Showing papers in "Ostrich in 2006"

Return to Robben Island of African Penguins that were rehabilitated, relocated or reared in captivity following the Treasure oil spill of 2000

Abstract: Following an oil spill from the Treasure off the coast of South Africa in June 2000, about 19 000 oiled African Penguins Spheniscus demersus , including 14 825 from Robben Island, were caught for rehabilitation and subsequent release. A further 19 500 penguins that were not oiled — mostly birds in adult plumage, including 7 000 from Robben Island — were relocated some 700km to the east, to prevent them becoming oiled. Additionally, 3 350 orphaned chicks, including 2 643 from Robben Island — were collected for rearing in captivity and release to the wild. Some four years later — by the end of December 2004 — 70% of rehabilitated adults, 40% of relocated birds and 34% of captive-reared chicks had been seen back at Robben Island. Another 7% of birds relocated from Robben Island had been sighted at other localities. Rates of resighting rehabilitated birds were similar at Robben and Dassen Islands, but a greater proportion of relocated birds was seen at Dassen Island, where birds collected for relocation were mostly from breeding areas. The lower proportion of relocated birds seen at Robben Island is thought to result from this intervention causing some pre-breeding birds to move to other colonies. All three conservation interventions are considered to have been successful, but it is premature to assess their relative contributions to the conservation of the species. Three relocated birds tracked by satellite took 15–21 days to return to their home colonies. This rapid return may have resulted from breeding attempts being interrupted. After remaining at their home islands for 4–5 days, two of the tracked birds then left these islands for 19–36 days. We surmise that, after they had searched unsuccessfully for their mates, they abandoned breeding for the year 2000. Ostrich 2006, 77(3&4): 202–209

The first recorded reproduction of the Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus in Algeria: behavioural and ecological aspects

Abstract: Following several decades of unsuccessful attempts at locating breeding colonies of the Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus in Algeria, breeding was recorded on a natural islet of Garaet Ezzemoul, a seasonal salt lake near the town of Ain M'lila in the Hauts Plateaux. This successful mass breeding event by at least 5 379 breeding pairs followed two failed attempts due to human disturbance at the same site during preceding years. Egg-laying started relatively late (mid-May) with precocious pairs nesting in the middle of the islet and at a higher nest density. Estimated breeding success was notably high (∼5 000 chicks) with apparent good hatching rate and chick survival. Ring sightings indicated that the breeding population was made up in part of adults born in Spain, France and Sardinia, supporting evidence of a metapopulation of nomadic birds breeding and wintering across the Mediterranean Basin. Garaet Ezzemoul does not benefit from any conservation status and is not labelled as a Ramsar site in contr...

Breeding records and nest site preference of Hooded Vultures in the greater Kruger National Park

Abstract: (2006). Breeding records and nest site preference of Hooded Vultures in the greater Kruger National Park. Ostrich: Vol. 77, No. 1-2, pp. 99-101.

Annual and seasonal trends in avifaunal species richness in a coastal lowlands forest reserve in South Africa

Abstract: Annual and seasonal trends in species richness of the avifaunal community of a coastal forest at Umdoni Park, Pennington, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa were assessed. Presence/absence data were collected between September 1996 and February 2003, using transect lines and mist-netting. A total of 188 avian species was found utilising the forest or forest edge, of which 33 species (17.6%) were forest-specific. More species were recorded in summer than in winter, because of the presence of summer migrants. The number of forest-specific species was, however, higher in winter than in summer, caused by several altitudinal migrants and one coastal migrant being present in winter only. Of the 188 species recorded, 105 were resident, 44 were recorded in summer only, 32 in winter only, and the remaining 44 recorded only occasionally. The study highlights the need for continuous and long-term studies to be conducted in southern African forests, in order to better understand the dynamics of their avifaunal communities.

Use of road kills and roadside vegetation by Pied and Cape Crows in semi-arid South Africa

Abstract: (2006). Use of road kills and roadside vegetation by Pied and Cape Crows in semi-arid South Africa. Ostrich: Vol. 77, No. 1-2, pp. 102-104.

