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Population Ecology of Chakor Partridge (Alectoris chukar) in District Bajaur,

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Article in Pakistan Journal of Zoology · November 2020

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Pakistan J. Zool., vol. 53(3), pp 1197-1200, 2021 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjz/20190806070800

Short Communication

Population Ecology of Chakor Partridge

(Alectoris chukar) in District Bajaur, Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Rahmat Ullah Khan, Asif Sadam and Sajid Mahmood*
Department of Zoology, Hazara University, Mansehra, 21300, Pakistan
Article Information
Received 06 August 2019
ABSTRACT Revised 18 May 2020
Accepted 07 July 2020
The population density and ecological factors affecting chakor partridge (Alectoris chukar) were studied Available online 31 March 2021
in district Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during May, 2017-April, 2018. Known habitats were divided into
three categories: 1) vertical barren rocks 2) rocky vegetation slopes and 3) grassy mountainous slopes near Authors’ Contribution
This paper is extracted from the
agricultural fields. The average monthly population density was 0.198±0.04/ha by line transect method.
M-Phil thesis of RUK under the
During the period June, July, September and October 2017, significantly (P<0.05) high population supervision of SM. AS finalized the
density was recorded as compared to the population density recorded during May, August, November and initial draft and reviewed it.
December 2017and January-April 2018 both in the morning and evening. Significantly (P<0.05) high
population density (0.0060±0.002/ha) was recorded during the autumn season. Different ecological factors Key words
possibly affect the population of chakor partridge include illegal hunting, eggs collection from their nests, Chakor partridge, Bajaur, Ecological
nest destruction, predators, fire, habitats loss, overgrazing, disease and harsh environmental conditions. factors, Population density
Awareness campaigns and enforcement of legislation are recommended to save the population of chakor.

C hakor partridge (Alectoris chukar), a normal

sized game and cage bird belongs to class Aves,
order Galliformes, family Phasianidae and sub family
mountainous cultivated gorges. In spring and in late
summer they live in flocks but in autumn this phenomenon
is not seen in these birds (Roberts, 1991).
Phasianinae. The genus Alectoris includes 16 sub species, 7 The population of chakor partridge in some countries
breeds and 24 sub breeds worldwide (Ahmad et al., 2017). have extensively declined in recent years (Cetin et al.,
Chakor partridge is widely distributed in mountainous 1997). The reasons of population decline are the loss of
areas of Pakistan. Chakor occurs in Pakistan, Afghanistan, habitats, predators, use of farm machinery and technology,
India, Southwest Asia and North East Africa, western development of game farms that breed birds, common
Himalayas to central Nepal (Roberts, 1991). It is distributed use of herbicides and insecticides and intensive hunting
throughout Pakistan including Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, (Gaudioso et al., 2002; Grimmett et al., 2008). Increasing
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, FATA, lower and upper Dir, human population badly affects its population, territory and
Malakand Agency, Swat, Chitral, Margalla hills, Kurram the habitats (Bhattacharya et al., 2009). Predators and harsh
mountain, Kohistan, and Gilgit Baltistan. environmental conditions also impact chakor population
Chakor when faced with a variety of possible habitat (Christensen, 1996). The current study investigated the
types, mostly select the environment which best fulfills relationship between ecological parameters and population
their life requirements specifically, most-liked food and density of chakor partridge in district Bajaur, Khyber
suitable habitats for nesting sites. Chakor is mostly found Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
at an elevation of 1000 to 4500 m but in Pakistan, they
may move down to 600 m elevation above mean sea Materials and methods
level (Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005). The chakor is The current research was carried out in mountains of
remarkably a highland bird occupying dry rock slants and district Bajaur, lying between 34˚38 to 34˚46 North latitudes
ravines, lightly spread with small grass and shrubs. In cold and 71˚20- 00 to 71˚39 - 984 East longitudes, 800 to 2400
season they inhabit low altitudes ranging from 1000 to m elevation and a total area of 1290 km2 (Supplementary
1500 m. During the summer they inhabit high elevation Fig. 1). Four zones were selected on the basis of locations
areas up to 4500 m. Mostly it inhabits areas near crop fields and barriers: Zone-I (mountainous stretch of Kingnaster to
on mountainous slopes and feeds in the cultivated hilly and Niag Banda with edge ways mountain belt from Kawser
to Umary, N 34˚43-44, E 71˚24-25 and 1050-1630 m
* Corresponding author: [email protected] elevation), Zone-II (mountain belt Inzaree to Ghawando, N
0030-9923/2021/0003-1197 $ 9.00/0 34˚ 38-39, E 071˚20-23 and 1100-1700 m elevation), Zone-
Copyright 2021 Zoological Society of Pakistan III (mountain running from Mandal to Samsay, N 34˚39-
1198 R.U. Khan et al.

