喀斯特森林石壁营巢冠斑犀鸟繁殖行为初报

2019和2020年,在广西崇左恩城观察了喀斯特森林一对冠斑犀鸟(Anthracocerosalbirostris)的繁殖行为。此对冠斑犀鸟每年4～7月在石壁上的洞穴里营巢,其孵卵期约为35 d,育雏期约为55 d。每年均有2只幼鸟成功离巢。幼鸟及雌鸟食物以植物性食物为主,雄鸟喂食时缺少明显的高峰。结果表明,冠斑犀鸟在繁殖行为上适应了喀斯特这一特殊生境。     

Nest site characteristics of four sympatric species of hornbills in Khao Yai National Park, Thailand

Characteristics of nest sites, nest trees and nest holes were documented for four sympatric species of hornbills in Khao Yai National Park: the Great Buceros bicornis. Wreathed Rhy-ticeros undulatus , Oriental Pied Anthracoceros albirostris and Brown Hornbills Ptilolaemus tickelli. Nearly all hornbills nested in cavities in the trunks of at least 13 different genera of living trees. Sixty percent of the 80 nests found were in two tree genera, Dipterocarpus (34%) and Eugenia (26%), which comprised only 7% and 3%, respectively, of all large trees in 302 sample plots. Hornbills tended to prefer holes high in large, emergent trees for nesting, except for the Brown Hornbills, which preferred nest holes within or below the main forest canopy (15–25 m high). Most nest sites were between 700 and 800 m a.s.l. (79% of the total of 80 nests). Brown Hornbill nests were located in areas with a significantly higher altitude than were those of the Oriental Pied Hornbill. Hornbills tended to select nest entrances according to their body size, and all four hornbill species used oval to elongated nest entrances, with the Great Hornbill preferring the most elongated entrances. Hornbills did not select a specific nest entrance orientation.     

SIDEWAYS-THROWING AND SIDEWAYS-BUILDING IN BIRDS

Birds which build the simplest and scantiest nests use a single movement, sideways-throwing, in assembling material; and a modified form of it, sideways-building, in arranging material on the site. Sideways-throwing is usually performed by a standing or walking bird which picks up a small object in front of it, and throws it back, either to one side or beneath it, with a sharp sideways movement of the head. Sideways-building is normally performed by a sitting bird which takes material and deliberately places it to either side or in towards its breast. Sideways-throwing and sideways-building occur in the Struthionidae, Rheidae, Dromaiidae, Gaviformes, Procellariformes, Anseriformes, Meleagrididae, Phasianidae, Gruidae and Charadrüformes. Sideways-building only is recorded in the Sulidae ahd, for Platalea leucorodia, in the Threskiornithidae. There are no records of nest-building in the Apterigidae, Tinamidae, Otidae, and Pteroclididae. Sideways-throwing occurs within the vicinity of the nest-site, often in conjunction with conflict behaviour; and typically occurs at nest-relief, performed by the bird leaving the nest. This results in material accumulating at the nest-site, and this may be pulled in by the sitting bird during sideways-building, The amount and type of material depends on its availability around the nest-site. In species where only one sex incubates the sitting bird may leave the nest at intervals and perform sideways-throwing. Sideways-throwing appears to occur frequently as a form of irrelevant behaviour, usually in agonistic situations; sideways-building often occurs when a sitting bird is disturbed. Since sideways-throwing is a relatively ineffectual form of nest-building, the creation of a nest appears to depend on the extent to which the bird finds itself in a conflict situation and the amount of material near the nest. It seems possible that it may have evolved as Irrelevant Behaviour rather than true nest-building. It is suggested that the movements might be derived from false-feeding movements involving the picking up of inedible objects, and from the flick of the head, with which a bird removes an unwanted object adhering to its bill. Such behaviour performed by a bird walking repeatedly from the nest could result in the accumulation of material at a nest-scrape. Relatively little modification would be needed to create a form of nest-building suitable for very simple nests. Chance sideways-throwing seems to occur in many species. Nests in damp situations may be larger than those in dryer ones and, although this might be accidental, the behaviour of some species during floods suggests purposeful building. Some species appear to align their throwing in relation to the position of the nest. In some groups within the Charadrüformes sideways-throwing appears to have been replaced by the carrying of material to the nest. In such species relict sideways-throwing often occurs when material is deposited on the nest-site; and sideways-building is used in the arrangement of the material. It is possible that movements similar to sideways-building used in nest construction by birds in other groups might be homologous with it and represent the persistence of an earlier behaviour pattern.     