Diet and foraging behaviour of the Rosy-faced Lovebird Agapornis roseicollis in Namibia

Abstract: The natural diet of the Rosy-faced Lovebird in the wild was investigated from January–August 2004, at three Namibian locations: Claratal, Hohewarte and Haris. Foraging patterns, habitat use, daily feeding activities and preferred dietary species were investigated. The lovebirds fed on food items from at least 19 species, which included seeds, green and dry leaves, dry leaf stems, plant fruits and cattle and horse dung; they also ingested soil. Seeds of Anthephora schinzii were the most preferred food item. Ground-level flock foraging was dominant, with a mean size of 7.3 ± 8.9. The feeding lovebird flocks associated with flocks of doves, pigeons and weavers. The lovebirds were crepuscular and most (53%) foraging observations were recorded in open grassland with scattered shrubs of up to 10m.

Taxonomic status and conservation importance of the avifauna of Katanga (south-east Congo Basin) and its environs

Abstract: A re-appraisal of published knowledge of the birds recorded in Katanga (Democratic Republic of Congo) focussed on the status of 56 taxa, to reveal a high endemism (14 species of a total of at least 642). In addition, 33 taxa were also revealed as possible south-central African endemics but need thorough taxonomic appraisal. All are geographically isolated populations, with ranges restricted within, or centred on, Katanga. These taxonomic enigmas await thorough re-appraisal. The majority of these newly-recognised Katanga endemics were traditionally lumped into polytypic species in classifications based on the Biological Species Concept (BSC). These synonymised taxa have therefore been ignored repeatedly in recent conservation assessments of African birds. This failure illustrates how the BSC can obfuscate patterns of species diversity in its classifications, which lump evolutionarily-distinct lineages into imprecisely-diagnosed taxa. An unfortunate historical legacy is to forget that a distinct population exists, after it has been classified as a subspecies, synonym or race in a polytypic species. These discoveries exemplify the research opportunities that Katanga's birds present for avian systematists. The assessment of any taxon of Afrotropical birds is hamstrung by the fragmented state of taxonomic information in the literature. This constraint impinges on any taxonomic study of any African avifauna and will be removed if an accessible database summarises all published taxonomic information in an exhaustive classification, accounting for synonomy, authority and context of each described taxon. Availability of such a complete taxonomic catalogue is quintessential if phylogeographic and systematic research is to determine precisely which populations have been named, and where these occur. This is critical to compile refined biogeographical knowledge for scientifically-sound conservation plans and actions. Objective evaluation of the endemism of the Katanga avifauna requires complementary datasets for other regional avifaunas across Africa. Their unavailability exemplifies the gravity of this taxonomic impediment, given the immense effort involved in compiling and comparing such fine-grained taxonomic data. Deficiencies aside, the data compiled in this review point to a recent suite of speciation events (most likely late Cenozoic) centred on Katanga. The strident biogeographical signal in these data emphasises the hitherto poorly-appreciated significance of Katanga's unique and rich biodiversity, which ranks alongside better-known sites in Africa of global conservation importance. Ostrich 2006, 77(1&2): 1–21

The diet of the Brown-headed Parrot (Poicephalus cryptoxanthus) in the wild in southern Africa

Abstract: There are many reports of Brown-headed Parrots eating various natural foods at certain times of the year, yet no comprehensive account of their annual diet exists. Observational data from 1 360 vehicle-based transects from three sites — two in South Africa and one in Mozambique — indicate that Brown-headed Parrots are opportunistic generalists, utilising at least 16 tree species at Punda Maria (Kruger National Park), of which six species were exclusive to the site. At Pretoriuskop (Kruger National Park), they utilised 17 tree species, of which (again) six were exclusive to the site. However, at certain times of the year, the flowers and fruits of the Natal Mahogany (Trichilia emetica) became a possibly vital component of the parrots' diet. In Mozambique, the parrots were only seen to utilise two tree species for food. Parrots fed on seeds, fruit, flowers and the pods of Acacia spp., as well as on lepidopteran larvae. The number of tree species used declined in spring and early summer (to two or three), ri...