40, E 071˚24-26 and 1100-1470 m elevation), and Zone-IV factors in different seasons, from month to month and
(Koh-i-Moor, N 34˚39-41, E 071˚33-35 and 1020-2400 m from zone to zone. Mostly the chakor were recorded in
elevation). the form of flocks that ranged from 2-15 birds. Increase in
In each zone three line transects, 1000 m long 200 m population density was recorded in May (0.0085±0.01/ha)
wide and 1000 m apart were established. Transects were up to July (0.0310±0.01/ha). However, a varied decreasing
walked fortnightly both in the morning (500 to 800 h) and trend was noted from September (0.0296±0.01/ha) to April
in the evening (1500 to 1900 h) as described by (Bibby (0.008±0.02/ha) (Table I).
et al.,1992). For authentic data collection both direct and In Zone-I the highest average population density
indirect observations were recorded. Direct data collection was recorded during October (0.0058±0.004/ha), and the
and survey was done through Visual Encounter Techniques lowest in April (0.0016±0.004/ha). The overall average
(VET). The indirect data were recorded from fresh fecal population density was (0.0381±0.04/ha). Among all the
droppings, feathers and calls i.e. hundred meters on the zones Zone-I was considered highly threatened area as
right and left side along the transect. We listened to the local hunters collected eggs from four nests in the breeding
recorded calls before the start of the study in order to season. During hunting season six chakor were trapped.
maximize the detection of chakor (Bibby et al., 1992). The During the whole survey two symptoms and signs of
distance at which birds were sighted was recorded with predated chakor were reported.
measuring tape. Binoculars (Bushnell 7 x 50 mm) were In Zone-II the highest population density was recorded
also used to record observations. Information regarding in July (0.0099±0.003/ha) and the lowest in August
global positioning system (GPS) locations, temperature, (0.0005±0.0003/ha). The overall average population
rainfall and elevations was recorded. Population density density was (0.0530±0.05/ha). During the whole survey
was calculated by employing the following formula: period eggs were collected from two nests by locals, nine
D=∑ n / 2LW. chakor were trapped and three predated.
D, density; Σ, sum; n, total number of detected In Zone-III population density remained
individuals; L, length of transect in selected habitat; W, approximately the same from June to September
width of transect. (0.0051/0.0047±0.001/ha) and the lowest in the month
of December (0.0009±0.0001/ha). The overall average
Results and discussion population density was (0.0362±0.02/ha). Locals collected
Chakor partridge population dynamics and effective eggs from three nests and 13 birds were trapped during
ecological factors were recorded during four seasons i.e. hunting season. Only one chakor was predated.
summer (May-July), autumn (August-October), winter In Zone-IV the highest average population density
(November-January) and spring (February-April) of the was recorded during the period July, August and September
year 2017-2018. Chakor partridge was recorded in all four (0.0120±0.009, 0.0130±0.003 and 0.0120±0.003/ ha). The
study sites with varied population density and ecological

Table I. Zone-I, II, III and IV average monthly population density/ha (Mean±SD) of Alectoris chukar in different zones
through line transect method in district Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan from May 2017 to April 2018.

