青藏高原常见雀形目鸟类的筑巢特征

于1990—2004年的繁殖季节，在青藏高原北部地区收集了12种常见的雀形目鸟类的巢，并且对这些鸟巢的分布格局和结构特征进行了比较研究。所有鸟巢分布表现出草地、灌木丛和沼泽的水平分割和地上、地面及地下的垂直分割的空间分布模式，其中地面杯状巢最普遍。巢结构特征，存在从简单到复杂的系列谱变化，主要表现：巢形状从浅到深，从开放到封闭；巢材性质从单一的植物性到复合的动植物性；巢材重从少到多。不管这些变化有多大，都反映了所有鸟种选择巢址是在安全和隔热两种基本条件之间权衡。在变化谱上的每种鸟巢都有自己的利弊，选择哪种类型的巢是由鸟本身的遗传和环境特征两方面的因素决定的。另外，巢材的运输反映了亲鸟对筑巢活动的投资，是繁殖投入的重要组成部分。因此，巢材重与亲鸟体重之比可以反映出筑巢活动投资的高低。百灵科鸟的开放式地面巢材重大约是亲鸟体重的1/2；而褐背拟地鸦的地下封闭巢的巢材重约为亲鸟体重的5倍以上。其余种类都在两者之间变化。总之，如此不同的投资差异是在捕食压力和种间竞争作用下以及亲鸟为满足鸟卵胚胎和雏鸟迅速生长发育的必要条件下，各种生物学特征协调的结果。     

筑巢投入与巢材组成对大山雀繁殖产出的影响

鸟类在筑巢期投入能量的多少会影响其繁殖成效,巢材组成的差异也会影响其最终繁殖产出。本文以大山雀(Parus major)为研究对象,通过探究巢重及巢材组成对其繁殖的影响,以揭示筑巢投入和巢材对繁殖产出的影响。对2015年收集到的35巢进行了分析。结果表明:巢材总重与出飞数、出飞成功率及繁殖成功率呈极显著的负相关;羽毛重及其所占总重的比例与窝卵数、出雏数及出飞数呈显著的正相关,与产首枚卵的日期呈显著的负相关;植物茎重及其所占总重的比例与窝卵数及出雏数呈显著的正相关。本研究表明,大山雀亲鸟筑巢消耗的能量越多,子代出飞情况反而越差;同时,巢内保温性和支撑性巢材越多,繁殖产出越大。     

纯色鹪莺繁殖行为观察

纯色鹪莺(Prinia inornata)具有繁殖期身体量度小于非繁殖期的特性,开展相关研究对了解鸟类新的生存和繁殖策略有重要意义。从2005年12月至2006年6月在广东省肇庆地区对纯色鹪莺的繁殖行为开展了研究。结果如下:①繁殖期体长和尾羽长均极显著(P<0·01)小于非繁殖期,翼长显著(P<0·05)小于非繁殖期;②每年3月下旬开始出现筑巢现象,雌雄共同筑巢,筑巢时间4～5d,巢多建在禾本科植物上,巢址选择与水源关系密切,主成分分析显示,距水边距离占主导地位(34·88%),之后依次是距地面高度(18·55%)、距最近水面高度(12·95%)、巢口方向(9·08%)和巢区植被盖度(8·51%);③筑巢后1～2d产卵,窝卵数(4·7±1·6),孵卵期持续8～10d,亲鸟轮流坐巢,亲鸟会根据窝卵数的不同调整坐巢次数和坐巢时间。窝卵数越多,亲鸟坐巢时间越长;④纯色鹪莺的巢成功率为43·75%,繁殖失败的主要原因是外界干扰。据此,我们认为纯色鹪莺在繁殖期的高投资和繁殖行为,可能是研究该物种生存对策的重要线索。     

