Effects of Pre-planting Rice Field Surface Conditions on Nesting Site Preference and Breeding Success of Grey-headed Lapwings

Abstract

The breeding ecology of the Grey-headed lapwings is dependent on rice cultivation because they nest in paddy field. However, recent changes in the agricultural calendar (earlier maturity) have increased the risk of nest destruction due to ploughing and other agricultural activities and have led to a decline in breeding success. Therefore, avoiding ploughing during the nesting season is considered an effective conservation method. However, it cannot be denied that the surface condition created by ploughing, which are highly visible for them, may be beneficial to the breeding of them. Therefore, the aim of this study is to elucidate the effects of rice field conditions on nesting site preference and breeding performance of the Grey-headed lapwings by comparing the number of nests and breeding performance between ploughed and unploughed rice fields. The results suggest that Grey-headed lapwings choose nest sites regardless of ploughing, but the causes of breeding failure differ according to field condition, and the risk of predation by enemies was higher in untilled fields suggesting that ploughing before rice planting has a positive effect on their reproduction.