Breeding Biology of the Australasian Gannet Morus Serrator (Gray) at Motu Karamarama, Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand II. Breeding Success and Chick Growth

1984 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 211-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elspeth J. Wingham
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Breeding Success ◽  
Breeding Biology ◽  
Chick Growth ◽  
Morus Serrator

The influence of age on reproductive success and diet in Australasian gannets (Morus serrator) breeding at Pope's Eye, Port Phillip Bay, Victoria

2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 267 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. M. Pyk ◽  
A. Bunce ◽  
F. I. Norman
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Food Availability ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Breeding Success ◽  
Breeding Period ◽  
Chick Growth ◽  
Jack Mackerel ◽  
Commercial Fish ◽  
Red Mullet ◽  
Morus Serrator

The influence of age on reproductive success and diet was examined in ‘old’ (experienced; 12 years and older) and ‘young’ (5–8 years of age) Australasian gannets (Morus serrator) breeding at Pope’s Eye, Port Phillip Bay, Victoria during the 2002–2003 breeding period. Although food availability, as indicated by commercial fish catches, throughout this breeding period was low, there were no significant differences in breeding success or chick growth between groups. Nevertheless, old birds tended to have higher reproductive success, replacing more lost eggs and fledging chicks of a greater mass. However, old birds also laid more eggs that failed to hatch. Five fish species, including jack mackerel (Trachurus declivis), barracouta (Thyrsites atun), redbait (Emmelichthys nitidus), anchovy (Engraulis australis) and red mullet (Upeneichthys vlamingii), were important in the gannet diet during this breeding period. There were no significant differences in dietary parameters, including range of species and size of prey, between old and young gannets, nor were there any differences between those of the chicks and their parents, suggesting that adults do not forage selectively for their chicks. This study showed that even during a period of presumed low food availability, when experienced (older) birds might be expected to have enhanced success, the differences between these and less experienced (younger) birds may not be apparent.

scholarly journals Contrasting impacts of environmental variability on the breeding biology of two sympatric small procellariiform seabirds in south-eastern Australia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0250916
Author(s):  
Yonina H. Eizenberg ◽  
Aymeric Fromant ◽  
Arnaud Lec’hvien ◽  
John P. Y. Arnould
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Success ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Breeding Biology ◽  
Breeding Phenology ◽  
Chick Growth ◽  
Seabird Species ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Seabirds play a vital role in marine ecosystems and the long-term study of their responses to environmental variations can be used to monitor the effects of climate change on marine fauna. However, slight differences in similar seabird species result in a range of responses which complicates our understanding of the effects of environmental changes to marine ecosystems. The present study investigated inter-annual differences in the breeding biology (breeding phenology, chick growth rates and breeding success) and environmental conditions (seasonal sea surface temperatures) of important foraging areas in two sympatric small Procellariiform species, the fairy prion (Pachyptila turtur) and the common diving petrel (Pelecanoides urinatrix), over four reproductive seasons (2017–2020) in Bass Strait, south-eastern Australia. Marine heatwaves occurred during the years of 2018/19 and 2019/20 and coincided with years of delayed laying dates, slower chick growth and reduced breeding success, in both species. While fairy prions maintained a relatively high breeding success and broadly constant breeding phenology, common diving petrels delayed the start of the breeding season by up to 50 days and experienced dramatic collapses in breeding success in years of high marine heat wave occurrence. The difference in foraging ecology and physiological capacity (largely in the production of stomach oils and fasting abilities of adults and chicks) between both species are likely to influence the variability and phenology in the observed breeding seasons.

scholarly journals Breeding biology of coppersmith barbet, Megalaima haemacephala (Müller, 1776)

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 31-34
Author(s):  
Noor Jahan Sarker ◽  
M Firoj Jaman ◽  
Shariar Mustafa ◽  
Md Saidur Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Incubation Period ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Breeding Success ◽  
Brood Size ◽  
Botanical Garden ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Breeding Biology ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Average Height ◽  
Average Depth