城市化对杭州市鸟类营巢集团的影响

为了了解城市化对鸟类营巢集团的影响,2007年3月至2007年8月,沿城市化梯度在杭州地区的城区、城乡结合区、农田区、农林交错区和自然林区等类型栖息地内设置3 000 m长、100 m宽的样线各18条,共计90条;并对其鸟类物种与群落营巢集团进行调查。调查共记录到繁殖鸟类96种,根据鸟类营巢位置可将其分为林冠枝干营巢集团、灌草丛营巢集团、林冠枝干/灌草丛营巢集团、自然洞穴营巢集团、人工建筑营巢集团、自然洞穴/人工建筑营巢集团地面营巢集团、水面营巢集团和寄生集团共9种。进一步分析显示,随城市化程度提高,鸟类营巢集团的数目呈整体下降趋势,而各集团的物种数也基本呈下降趋势。但是,不同的营巢集团对城市化的反应存在差异,导致其物种组成在群落中比例的明显变化。城市化程度的提高使树冠筑巢鸟、灌丛筑巢鸟、地面筑巢鸟及自然洞穴筑巢鸟在群落中所占的比例明显下降,其中地面筑巢鸟最为敏感,灌丛筑巢鸟次之。同时,自然洞穴/人工建筑集团的鸟类在群落中的比例却随着城市化程度的提高明显上升。各营巢集团之所以对城市化做出不同反应,是因为它们对筑巢地资源利用方式不同。此外,还发现植被盖度、人工设施面积、至市中心距离以及人为干扰等因素均可对鸟类营巢集团结构产生影响,但不同类型的营巢集团对上述因素的反应各异。     

黑眉苇莺存在对东方大苇莺巢材的盗窃行为

筑巢是大多数鸟类繁殖成功的必要条件,筑巢花费精力较少的鸟类可以将更多的时间投入到后期繁殖中。因此,对于筑巢繁殖的鸟类来说,如何快速有效地建筑一个巢尤为重要。然而,对雀形目鸟类快速和投机筑巢的行为报道较少。2021年6至8月,在黑龙江扎龙国家级自然保护区,通过录像对繁殖期东方大苇莺（Acrocephalus orientalis）和黑眉苇莺（A. bistrigiceps）的筑巢行为进行研究,记录到黑眉苇莺盗取东方大苇莺巢材料的行为。根据视频内容和现场观察,本研究初步描述了黑眉苇莺偷窃行为的全过程。最后,通过文献查阅,对报道过巢材盗窃行为的部分雀形目鸟类进行了统计。本文研究结果为进一步确定雀形目鸟类的巢材盗窃行为的流行程度提供了基础信息。     

西藏阿里班公错斑头雁的种间巢寄生行为

2016年6月2日,我们在对西藏阿里地区班公错鸟岛进行鸟类调查时,发现了斑头雁(Anser indicus)将卵产于棕头鸥(Larus brunnicephalus)的巢中,是一种间巢寄生行为。对于发生这种现象的原因,我们初步推测,一种原因可能是繁殖地的巢址和巢材资源短缺,鸟岛上巢材可能无法满足两个鸟种筑巢的需要,个别斑头雁由于巢材短缺,无法顺利筑巢,因此将卵产于棕头鸥的巢中。另一种可能原因是,某些斑头雁由于巢被破坏或卵被捕食,在迁徙之前已没有时间再完成下一轮的繁殖活动,由于斑头雁与棕头鸥食性差异较大,但由于斑头雁为早成鸟,孵出的雏雁不必接受棕头鸥纯肉食的饲喂,也使得这种巢寄生成为可能。     

青海北部高寒草甸雀形目鸟类繁殖生态学的研究进展

从鸟巢特征、巢址选择、窝卵数、育幼行为、雏鸟生长发育、繁殖生产力以及繁殖对策等方面,对青藏高原高寒草甸雀形目鸟类繁殖生态学进行了综合分析与评述。高寒草甸雀形目鸟类受适合繁殖季节长度、食物资源和捕食压力的影响,或选择逐步投资对策,或选择一次投资对策;每个种群的常见窝卵数就是最适窝卵数;雏鸟的发育模式相对固定,不存在补偿性生长,但是生长期长度是可变化的。①研究亲-子通讯行为的进化和稳定性,提出适应高寒草甸雀形目鸟类的亲-子间的通讯行为假设;②建立在巢环境特征变化梯度(开放到封闭)上的生命表,找出决定适合度的生命表参数(繁殖率和存活率)的因果关系;③测定在巢环境特征变化梯度上的生态领域变化将是未来研究的3个方向。     