S. No. Months Zone-I Zone-II Zone-III Zone-IV Sum of all zones

1 May 0.0020±0.005 0.0032±0.006 0.0011±0.001 0.0022±0.004 0.0085±0.01
2 June 0.0034±0.003 0.0096±0.001 0.0051±0.001 0.0043±0.003 0.0224±0.008
3 July 0.0042±0.001 0.0099±0.003 0.0049±0.001 0.0120±0.009 0.0310±0.01
4 August 0.0034±0.001 0.0005±0.0003 0.0051±0.002 0.0130±0.003 0.0220±0.009
5 September 0.0033±0.001 0.0096±0.004 0.0047±0.002 0.0120±0.003 0.0296±0.01
6 October 0.0058±0.004 0.0048±0.002 0.0040±0.002 0.0067±0.001 0.021±0.01
7 November 0.0042±0.007 0.0033±0.008 0.0011±0.001 0.0051±0.001 0.0138±0.01
8 December 0.0019±0.004 0.0023±0.008 0.0009±0.0001 0.0008±0.0003 0.005±0.01
9 January 0.0035±0.006 0.0031±0.009 0.0033±0.002 0.0034±0.001 0.013±0.01
10 February 0.0028±0.001 0.0022±0.005 0.0026±0.001 0.0029±0.004 0.010±0.01
11 March 0.0020±0.006 0.0027±0.006 0.0022±0.005 0.0047±0.001 0.011±0.01
12 April 0.0016±0.004 0.0018±0.003 0.0012±0.006 0.0039±0.008 0.008±0.02
Total= 1 year 0.0381±0.04 0.0530±0.05 0.0362±0.02 0.0710±0.04 0.198±0.04
Total size of study area Zone-I = 9 km². Total area surveyed in Zone-I= 6 km²; total size of study area Zone-II = 8 km². Total area surveyed in Zone-II= 6
km²; Total size of study area Zone-III = 10 km². Total area surveyed in Zone-III= 6 km²; Total size of study area Zone-IV = 12 km². Total area surveyed
in Zone-IV= 6 km²; Formulae calculating the population density from Line Transect data: D=∑ n/2LW.
1199 Population Ecology of Chakor Partridge (Alectoris chukar) in Bajaur 1199

Table II. Average seasonal population density/ha (Mean±SD) of Alectoris chukar in different zones through line
transect method in district Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan from May 2017 to April 2018.

S. No Seasons Zone-I Zone-II Zone-III Zone-IV Sum of all zones

1 Summer 0.0032±0.003 0.0075±0.003 0.0037±0.001 0.0061±0.005 0.0051±0.003
2 Autumn 0.0041±0.002 0.0064±0.003 0.0046±0.002 0.0105±0.002 0.0060±0.002
3 Winter 0.0032±0.005 0.0029±0.008 0.0017±0.001 0.0031±0.001 0.0027±0.004
4 Spring 0.0021±0.003 0.0022±0.004 0.0020±0.004 0.0038±0.004 0.0025±0.004
Total 0.0127±0.01 0.0176±0.01 0.0120±0.008 0.0236±0.01 0.0165±0.01

Table III. Selected study zones characteristics and ecological factors affecting chakor partridge in district Bajaur
during May, 2017 to April, 2018.

Habitats TA (m2) % A €€ Study zones Elevation Destroyed Traps/ Avg livestock/

(m) nest Predation house
Vertical barren rocks 15000 39 300 Zone-I: Kingnaster-Banda,U- 1000-1420 4 6/2 Cattle = 1.44
mary-Kawser Mountains Sheep = 5.33
Rocky vegetation 13000 33 325 Zone-II: Ghawando-Inzaree 980-1520 2 9/3 Goats = 2.94
slopes Mountains Others = 1.26
Near agriculture and 11000 28 180 Zone-III: Samsy-Mandal Moun- 795-1325 3 13/1
cultivated fields tains
Zone-IV: Koh-i-Moor 1124-2453 4 47/5
Total 1290 100 805 Bajaur 3899-6718 13 75/11
TA, total area; €€, total number of birds; Avg, average

