Medicinal Plants of Hubbathalai Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu

Abstract :

Plants species selected for nest building of birds have largely been related to the supportive nature of plants to protect eggs and chicks from predators and other environmental factors. Here, it is suggested that architectural suitability of a plant species to hold/support a nest a could also be an important component in the nest-site selection. In total 302 nests of 31 bird species were found in a 20 ha study area in Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, India. Nests were not found on all the 28 species of trees and 17 species of shrubs recorded in the study area. Among the plants Anogeissus latifolia supported largely hole and cup shaped nests while Acacia spp. and Gymnosporia montana supported predominantly dome shaped nests built by munias. Similarly, larger and broader trees such as Terminalia bellerica and Bombax ceiba supported nests of big sized raptors while Tectona grandis supported largely hole-nests. Hence, there may be an architectural compatibility existing between nests and nest-plants and it largely determine the kind of nests it can support.