摘要:

SummaryFrith, C. B.&Frith, D. W. (1990). Nesting biology and relationships of the Lesser MelampittaMelampitta lugubris. Emu90, 65–73.Four active nests of the Lesser MelampittaMelampitta lugubriswere studied in mixed lower montane forest at Tari Gap, Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea. Nests, eggs, sexual dimorphism and parental care of this species are described for the first time. Iris colour is red in males, dark brown in females. Only females incubate and brood young but both sexes feed the nestling, male participation increasing with nestling age. The male regularly feeds the female close to and on the nest. Incubation period is at least 27–28 days and nestling period 35 days in one nest and at least 31 and 32 days in two others. DNA-DNA hybridisation studies suggest this species is a bird of paradise of the subfamily Paradisaeinae closest toManucodia.Lesser Melampitta biology indicates, however, that it is unlike paradisaeine birds of paradise in most respects but is more like cnemophilineCnemophilus macgregoriito which it would seem closest if its placement within Paradisaeidae is correct.

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU9900065

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1990

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

Summaryvan Franeker, J.A., Bell, PJ.&Montague, T.L. (1990). Birds of Ardery and Odbert Islands, Windmill Islands, Antarctica.Emu90,74–80.Ardery and Odbert Islands have been listed as a Specially Protected Area under the Antarctic Treaty because of their breeding populations of species of fulmarine petrels. The distribution and size of bird populations were surveyed in 1984/85 and 1986/87. Approximately 5000 pairs of Southern Fulmars, 300 pairs of Antarctic Petrels, 750 pairs of Cape Petrels and over 1100 pairs of Snow Petrels breed on the islands. Figures for population size were evaluated using data from selected study areas. Substantial numbers of non-breeders attend the colonies during the breeding season.

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU9900074

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1990

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

SummaryPriddel, D.&Wheeler, R. (1989). Survival of MalleefowlLeipoa ocellatachicks in the absence of ground-dwelling predators.Emu90, 81–87.Malleefowl eggs were collected from the wild and incubated artificially. Week-old chicks were released into four 1-ha enclosures of natural mallee vegetation. Water was placed into one enclosure, rabbits into another, seed into a third and a fourth was left unaltered. Of 20 chicks released into the non-seeded enclosures, all survived only 1–22 days (median = 4 days). Starvation was the underpinning cause of death, individuals losing body weight at a rate of up to 7% day−1. Chicks without sufficient food were more susceptible to chilling, particularly after rain, and more vulnerable to raptors than those fedad libitum.Of nine chicks released into the enclosure with supplementary food, only one died (as a result of chilling six days after release); all the rest survived beyond 30 days (the duration of the experiment). Subsequent transfer of surviving chicks from the enclosure with supplementary food to others containing only natural mallee vegetation resulted in their body weight decreasing up to 6.4% day−1, sufficient to cause the death of one chick after just three days.

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU9900081

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1990

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

SummarySmith, G.C. (1990). Factors influencing egg laying and feeding in Black-naped TernsSterna Sumatrana Emu90, 88–96.The Black-naped Tern breeds on cays and continental islands along the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Studies of breeding and feeding were conducted at Eagle Island in the tropical north. Nesting was recorded from September to January. Egg laying was protracted over considerable periods in two of the three seasons of study. In all three seasons the first clutches for the breeding season, and for each subsequent wave of laying, were laid within a four-day period of the new moon and the number of eggs laid per day generally peaked within a few days of the full moon. Adults fed their chicks principally on the silver schooling fish belonging to the families Engraulidae, Atherinidae and Hemiramphidae. Feeding by adults occurred mostly in association with the reef surrounding Eagle Island. Adult terns hunted most actively during the early morning and late afternoon. Chick feeding rates were affected by (1) time: rates were highest in the late afternoon and lowest in the early afternoon; and (2) tides: rates were highest on flooding tides and lowest on ebbing tides. During the summer at Eagle Island, flooding tides occurred in the early morning and late afternoon at the time of new and full moons. Food seemed particularly abundant for chicks at this time. This may also explain why egg laying was linked to moon phases, because the male must courtship-feed the female all of her fish requirements just before egg laying.

