Abstract
: Spotting of 7 nests and 10 broods in BalVchistan (Pakistan) suggests 1 regular breeding of 50-100 hens over some 9,000 km-. Breeding potentials are high fur Rakshan (Bisemah and Nag), medium for northern Chagai and Kharan, and low for south-western and central Kharan. Average clutch (2.0+0.2) and brood (1.9+0.2) size suggests normal breeding potentials. Egg laving starts from late February and lasts till late April, while chicks appear between late February and mid May. Egg lay;ng is restricted to stony deserts located in mild hilly undulates at >600 m above sea level. Shrub (6-11%) and herbal (5-19%) cover is low and all the species are green and s routing. Zygophyllum sp., Anabasis sp., Astragalus hyrcanus-ziziphus sp. and occtdus sp. communities have been identified. Lepus capensis, Vulpus sp., Gazella bennetti, Felis sp., Canis. lupus, C. aureus (mammals), Alaemon alaudipes, Pt!rocles sp., Cursorius cursor, Burhinus oedienemus, Ammoperdix griseogularis, Amnynnunes deserti, Alauda arvensis, Galerida cristata and a number of raptors (birds) are widely distributed. Insects (beetles, ants, grasshoppers) and reptiles (lizards, snakes) are common. Grazing stress and human disturbance are high. Male starts displaying at its own, selecting a raised surface. Nest represents a scrap on the ground and is placed on the ridge away from shrubs. Only hens incubate the eggs and protect chicks. Hens frequently leave nest on spotting approaching predator
AFSAR MIAN. (1998) ON BIOLOGY OF HOUBARA BUSTARD (CHLAMYDOT1S UNDULATA MACQUEENII) IN BALOCHISTAN, PAKISTAN: BREEDING, Punjab University Journal of Zoology, Volume 13, Issue 1.
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