鸟类筑巢的智慧与本能(上)

自然界中绝大多数鸟类在其繁殖季节,都有筑巢的习性,由于各种鸟的生境、生活方式及进化不同,不同种的鸟的营巢地点、选用材料、筑巢方式,巢的大小、形状、造型、结构等也各异。游禽、涉禽常用芦苇、水草等筑成水面浮巢或靠近水域的地面巢;攀禽及一些森林鸟类和海鸟常利用树洞、岩隙、石缝之类筑成洞巢;地栖类走禽在地面扒一个坑或再填上些草茎、树叶、羽毛之类即能成巢;而雀形目的一些鸟类即使营地面巢也能编织得十分精巧,更多的却是用树枝、草茎、各种纤维、毛发、羽毛等为材料编织或建造成别致而又风格各异的巢。各种各样的鸟巢或在树上、洞中,或在檐下、地表,有的十分简陋,有的却非常精致。但无论在什么条件下,鸟类总是能把巢建得与环境相适应。自     

鹊巢鸠占——鸟类的巢寄生行为

每当春回大地 ,万物复苏 ,鸟儿们在经过千姿百态的求偶仪式之后 ,便开始了营巢和育雏的辛勤劳作。筑巢、孵卵和养育小鸟需要花费大量的精力。但是 ,一些善于投机取巧的鸟采取了一个能省去所有麻烦的办法 :把这些活儿留给其他鸟去做。这就有了巢寄生行为。巢寄生是将卵产在其他种的鸟巢之中 ,由义亲代为养育雏鸟的行为。它的优点很明显 :最大限度地提高鸟成功繁殖的能力。因为作恶的鸟不承担养育雏鸟的责任 ,它有能力产更多的卵。一些鸟将自己的卵伪装得很像宿主的卵 ,可以随着宿主卵的外观而变化 ,从鲜亮的蓝色到带暗色斑点。这是长期自然选…     

角百灵和小云雀的孵化行为

鸟类的个体发育是在双亲、雏鸟及巢组成的一种特殊环境中完成的,稳定的热环境是它们完成孵化和雏鸟生长发育的必要条件(White et al., 1974; Purdue, 1976; Ellis, 1982; Haftorn, 1983; Morton et al., 1985; Schnace et al., 1991; Vatnick et al., 1998; 张晓爱等,1995).因此亲鸟的伴巢行为及时间花费在保证繁殖成功中起重要作用.伴巢行为是指亲鸟在繁殖期间,为筑巢、防御、抱卵、孵雏及递食而出现在巢中或附近的所有行为(Oppenhaim, 1972).亲鸟拌巢的时间分配与巢环境有密切关系,已有大量的报道(如Purdue, 1976; Ellis,1982; Schnace et al., 1991;张晓爱等, 1995). 张晓爱等(1995)比较了高寒草甸地区的地面、灌丛及洞穴3种不同营巢类型亲鸟的伴巢时间分配模式,但是对亲缘关系较近,营巢生境相同鸟类之间的伴巢时间分配模式,以及坐巢行为与巢环境之间关系没有报道,国外对这方面的报道也甚少.本项研究选择高寒草甸的两种百灵科鸟:角百灵(Eremophila alpestris)和小云雀(Alauda gulgula)作为研究对象来比较亲鸟在孵化期坐巢行为与巢址微环境的关系,对研究鸟类繁殖行为与环境关系及从生活史进化角度研究相似种的共存机制提供理论依据.     

