Comparative nesting strategies of birds in high versus low vegetation areas

Abstract:

The present study assessed avian nesting site preferences in agricultural landscapes with high and low vegetation across three locations in Ludhiana district, Punjab, during 2023-2025, revealing a strong and consistent influence of vegetation structure on nesting diversity and stability. Fields retaining high vegetation supported substantially greater species richness and a wider range of nesting guilds, utilizing trees, shrubs, cavities, grasses, ground sites, water-edge vegetation, and man-made structures, whereas low-vegetation fields were uniformly dominated by a few generalist and disturbance-tolerant species relying on sheds, isolated trees, or open ground. Among the study sites, Sahauli exhibited the highest nesting diversity and inclusion of specialized guilds such as pendant and grass nesters, followed by Dhaipai and Jodhan, reflecting site-specific differences in habitat complexity. High-vegetation fields also showed greater inter-annual stability in nesting activity, emphasizing their role as reliable breeding habitats. Overall, the findings demonstrate that retention of on-farm trees, shrubs, and semi-natural vegetation is essential for maintaining avian nesting diversity and breeding stability in intensively managed agricultural landscapes of central Punjab.