Abstract
Sixteen species of colonial waterbirds are known to breed in Kerala, with most of their breeding sites located near human habitations. The proximity of heronries to human habitation areas makes them prone to various anthropogenic disturbances. Urban expansion and infrastructure developments are the major causes leading to the decline and loss of breeding sites in recent years. In general, heronries in human habitation areas do not get public support due to the foul smell from faecal droppings and food waste, and due to the raucous calls made by the breeding birds and their nestlings. Thus, conservation of heronries is a great challenge in Kerala, more so since none of these heronries have protected status. This paper discusses the conservation issues of the heronries of Kerala, based on surveys carried out from July to August 2015 on 188 heronries, spread across 10 districts.References
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