Nest building under the risk of predation: safe nests are not always the best option

Nest predation is a widespread demographic and evolutionary force in avian reproduction, but few studies have considered the circumstances under which birds might invest in the construction of safe nests. We examined this question using a stochastic simulation model based on a basic passerine breeding season. Nest safety functions were used to translate time invested in nest building into an increase in daily nest survival; that increase could be rapid, requiring only a few days to achieve a safe nest, or slow, taking many days to do so. The maximum achievable safety differed across nest safety functions. Given a limited length to the breeding season, a greater time investment in nest safety detracts from the time available for re‐nesting following successful or unsuccessful nesting attempts. In many circumstances, the best option is a quick‐build ‘minimal’ nest that provides adequate support for young, but little additional safety from attacks. This is especially true for scenarios that allow for multiple nesting attempts across a season. However, relatively safe nests that can be built fairly quickly are uniformly favored options. Safe, long‐build nests are favored only when they provide a great deal of safety over other nest‐building options, but greater safety alone is not sufficient for such investment. Simulations allowing only a single nesting attempt generally favor a greater investment in nest safety. Parental survival is another important factor in nest investment. Increased danger to the parent during nest building strongly favors a low investment in nests. However, substantial investment in a safe nest is favored when that safety extends to the incubating parent. Our results provide some insight into the prevalence of seemingly unsafe, open‐cup nests across the bird world, but the range of nest types that could potentially be built by a given species is an open question.     

On the evolution of clutch size and nest size in passerine birds

Summary I examined the hypothesis that the clutch size of some altricial birds may be limited by over-crowding of the nestlings in the nest, by comparing data on different species of European passerines. Large-sized birds build, relative to the body, larger nests than small-sized birds, both as regards the inner and the outer nest widths and as regards edge breadth; only inner nestcup depth did not change relatively to body size. Nest size also varied in relation to nesting place. Birds with open nests built off the ground had a rather narrow nestcup, whereas those with a domed nest, or which nest in a cavity, had a wide nestcup. When only open-nesters were compared, birds nesting on, or close to, the ground tended to have a wider nestcup than birds nesting above the ground. Inner nestcup width was correlated with the amount of mosses and lichens used in building the nest; the more of such materials the narrower the nestcup. The three variables: standardised body size, nesting place, and type of nesting material used accounted for 92% of the overall variation observed in inner nestcup width. When controlling for adult body size, clutch size was positively correlated with the size of the nestcup. A multiple regression analysis showed that relative nestcup depth, nest site, and type of nesting materials used, accounted for 64% of the overall variation in clutch size.     

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla nestlings do not produce begging calls until they are able to escape from predators

Nest predation is a major source of reproductive failure in birds and thus it can exert selection on both parental and offspring strategies. Begging calls are known to be a powerful component of parent–offspring communication but these calls can also increase predation risk. Here we demonstrate a sophisticated strategy for the development of begging vocalization in a species under high nest predation. Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla nestlings spend most of their nesting period silent, and develop begging calls just before they are able to fledge. The onset of begging vocalization matches the onset of endothermy, which enables Blackcap chicks to leave the nest. We demonstrate experimentally that begging calls function as a signal of the increased needs of homeothermic nestlings. Playback of begging calls conducted in nests with silent nestlings resulted in a significant increase in feeding rates and a decrease in brooding. Development of begging calls only at the age of endothermy allows species under high nest predation to keep the risky period of begging vocalizations and frequent feeding to a minimum. This strategy may constitute an evolutionary solution to high predation pressure in some open nesting passerines. This is the first study to demonstrate the existence of silent begging in a passerine.     

The post‐fledging period in a tropical bird: patterns of parental care and survival

How environmental conditions affect the timing and extent of parental care is a fundamental question in comparative studies of life histories. The post‐fledging period is deemed critical for offspring fitness, yet few studies have examined this period, particularly in tropical birds. Tropical birds are predicted to have extended parental care during the post‐fledging period and this period may be key to understanding geographic variation in avian reproductive strategies. We studied a neotropical passerine, the western slaty‐antshrike Thamnophilus atrinucha, and predicted greater care and higher survival during the post‐fledging period compared to earlier stages. Furthermore, we predicted that duration of post‐fledging parental care and survival would be at the upper end of the distribution for Northern Hemisphere passerines. Correspondingly, we observed that provisioning continued for 6–12 weeks after fledging. In addition, provisioning rate was greater after fledging and offspring survival from fledging to independence was 75%, greater than all estimates from north‐temperate passerines. Intervals between nesting attempts were longer when the first brood produced successful fledglings compared to nests where offspring died either in the nest or upon fledging. Parents delayed initiating second nests after the first successful brood until fledglings were near independence. Our results indicate that parents provide greater care after fledging and this extended care likely increased offspring survival. Moreover, our findings of extended post‐fledging parental care and higher post‐fledging survival compared to Northern Hemisphere species have implications for understanding latitudinal variation in reproductive effort and parental investment strategies.     