广西大明山鸟类群落组成、区系成分和垂直分布

为了了解鸟类组成和海拔分布状况,利用样线法和固定调查点法于2007~2015年对广西大明山的鸟类进行了研究。在大明山共记录鸟类337种,隶属于17目56科。繁殖鸟类(包括留鸟和夏候鸟)共计234种,占大明山鸟类种数的69.4%,具有明显优势,构成了大明山鸟类区系组成的主体。大明山具有典型的华南区向华中区过渡的鸟类区系特征,67.1%的繁殖鸟类属于东洋型的种类。随着海拔的增加,东洋型的种类逐渐减少。依据海拔梯度和植被的不同,可以将大明山鸟类分成6个类群,鸟类总种数和繁殖鸟类种数均以海拔500~900 m的范围内最多,海拔200~500 m范围内鸟类次之。由于大明山地处热带南缘,本研究将为今后监测气候变暖对鸟类的影响提供依据。     

Ousting of the Common Redstart (Aves: Turdidae: Phoenicurus phoenicurus) from its nests by the bumblebee Bombus niveatus vorticosus (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

During a study of bird nesting in SW. Anatolia, 125 man-made nest boxes have been installed, 3 m high, in the trees. These nest boxes have been occupied by several bird species (Phoenicurus phoenicurus, Parus major, Parus ater, Sitta krueperi, Certhia brachydactyla). Of the 48 Redstart nests, 19 (40 %) had been successfully invaded by the bumblebee Bombus niveatus vorticosus. This invasion occurred at different times in the nest building cycle: - during the building of the nest, - during the incubation or - after the hatching of the young. Once installed in the nest of the Redstart, the bumblebee does not directly attack the bird, but disturbs it by continuously rearranging the nesting material and by covering the bird’s brood. Eventually, the bird deserts its nest and brood. The Redstart does not display any agonistic behaviour towards the bumblebee. Nests of other bird species are never invaded.     

笼养条件下冠斑犀鸟合作繁殖行为

在2003~2005年,每年的2~10月,通过对南宁动物园犀鸟园一窝处于繁殖中的冠斑犀鸟(Anthracoceros albirostris)生殖合作的观察。结果发现,冠斑犀鸟的生殖合作行为属于“巢中帮手”类型。帮手鸟的介入方式是通过食物传递为纽带,从接触雄亲鸟为起点,帮助雄亲鸟运送食物、哺育和护巢。它们之间无亲缘关系,合作是一种互惠合作式的利它行为。帮手的存在主要是性比率失调。     

Diet composition influences annual breeding success of Montagu's Harriers Circus pygargus feeding on diverse prey

Capsule Three similarly sized passerine species with various breeding strategies behaved differently in the presence of models of mammalian and avian predators.

Aims We tested whether solitary breeders behave in the presence of a predator in order to avoid disclosing their nest site in: hole-nesting Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca, shrub-nesting Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla and ground-nesting Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis.

Methods The behaviour of parents in response to two types of predator model (visually oriented Corvid birds and olfactory oriented Mustelid mammals) placed sequentially at 40, 5 and 1 m distance from the nest was recorded from a shelter.

Results The hypothesis was supported in open-nesting species (Meadow Pipit and Blackcap), as parents did not approach the nest in the presence of a predator. In the hole-nesting Pied Flycatcher the parents disclosed the nest site in most cases (by entering the nest). The intensity of alarm calling increased with decreasing distance of a predator from the nest in all species except Meadow Pipit in the presence of Raven Corvus corax models. The intensity of attacking changed only in Meadow Pipit with decreasing distance of Stoat Mustela erminea from the nest.

Conclusion The results showed that anti-predator behaviour was species-specific, depending on type of predator, habitat and nest inaccessibility.     

