RESTING BEHAVIOUR POSTURES OF INDIAN SPOT-BILLED DUCK (Anas poecilorhyncha)
M. ANANDH PRASANTH *
Department of Zoology and Wildlife Biology, AVC College, Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India.
S. ASOKAN
Periyar Maniammai Institute of Science and Technology, Thanjore, Tamil Nadu, India.
R. NAGARAJAN
Department of Zoology and Wildlife Biology, AVC College, Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study presents different resting postures of Indian spot-billed duck. Four resting postures were observed namely: Sleep posture, Rest-sleep posture, Rest posture and Unipedal posture. In every resting posture, ducks remained vigilant which is crucial for its survival from predators. Vigilant actions such as “peeking” and “pseudo sleep” were also observed. Sometimes, lotus leaves were used for sleep. Invariably, resting period was high during mid-day compared to morning / evening.
Keywords: Indian spot-billed duck, Anas poecilorhyncha, resting postures, Aves, ornithology