Nesting failure in Finnish Northern Goshawks Accipiter gentilis: incidence and cause

Habitat composition is an important factor influencing nesting failure probability in birds. However, although various habitat effects such as fragmentation and edge density are known to have clear negative effects on the breeding success of passerines, the role that habitat composition plays in shaping nesting failure patterns among other avian groups is less well known. We studied nesting failure in a large forest raptor, the Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis , during the period 1999–2003 in Finland. Illegal human persecution was found to constitute a major cause of failure among nests where cause could be determined accurately (comprising c . 60% of all failed nesting attempts). Egg predation by corvids and nestling predation by Eagle Owls Bubo bubo were also common. However, the exact cause of nesting failure could not be inferred in every case. Overall, the degree of initial parental investment (clutch size and egg volume) was significantly smaller in nests that failed than in nesting attempts that were successful. This did not apply to nests that were destroyed by humans, in which investment was at a level equal to nests that were successful. Although the probability that a nesting attempt would fail was also related to small-scale nest concealment, nesting failure probability was not associated with main prey density or several measures describing territorial habitat composition at larger scales. Small initial parental investment, not habitat composition, is thus the major correlate of nesting failure in Goshawks.     

盐城滨海海堤林中黑尾蜡嘴雀和黑卷尾的巢址选择与生态位

繁殖期鸟类的巢址选择受到很多因素的影响。许多雀形目鸟类选择在树上营巢,但开阔的沿海地区通常缺乏成片的自然林地,人工种植的廊道状海堤林则成为多种雀形目鸟类的营巢地。2018年4-8月在江苏省大丰麋鹿国家级自然保护区境内的海堤林中,对繁殖鸟类巢的分布及两种优势繁殖鸟类---黑尾蜡嘴雀(Eophona migratoria)和黑卷尾(Dicrurus macrocercus)的巢址选择进行了研究,分析了两种鸟类的生态位重叠情况。结果表明:海堤林生境中共发现10种繁殖鸟的127个巢,鸟巢多数位于5 m以上的空间;影响黑尾蜡嘴雀巢址选择的主要因素是巢树和灌木等,巢位置、乔木和安全等因素是次要因素(前5主分量累计贡献率为71.9%);影响黑卷尾巢址选择的主要是巢树因素和灌木因素,巢向、乔木因子是次要因素(前5主分量累计贡献率78.0%);在巢址生态位分化上:两种鸟类的巢向(Utest,Z=-3.013,P<0.01)、巢高(Utest,Z=-6.718,P<0.01)、巢位置(Utest,Z=-5.402,P<0.01)、隐蔽性(Utest,Z=-4.081,P<0.01)选择上存在极显著的差异,两者在这些因子存在生态位分化;两种鸟类在12个巢址因子选择上的生态位重叠值都较大(最小值为0.500,最大值为0.998),存在激烈的种间竞争;在滨海地区,海堤林是依赖树木筑巢繁殖鸟类的重要栖息地,需要加强保护与管理。     

Effects of nest-site characteristics and parental activity on cowbird parasitism and nest predation in Brown-and-yellow Marshbirds

