UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

Habitat fragmentation and human disturbance may affect habitat use by canopy-dependent forest birds. This year-long study examined the spatial and seasonal occurrence, foraging-tree selection, social organisation, and proximity to human disturbance of the Great Slaty Woodpecker (Mulleripicus pulverulentus harterti) in Garbhanga Reserve Forest, Assam, India. Field surveys were conducted from 18 May 2025 to 30 April 2026 across 10 fixed transects totalling 33 km in the Lokhra, Basistha, and Satargaon sectors, using line-transect surveys, visual encounters, and focal behavioural observations. Fifty sightings were recorded, of which 44 occurred in Lokhra, two in Basistha, and four in Satargaon. Foraging was  recorded only in mature, old-growth stands: 86% of foraging encounters occurred on Sal (Shorea robusta) and 14% on Tetrameles nudiflora. Selected trees had a mean DBH of 47.46 ± 1.82 cm and a mean height of 37.06 ± 1.15 m. Four-individual groups were the most frequent social unit, representing 38% of sightings, and sentry behaviour was observed in larger groups. Twenty-seven sightings (54%) occurred within 300 m of peripheral disturbance corridors, although abandonment of nesting and foraging sites was observed following heightened human activity. The findings indicate a strong association with mature, large-diameter trees and suggest that maintaining old-growth forest structure and low-disturbance interior areas is important for local conservation.