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU9900088

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1990

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

SummaryBretagnolle, V.&Thomas, T. (1990). Seabird distribution between Tasmania and Adélie Land (Antarctica), and comparison with nearby Antarctic sectors.Emu90, 97–107.Qualitative and quantitative observations of sea birds were made during crossings between Tasmania and Adélie Land, Antarctica, in December of 1980, 1983 and 1984, and in February 1986. From analysis of the latitudinal distribution of the 30 species encountered, we have distinguished four different groups. The addition of our data to those available in neighbouring regions (southern Indian and southern Pacific Oceans) has helped to clarify longitudinal distributions of these species. Strictly Antarctic birds show the most homogeneous distribution. A synthesis of all data relating to movements of Mottled Petrel during the austral summer showed that the distribution of this species does not overlap with any of its closest relations among the gadfly petrels. We suggest the Mottled Petrel may be monopolising a productive area in the absence of interspecific competition. Several other species observed (Wandering Albatross, Black-browed Albatross, Cape Pigeon, etc.) show a discontinuous distribution in latitude and in longitude, which may indicate the occurrence of two groups with different geographical origins.

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU9900097

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1990

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

SummaryHemmings, A.D. (1989). Winter territory occupation and behaviour of skuas at the Chatham Islands, New Zealand.Emu90, 108–113.In early July 1986, 27 out of 36 skua territories examined were occupied by territorial Great SkuasStercorarius skua lonnbergiat South East Island in the Chathams group east of New Zealand. Eighty-two per cent of the skuas present on territories during the breeding season were also present on territory in July. On 11 territories, skuas were seen to exhibit specific territorial behaviours typically seen during the breeding season—albeit at lower intensity and frequency. On one territory the establishment of a new pair bond was observed. The most abundant and frequently encountered prey remains on territories were Goose-barnaclesLepas australis, which do not appear in skua diets during the breeding season on South East Island.

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU9900108

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1990

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

SummaryButtemer, W.A.&Astheimer, L.B. (1990). Thermal and behavioural correlates of nest site location in Black Noddies.Emu90, 114–118.On Heron Island, Black NoddiesAnous minutusselect arboreal nest sites that range from fully shaded within dense stands ofPisonia grandisto sites that are exposed to the sun for most of the day inArgusia argenteaat the forest edge. We monitored the temperature of wax-filled eggs and diurnal behaviour of incubating adults at each of these sites over a nine-day period. Nocturnal egg temperatures were no different at the two sites (32.4°C) but diurnal egg temperatures and adult body temperatures were significantly higher inArgusia(35.7 and 41.9°C, respectively) than inPisonianests (34.1 and 39.5°C, respectively). The diurnal behaviour of incubating birds was directly affected by insolation as indicated by the postural adjustments, bouts of gaping or panting, and brief nest departures of birds following periods of exposure to the sun.

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU9900114

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1990

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

SummaryChan, K., Ford, H.A.&Ambrose, S.J. (1990). Ecophysiological adaptations of the Eastern SpinebillAcanthorhynchus tenuirostristo a high altitudinal winter environment.Emu90, 119–122.The Eastern SpinebillAcanthorhynchus tenuirostrisis the most common honeyeater in the higher parts of New England National Park in winter, where overnight temperatures may fall to -5°C. It is dependent on nectar, the supply of which is highly erratic, being lowest after very cold nights. The birds may experience energy deficits over several successive days. Eastern Spinebills may show several physiological adaptations to such a potentially inhospitable environment involving variable metabolic rates at a given temperature; large differences between day- and night-time resting metabolic rates; and the possibility of hypothermia.

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU9900119

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1990

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

SummaryJouventin, R&Lequette, B. (1990). The dance of the Wandering AlbatrossDiomedea exulans. Emu90, 122–131.The complex and spectacular nuptial display (‘dance’) of the Wandering Albatross was studied on the Crozet archipelago (Southern Indian Ocean). The first detailed description of 26 postures (comprising 19 ritualised postures) is given and the relationships between them analysed. The numerical distribution of postures, particularly according to the sex was analysed, allowing us to propose biological functions for them. Finally a theoretical and functional courtship is given.

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU9900123

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1990

数据来源: Taylor

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU9900132

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1990

数据来源: Taylor