Diet and habitat affinities in six raptor species in India

Background Sympatric species adapt to, and temporally or geographically segregate access to similar limiting factors.

Methods We compared nesting habitat and diet affinities of six raptor species in central India between the years 2006-2015.

Results A large composition of reptiles in the diet was characteristic for Circaetus gallicus, Spilornis cheela and Elanus caeruleus, while Aquila fasciata, Falco chicquera and Nisaetus cirrhatus show a higher proportion of birds. Species with greatest similarity of diet were C. gallicus and S. cheela. Considering the environmental characterization of areas where raptors built the nest, some species were ecologically closer than others. N. cirrhatus and S. cheela were related to the presence of water bodies, dry deciduous forest and evergreen forests, while E. caeruleus and C. gallicus preferred more open habitats. A. fasciata bred either on cliffs or trees, F. chicquera on trees or mobile towers, and the other four species built their nests exclusively in trees.

Conclusions We conclude that although there was overlap in diet and nesting ecology for a number of species, the geographical separation likely limits competition for resources.