燕窝生物活性及质量标准研究进展

燕窝作为一种名贵药材,来自雨燕科若干种金丝燕用唾液筑成的巢穴。随着对燕窝资源需求的持续增长,全面深入地认识燕窝的营养和药用价值十分必要。我们对该领域的相关研究进行了综述,内容涉及燕窝所含的水溶性蛋白、碳水化合物、无机盐、微量元素等化学成分,及它们具有的促有丝分裂、抑制流感病毒、抗凝血、改善骨骼强度等生物活性。目前的研究重点应放在燕窝重要生物活性成分的分离和纯化方面,在深入了解燕窝物质基础的同时通过完善质量标准以保证药材质量安全和可靠。     

Nest desertion by Grey Fantails during nest building in response to perceived predation risk

ABSTRACT Grey Fantails (Rhipidura albiscapa), a common Australian flycatcher, commonly desert their nests before egg‐laying. We tested the hypothesis that Grey Fantails desert incomplete nests in response to the attention of predators by placing a mounted Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina), a common nest predator, near fantail nests that were under construction. As a control, we placed a mounted King Parrot (Alisteris scapularis), a nonpredatory bird similar in size to Pied Currawongs, near other fantail nests. Four of six female fantails (67%) deserted incomplete nests in response to the presentation of the Pied Currawong. In contrast, none of the seven females presented with a mounted King Parrot deserted. Female Grey Fantails may use the attention of a predator at the nest during the building stage as a cue to desert. Such desertion may be adaptive for Grey Fantails because currawongs are large predators, making successful nest defense unlikely, and they also present considerable risk to adults. In addition, fantails may raise multiple broods during a breeding season and, therefore, have a high renesting potential.     

Effects of fleas on nest success of Arctic barnacle geese: experimentally testing the mechanism

Parasites have detrimental effects on their hosts’ fitness. Therefore, behavioural adaptations have evolved to avoid parasites or, when an individual is already in contact with a parasite, prevent or minimize infections. Such anti‐parasite behaviours can be very effective, but can also be costly for the host. Specifically, ectoparasites can elicit strong host anti‐parasite behaviours and interactions between fleas (Siphonaptera) and their hosts are one of the best studied. In altricial bird species, nest fleas can negatively affect both parent and offspring fitness components. However, knowledge on the effects of fleas on precocial bird species is scarce. Research on geese in the Canadian Arctic indicated that fleas have a negative impact on reproductive success. One possible hypothesis is that fleas may affect female incubation behaviour. Breeding females with many fleas in their nest may increase the frequency and/or duration of incubation breaks and could even totally desert their nest. The aim of our study was to 1) determine if a similar negative relationship existed between flea abundance and reproductive success in our study colony of Arctic breeding barnacle geese Branta leucopsis and 2) experimentally quantify if such effects could be explained by a negative effect of nest fleas on female behaviour. We compared host anti‐parasite and incubation behaviour between experimentally flea‐reduced and control nests using wildlife cameras and temperature loggers. We found that flea abundance was negatively associated with hatching success. We found little experimental support, however, for changes in behaviour of the breeding female as a possible mechanism to explain this effect.     

Bird nest predation in a southern Tunisian oasis habitat: No evidence of “edge effect”

Numerous ornithological studies conducted in patchy habitats have linked high intensity of nest predation with habitat edges. This “edge effect” hypothesis was primarily investigated in temperate, boreal and tropical fragmented forests, and there is a need for investigations from different habitat systems. Here we provide the results of one study on bird nest predation in relation to edge context in one oasis in southern Tunisia. Our aim was to assess the importance of nest predation as a source of nest failure in the studied oasis and to test if the edge effect hypothesis applies in this habitat system. We found that although predation represents an important source of nest failure in all studied species, the edge effect hypothesis does not seem to apply in the studied oasis. Indeed, daily nest predation rate did not vary with edge context for all studied species, which could be explained by the fact that nest predator guild is mainly composed of small species that use oasis interior and edges in similar ways. The effects of predators coming from the surrounding areas do not seem to significantly increase nest predation rates in oasis edges compared to oasis interior. We also found that nest predation rates were similar for all bird species, suggesting that among-species differences in nest concealment and nesting behaviour did not seem to account for nest survival in the studied oasis. However, further more detailed species-level studies are needed to test this hypothesis and to identify more accurately the determinants of nest predation in the oasis habitat.     

