In-Situ and Ex-Situ Protection of White-Breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis Phoenicurus) (Pennant, 1769) (Aves: Rallidae)

Introduction

The white-breasted waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus) is a common and resident wetland bird of Bangladesh. This is a bird of the Asian continent and exhibits breeding all the year round but chiefly from June to October. Based on the taxonomy, this bird is considered in the order Gruiformes and family Rallidae. This is shy bird and sometimes seen to cross the road. Like the death of other animals on road at the time of crossing the road in Bangladesh, this bird can be affected [1]. The objective of this write-up is to focus its breeding biology for protection.

Classification

• Phylum: Chordata

• Subphylum: Vertebrata

• Class: Aves

• Order: Gruiformes

• Family: Rallidae

• Genus: Amaurornis

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• Species: phoenicurus

• Binomial name: Amaurornis phoenicurus (Pennant, 1769)

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Identified Habitat for this Significant Bird

In Bangladesh, all habitats are responsible for their overall foraging but the cantonment area [2] and Saidpur Upazila of Bangladesh [3] were the target place for this scientific report. From 2020 to 2023, after careful observation through years, available information was the ingredient for this significant issue.

Characteristics and Breeding Biology

This bird is widely dispersed in the rainy season. Its stumpy tail is constantly jerked up, and swims buoyantly like a moorhen. It could produce grunt, chuckle, croak, hoot, and rasping types of sound. White-breasted waterhen avoided any conflicts with other wetland birds by hiding themselves in the same feeding and breeding grounds [4]. Prolong and loud call indicates their probable breeding [5]. Vigorous calling in the morning leads to their pair formation [6]. The maximum breeding activities were found in April (9.41%) and the lowest in July (1.72%) [7]. Ali and Ripley mentioned that the breeding season coincide with the south- western monsoon in June- July to October. These findings are differed in Bangladesh because monsoon started earlier here. It makes twig nest 2-3 metres from the ground. Eggs are 6-7 with pinkish white and some shade of reddish brown. Incubation period takes place from 19 to 21 days, and in 25 days their chicks are independent from their parents [8]. Newly hatched black plumed chicks are extraordinary active.

Conclusions

Due to different breeding seasons in different localities or this bird could get an advantage to protect naturally (in- situ) with the human concerns (ex-situ). Humans, monitor lizards, and crows, etc. are the major threats for the falling chicks from the nest of this waterhen [9]. In addition, treepies, domestic cats, and mongooses are also eating their eggs and chicks [8]. Specifically, hunting by making traps [10] and habitat loss were the most concern of this bird.