FEEDING AND BREEDING ECOLOGY OF ASHY-WREN WARBLER (Priniasocialis) IN POTHWAR PLATEAU, PAKISTAN

Ashy-wren warbler (Priniasocialis) is a common inhabitant of the agro-ecosystem of Pothwar plateau, Pakistan but data on its feeding and breeding ecology in this area are lacking. We investigated the diet and breeding of this bird in farmlands of Pothwar plateau. The analysis of 200 fecal samples showed that P. socialis is an insectivorous bird and feeds on flies, mosquitoes, bugs, termites, aphids, weevils and beetles. Breeding data revealed that these birds nest in low shrubs during May to September. We found 30 nests having 112 eggs in total. Mean (+/- SD) clutch size was 3.73 +/- 0.79 while average incubation period and nestling period was 11.65 +/- 0.52 days and 11.89 +/- 0.68 days respectively. Hatching, fledging and breeding success was 62.06%, 50% and 31.03% respectively. The main threats to the species were predation, human disturbance and harsh weather.