Observations on the population and breeding status of the African White- backed Vulture, the Black-chested Snake Eagle, and the Secretarybird in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Abstract: The breeding success of the nests of 60 African White-backed Vultures Gyps africanus , nine Black-chested Snake Eagles Circaetus pectoralis and 12 Secretarybirds Sagittarius serpentarius was monitored for three years, during a seven-year population dynamics study on raptors in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (KTP). We also report on nest site selection, timing of breeding, population fluctuations and anthropogenic factors that affect mortality. On average, African White-backed Vultures produced 0.47 young per breeding attempt per year (ypby), Black-chested Snake Eagles 0.67 ypby, and Secretarybirds 2.2 ypby. Most African White-backed Vultures laid eggs in June, and both Black-chested Snake Eagles and Secretarybirds laid mostly in June and July. Mean nest heights were as follows: African White-backed Vultures 11m, Black-chested Snake Eagles 5m, and Secretarybirds 6m. Populations of Black-chested Snake Eagles and Secretarybirds fluctuated between years and in some years most of the populations moved away, especially during very dry periods. Anthropogenic threats include poisoning, drowning and roadkills. Ostrich 2006, 77(3&4): 127–135

Land use patterns within Wattled Crane (Bugeranus carunculatus) home ranges in an agricultural landscape in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract: There The Wattled Crane Bugeranus carunculatus is one of the top five most threatened bird species in South Africa, with the main threat being the loss of undisturbed breeding habitat. A basic understanding of this species' use of its environment is needed to implement conservation action. This quantitative study focused on determining the home range size of active breeding pairs in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands of South Africa, and assessing the land use composition of these home ranges. Wattled Cranes were found to have an average home range size of 16.64km2, consisting mostly of open natural grassland (mean of 75.5% of the overall home range of pairs). Other significant land use contributions to the home ranges were temporary irrigated and dryland cultivated agriculture. The core breeding area (wetland) of the home range constituted only 2.3% of the overall home range size, consisting of similar proportions of both wetland (48.9%) and grassland (51.8%) habitat. This indicates the dependence of Wattled Cra...

Breeding seasonality and primary moult parameters of Euplectes species in South Africa

Abstract: The grassland biome in South Africa has a summer rainfall and Southern Red Bishops Euplectes orix , Fan-tailed Widows E. axillaris , White-winged Widow E. albonotatus , Red-collared Widow E. ardens and Long-tailed Widow E. progne breed from October or November to March. Primary moult starts in late March or early April. The widows with long tails (Long-tailed and Red-collared Widows) have moult durations of two months, while the widows with shorter tails (White-winged and Fan-tailed Widows) had moult durations of 1.5–1.7 months. Moult ends in late May or early June. Long-tailed Widows have rounder wings than other weaver species, possibly because their larger size affects flight aerodynamics. In the winter rainfall region, Southern Red Bishops and Yellow Bishops E. capensis start breeding after the winter rains, from August–November, and moult starts in early December. Primary moult duration in Yellow Bishops is relatively long, at 3.4 months. Yellow Bishops grow individual primary feathers at an average rate of 21.3 days per feather, while the other species moult primaries more quickly: White-winged Widow 8.1 days, Fan-tailed Widow 11.3 days, and Red-collared Widow 14.4 days. The number of primaries growing simultaneously is similar in the different species. The longer duration of primary moult of the Yellow Bishop may be related to food. Ostrich 2006, 77(3&4): 142–152

Geophagy in the African Olive Pigeon Columba arquatrix

Abstract: Geophagy has been found in a number of bird species, but its adaptive functions remain much debated. Little is known about geophagy in African birds. Evidence of geophagy and its possible adaptive function was investigated in the frugivorous African Olive Pigeon Columba arquatrix (order Columbiformes, Family Columbidae, previously known as the Rameron Pigeon). Avian species showing geophagy can be broadly divided into those feeding on grit and those feeding on clay. Evidence from the crop and ventriculus contents showed that C. arquatrix eat clay, and have grit in the ventriculus. The pH of the crop and ventriculus was significantly higher if clay had been digested. Birds were observed feeding on damp clay soil throughout the year, sometimes in large aggregations (50–180 birds). Birds usually fed 3–4h after sunrise and 2h before sunset. The composition of the clay ingested by C. arquatrix suggests that the birds were obtaining salts and trace elements. It appears, however, that geophagy in terms of clay ingestion in C. arquatrix has several functions, including a buffering capacity. The function of geophagy may also be to negate or absorb the effects of secondary compounds found in the fruit eaten. Ostrich 2006, 77(1&2): 40–44

Seasonal age differences in weight and biometrics of migratory Dunlins (Calidris alpina) at Eilat, Israel

