scholarly journals Breeding phenology of Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) and its reproduction biology with artificial nests in Northeastern Ukraine

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-138
Author(s):  
Olena Yarys ◽  
Angela Chaplygina ◽  
Roman Kratenko

Abstract The paper describes investigations on the reproduction biology (nesting, clutching, hatching, fledglings` departure) of the Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) in artificial nest boxes (AN) in Northeastern Ukraine. There were three sites of research: Hetman NNP, NPP “Gomilshansky Forests”, and RLP “Feldman Ecopark”. The research was performed during the nesting period from the first week of April to the first week of July in 2015‒2020. Annually, 5‒8 bird counts were conducted at each site. The first complete egg clutches at Hetman NNP were observed from 08.05 to 17.05 (2015‒2020) and at NPP “Gomilshansky Forests” from 02.05 to28.05 (2017‒2020). Dates of the first egg laying, at various conditions, had inter-annual variability because of unstable weather conditions in May. The average parameters of nests in AN at Hetman NNP were the following: diameter of nests (D) ‒ 124.1±6.3 mm; diameter of trays (d) ‒ 61.5±1.7 mm; nest height (H) ‒ 63.5±9.4 mm; depth of trays (h) ‒ 48.6±2.7 mm; nest mass (m) ‒ 43.7±3.8 mm. The size of complete clutches in Northeastern Ukraine was calculated when eggs were incubated. According to the average indicators, during 2015‒2020, the average size of the clutch was 6.9±0.3 (5‒8) eggs at Hetman NNP, 6.2±0.4 (6‒8) eggs at NPP “Gomilshansky Forests” and 8.5±0.5 (8‒9) eggs at RLP “Feldman Ecopark”. Incubation period of Ph. phoenicurus lasted on average for 15‒20 days.

2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (9) ◽  
pp. 1561-1565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannu Pöysä

Host-parasite relatedness has been suggested to promote the evolution of conspecific brood parasitism, an alternative reproductive tactic pursued by females in several animal taxa. An essential prerequisite for relatedness to promote brood parasitism is accurate kin recognition, including the recognition of related hosts by parasites. I performed a field experiment to address the accuracy of host recognition by parasites in the common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), a cavity-nesting duck. I studied whether parasites discriminate between experimental nests that did not have a host (i.e., new nest boxes that contained chicken eggs dyed to mimic the colour of common goldeneye eggs) and real nests that did have a host (i.e., active nests that progressed to incubation). Parasitic egg laying in the experimental nests was not constrained by the lack of contemporarily available nests that had a host; it was also not constrained by the lack of suitable and empty nest sites. There was no difference in the start of parasitic laying between the experimental and real nests. The experimental nests and real nests were equally parasitized. The findings suggest that host recognition by parasites is not sophisticated in the common goldeneye, questioning the possible function of accurate kin recognition in brood parasitism in this species.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 8-18
Author(s):  
M. Yu. Garyushkina ◽  
A. K. Yurlov

Aim. The purpose of this research was to find out what local weather factors influence the nesting timing of the common gull (Larus canus). Material and Methods. The time of egg laying by the common gull was determined using data obtained during regular surveys over 8 years (1996‐1998, 2002‐2003, 2006‐2008) on the islands of Lake Bolshie Chany. Weather and climatic factors were assessed using open‐access databases. Results. It was been established that the start of egg‐laying in the colony of the common gull is determined by wind strength, the number of rainy days, the associated atmospheric pressure during the second decade of April, and the air temperature – the transition date at which the average daily air temperature rose above 0°C. In years with unstable spring temperatures, a relationship was revealed between the air temperature and the intensity of egg laying by the common gulls by day. In years when temperatures rise evenly, precipitation and wind speed become the main factors.Conclusion. We conclude that the egg‐laying dates of the common gull is influenced by weather variables during the whole nesting season and not predominantly by early season variables. We also show the importance of large‐scale climatic phenomena such as the EAWR in explaining variability in timing of the nesting of the common gull in Siberia. We suggest that future studies should focus on the effects of extremes in weather variables and global climatic phenomena.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 627-643 ◽  
Author(s):  
KATE F. CARSTENS ◽  
RESHMA KASSANJEE ◽  
ROB M. LITTLE ◽  
PETER G. RYAN ◽  
PHIL A. R. HOCKEY

