Breeding Study of Podoces pleskei in Dasht-e Laghari Wildlife Refuge in Razavi Khorasan Province

Iranian Ground-jaybelongsto the family of Corvidae, Order Passeriformes, active and can be seen in pairs or individually, as well as the endemic bird of Iran. This study investigated the bredding and behavior of Podoces pleskei in Dasht-e Laghari Wildlife Refuge in Razavi Khorasan Province, near to the Bardaskan County since earlyJanuary 2011 to June 2012 with an area of 27,000 hectares that cover its dominant ZygiphlimeurypterumHaloxylon sp and Atraphaxisspinosa. The results showed Iranian Ground-jayin the study areaare looking for a pair in February, Reproductive phenology of P. pleskei from the first week of March for two weeks began nesting at the same timeand at the end of May that the birds are flying age ends. This birdstartlayingin mid-March and after two weeks of sleeping on eggs, chicks hatch in early April to bring, the weighted average seven (g). Usually clutch size depends on the season and weather, that the number of eggs in each clutch was observedin the region four eggs. The main risk factor for breeding success of P. pleskei in this area was found Varanus griseus caspius.