Abstract: This study was undertaken to understand the migratory strategies of the Dunlins (Calidris alpina) caught in Eilat, Israel, before and after they accomplish the crossing of the combined ecological barrier of the Sinai, Sahara and Sahel deserts. Between 1999–2001, a total of 410 adults and 342 juveniles were banded. The significant difference in mean wing length between birds caught in autumn and spring reflects the degree of abrasion of the outer primaries during over-wintering in Africa. Dunlins caught in Eilat in autumn and early winter had a mean wing length 1.4–1.9mm longer than in the spring. The rate of body mass increase was comparatively high and the mean body mass of the heaviest 10% of Dunlin at Eilat was 56.2g (SE ± 0.6, N = 80). The heaviest birds from Eilat carried on average about 10g of fat with a lipid index (fat mass as a percentage of total body mass) of 18%. These reserves allow a flight of approximately 1 000km, which is probably sufficient for continued migration to more southerly wint...

The spatial ecology of the Rosy-faced Lovebird Agapornis roseicollis in Namibia

Abstract: Eight Rosy-faced Lovebirds from two study sites and four colonies in Namibia's Claratal and Hohewarte districts were tagged and their local movements tracked using radio transmitters. The birds' movements averaged 415.7 ± 391.3m in summer and 1 030.5 ± 1 068.6m in winter. There were marked seasonal differences in flight distances to feeding grounds, suggesting food resource scarcity in winter. The lovebirds preferred open grassland habitat with scattered shrubs where the most preferred diet, the seeds of Anthephora schinzii, was abundant. Home range areas varied, but averaged 0.59 ± 0.52km2 and overlapped greatly. The birds were crepuscular and highly social, with a mean flock size of 7.3. The birds' movements averaged 415 ± 3.3m in summer and 1 030 ± 1 068m in winter.

Analysis of pellets from a suburban Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus nest in El Harrach, Algiers, Algeria

Abstract: The diet of a Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus in a suburban area of Algiers at El Harrach was determined by pellet analysis over two years. In both years, the hybrid sparrow (Passer domesticus × P. hispaniolensis) was the main prey item, based on relative frequency (22.3% and 58.7% in 1999 and 2000, respectively). Greenfinch Carduelis chloris was the next most important prey item in 1999 (14% of relative frequency), followed by Kuhl's Pipistrelle Pipistrellus kuhli (9.4%), striped earwigs Labidura riparia and rose chafers Potosia cuprea (7.9% each) and millipedes Polydesmus sp., which contributed 5.8% of the relative proportion. In 2000, the other prey species in the diet made up less than 5% of the proportion. In terms of biomass, the hybrid sparrow was the main prey represented, with 47.6% in 1999 and 78.7% in 2000, followed by Carduelis chloris, with 29.8% of biomass, and ocellated skink Chalcides ocellatus, with 10.2% of biomass in 1999. In 2000, the other prey species made up less than 10% of the bi...

Experimental evidence of ‘floaters' in two isolated populations of an Afrotropical forest bird

Abstract: We studied the presence of ‘floaters', i.e. non-territorial individuals roaming occupied territories awaiting future breeding opportunities, in two separate White-starred Robin ( Pogonocichla stellata ) populations at the Taita Hills, Kenya, using a removal experiment. Previous vegetation analyses at this site had showed that ‘population Ngangao' occupied a high-quality forest fragment, and ‘population Chawia' occupied a low-quality one. Using a combination of radio telemetry, dawn calls, visual observations and targetted playbacks in one 16ha plot per fragment, 52 individuals of different territorial status were identified. Ngangao hosted 14 resident and 13 floating males, while Chawia hosted eight residents and two floaters. Population Chawia (but not Ngangao) hosted unmated territorial males. Floating males in Ngangao took over three of seven (i. e. 43%) vacated territories within a few days of the residents' removal. In both populations, no resident neighbouring males expanded their territories or moved to take over the vacant territories following experimental removal of resident males. These results suggest that (1) territorial behaviour is an important factor limiting the number of breeders in Population Ngangao; (2) other factors such as poor habitat quality and female scarcity, most likely associated with the lower bird densities in Population Chawia, can limit numbers of breeders before territorial exclusion becomes a concern. Ostrich 2006, 77(1&2): 28–35

Carotenoid-based breast plumage colour, body condition and clutch size in red fodies (Foudia madagascariensis)

Abstract: Carotenoid-based feather colouration is a classic example of a condition-dependent ornamental trait. In some species of birds, red, orange and yellow feather colouration reflects male quality and advertises the carotenoid concentration of feathers. Such colouration is an important aspect of mate selection by females. The red fody (Foudia madagascariensis) is a highly sexually dimorphic species of the family Ploceidae, in which males exhibit extensive carotenoid-based plumage. We investigated associations between body condition, clutch size, first egg date and carotenoid-based red plumage colour of male red fodies. Breast plumage brightness was positively associated with male body condition, suggesting that this component of colour is condition-dependent. Brighter-red males did not breed earlier but were mated to females that laid larger clutches compared to females mated to duller-coloured males. These data suggest that red colour in red fodies has the potential to function as an honest signal of male quality.

