7. GENERAL NOTES

Hockey, P. A. R., Brooke, R. K., Cooper, J., Sinclair, J. C. &; Tree, A. J. 1986. Rare and vagrant scolopacid waders in southern Africa. Ostrich 57: 37–55.

Records of rare scolopacid waders in southern Africa are reviewed. 374 records of 15 species are accepted: seven of four Nearctic species. 51 of four Holarctic species and 316 of seven Palaearctic species. Their spatial and temporal (year and season) occurrence is analysed and their habitat requirements in southern Africa are described.     

6. GENERAL NOTES

Stutterheim, C. J. 1982. Breeding biology of the Redbilled Oxpecker in the Kruger National Park. Ostrich 53:99-90.

The nest of the Redbilled Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus in the Kruger National Park is a natural hole in a tree where no excavation is required. No evidence of a territorial system WBS observed and only the nesting tree is defended. Mammal hair, dung, grass and rootlets are used for nesting material. The average clutch size was 2.8 eggs with a mean incubation period of 12,6 days. The average nestling period was 30 days. The Redbilled Oxpecker can raise three broods in a season of 176 days such as in the 1973/74 breeding season. The activity area of one breeding group was 7,0 km². The breeding unit consists of two to five birds with helpers of both sexes. All the birds in a group help to select a nest site, build the nest and feed the young. Only one male and one female participate in incubation. Post-hatching development was studied in 13 chicks.     

5. GENERAL NOTES

Olive Thrushes Turdus olivaceus olivaceus in Grahamstown, South Africa, were present in their territories throughout the year. Mist-net captures showed no seasonal fluctuation in the population density of adults. The breeding season had a main peak from August to November and a minor peak in April. Song output was greatest at the beginning of the breeding periods, when territorial boundaries were most keenly contested. There was a positive correlation between seasonal variation in breeding intensity and song output. The adult survival rate was estimated at 80%, and 56% of the fledglings were alive in their natal territories at the age of independence. In this study area, only females built nests and brooded nestlings. Only males sang. Both males and females defended their territories.