Homerange and Habitat Use of Rufous-Necked Hornbill (Aceros nipalensis) by Radio Tracking in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Uthai Thani Province

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Jutamas Tifong
Vijak Chimchome
Pilai Poonswad
Anak Pattnavibool

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to estimate home range size of and habitat suitability for Rufous-necked Hornbills, using radio tracking within hill evergreen forest at Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary. We collected data during May 2004-May 2007 and compared home range size between seasons and individuals. Three Rufous-necked Hornbills from two nests were captured for back-mounting of radio transmitters suitable for hornbills. We found that the mean home range sizes of all hornbills, using the minimum convex polygon analysis technique, was 25.86 ± S.D. 1.32 km2. The territorial male and female of the first nest used 11.24 ± S.D. 1.19 km2 and 10.96 ± S.D. 1.04 km2 respectively, whereas the territorial male of the second nest used of 23.84 ± S.D. 2.14 km2. A seasonal effect on home range was apparent among all hornbills. Hornbill ranges during the non-breeding season tended to be larger than during the breeding season. Home ranges for territorial males in the breeding and non-breeding seasons tended to be larger   than for the female. The differences in home range size between seasons was significant  (P = 0.015, Z = -2.439), but not between genders (P = 0.648, Z = -0.456) or between males (P = 0.770, Z = -0.293). A map of habitat suitability throughout the year showed four environmental factors that influenced detection of hornbills and their habitat utilization. The factors consisted of elevation (DEM), slope, forest type and distance to streams. Habitats of the most, moderate, less and least suitability covered 8.58 km2, 10.71 km2, 16.86 km2  and 65.58 km2, respectively, within the study area of 101.73 km2. The modeling result can guide management of hill evergreen forest in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary for conserving the rufous-necked hornbill and other hornbill species.


Key words: hornbills, radio tracking, home range, habitat suitability

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How to Cite
Tifong, J. ., Chimchome, V. ., Poonswad, P. ., & Pattnavibool, A. . (2022). Homerange and Habitat Use of Rufous-Necked Hornbill (Aceros nipalensis) by Radio Tracking in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Uthai Thani Province. Thai Journal of Forestry, 26(2), 28–39. Retrieved from https://li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/tjf/article/view/255885
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Original Articles