Feeding ecology of Indian courser Cursorius coromandelicus

Endemic species are ecologically significant because they have very less chance to recover if they are under the threats since they obtain limited ranges, and not found anywhere else within the world. Indian Courser is one of the species of Indian Subcontinent that has not been explored much and disappearing from its natural habitats threat. The species was found to be ground feeding bird and diurnal (n=1,086 under observation for feeding activity). With feeding activity birds also spent time for movement, scanning, vigilance and other activities. Feeding was about 48% in daytime (SD = ±20). Foraging habitats were mainly sparse grassland (O= 27.3%, n=1,315 birds) and open-land (O= 27.2 %, n=1,309), followed by and fallow-land (O= 26.7%, n=1,285) and saline grassland (O= 18.2 %, n= 876).Average dry weight of singledropping of the species was obtained 287mgMean (SD = ± 119.56, SE= ± 20.81) and major food items comprised of arthropods such as Isoptera (termites), Hymenoptera (ants, big ants) Coleoptera (beetles), Hemiptera (bugs) and Embioptera.