SummaryThe provision of artificial nests can improve the conservation status of threatened bird species that are limited by nest-site availability. The shortage of natural cavity nesting sites is one factor limiting the population growth of the Southern Ground Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri. In an 1,800 km2 study area in north-eastern South Africa, 31 wooden nest-boxes were installed during 2002–2015. We investigated the relationships between nests, as well as environmental and social factors, with breeding. Generalised linear mixed models were fitted to the observational data and identified positive relationships between breeding attempts and each of home range size and the previous year’s rainfall; as well as positive relationships between breeding success (amongst the groups that attempt breeding) and each of earlier breeding, nest height and thickness of the nest cavity wall. The provision of nest-boxes increased the number of breeding groups and although breeding success also increased initially, it later declined as the density of breeding groups increased above 20 groups. Although nest-boxes alone did not increase overall breeding success, they are an effective conservation tool to enhance the population of Southern Ground Hornbills if spaced optimally, to enhance reproductive output in areas where suitable nest-sites are scarce or lacking.


Author(s):  
И.А. Уткина ◽  
В.В. Рубцов

Ранняя (Quercus robur var. praecox Czern.) и поздняя (Q. robur var. tardiflora Czern.) фенологические формы дуба черешчатого, выделенные в самостоятельные таксоны в середине XIX в., неоднократно становились объектами исследований для специалистов разного профиля. Собрано немало данных о различиях в их росте, требованиях к условиям местообитания, устойчивости к неблагоприятным внешним факторам. Иногда кроме ранней и поздней феноформ выделяют еще и промежуточные между ними. Наиболее отчетливо различия между феноформами, обусловленные разными сроками листораспускания, проявляются в реакции на поздние весенние заморозки и повреждение листвы насекомыми-филлофагами. Так как на деревьях поздней формы листовые и цветочные почки раскрываются намного позже, чем на ранней, поздняя форма избегает повреждения весенними заморозками. Кроме того, обладая меньшей способностью к формированию летних побегов, она меньше повреждается и ранними осенними заморозками, а также зимними морозами, что способствует образованию у нее более прямых и полнодревесных стволов, по сравнению с ранней формой. Ранняя форма чаще и сильнее повреждается филлофагами ранневесеннего комплекса, у которых отрождение гусениц из яиц синхронизировано с раскрытием почек и распусканием листьев. Есть данные, что видовой состав вредителей листвы на деревьях ранней и поздней форм дуба при их совместном произрастании примерно одинаков, зато численность отдельных видов филлофагов и их соотношение различны. На деревьях ранней формы их больше в несколько раз, что объясняется совпадением фаз развития большинства ранневесенних видов филлофагов и листвы этой формы дуба. Согласно результатам проведенных исследований, поздняя форма предпочтительнее для создания лесных культур дуба как более устойчивая к неблагоприятным погодным условиям и насекомым-вредителям. Early (Quercus robur var. praecox Czern.) and late (Q. robur var. tardiflora Czern.) phenological forms of the common oak, recognized as independent taxa in the mid-nineteenth century, have been subjects of multiple studies by specialists of different fields. Abundant data on the differences in their growth requirements, habitat conditions, and resistance to unfavorable external factors have been collected. Some specialists in addition to early and late phenoforms distinguish intermediate forms. Most clearly the differences between these forms appear in response to late spring frosts and damage of leaves by phyllophagous insects due to different timing of the forms' leafing. As leaf and flower buds in late oaks are revealed much later than in early oaks, late form avoids damage by spring frosts. In addition, due to lower ability to form summer shoots, late oaks are less damaged by early autumn frosts and winter freeze, which contributes to the formation of more straight and full trunks comparing to early oaks. Early oaks are damaged more severely by phyllophagous insects of spring complex, in which hatching of caterpillars from eggs is synchronized with opening buds and unfolding of leaves. There is evidence that species composition of foliage pests on co-occurant early and late forms of oak is nearly the same, but the number of individual species of phyllophagous insects and their ratio are different. In the early form the number of phyllophagous insects is greater by several fold due to concurrence of developmental phases in most early spring phyllophagous species and foliage of this oak form. The obtained results show that the late form of common oak is preferable for forest plantations as more resistant to unfavorable weather conditions and insect pests.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1775
Author(s):  
Savvas Iezekiel ◽  
Reuven Yosef ◽  
Constantinos Themistokleus ◽  
Dimitrios E. Bakaloudis ◽  
Christos G. Vlachos ◽  
...  