overall average population density was (0.0710±0.04/ha). February are considered to be the illegal hunting season
Eggs were collected from four nests by locals. A total of 47 as very low population density of chakor was recorded in
partridges were trapped by local hunters and five predated, March and April.
the highest of all zones. However, in Zone-II, the highest population density
Except for Zone-II the average seasonal population was recorded in June, July and September. The lowest
density was significantly high (P<0.05) inautumn population density was recorded in August, because
(0.0041±0.002/ha). In Zone-I the highest seasonal the area of Zone-II contained suitable breeding habitat
population density was recorded during autumn for hawks breeding, which preyed upon chakor. Chakor
(0.0041±0.002/ha), while the lowest was in spring number drastically declined, and secondly availability of
(0.0021±0.003/ha). In Zone-II the highest seasonal drinking water was very low due to failure of rains and
population density was in summer (0.0075±0.003/ha) and the absence of natural springs compared with other zones.
the lowest in spring (0.0022±0.004/ha) (Table II). However, in Zone-III and IV the highest population
Both the Zone-III and IV recorded the highest density was recorded from June to September. In Zone-
seasonal population density in autumn (0.0046±0.002/ha) III the population decline started in November reaching
and (0.0105±0.002/ha), respectively. Similarly, for both the lowest density in April caused by predation, hunting
zones the lowest population density was recorded in winter and harsh environmental conditions. But in Zone-IV the
(0.0017±0.001/ha) and (0.0031±0.001/ha) respectively lowest population was recorded in December, as a result
(Table II). of very harsh cold climate and territorial and altitudinal
Zone-I and III are the worst impact zones because migration. Our findings match with the reports made by
of surrounding residential areas, the inhabitants of which Roberts (1991) and Christensen (1996).
hunt chakor and destroy their habitats through cutting of The clutch size varied from 6 to 18 in the study area
grass. Population density of chakor varied from month in district Bajaur. The covey size ranged between 2 and
to month because of differential capturing, hunting, 15 birds. Chakor is monogamous; pairs are formed in
predation and diseases of chakor. In Zone-I, the highest mid-March after the males perform a courtship display
population density was recorded in October because of a involving a head tilt and a showing of his barred flanks
second breeding output. Population started to decline from (Perrins, 2003). Chakor breeds once yearly but during
December because of harsh climate, scarcity of water, favorable environmental conditions may avail a second
food and high predation. Locally the month of January and chance of laying. Breeding occurs from April to July, 7 to
 1200 R.U. Khan et al.

20 eggs are laid per season, average time for hatching is 24 gun-firing, mining, construction, diseases, increase in
days (Christensen, 1996). human population and depredation adversely affect the
Mostly the population density of chakor was high in population of chakor partridge. Addressing these factors
habitats that included cultivated grassy slopes and barren especially the strict enforcement of legislation would help
rocks. Roberts (1991) reported that in Pakistan chakor improve the population of chakor.
could inhabit the arid, rocky and hilly country.
Seasonal population fluctuation was partially Supplementary material
explained under breeding output and chick loss pattern. There is supplementary material associated with
Population density started to rise in summer and autumn this article. Access the material online at: https://dx.doi.
season as newly recruited chicks joined in June gradually org/10.17582/journal.pjz/20190806070800
increasing till September. The lowest density was recorded
in winter and spring seasons indicating the possible local Statement of conflicts of interest
movement of birds to the adjacent and lower elevations. The authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
The birds were also less active during winter indicating
low population density. Higher mortality rate due to harsh References
environmental condition, and predation during winter Ahmad, B., Nabi, G., Hayat, M. and Muhammad, J.,
resulted in low density in spring. These findings also 2017. J. Biodivers. environ. Sci., 11: 4.
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The local hunters illegally hunt during January, Chambers, J.C., Roundy, B.A., Blank, R.R., Meyer, S.E.
February and March hence the lowest density in each and Whittaker, A., 2007. Ecol. Monogr., 77: 117-
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