Documentation and habitat association of birds of prey species in Hetauda, Central Nepal

Birds of prey (raptors) are top predators and important indicators of ecosystem health,yet little is known about their ecology in unprotected landscapes of Nepal. Hetauda, a rapidly urbanizing region with forests, rivers, farmlands, and open spaces, provides a heterogeneous habitat for raptors but remains poorly studied. This study aimed to document raptor diversity and identify environmental, vegetation, and anthropogenic factors influencing their occurrence in Hetauda, Central Nepal. Raptor surveys were conducted at seven fixed point-count stations across major habitat types. Vegetation structure, including the number of large trees, canopy cover, and habitat openness, was measured using nested quadrats, while landscape variables such as elevation and distances to water sources, human settlements, and landfill sites were recorded in the field. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the effects of these variables on raptor species richness. A total of 24 raptor species from three orders and six families were recorded, including four globallythreatened species. Speciesrichness was higherin areas with more largetrees, greater habitat openness, and proximity to water sources,whereas higher elevations and areas fartherfrom landfill sites supported fewer species. Distance to human settlements did not significantly affect raptor richness. These findings indicate that habitat heterogeneity, mature trees, and selected human-modified features play critical roles in supporting raptor communities outside protected areas. The study providesessential baseline data for raptorconservation in mid-hilllandscapes and highlights the need for long-term monitoring, broader spatial surveys, and management of anthropogenic habitats to maintain raptor diversity in human-dominated regions.