As is well-known, endemic island bird species are especially vulnerable to extinction from anthropogenic environmental change and reduced fitness compared with mainland taxa. The Cyprus Scops Owl, Otus cyprius, is a recently recognized island endemic species whose ecology and breeding biology have not been studied. It nests mainly in holes in trees and buildings, so the felling of old trees, modern architectural practices, and the renovation of old houses in villages may reduce nest site availability. Its population trend is also unknown. Therefore, to better determine its ecological requirements and habitat preferences we placed nest boxes in rural areas adjacent to the forest, in the forest, and in the ecotone between them, and used breeding success as our indicator of habitat suitability. We found that breeding parameters like laying date, clutch size, length of the incubation period, hatching day, hatching success, and number of nestlings did not differ between the three habitats. Despite the low level of nest box occupancy rate (5–11%) the endemic Cyprus Scops Owl readily breeds in artificial nests. Therefore, although we are unaware of any current threats to the Cyprus Scops Owl, we recommend that its conservation be prioritized, including studies, monitoring, habitat conservation, and the provision of nest boxes.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 292-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Snyder ◽  
Xiaoming Gao ◽  
John H. Schulz ◽  
Joshua J. Millspaugh

Abstract We reconstructed a historical mourning dove Zenaida macroura nesting dataset to estimate nest survival and investigate the effect of covariates by using a Bayesian hierarchical model. During 1979–1980, 106 study areas, across 27 states, were established to conduct weekly nest searches during February–October. We used roughly 11,000 data sheets to reconstruct the dataset containing 7,139 nests compared to 6,950 nests in the original study. Original and reconstructed nest survival estimates showed little difference by using the original analysis methodology, that is, the Mayfield method. Thus, we assumed we closely replicated the original dataset; distributions of nests found, birds hatched, and birds fledged also showed similar trends. After confirming the validity of the reconstructed dataset, we evaluated 10 different models by using a Bayesian hierarchical modeling approach; the final model contained variables for nest age or stage, nest height, region, but not habitat. The year 1980 had a higher probability of nest survival compared to 1979, and nest survival increased with nest height. The nest encounter probability increased at days 4 and 11 of the nesting cycle, providing some insight into the convenience sampling used in the original study. Our reanalysis with the use of covariates confirms previous hypotheses that mourning doves are habitat generalists, but it adds new information showing lower nest survival during nest initiation and egg laying and a decline when fledglings would be 4 or 5 d old. Regional differences in mourning dove nest survival confirm existing hypotheses about northern states demonstrating greater nest success compared to southern states where differences may reflect trade-offs associated with northern latitudes, weather differences, or food availability.


