A tropical bird with a short breeding season and high rates of nesting success: the breeding ecology of the Star-throated Antwren (Rhopias gularis:Thamnophilidae) in subtropical Brazil

2016 ◽  
Vol 116 (4) ◽  
pp. 411-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
André Magnani Xavier de Lima ◽  
James Joseph Roper
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Nesting Success ◽  
Breeding Ecology ◽  
Tropical Bird

scholarly journals Tri-axial accelerometry shows differences in energy expenditure and parental effort throughout the breeding season in long-lived raptors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascual LÓPEZ-LÓPEZ ◽  
Arturo M PERONA ◽  
Olga EGEA-CASAS ◽  
Jon ETXEBARRIA MORANT ◽  
Vicente URIOS
Keyword(s):  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Parental Care ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Video Recording ◽  
Experimental Manipulation ◽  
Biparental Care ◽  
Breeding Ecology ◽  
Parental Effort ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Movement Trajectories

Abstract Cutting-edge technologies are extremely useful to develop new workflows in studying ecological data, particularly to understand animal behaviour and movement trajectories at the individual level. Although parental care is a well-studied phenomenon, most studies have been focused on direct observational or video recording data, as well as experimental manipulation. Therefore, what happens out of our sight still remains unknown. Using high-frequency GPS/GSM dataloggers and tri-axial accelerometers we monitored 25 Bonelli’s eagles (Aquila fasciata) during the breeding season to understand parental activities from a broader perspective. We used recursive data, measured as number of visits and residence time, to reveal nest attendance patterns of biparental care with role specialization between sexes. Accelerometry data interpreted as the Overall Dynamic Body Acceleration, a proxy of energy expenditure, showed strong differences in parental effort throughout the breeding season and between sexes. Thereby, males increased substantially their energetic requirements, due to the increased workload, while females spent most of the time on the nest. Furthermore, during critical phases of the breeding season, a low percentage of suitable hunting spots in eagles’ territories led them to increase their ranging behaviour in order to find food, with important consequences in energy consumption and mortality risk. Our results highlight the crucial role of males in raptor species exhibiting biparental care. Finally, we exemplify how biologging technologies are an adequate and objective method to study parental care in raptors as well as to get deeper insight into breeding ecology of birds in general.

Breeding ecology of the fairy martin

1999 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. L. Magrath
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Adult Mortality ◽  
First Year ◽  
Breeding Ecology ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Annual Productivity ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
Colony Site ◽  
The One

The breeding biology of the fairy martin, Hirundo ariel, was studied over three years (1992–95) in the Yarra Valley, Victoria. Adult males and females in this population were morphologically similar, though only females acquired a brood patch during the breeding season. Colonies ranged in size from 8 to 29 nests. Birds arrived in the study area in September and usually commenced laying in October, though nesting activities were generally asynchronous both between and within colonies. Most colonies contained active nests until February. At least 16% of adults and 5% of fledglings, on average, returned to the study area in the following year. Returning adults generally nested at the same colony site as the previous year, while most first-year birds nested at sites other than their natal colony. Adult males were more likely to return than adult females. Clutch size ranged from 2 to 5, with a mean of 3.5, and declined over the season. The incubation period varied from 12 to 18 days with a mean of 13.7. A mean of 1.8 chicks fledged per completed clutch, while 60% of clutches produced at least one chick. The period from hatching to fledging varied from 17 to 32 days, with a mean of 22.1, and increased with brood size. Fledging success was highest during the middle of the breeding season. Adverse weather conditions, resulting in the abandonment of clutch and brood, were the most common cause of nest failure, and on several occasions also resulted in adult mortality. Almost half the breeding females produced at least two clutches in the one season. Pairs produced from 0 to 8 fledglings per season, with those that commenced nesting earlier in the season having higher annual productivity. These results are discussed in relation to the breeding ecology of other members of the Hirundinidae.

scholarly journals Breeding Biology of Gray-Crowned Tyrannulet in the Monte Desert, Argentina

The Condor ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo T. Mezquida ◽  
Luis Marone
Keyword(s):  
Incubation Period ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Nesting Success ◽  
Nest Failure ◽  
East Central ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Monte Desert ◽  
Present Information ◽  
Nestling Period ◽  
Wet Tropics

