摘要:

SUMMARYZANN, R. 1977. Pair-bond and bonding behaviour in three species of grassfinches of the genusPoephila(Gould). Emu 77: 97–106.The pair-bonds of pairs of recently caughtP. a. acuticauda, P. a. hecki, P. c. cincta, P. c. atropygialisandP. p. personatawere investigated;P. c. atropygialiswas also studied in the field. All pairs studied except those ofP.p. personatahad extremely tight bonds and may mate for life. Partners maintained close and continuous proximity in space and defended an area about the mate from other conspecifics; mates rarely fought one another but continuously exchanged appeasement displays; all serious sexual activities were restricted to the partner.Pair-formation was studied in forty aviary-reared virgins of which only sixteen were successful in forming pair-bonds during the period of detailed observation although another 20 birds displayed some indication of a unilateral bond towards another bird of the opposite sex. Early stages of courtship, nest-site solicitations and defensive reactions towards rivals characterized pair-formation behaviour. Most preferences between birds of opposite sex were unilateral and most pair-bonds were formed after protracted efforts to develop reciprocal attachments. ElevenP. p. personataattempted to pair but no pairs were formed during the period of detailed study and for one month afterwards.

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU9770097

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1977

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

SUMMARYSaunders, D. A. 1977. Red-tailed Black Cockatoo breeding twice a year in the south-west of Western Australia. Emu 77: 107–110.The distribution of the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo in the south-west of Western Australia is shown. The breeding seasons of five species of cockatoo breeding in the Three Springs area are listed. All these species have winter-spring breeding seasons. The Red-tailed Black Cockatoo is the only species that breeds in the autumn as well. Breeding data for six female Red-tailed Black Cockatoos for the four breeding seasons from late 1974 to autumn 1976 are given. A survey of the literature shows the paucity of information on breeding seasons of the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo and the need for more detailed information throughout their range is pointed out.

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU9770107

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1977

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

SUMMARYBalda, R. P. and J. L. Brown. 1977. Observations on the behaviour of Hall's Babbler. Emu 77: 111–114. Hall's BabblersPomatostomus halliwere studied for seven days in southern Queensland. Eight flocks ranged in size from five to fifteen birds. Flocks maintained exclusive home ranges that varied from 1.8 to 3.5 hectares. Each home range contained from four to eleven nests. Babblers roosted communally and constantly foraged as a flock. One nest with two eggs was discovered and observed. The female always signalled by postures and vocalizations when she left the nest and entered the flock. Flock members were seen preening and feeding the female. Our few data suggest that large flocks may initiate breeding earlier in the season than small flocks. At this time it may take more auxiliary helpers to raise a brood than later in the season when conditions are more hospitable. Few aggressive encounters were observed and numerous types of co-operative behaviour were seen.

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU9770111

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1977

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

SUMMARYDow, D. D. 1977. Indiscriminate interspecific aggression leading to almost sole occupancy of space by a single species of bird. Emu 77: 115–121.Noisy MinersManorina melanocephala, Australian honeyeaters, reside and feed in dense colonies in open woodland all year. All other species entering these colonies are attacked, sometimes killed.M. melanocephala, through group aggression, successfully defends its colonies against intrusion and settlement by other species of birds. Comparison with scarcer populations in more structurally complex woodland, where the species is less able to eliminate others, suggests that the advantage gained by the interspecific aggression pertains to food resources, because the species forages more in a wider range of feeding zones in areas where possible competitors have been ousted. By eliminating virtually all competitors,M. melanocephalagains exclusive use of all food resources in its colonies. Such interspecific interaction is unique among birds and possibly among animals in general. Also,M. melanocephalabreeds communally, i.e. many individuals feed the young in a single nest. Food items given to the young are usually very small and the number of feeding trips to the nest extremely high. This high rate of feeding may be necessitated by the relatively greater abundance of small insects, which in turn could be due to the complete absence of smaller avian competitors.

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU9770115

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1977

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

SUMMARYTarburton, M. K. 1977. Nesting of the Red-tailed Tropicbird at Sugarloaf Rock, WA. Emu 77: 122–126. Records of the Red-tailed Tropicbird in southern Western Australia before regular nesting began at Sugar- loaf Rock are given. The growth of the colony and its situation are described. Aerial displays and choice of nesting sites were observed. The incubation period was forty-one to forty-eight days. Pair-bonding and attachment to nest site are common. The nesting season extended from October to June but was concentrated mostly in December, January and February. Mortality was high in all seasons during the study. Food of the birds was noted from regurgitated material.

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU9770122

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1977

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

SUMMARYOLSON, S. L. 1977. The identity of the fossil ducks described from Australia by C. W. De Vis, Emu 77: 127–131.The type material of the nine species of fossil ducks described from Australia by C. W. De Vis was restudied and lectotypes designated for all species based on series. No valid extinct species were represented.Nyroca robustais a synonym ofAnas superciliosa. Nyroca reclusaandAnas elapsaare synonyms ofAythya australis. Nyroca effodiatais a synonym of‘Leucosarcia proevisa’De Vis and is not a duck at all.Anas strenua, Anas gracilipesandNettapus eyrensisare synonyms ofAnas castanea, which species evidently had a wider range in the late Pleistocene than at present.Dendrocygna validipinnisandBiziura exhumataare synonyms ofBiziura lobata, although the Plio-Pleistocene form may have been slightly smaller, in which case it would be known asBiziura lobata validipinnis.

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU9770127

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1977

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

SUMMARYOLSON, S. L. 1977. Notes on subfossil Anatidae from New Zealand, including a new species of pink-eared duckMalacorhynchus.Emu 77: 132–135.A new species of pink-eared duck,Malacorhynchus scarletti, is described from subfossil deposits at Pyramid Valley, South Island, NZ, and is characterized by larger size. Preliminary observations indicate that subfossil specimens ofBiziurafrom New Zealand are larger and differ qualitatively fromB. lobata; for the present, the nameBiziura delautouriForbes, 1892, ought to be retained for the New Zealand form. An erroneous record ofMergus australisis corrected.

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU9770132

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1977

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

SUMMARYRecher, H. F. 1977. Ecology of co-existing White-cheeked and New Holland Honeyeaters. Emu 77: 136–142.The ecology and breeding biology of White-cheekedPhylidonyris nigraand New HollandP. novaehollandiaeHoneyeaters has been studied since 1967 in the Brisbane Waters National Park north of Sydney, NSW. This is an area where the ranges of the two birds overlap and in one study plot, a heath, both nest close to each other. Only the White-cheeked occurs in a second plot, a dry sclerophyll woodland, near the heath. Breeding bird censuses have revealed that during most years similar numbers of honeyeaters nest during the autumn and spring but there can be considerable variation in numbers between years. The number of nesting pairs may be related to weather and to long-term changes in vegetation but there is no consistent pattern and numbers may be determined by environmental factors outside the study area. Both species forage in similar ways and take insects and nectar from the same places. It is suggested that the presence of both on the heath for part of the year is related to the abundance of nectar. In other places where the species overlap they are separated by habitat. Data on clutch size, nest sites and breeding success are presented and discussed.

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU9770136

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1977

数据来源: Taylor

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU9770143

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1977

数据来源: Taylor

ISSN:0158-4197    

DOI:10.1071/MU9770146

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1977

数据来源: Taylor