Comparative Nest-site Characteristics and Relative Abundance of Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus) and Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach) in District Dir Lower, Pakistan: Nest-site Characteristics and Relative Abundance of Dicrurus macrocercus and Lanius schach

Awais Ahmad; Azam Khan; Aziz Ur Rahman; Fakhr Ul Islam

doi:10.54393/mjz.v7i2.224

Authors

Awais Ahmad Department of Zoology, Islamia College University, Peshawar, Pakistan
Azam Khan Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Pakistan
Aziz Ur Rahman Department of Zoology, Islamia College University, Peshawar, Pakistan
Fakhr Ul Islam Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/mjz.v7i2.224

Keywords:

Nest Composition, Relative Abundance, Nest Characteristics, Spatial Distribution, Passerines

Abstract

Information on the nest characteristics and relative abundance of Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus) and Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach) in District Dir Lower, Pakistan, remains limited. Objectives: To compare the composition of nesting material, nesting-tree species, nest height, and relative abundance of avian species in the study area. Methods: A field-based observational study was conducted from February to September 2025. Fourteen vacated nests (seven per species) were selected to inspect nest-material composition, nesting-tree species, and nest height. Relative abundance was assessed from repeated line-transect counts across different habitats in the seven tehsils. Nest-material composition was examined using the chi-square goodness-of-fit test, whereas paired-samples t-tests compared tehsil-wise nest distribution and locality-wise relative abundance. Results: Grasses and twigs were the most abundant nesting materials in both species. Grasses comprised 46.94% of nest materials in D. macrocercus and 50.00% in L. schach. Nest-material composition varied significantly from the expected equal distribution (p<0.001; Cohen's w ≥ 0.87). Black Drongo nests were located at greater heights than those of the Long-tailed Shrike. Lal Qalla recorded the highest number of active nests, with a significant variation in tehsil-wise nest distribution (p=0.014). The observed relative abundance was highest in open fields, whereas Timergara recorded the highest locality-wise relative abundance. No significant difference was observed between the species in locality-wise relative abundance (paired-samples t-test, p>0.050). Conclusions: These findings provide baseline descriptive information and a foundation for future ecological studies on the nest characteristics and relative abundance of both species in District Dir Lower.

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