ABSTRACT Nest‐site selection and nest defense are strategies for reducing the costs of brood parasitism and nest predation, two selective forces that can influence avian nesting success and fitness. During 2001–2002, we analyzed the effect of nest‐site characteristics, nesting pattern, and parental activity on nest predation and brood parasitism by cowbirds (Molothrus spp.) in a population of Brown‐and‐yellow Marshbirds (Pseudoleistes virescens) in the Buenos Aires province, Argentina. We examined the possible effects of nest detectability, nest accessibility, and nest defense on rates of parasitism and nest predation. We also compared rates of parasitism and nest predation and nest survival time of marshbird nests during the egg stage (active nests) with those of the same nests artificially baited with passerine eggs after young fledged or nests failed (experimental nests). Most nests (45 of 48, or 94%) found during the building or laying stages were parasitized, and 79% suffered at least one egg‐predation event. Cowbirds were responsible for most egg predation, with 82 of 107 (77%) egg‐predation events corresponding to eggs punctured by cowbirds. Nests built in thistles had higher rates of parasitism and egg predation than nests in other plant, probably because cowbirds were most active in the area where thistles were almost the only available nesting substrate. Parasitism rates also tended to increase as the distance to conspecific nests increased, possibly due to cooperative mobbing and parental defense by marshbirds. The proportion of nests discovered by cowbirds was higher for active (95%) than for experimental (29%) nests, suggesting that cowbirds used host parental activity to locate nests. Despite active nest defense, parental activity did not affect either predation rates or nest‐survival time. Thus, although nest defense by Brown‐and‐yellow Marshbirds appears to be based on cooperative group defense, such behavior did not reduce the impact of brood parasites and predators.     

Interspecific competition affects evolutionary links between cavity nesting,migration and clutch size in Old World flycatchers (Muscicapdae)

The ecology of cavity nesting in passerine birds has been studied extensively, yet there are no phylogenetic comparative studies that quantify differences in life history traits between cavity‐ and open‐nesting birds within a passerine family. We test existing hypotheses regarding the evolutionary significance of cavity nesting in the Old World flycatchers (Muscicapidae). We used a multi‐locus phylogeny of 252 species to reconstruct the evolutionary history of cavity nesting and to quantify correlations between nest types and life history traits. Within a phylogenetic generalized linear model framework, we found that cavity‐nesting species are larger than open‐nesting species and that maximum clutch sizes are larger in cavity‐nesting lineages. In addition to differences in life history traits between nest types, species that breed at higher latitudes have larger average and maximum clutch sizes and begin to breed later in the year. Gains and losses of migratory behaviour have occurred far more often in cavity‐nesting lineages than in open‐nesting taxa, suggesting that cavity nesting may have played a crucial role in the evolution of migratory behaviour. These findings identify important macro‐evolutionary links between the evolution of cavity nesting, clutch size, interspecific competition and migratory behaviour in a large clade of Old World songbirds.     

Experimental Evidence that Sexual Displays are Costly for Nest Survival

Nest predation is one of the most significant limitations for successful breeding of tropical passerines. Thus, parental strategies may include choosing appropriate nest sites and behaving in ways that minimize predation. Habitat characteristics that may influence nest success include degree of nest concealment, proximity to habitat edge, plant architecture as well as several others cited in the literature. However, few studies have examined display behavior as a factor that could also influence nest survival. We experimentally tested whether sexual motor displays served as a cue for visually oriented predators to locate artificial nests in a population of blue‐black grassquits Volatinia jacarina, a Neotropical passerine that exhibits a complex sexual display and is subjected to elevated rates of nest predation. We also evaluated the effect of nest substrate on survival. Predation rate was higher for nests within territories of displaying males relative to areas without displaying males and for nests placed in shrubs relative to grasses. Predation increased sharply in the third experimental replicate, at the end of the breeding season, which suggests that predators may develop a search image for nests or may become more abundant during specific periods of the season. Avian predators appear to be the most important nest predators. Results suggest that there may be a trade‐off between the increase in fitness derived from sexual displays of males to attract potential mates and the decrease owing to predation of active nests within their territories.     

The influence of parent body colouration and nesting habitat on bird nest predation

ABSTRACT

Capsule: Parent body colouration and nesting habitat may influence nest predation risk and, therefore, influence parental decisions on offspring care.

Aims: To investigate the adaptiveness of bird colouration under two different habitat and light conditions.

Methods: We used painted polyurethane dummies to simulate parental presence near nests, where some dummies were red, and others were cryptic brown. We placed artificial nests on trees in open and forested areas, along with two quail eggs and parental dummies.

Results: The results showed major predation on nests of the open area, however, we found no significant effect of parent colour on nest predation.

Conclusion: We suggest that the costs involved with nest site selection may overcome the costs of colouration in species that occur in these environments.