Genetic Relatedness of Low Solitary Nests of Apis dorsata from Marang, Terengganu, Malaysia

Knowledge on the population of genetic structure and ecological behaviour of Apis dorsata from Peninsular Malaysia is needed for effective management and conservation of this species since unsustainable whole solitary low nest cutting for product harvesting is the current common practice here. The analysis of 15 single locus DNA microsatellite markers on samples from 20 solitary nests of A. dorsata showed that while these markers were polymorphic, high intracolonial relatedness existed. Furthermore, in general, slightly negative values of intercolony relatedness (R) among the nests of A. dorsata were found. However, positive values of mean intercolony relatedness were observed between 54 pairs of nests out of 190 possible combinations. The R values among nest pairs 3-4 and 3-5 was higher than 0.50 showing that their queens were half siblings, whereas nest pair 19-20 showed relatedness of 0.95 indicating that the same queen was sampled. The results that we obtained could not conclusively support the hypothesis of this study that the honey hunters in Marang district of Malaysia repeatedly harvest the same nest located at a different site and at a different time during the same honey harvesting season. However, our finding of an appreciable level of intercolonial relatedness between several pairs of nests in this pioneer study indicated that a comprehensive study with a larger sample size of solitary nests found throughout the region would be necessary to provide concrete proof for this novel idea.     

Social paper wasp (Agelaia pallipes) predates songbird nestling

The social paper wasp Agelaia pallipes is known to eat carrion and scavenge on vertebrates. There are few records of wasps predating vertebrates, including an attack on an adult hummingbird and the predation of bird nestlings. During a project monitoring reproductive behaviour of a neotropical songbird, the Lined Seedeater Sporophila lineola in south-eastern Brazil, we recorded the predation of a four-day-old nestling by a social paper wasp. In the video, the adult female bird attempted to visit the nest prior to the predation. The male could be seen with its crest feathers erect after a wasp left the nest, when the nestling was presumably already dead. When we arrived at the nest to remove the camera, we found the nestling dead, and did not observe the parents in the vicinity. We also registered two other dead nestlings in a different nest with similar wounds. However, the conclusive cause of death of those nestlings is unknown. Nest predation is a major selective pressure in birds, and insects are rarely assumed to play a notable role in this process. Further research is needed to better understand the nature of the relationship between wasps and birds.     

Testing hypotheses about the function of repeated nest abandonment as a life history strategy in a passerine bird

Nest structures are essential for successful reproduction in most bird species. Nest construction costs time and energy, and most bird species typically build one nest per breeding attempt. Some species, however, build more than one nest, and the reason for this behaviour is often unclear. In the Grey Fantail Rhipidura albiscapa, nest abandonment before egg‐laying is very common. Fantails will build up to seven nests within a breeding season, and pairs abandon up to 71% of their nests before egg‐laying. We describe multiple nest‐building behaviour in the Grey Fantail and test four hypotheses explaining nest abandonment in this species: cryptic depredation, destruction of nests during storm events, and two anti‐predatory responses (construction of decoy nests to confuse predators, and increasing concealment to ‘hide’ nests more effectively). We found support for only one hypothesis – that abandonment is related to nest concealment. Abandoned nests were significantly less concealed than nests that received eggs. Most abandoned nests were not completely built and none received eggs, thus ruling out cryptic predation. Nests were not more likely to be abandoned following storm events. The decoy nest hypothesis was refuted as abandoned nests were constructed at any point during the breeding season and some nests were dismantled and the material used to build the subsequent nest. Thus, Grey Fantails are flexible about nest‐site locations during the nest‐building phase and readily abandon nest locations if they are found to have deficient security.     