Abstract We present information from 75 nests of Gray-crowned Tyrannulet (Serpophaga griseiceps) found in open Prosopis woodlands of the central Monte desert between 1995 and 1997 and compare it with information corresponding to other species of the genus. Breeding occurred from October to January. Nests are small open cups. Both parents participated in nest building, which lasted 4–7 days. In the Prosopis woodland, 98% of the nests were built in chañar (Geoffroea decorticans), which also is commonly used as a nest plant by S. subcristata in east-central Argentina. Mean clutch size did not vary among years nor within the breeding season, and it was similar to that observed in other Serpophaga. Both male and female shared the 13–15 day incubation period. Hatching was asynchronous. Nestling period lasted 13–14 days, during which both parents reared the chicks. Nesting success (26%) appeared to be less than that previously reported for Nearctic open-nesters (50–60%), and Neotropical open-nesters in dry (50%) and wet tropics (35%). Egg and nestling predation were the main cause of nest failure.

scholarly journals The breeding ecology of the pipefish Nerophis lumbriciformis and its relation to latitude and water temperature

2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (6) ◽  
pp. 1031-1033 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Monteiro ◽  
V.C. Almada ◽  
A.M. Santos ◽  
M.N. Vieira
Keyword(s):  
Water Temperature ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Marked Reduction ◽  
High Water ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Breeding Ecology ◽  
High Water Temperature ◽  
Temporal Differences ◽  
Breeding Activity ◽  
Different Temperatures

The breeding season of Nerophis lumbriciformis (Pisces: Syngnathidae), has not yet been determined for the southernmost part of its range. A total of 863 individuals was examined between March 1997 and November 1999. In Portugal, the breeding season of this species occurs throughout the year, with a marked reduction during summer and autumn, whilst in Britain it occurs from May to September. Despite these temporal differences, the water temperature at which breeding takes place is similar in the two areas (13–16°C). Together with preliminary laboratory observations with animals kept at different temperatures, these data support the hypothesis that the decrease in breeding activity during summer and autumn in Portugal is due to an inhibitory effect of high water temperature.

scholarly journals Breeding and Territorial Behaviour of Indian Black Robin (Copsychus fulicata leucoptera) in Mihintale, Sri Lanka

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wickramasinghe Sriyani
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Territory Size ◽  
Breeding Ecology ◽  
Microsoft Excel ◽  
Climatic Zones ◽  
Focal Animal ◽  
Open Land ◽  
Breeding Seasons ◽  
Black Robin

Indian Black Robin (Copsychus fulicata leucoptera) ( Lesson, 1840) is one of the territorial birds often found in all climatic zones in Sri Lanka. Territory size of this birds species is vary according to the breeding season and habitats that they occupy. The present study was carried out to understand the breeding ecology and territorial behavior of Indian Black robin both in breeding and non-breeding periods. The study was carried out at the Mihintale sanctuary and the Faculty premises of Rajarata university of Sri Lanka. Eleven breeding pairs of Black robins were observed to collect using scan and focal animal sampling methods from 2014 to 2017. Territory mapping was done using ArcGIS 10.3 and % behavioral act was calculated using Microsoft excel. Two breeding seasons were identified during March to September. The average nest building period was13.25±0.96 days. Total of 10 nests were recorded, seven were successful nests but chicks were observed from only three of them while in other four of them were damaged due to several reasons. Three nests were abandon by the female bird with eggs which may considered as pseudo nests. The eggs were whitish in colour with small brownish blotches. The clutch size ranged from 2-4. The average incubation period was 11± 3.4 days. The identified foraging sites are nearby roads, human settlements and live foliage. Fifteen territories were recorded during the study period in the open land areas, sparse grasslands or scrublands. The territory sizes of non-breeding season ranged from 617 to 5504 m2 while territories of breeding season ranged from 1335 to 8736 m2. 

scholarly journals Breeding ecology and bias in offspring sex ratio in little grassbirds (Megalurus gramineus)

2003 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca R. McIntosh ◽  
Romke Kats ◽  
Mathew Berg ◽  
Jan Komdeur ◽  
Mark A. Elgar
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Salt Marshes ◽  
Sex Allocation ◽  
Breeding Ecology ◽  
Offspring Sex Ratio ◽  
Reed Beds ◽  
Primary Sex Ratio ◽  
Sex Ratio Bias ◽  
Offspring Sex

Little grassbirds (Megalurus gramineus) are small, sexually monomorphic passerines that live in reed beds, lignum swamps and salt marshes in southern Australia. The breeding biology and patterns of sex allocation of the little grassbird were investigated over a single breeding season. Our observations of this species in the Edithvale Wetland Reserve revealed a highly male-biased population sex ratio, with some breeding territories containing several additional males. Nevertheless, there was little compelling evidence that little grassbirds breed cooperatively. The growth rates of male and female nestlings were similar and, as predicted by theory, there was no overall primary sex ratio bias. However, the primary sex ratio was female-biased early in the breeding season and became increasingly male-biased later in the breeding season.

