Activity Budgeting of Lesser Adjutant Stork (Leptoptilos javanicus) in Nagaon District of Assam

Diurnal activity budgeting of Lesser Adjutant stork (Leptoptilos javanicus) was quantified in the Nagaon district of Assam from August 2023 to April 2024. A total of 192 hours were spent recording their activity budget and the behaviour of adults and juveniles. The behavioural activity pattern was observed and recorded through the Focal Sampling and Scan Sampling methods. Different activities were recorded: preening, resting, feeding, movement, wing-leg stretching, head up-down, aggression, and alert. The results showed that preening (42%) and movement (17%) were the most observed behaviour in the study period. The behavioural activities showed significant differences in different time blocks in a day. It was observed that preening and body movement helped the chicks and parents survive predators and parasites. It has been found that the study area has many nesting colonies near human settlements, agricultural fields and highways. By observing their activity budgets, we came to know that the activities of Lesser Adjutant stork depend upon the season, the surrounding environment and the habitats where it lives. So, in order to conserve the species, their habitat should be conserved.