Use of mistletoes by the Grey Go‐away‐bird (Corythaixoides concolor,Musophagidae) in a semi‐arid savannah,south‐west Zimbabwe

Mistletoes are preferred nesting sites for many bird species in a range of habitats. However, no studies have examined the use of mistletoes by nesting birds in the semi‐arid savannah. We studied nesting in mistletoe and its role in determining nesting success in the Grey Go‐away‐bird in south‐west Zimbabwe. We modelled the effects of mistletoe, mistletoe abundance, nest microclimate, concealment and nest height on daily survival rates (DSR) using program MARK. A constant survival model was best fitted for the Grey Go‐away‐bird suggesting a constant nest survival rate across the nesting period. Mistletoe nests had lower DSR than nests placed elsewhere in the canopy. Mistletoe abundance and nest height had a positive association with DSR whereas visibility distance, microclimate and concealment were negatively associated with DSR. Overall, survival for nests in mistletoe was 22.1% compared with 90.5% for nests in other substrates over the 50‐day nesting period. In conclusion, the low nest survival in mistletoe suggests either that the factors used to select mistletoe as nest sites by these birds are poor predictors of nest success or that nesting in mistletoe may be maladaptive.     

Does Social Mating System Influence Nest Defence Behaviour in Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) Males?

In birds with biparental care, males and females often conflict over how much care to provide to their offspring and it may be substantially influenced by increased level of polygamy. In accordance with sexual conflict theory, males of socially polygynous bird species provide much less care to their nestlings than do males of most socially monogamous species. Most of previous studies, however, have used feeding behaviour as an index for variations in male parental care only. However, this may be skewed if polygynous males compensate for lower feeding assistance through the provision of other parental care such as protection of nests from predators. In this paper, we examine nest defence behaviour in the facultatively polygynous great reed warbler with respect to sex and type of social mating system. We recorded latency to the first arrival, distance from the predator and defensive reaction of each parent towards a human intruder. Socially polygynous males with two simultaneously active nests defended primary females’ nests less vigorously than socially monogamous males, whereas no differences were found between monogamous and primary females. Generally, however, they took a bigger role in nest defence than males in all cases. Our results support an idea that sexual conflict is driven by polygamy and that type of social mating system can influence nest defence behaviour of facultatively polygynous birds. This finding should be taken into consideration when studying nest defence parental care in polygynous mating systems.     

3. THE GOLDEN ORIOLE (Oriolus oriolus) IN HOLLAND

Even though Sfax salina in Tunisia hosts a significant part of the Mediterranean population of Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta, data on the breeding ecology of this species in this area are lacking. Such data are nonetheless necessary, not only for the understanding of the ecology and dynamics of this species in general, but also for conservation purposes. In this paper we use the results of a one-year monitoring of nests in Sfax salina to provide information on its nesting parameters, in particular nesting phenology, colony size and hatching success. Our results show that Pied Avocets formed dense colonies at the beginning of the nesting season, but colony size decreased as the nesting season advanced. Clutch size varied between 1 and 7 eggs, similar to other Mediterranean and European populations. Hatching success, estimated by the Mayfield method, was relatively low, mainly due to predation by stray dogs. Overall, our work shows that relatively high nest losses occur here. It also highlights the need for management efforts aiming to enhance the reproductive success in this artificial habitat. Creation of suitable and safe nesting sites is proposed.     

BEHAVIOURAL ADAPTATIONS OF THE WREN (TROGLOD YTES TROGLOD YTES)