Breeding biology of the Coppersmith barbet, Megalaima haemacephala (Müller, 1776) was carried out between February, 2006 and January, 2007 at Sharawardy Uddyan, Ramna Park, Curzon Hall and National Botanical Garden. The breeding season started from December and ended in June. In total 20 nests were observed, of which 10 nests were studied in details in four study areas. The coppersmith barbet mostly preferred to make holes on the branches of koroi (Albizzia procera) for nesting. Egg laying started on 15th February in the study areas. Average height of nests from the ground was 9.7m and average depth and diameter of the holes was 29.20cm and 4.46cm respectively. New holes were constructed yearly or the old one was reused. Both the sexes took part in incubation of eggs, brooding and feeding to the nestlings. A total of 30 eggs were laid in 10 nests. Clutch size varied from 2 – 4 eggs (average: 3 eggs). Among them, 20 (66.67%) eggs were hatched and the rest 10 (33.33%) were unhatched and lost. Average incubation period was 14 days. The male and the female incubated the eggs for an average of 27.44 minutes/ hours and 32.56 minutes/ hours, respectively. Average number of nestlings (brood size) per nest was 2. Out of 20 nestlings, 16 left their nests successively. The breeding success was 53.33% in relation to the number of eggs laid and 80% in relation to nestlings hatched. The average weight of eggs and nestlings was 3.59g and 9.33g, respectively. The main causes of loss of the eggs and nestlings were human interference, predation and ectoparasitic infections. Insects and fruits were fed to the nestlings by their parents.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ujzru.v31i0.15397Univ. j. zool. Rajshahi Univ. Vol. 31, 2012 pp. 31-34 

Breeding biology of the Kakapo Strigops habroptilus on Stewart Island, New Zealand

Ibis ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 134 (4) ◽  
pp. 361-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. POWLESLAND ◽  
B. D. LLOYD ◽  
H. A. BEST ◽  
D. V. MERTON
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Breeding Biology

Breeding biology and breeding success of the Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor in a stable and dense population

Ibis ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 142 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANTON KRISTIN ◽  
HERBERT HOI ◽  
FRANCISCO VALERA ◽  
CHRISTINE HOI
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Success ◽  
Breeding Biology ◽  
Dense Population ◽  
Lesser Grey Shrike ◽  
Grey Shrike

Breeding biology of the critically endangered Malherbe's parakeet on Maud Island, New Zealand, following the release of captive-bred individuals

2009 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Ortiz-Catedral ◽  
Jonathan C. Kearvell ◽  
Mark E. Hauber ◽  
Dianne H. Brunton
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Breeding Biology ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Early Age ◽  
Small Islands ◽  
Austral Spring ◽  
Nesting Sites

We studied a population of the critically endangered Malherbe’s parakeet (Cyanoramphus malherbi), following the release of 62 captive-bred individuals on Maud Island, New Zealand, to identify and characterise nesting sites in a novel island environment. Previous work on Malherbe’s parakeets consisted of limited observations on remnant mainland populations. The age of breeding pairs on Maud Island was 7.2 ± 4.7 months and included both captive-bred individuals of the first release flock and individuals hatched on Maud Island within a year of the first release. Nests were found in hollows of mamaku (Cyathea medullaris), vacant nests of sacred kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus), a hole in the ground and a hollow in a kohekohe (Disoxylum spectabile). Active nests were found in the austral spring, summer and autumn. Clutch size was 5 eggs. The fledging of three Malherbe’s parakeets was confirmed for one nest 43 days after hatching. Observations of newly fledged individuals around the island indicate that at least seven successful nesting attempts occurred. Consistent with other studies in Cyanoramphus parakeets, our results suggest that availability of nesting sites on small islands may not be a limiting factor for the establishment of additional populations of Malherbe’s parakeets via captive breeding and translocation. The formation of breeding pairs at an early age, the use of diverse nesting sites in regenerating vegetation, and the evidence of successful breeding shortly after release on an island represent encouraging prospects for the conservation of New Zealand’s rarest parakeet.

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