Population increase of African Black Oystercatchers Haematopus moquini on Robben Island, South Africa

Abstract: (2006). Population increase of African Black Oystercatchers Haematopus moquini on Robben Island, South Africa. Ostrich: Vol. 77, No. 3-4, pp. 229-232.

Aspects of the breeding biology of the Brown-headed Parrot Poicephalus cryptoxanthus in South Africa

Abstract: There are few detailed accounts of the breeding biology of southern African parrots. Only three breeding records of the Brown-headed Parrot Poicephalus cryptoxanthus have been recorded for southern Africa (Rowan 1983, Tarboton et al. 1987, Fry et al. 1988); the species is a late-autumn and winter breeder (April–September) and a secondary-cavity nester laying three or four eggs (Rowan 1983). Wirminghaus et al. (2001) suggested that nesting sites are limiting for Cape Parrots P. robustus, which nest in snags of yellowwoods in afromontane mixed Podocarpus forest. This may also be the case for Brown-headed Parrots. Grey-headed Parrots P. fuscicollis suahelicus, like Brown-headed Parrots and Cape Parrots, breed during winter at the southern limit of their range. They differ from the latter two species, however, in that they breed in baobab trees. Adansonia digitata (Symes and Perrin 2004). In all of the above-mentioned species, egg laying between monogamous pairs is synchronous; however, since nest sites are spatially separated, they are not colonial nesters and males provision females in the nest cavity during incubation. The Brown-headed Parrot is distributed in south-eastern Africa from coastal Kenya to north-eastern South Africa, where the study was conducted. In this study, we present data on the breeding biology, nest sites and parenting behaviour of Brown-headed Parrots.

The rehabilitation of Swift Terns Sterna bergii incapacitated by marine foam on Robben Island, South Africa

Abstract: One-hundred-and-three incapacitated Swift Terns Sterna bergii were captured on Robben Island on 15 December 2003; 93 (90%) were released between 28 December 2003 and 4 February 2004, having been treated at the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) facility in Cape Town. The rehabilitation procedure is described. This is the first incident involving the admission of a large group of Swift Terns to SANCCOB and the first time birds have been known to be incapacitated by marine foam, generated by a combination of wave action, kelp mucilage and phytoplankton. Seven had been ringed as chicks; three were from Robben Island, three from other offshore islands of the Western Cape and one from Luderitz, Namibia, 855km to the north. Ostrich 2006, 77(1&2): 95–98

Waterbirds at the Theewaterskloof Dam, Western Cape, South Africa, 1993–2005

Abstract: With a perimeter of 82km, the Theewaterskloof Dam is the largest dam in the Western Cape. This paper, based on mid-summer and mid-winter surveys between 1993 and 2005, assesses the importance of the dam for waterbirds. The median numbers of waterbirds in summer and winter were 3 086 and 1 321, respectively. Fifty-eight species were recorded, 35 of them on at least half of the summer or winter surveys. The proportion of Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca in summer increased from 47% in the first four years to 88% in the final four years, and reached 94% in summer 2005. Numbers of most colonially-nesting waterbirds decreased over the period assessed; this is attributed to the ongoing decay of trees that were left standing when the dam was constructed. In 2005, 25 years after completion, Theewaterskloof Dam is considered not to have reached the 'mature lake' phase, because species composition patterns remain unstable. Despite its size, the dam is of minor conservation importance to waterbirds in the Western...

