ASPECTS ASSOCIATED WITH FORAGING ECOLOGY OF SRI LANKA BUSH WARBLER (ELAPHRORNIS PALLISERI) IN MONTANE FORESTS OF HORTON PLAINS NATIONAL PARK, SRI LANKAIsuri Fernando, Praneeth Silva, Chamara Prabhath and Dharshani MahaulpathaAbstract Foraging ecology of Elaphrornis palliseri was investigated from January to December 2017 in Horton Plains National Park (HPNP) in randomly placed three 100 m line transects in each of the three major habitats of HPNP as Cloud Forest (CF), Cloud Forest Die Back (DB) and Grassland (GL). Usage of vegetation, foraging substrates, foraging height and attack manoeuvres of E. palliseri were recorded. Focal observations of 83 individuals were recorded from CF and DB but none from GL. Ageratina riparia (15.50±12.23) and Pteridium sp. (10.13±10.74) vegetations were highly utilized by E. palliseri whereas Sarcococca brevifolia (7.50±5.64) and Arundinaria debilis (7.53±4.97) were moderately preferred. Foraging substrates such as Leaf litter (9.80±5.33%) was mostly utilized. Height ranged from 0-2.5m was usually utilized for foraging. During breeding and rearing season in SWMS and SIMS while 4m height was exceeded for foraging purpose but ground foraging was dominated in SIMS (18.53%) due to highest wind speed. Glean (12.99±8.61%) and Probe (10.06±5.50%) were mostly used as pray attack manoeuvres. In SIMS probing (16.74%) was dominated and Hang method was used comparatively high percentage (0.69%) revealing willfulness of obtaining maximum food matter to withstand harsh conditions and successful breeding. Findings of the present study hang the need of future studies related with E. palliseri. |