Asian Openbill Stork Anastomus oscitans in relation to availability of prey at Sembanarkoil region, Nagapattinam District, Tamilnadu, India", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 4, page no. pp257-263, April-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1904134.pdf