Breeding Biology of the Savannah Sparrow on Kent Island

The Auk ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clara L. Dixon
Keyword(s):  
New Brunswick ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Breeding Population ◽  
Nesting Success ◽  
Breeding Biology ◽  
Passerculus Sandwichensis ◽  
Herring Gulls ◽  
Savannah Sparrow ◽  
The Mean

Abstract I studied the breeding biology of the Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) on Kent Island, New Brunswick, Canada from 1964 through 1968. I estimated the breeding population to be 125-135 pairs $(412-445\ \text{individuals}/{\rm km}^{2})$. The mean number of nests produced per female, including those destroyed by predators, was 2.97. Clutch size ranged from 2 to 5. The mean clutch size based on 1,142 eggs in 284 nests of known clutch size was 4.02. Not only was the four-egg clutch most numerous but a greater percentage of eggs in the four-egg clutches hatched and the mean number of young fledged per nest was also highest. The mean incubation period was 12.2 days, the mean duration of nestling life was 9 days, and the approximate length of the breeding season as 52 days. The daily mortality rate of eggs was 11.9% and of nestlings 2.1%. Predation was the major factor affecting reproductive success; 50.5% of all nests located were destroyed by predators. The main nest predators were Common Crows and Herring Gulls. Of the nests destroyed by predators, 87.8% contained eggs rather than nestlings. The intense predation necessitated high nest replacement. The mean interval between the termination of one nest and the appearance of the first egg in the succeeding nest was 6.3 days. If successive nests are destroyed on the day incubation begins, it is hypothetically possible for a pair to produce four nests during a single breeding season; many birds in the population produce at least three. Although enough time was available for birds to fledge two broods in a season, few of them fledged more than one. Thus, the nesting success was low (success from egg to hatching 18.1%). High nest replacement compensated for high egg mortality, and an average of 2.16 young per pair were fledged per season.

Removing American crows and duck nesting success

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 518-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert G. Clark ◽  
Daryl E. Meger ◽  
Jordan B. Ignatiuk
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Breeding Success ◽  
Nesting Success ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
American Crow ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Game Birds ◽  
American Crows ◽  
Important Predator ◽  
Potential Impact

The American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchs) is reputed to be an important predator of duck eggs, but its potential impact has not been evaluated adequately. We removed breeding crows from their territories prior to and during the duck breeding season to test whether duck nesting success would increase. Nesting success in two removal areas did not differ from that of two control areas. Our results are consistent with several studies indicating that removal of one predator species from a community of predators, including corvids, does not lead to predictable increases in breeding success of game birds. Further work is needed to determine the relative importance of different predators and to learn why removal of one predator species is generally ineffective.

Breeding Ecology and Nesting Success of Abbott's Babbler (Malacocincla abbotti)

2004 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Pierce ◽  
Korakoch Pobprasert ◽  
George A. Gale
Keyword(s):  
Nesting Success ◽  
Breeding Ecology

Breeding biology of the red-capped robin

2003 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damian K. Dowling
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Predation Rate ◽  
Nesting Success ◽  
Breeding Biology ◽  
Laying Date ◽  
Breeding Ecology ◽  
Incubation Periods ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Breeding Seasons ◽  
Semi Arid

The breeding biology of the red-capped robin (Petroica goodenovii) (Petroicidae) was studied over two breeding seasons (2000–02) in Terrick Terrick National Park, Victoria. Breeding commenced in August and the last offspring fledged in January. Only females developed brood patches, built nests and incubated. However, both sexes fed the young. Clutch size ranged from one to three eggs, with a mean of 2.1, with clutches of three occurring relatively early in the season. For clutches of two, the period from laying of the first egg to hatching was 14 or 15 days, with a mean of 14.2. The time from hatching to fledging was 13–15 days, with a mean of 14. In all, 34% of nesting attempts successfully fledged offspring. On average, 0.62 fledglings were produced per nesting attempt, whilst 0.57 offspring reached independence. Nesting success peaked in October. Predation appears to be responsible for almost all nest failure, and predation rate varied over the season. Breeding pairs produced 0–3 broods per season (0–5 independent fledglings) and pairs that began nesting early in the season produced a greater number of independent offspring. Nestling weight was affected by both laying date and brood size. A comparative analysis within the Petroicidae, controlled for body size, revealed that species endemic to Australia have shorter incubation periods, and species from semi-arid and dry woodlands have longer incubation periods than other species. Findings from this study are discussed in relation to the breeding ecology of other members of the Petroicidae.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document