Indian Treepie Dendrocittavagabunda parvula (Latham, 1790) (Passeriformes: Corvidae), is a widespreadresident bird commonly found in coconut and areca palm plantation belts. Foodand feeding habits of Indian Treepie were studied by direct focal observationmethod gut content analysis and faecal matter analysis in an agricultural beltin south Malabar, North Kerala. Indian Treepie prefers coconut and areca palmplantations for foraging activities, and is an omnivore feeding on animal andplant items ranging from invertebrate to vertebrate species, with insectsforming the main group. Its unique prey catching methods namely, hang feedingand shake and wait catch methods enable the bird to consume the hiding insectsfrom the lengthy fronds of coconut and areca palms, which are inaccessible toother insectivorous birds. Capacity of Indian Treepie to feed on the lower sideof the fronds is the reason for its higher incidence in coconut and areca palmplantations. This feature makes it as a natural enemy of the insects living onthe fronds of palm trees. As it feeds up on many pests of agricultural cropslike grasshopper, red palm weevil, banana stem weevil, cockroaches, nestlingsof house rat and squirrel, Indian Treepie is an important biocontrol agent inthe agro ecosystem of the region. Areca nut harvesting practices and predationby Jungle Crow are the major causes of egg loss and nestling loss of Indian Treepiein the region.
How to cite this article:
MuhammadBasheer,P. P. andSabu K. Thomas. 2012. Indian Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda parvula (Latham, 1790) (Passeriformes:Corvidae) as a natural enemy of the pests of coconut and areca palm plantations.Journal ofBiopesticides, 15(0):205-208.
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