Seasonal patterns in numbers of Kelp Gulls Larus dominicanus vetula in the Port Elizabeth area and on Bird Island, Algoa Bay

Abstract: Numbers of Kelp Gulls recorded within the Port Elizabeth area peaked in the austral autumn, and on average comprised approximately 4% of the southern African population. Between 66% and 80% of Kelp Gulls recorded around Port Elizabeth were in adult plumage. It is assumed that adults breeding outside of the Port Elizabeth area move into the area after breeding. During their first year Kelp Gulls showed distinct periods of influx — thought to be due to the fledging of local birds — followed by a movement of birds into the region from further west. Birds are thought to be attracted to the urban environment by sources of human-provided foodstuffs available at the harbour and at a municipal rubbish tip. Seasonal patterns differed across sites in the Port Elizabeth area and were rarely the same for all age categories at any one site. Numbers of birds at roosts did not appear to be correlated to the state of the tide, but numbers foraging on the Swartkops estuary were. Numbers of adult Kelp Gulls at Bird Island ...

Adaptive benefits of differential post-fledging development patterns in the Lesser Flamingo (Phoenicopterus minor)

Abstract: Measurements of five morphological components (mass, skull length, culmen, flattened wing and tarsus) and blood samples were taken from 154 fledged wild Lesser Flamingos Phoenicopterus minor captured during 2001 and 2002 at Lake Bogoria, Kenya (0°11'–20'N, 036°06'E). The sample included adults (>3 years old), immature birds (2–3 years old) and first-year juvenile birds of both sexes. The sex of each bird was determined by PCR amplification of the CHD-Z and CHD-W genes, using DNA extracted from blood samples. Within each gender, there were significant differences in mass and tarsus length amongst the three age groups, indicating that the skeletal size and mass of Lesser Flamingos continue to increase between fledging and attainment of adult plumage at three to four years of age. The different morphological components increased in size at different rates, although the same components appeared to increase at similar rates in both males and females. Skull and culmen lengths had reached adult size in juvenile ...

Apparent survival rates of Cape Sugarbirds Promerops cafer at a breeding and a non-breeding site

Abstract: Reliable estimates of survival rates of southern African bird species are still rare. Yet precise information on life history traits of birds from this southern Mediterranean-type climate would help in evaluating the generality of global patterns of avian life history. We estimated annual survival of Cape Sugarbirds Promerops cafer at a breeding site and a non-breeding site, using capture-mark-recapture methods. Consistent between the two sites, annual survival was 0.54 for females and 0.64 for males, with an average of 0.62 at the breeding site. These estimates are close to estimates for more tropical African species, but at the upper range of estimates for northern-temperate passerines. With their small clutches, Cape Sugarbirds thus have a life history that is more similar to tropical passerines than to northern-temperate passerines. We found a high proportion of transient individuals at the non-breeding site, but not at the breeding site. This suggests that Cape Sugarbirds employ two strategies to cop...

Migration routes and staging areas of Abdim's Storks Ciconia abdimii identified by satellite telemetry

Abstract: This paper presents the results of a satellite tracking study of seven adult Abdim's Storks Ciconia abdimii that were followed from the nesting areas in southern Niger across the equator to the non-breeding range and back. Post-breeding migration started between early November and early December when all birds migrated directly to an area south of Lake Victoria in Tanzania, where they arrived between late November and early January. One bird moved to Zimbabwe for 2.5 months before returning to Tanzania; this bird returned to the same place in Zimbabwe the following year. The other tagged storks remained in northern Tanzania, suggesting that this region (at least in 2003–2004) is more important as a wintering area for the species than previously thought. While in Tanzania and Zimbabwe, most storks were almost completely stationary. Prenuptial migration started during mid-February, when one stork moved to the Central African Republic (CAR). The other storks moved to northern Uganda in mid-March and four continued into southern Sudan in mid-April, following the progression of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). Final migration towards Niger started between early April and early May, when the storks returned to the nests of the previous year in mid-May, almost simultaneously with the first major rainfall. Storks from the same village differed widely in migration strategy. Post-breeding maximum migration speed was between 216km/day and 307km/day, while migration was generally faster on the last leg of the return trip to the nest, with a maximum of 456km/day. Ostrich 2006, 77(3&4): 210–219

Territoriality, breeding biology and vocalisations of the Crimson-breasted Shrike

Abstract: This study reports on aspects of the territoriality, breeding success and vocal behaviour of Crimson-breasted Shrikes Laniarus atrococcineus at a study site in the Nylsvley district, South Africa. Their mean territory size was c. 12ha. Breeding success was very low, with only one nestling fledging from 13 clutches. Vocalisations consisted of eight different notes: these notes were either heard as solitary calls or combined into different types of duets. Both solitary calls and duets were heard more frequently outside the breeding season. During nest-building and incubation, the shrikes were silent, but resumed calling and duetting after the chicks had hatched. Call repertoires and the time spent calling or duetting differed among pairs of shrikes.