• 1 This paper includes observations made and references to relevant literature published since the appearance of The Wren (Armstrong, 1955). It includes comparisons between the Wren's behaviour and that of other birds.
• 2 The Wren is exceptional and perhaps unique in having extended its range in comparatively recent times from North America to Asia, Europe and North Africa. Fossil remains accepted as evidence that it reached Britain some 100000 years ago were wrongly identified.
• 3 The Wren is also exceptional in its adaptability. Behaviour, especially the character of the pair-bond, is related to habitat and foraging opportunities, with polygamy occurring in favourable habitats and monogamy in more marginal areas. This facultative pair-bond is believed to be related primarily to the food supply. The life-style is a complex in which the size of the bird and its territory, nature of the display, song and calls, character of the food supply, structure of the nest, roosting behaviour and other adaptations constitute a delicately integrated complex, in which foraging is probably of primary importance. This principle is applicable to many species.
• 4 Size of population is very variable as numbers are greatly reduced during severe winters but the remnants surviving in prime or ‘refuge’ areas form nuclei enabling the population to expand widely during a series of mild winters, invading marginal areas where the size of territories tends to be smaller when the population reaches a peak.
• 5 Song serves various functions and is partly innate and partly learned. It is readily recognizable throughout the bird's range but local groups utter distinctive songs and there is a tendency for northerly birds to utter longer songs. Individual birds can recognize the songs of neighbours.
• 6 The number of nests built is determined by factors as different as the maturity of the male and the amount of rainfall. The enclosed nest facilitates variability in the pair-bond as a single bird can rear at least some of the young. The complex of behaviour involved, characteristic of a number of tropical species, is further evidence of the Wren's tropical or subtropical antecedents.
• 7 There is variability as to when the eggs are laid, before or after the female's first sortie of the day, and also in the inception and duration of incubation. Published estimates of the incubation period not based on data obtained with automatic recording apparatus can be misleading.
• 8 When his mate disappears, a male who has done little to tend the nestlings may change abruptly to feeding them with extreme diligence, even spending the night in the nest with them. The male visits his nests whether or not they are occupied and is usually aware of the state of affairs at any nest.
• 9 Occasionally a Wren may visit a neighbour's nest and possibly feed the nestlings or a bird of another species may feed young Wrens but there is no evidence that, as happens with some other species, young birds feed nestlings of a later brood. Such ‘altruistic’ behaviour in some species is believed to be advantageous.
• 10 As in many other passerine species there are morning and evening peaks in foraging activity for the nestlings. The number of feeding visits tends to be related to the number of the young as well as to the vigour of their begging.
• 11 Social roosting is a form of behaviour characteristic of some tropical species of wren but which in them has no close relationship to the air temperature. Its persistence in the otherwise asocial Wren enables it to survive the low temperatures of northern winters.

     

Value of a broken umbrella: abandoned nest sites of the black stork (Ciconia nigra) host rich biodiversity

Protecting habitats for charismatic vertebrates can provide an ‘umbrella’ for less conspicuous organisms, especially when these are threatened by the same processes. However, such a conservation scheme is vulnerable to the extirpation of the focal species. We studied wider biodiversity values in long protected black stork (Ciconia nigra) nest sites, which were abandoned by the bird and thus legally subject to de-listing. In 20 abandoned nest sites in Estonia, we (i) mapped breeding birds within 600 m from the stork nest, and (ii) carried out time-limited surveys of lichens, polypore fungi, vascular plants and bryophytes in 2-ha plots. The breeding bird assemblages (64 species recorded) included 19 red-listed species, and showed no clear aggregation to the immediate surroundings of the stork nest. We recorded 740 plant and fungal species, of which 134 (18%) were of conservation concern (nationally protected, red-listed or extremely rare). Across the 2-ha plots, the numbers of the species of conservation concern varied more than three-fold (maximum 42 species), being affected notably by dead wood accumulation over time and presence of nemoral broad-leaved trees. The results demonstrate that many abandoned nest sites of the black stork have broader biodiversity significance, both due to the bird’s habitat requirements and the natural development during the protection. Expanding the umbrella function to sites abandoned by a focal species, but intact from anthropogenic degradation, can thus be a cost-effective conservation approach due to its low additional administrative burden. In most jurisdictions, the assessment procedure for such situations should be formalized, however.

     

Nest boxes for Cape Parrots Poicephalus robustus in the Hogsback area,Eastern Cape,South Africa

Breeding propensity of tree-cavity nesting bird species are often limited by a shortage of natural nesting sites. Artificial nests can be used to provide alternative nest sites. Cape Parrots Poicephalus robustus are nationally endangered and nest in existing tree-cavities in high-altitude fragmented Afromontane forests in South Africa, assumed to be in short supply due to historic and current logging practices. To increase nest site availability, 179 wooden bird boxes and 28 bee boxes (to ‘pull’ bees) were erected during 2011–2012 in Hogsback, Eastern Cape. In 2016, no bird boxes were occupied by Cape Parrots. A total of 43% were used by other species, 51% were unused and 6% could not be inspected due to tree instability and inaccessibility. Two bird boxes were inspected by two pairs of Cape Parrots, but were never occupied. Occupancy of boxes by birds was not associated with nest, tree or habitat characteristics. However, occupancy of boxes by bees was associated with habitat type and tree species. Future conservation efforts will include locating natural Cape Parrot nesting sites and reforestation efforts to ensure the long-term availability of natural nesting sites.