1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 79
Author(s):  
B.J. Traill ◽  
A. Lill

Populations of the Squirrel Glider, Petaurus norfolcensis and the Sugar Glider, P. breviceps, are often sympatric and the two species are potential competitors for tree hollows. Their use of hollows and artificial nest-boxes was examined in a Box-Ironbark forest where natural hollows are scarce due to past forestry practices. We found gliders used hollows in the boles and branches of trees and in coppicing stumps. There was considerable interspecific overlap in the use of hollows and nest-boxes, both by gliders and other birds and mammals. Both gliders preferred hollows and nest-boxes with narrow entrances (<50 mm diameter). Petaurus breviceps preferred nest-boxes and possibly natural tree hollows with entrances too narrow for the larger P. norfolcensis. When abundant nest-boxes of this type were introduced at the study site, P. breviceps numbers increased and then decreased when the nest-boxes were removed. The results suggest that the larger P. norfolcensis monopolise the best available hollows. Petaurus breviceps numbers may have been limited by a lack of suitable hollows.


Author(s):  
D M Alvey ◽  
S A Tucker

There is continuing public concern about the welfare of poultry kept in battery cages. However, current alternative systems would be unsuitable to fill the gap if cages were to be banned. Many welfare problems have been encountered with alternative systems. These include feather pecking, cannibalism, poor foot condition, bone breakage, poor production, high feed intake and floor egg laying. In 4 studies, between 1988 and 1992, the effect of the Gleadthorpe design of perchery on the performance, behaviour and welfare of laying hens was evaluated.The perchery consisted of 2 perch units constructed on wooden slatted platforms over a droppings pit. A block of 5 tier high nestboxes was provided along each side of the perchery. The nestboxes were of a rear roll-away type and contained “Astroturf” nest pads. Litter areas were available between the 2 perch units and between the perch units and the blocks of nest boxes.


1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. 816-823 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vesa Koivunen ◽  
Erkki Korpimäki ◽  
Harri Hakkarainen ◽  
Kai Norrdahl

Errington proposed that predators mainly kill substandard prey, because dominant individuals force subordinate ones into poor habitats, where the predation risk is higher. We studied the prey choice of breeding male Tengmalm's owls (Aegolius funereus funereus) in 1992, when vole densities crashed. We trapped small mammals in the main habitat types in 21 owl territories, and simultaneously identified prey items cached by the same owls in their nest boxes. The main prey of owls in western Finland are the common vole (Microtus epiroticus), field vole (M. agrestis), bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus), and common shrew (Sorex araneus). Common voles were the preferred prey of owls, followed by field voles, bank voles, and common shrews. Prey captured by owls tended to be lighter and smaller than those available in the field. This tendency was significant for field voles and common shrews. Field voles, common voles, and female common shrews captured by owls tended to have more internal fat than those available in the field. This tendency was significant for male field voles and female common shrews. Owls appeared to choose small individuals of some, but not all, prey species, and that these prey items were not in poor physiological condition.


Author(s):  
Digamber Singh ◽  
Mohmmad Nasim ◽  
Saifi Alok Babu

In our daily busy life; automobile has changed our experience of journey. It has made very fast, comfortable and easy. On the other hand we have mixed the toxic in our environment. Some has come from industries and some of from the pumping and showing world. Some is necessary and some is not. But the common part of both is automobile As it is luxurious as necessary requirement also according to the time In our environment the automobile has provided hazardous gases and improve the temperature of our environment which all the root of disease. The temperature is also caused of global warming which is impact on ozone layer depletion. Ozone layer prevents most harmful UVB wavelengths (280–315 nm) of ultraviolet light (UV light) from passing through the Earth's atmosphere. It is suspected that a variety of biological consequences such as increases in skin cancer, cataracts, damage to plants, and reduction of plankton populations in the ocean's photic zone may result from the increased UV exposure due to ozone depletion. As a matter of fact, this layer very important for saving of human being. But due to increasing pollution. The average size of the 2012 ozone hole was 6.9 million square miles (17.9 million square kilometres). There is not end of all this, with this all. There we can realize there many changes in our ambient system. We have to face a lot of problems due to natural disaster. There more than 50% day in year when we have to face many disasters like earthquake, glacier melting, tsunamis etc. Due to the unbalance environment there is very big difficulty that we can't delay our progressive life. But we have to solve this problem; we take many steps to save our environment. With the results, we can increase the time of party and natural facilities gifted by God. For this we can use many technology which in favour of environment.


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