Moult, pied plumage and relationships within the genus of the Black Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus

Abstract: The pied plumage of the adult Black Sparrowhawk is rather exceptional in the genus Accipiter and it could be explained by functionality or by phylogenetic relationships. The moult pattern of museum specimens is presented, supplementing information from captive birds. The post-juvenile moulting sequence is similar to that of the Northern Goshawk. The moult of primaries starts at, or just after, the beginning of body moult; moult of the secondaries also starts early and progresses from three consecutive foci, and tail moult starts early but is less predictable. A few body feathers and tail feathers may remain in place until the second moult. The pied flank feathers appear at an early stage. Some adult specimens are in arrested annual moult. Two with definite serially-descendant moult were discovered; this is related to the fact that the species is known to be double-brooded. Serially descendant moult was not known in this species and is rarely mentioned in the genus. Possible functions of the pied plumage a...

Population size and habitat selection of the Fuerteventura Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus degener)

Abstract: The Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus) is a common passerine that ranges over much of the western Palearctic, with 16 subspecies recognised by Cramp and Perrins (1993). Within this taxon, some populations are more distinctive than others and this is well-illustrated in the Canary Island archipelago off north-west Africa. Here, four well-differentiated endemic subspecies of the Blue Tit (the only Parus species in the Canary Islands) occur on different islands. Some authors have split Canary Island Blue Tits into different species (e.g. Sangster 1996, Schöttler et al. 2002), whereas others split off the whole North African/Canary Islands complex as a separate species (Salzburger et al. 2002). Of the four Canary Island races, only one (P. c. degener) inhabits the eastern islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote (Cramp and Perrins 1993) and very little is known about this subspecies (Martin and Lorenzo 2001, Garciadel-Rey 2004) and the other races (Garcia-del-Rey 2003). Bannerman (1963) reported that the Fuerteventura Blue Tit was very localised and scarce, confined to a few localities. As well as having a very restricted range, P. c. degener is also the only Canarian subspecies included in the regional catalogue of threatened taxa (Catalogo de Especies Amenazadas de Canarias, Decreto 151/2001 de 23 Julio) as sensitive to habitat alteration (category S), whereas all others are considered to be at a lower threat level (Special Interest, IE). The threat status of P. c. degener is based solely on the taxon’s inferred small population size (Fernadez-Palacios and Martin-Esquivel 2001). The population of P. c. degener has been estimated to be ‘less than 200 individuals’ (Schöttler 1995). On Lanzarote, the species’ population seems to have decreased between 1988 and 1995, leaving just 60–80 pairs; this is also, however, a guess (Concepción 2000). It has been suggested that on the dry easternmost Canary Islands, where rainfall and vegetation are strongly influenced by their proximity to the Sahara Desert, the Fuerteventura Blue Tit must occupy Tamarix woodlands (Bannerman 1963, Bacallado 1976), thermophilic woods associated with fruit trees (Concepción 2000) or the courses of gullies (barrancos) with welldeveloped Tamarix sp. and Phoenix spp. vegetation (Martín and Lorenzo 2001). Our study aimed to obtain the first quantitative estimate of the total population size of the Fuerteventura Blue Tit, while also describing its habitat preferences. In so doing, we aimed to identify the factors which might limit the bird’s distribution and abundance.

Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA tests (RAPDs) cannot be used for paternity testing in South African cranes

Abstract: The three South African crane species — the Blue Crane (Anthropoides paradisea), the Wattled Crane (Bugeranus carunculatus) and the Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum regulorum) — are listed as threatened by the IUCN. This study investigated the suitability of Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA markers in paternity testing in these species. RAPD primers were tested for polymorphism and RAPD profiles were scored and screened for sex linkage. The average Band Sharing Coefficient (BSC) of unrelated individuals was 0.665 (±0.103) for Blue Cranes, 0.745 (±0.060) for Grey Crowned Cranes and 0.736 (±0.056) for Wattled Cranes. Comparisons of these BSC values for unrelated individuals with BSC values of parent:offspring combination within the Blue Crane and the Grey Crowned Crane gave inconsistent results, with some parent:offspring BSC values being lower than the BSC of unrelated individuals. The results indicate that RAPDs are inappropriate for use in paternity testing in South African cranes. In the future...