Forktail 19 (2003) 138 SHORT NOTES The Malabar Parakeet Psittacula columboides is one of 16 bird species endemic to the Western Ghats, India (Stattersfield et al. 1998). It occurs in the Western Ghats from north Maharasthra to south Kerala, chiefly between 500 and 1,500 m (Ali and Ripley 1987). Although a common endemic (Gaston and Zacharias 1996), the Malabar Parakeet is poorly studied. We investigated the foraging and breeding behaviour of this species in the moist deciduous forest of the Siruvani foothills, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, from October 1995 to April 1996. The Siruvani foothills lie in the core area of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve from 10º56´N to 10º58´N and from 76º42´E to 76º44´E, at an elevation of 350–650 m. The area receives both south-west and north-east monsoons, with a mean annual rainfall of c.840 mm. The river Noyil drains this area. The vegetation type has been classified as southern tropical moist deciduous forest (Champion and Seth 1968), which merges with southern tropical evergreen forests at higher elevations in Muthikolam area of Kerala state. The commonest tree species in the study area are L agerstroemia lanceolata, Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia paniculata, Antidesma diandrum, Bauhinia malabarica, and Bauhinia racemosa (Gokula et al . 1999). METHODS Foraging behaviour was quantified following Holmes et al. (1978). Birds were followed, and the first instance of taking a particular food item was recorded, along with the height, foraging method, substrate, plant species and food type. Foraging attempts were divided into seven height classes (0–2 m, 2.1–4 m, 4.1–6 m, 6.1–8 m, 8.1–10 m, 10.1–12 m and >12 m). All foraging attempts were assigned to ten substrate categories in three major classes: (1) plant form (tree, shrub); (2) branches (primary, secondary, tertiary, twigs); and (3) canopy (top, side, middle and lower). Most data were collected within the first four hours after sunrise. Each foraging attempt was considered as an independent observation for all analyses. Breeding behaviour was observed using a 20x Kowa spotting scope from a hide. Intensive searches were made for nests in the study area, either by following individuals or by checking existing holes in trees. Tree species, diameter at breast height (dbh), height, and nest height and orientation were recorded for each nest hole. Later the nest was cut open, observed and then resealed, to determine the clutch size, incubation and nestling periods, following Yahya (1980). Foraging and breeding biology of the Malabar Parakeet Psittacula colum boides in the Siruvani foothills, Tamil Nadu, India V. GOKULA and C. VENKATRAMAN RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Foraging Altogether 492 foraging observations were made, of which 287 referred to males and 205 to females. No foraging was observed on shrubs. Both sexes preferred the top and side canopy of trees for foraging (Table 1). Foraging attempts were largely made above 6 m from the ground (Table 2). All four food types (fruits, seeds, flowers and sprouting leaves) were used (Table 3). All the foraging observations were on Grewia tiliaefolia, Tectona grandis and M elia dubia, which are common tree species in the study area. Flowers and nectar were the predominant food for both sexes (Table 3). Ali and Ripley (1987) reported that grains and fruits were the preferred food of Plum-headed Psittacula cyanocephala and Malabar Parakeets, and that they also eat buds, petals and nectar. Balasubramanian (1986) reported that the Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri feeds on leaves in the absence of fruits. During this study, fruit availability was low. The observed preference for flowers and sprouting leaves may therefore have been because the preferred food types were scarce. Breeding The Malabar Parakeet breeds in the study area during the dry season after the north-east monsoon (which falls in September-November), and nestlings fledge before Table 1. Substrates used by foraging Malabar Parakeets (% frequency). Canopy Branches Top Side Middle Primary Secondary Tertiary Twigs Male 81 15 4 4 7 19 70 Female 72 26 2 8 19 15 58 Table 2. Height classes at which Malabar Parakeets foraged (% frequency). Height class (m) 2.1–4 4.1–6 6.1–8 8.1–10 10.1–12 >12 Male 3 3 15 36 10 33 Female 2 6 22 41 15 14 Table 3. Food items taken by Malabar Parakeets (% frequency). Fruits Seeds Flowers Leaves Male 8 10 49 33 Female 3 18 61 18