DOCSLIB.ORG

Host Use by Four Sympatric Species of Cuckoos in Bangladesh

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Host Use by Four Sympatric Species of Cuckoos in Bangladesh International Journal of Fauna and Biological Studies 2017; 4(3): 48-56 ISSN 2347-2677 IJFBS 2017; 4(3): 48-56 Received: 09-03-2017 Host use by four sympatric species of Cuckoos in Accepted: 10-04-2017 Bangladesh Sajeda Begum Department of Zoology, Jahangirnagar University, Sajeda Begum Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh Abstract The study on host selection by four sympatric cuckoos has been conducted in Bangladesh. Sympatric parasites should show niche segregation through variation in host use. Asian koel (Eudynamys scolopacea) parasitized Common myna (Acridotheres tristis), Long-tailed shrike (Lanius schach) and House crow (Corvus splendens); Indian cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus) parasitized Black drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus). Jungle babbler (Turdoides striata) was parasitized by Jacobin cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus) and Common hawk cuckoo (Cuculus varius), but the breeding season of these two cuckoo species did not overlap. Parasitism rates by cuckoo species in three habitats; human habitations, mixed scrub forests and monotypic plantations showed a significant difference for most host species between habitats, which explains that cuckoos preferred specific habitats even if their favourite host also occurred elsewhere. Indian cuckoo, Common hawk cuckoo and Jacobin cuckoo showed excellent egg mimicry with their hosts while Asian koel showed good mimicry to one of three host species. Keywords: Asian koel, Common hawk cuckoo, Jacobin cuckoo, Indian cuckoo, sympatric, host selection 1. Introduction Most studies of avian brood parasites deal with their interactions with hosts, which has been presented as a model system for coevolution 25, 51, 66, 62. Since it is costly for hosts to be parasitized, natural selection has favoured host defences, like aggression against parasites near their nests [51, 63, 74] and recognition and rejection of parasitic eggs 24, 26, 49, 51. In most cases these adaptations have been studied in systems where one parasite species utilize one or a few host species 4, 31. Systems where several parasite species occur in sympatry have been far less studied 15, 19, 20, 33, 40. Related species living in sympatry should be expected to have segregated into different ecological niches to avoid interspecific competition. This is known as the 34 27, 30, 53, 68 “Gause’s principle” . There exists substantial support for this hypothesis in birds . Friedmann (1928) 32 was the first to adopt the principle to brood parasites because he concluded that such niche segregation also must occur among sympatric cuckoo species in Africa. It is logical to assume that niche differences as a consequence of interspecific competition between sympatric brood parasites could be manifested in the preference for 45 7 different host species . This was in fact supported by Baker (1942) who recorded 15 sympatric cuckoo species in Assam, India, which parasitized different host species or bred at different times, thus avoiding competition with each other 71. Later, such prevention of same host use through interspecific competition was shown by Brooker and Brooker (1989) 15 and 41 Higuchi (1998) who investigated host selection among sympatric cuckoo species in Australia and Japan, respectively. Furthermore, Yom-Tov and Geffen (2005) 77 found that among cuckoos, the number of host species increase with latitude, which is indicative of competitive release and niche expansion. Co-existing brood parasitic species of cowbirds may 20 also reduce potential interspecific competition for nests through differential host use . A very preliminary study on cuckoos in Bangladesh mostly focused on the basic biology and natural history by describing parasite and host interaction has revealed 10-12. Taking these studies into consideration the picture is, however, still that the knowledge of niche segregation in avian brood parasites is scarce and incomplete. Host selection among Correspondence sympatric brood parasites is driven, in part, by their breeding habitat preferences as parasitism Sajeda Begum may be strongly influenced by habitat characteristics as reported for Brown-headed cowbirds Department of Zoology, (Molothrus ater) 8, 13, 67 and Common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) hosts 17. Habitat preference Jahangirnagar University, is closely related to food availability in most bird species. Food requirements of nestlings may, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh ~ 48 ~ International Journal of Fauna and Biological Studies however, differ from those of adults 37. Brood parasites may with ornamental trees, (Mimusops elengi, Livistona chinensis, therefore disconnect the aspects of their breeding and foraging Murraya paniculata, Polyalthia longifolia and Swietenia requirements and rather select habitats with high quality hosts mahagoni) are present as plantations in and around human for proper parental care, irrespective of food availability for settlements 10, 11. b) Mixed scrub forests with plantations and themselves 67, 73. In addition, it is well-known that isolated marsh patches. This habitat has a scattered characteristics like perch availability or proximity for distribution and is characterized by naturally-grown tree observing host behaviour and locate host nests are important species like Ficus bengalensis, Syzygium cumini, Zizyphus sp. aspects of habitat quality 3, 8, 22, 52, 57. Furthermore, host Dalbergia sissoo, Albizia spp. etc. and some planted tree breeding season, nest accessibility, host abundance, and species like Acacia auriculiformis, Shorea robusta, Swietenia vulnerability to nest predation are all factors that may mahagony, Artocarpus heterophyllus and Mangifera indica. influence the choice of hosts in brood parasites 5, 16, 24, 38, 41, 70, Bushes like Chrysopogon sp., Cassia sophera, Cassia tora, 72. In addition to varying habitat preference, sympatric brood Mymosa pudica, etc. are also present in this habitat. The low- parasite species may be of different size 15, and therefore, as lying areas remain dry during winter and summer and are a consequence, they may be segregated by ecological niche used as agricultural lands. During the monsoon season these separation 32. In addition to the spatial aspect, brood parasite areas are filled with water and become marshy. c) Monotypic species or tribes may also be separated in timing of breeding plantations including Terminalia arjuna, Gmelina arborea and Lagerstroemia speciosa which have medicinal value for 29, 54, 55, which may reduce the interspecific competition the local people. Some fruit yielding plants like Syzygium among cuckoo species in sympatry. Egg morphology and cumini, Artocarpus heterophyllus and Cocos nucifera are also mimicry are important factors for selection of suitable hosts planted around such monotypic plantations by the local as the cuckoo egg must be incubated in the presence of a host people. This habitat also includes a few number of banyan clutch for proper incubation and hatching 25, 44, 58. Therefore, tree, Ficus bengalensis at the periphery of the plantations 10, selection for egg mimicry and egg crypsis also drives the 11 sympatric competitive cuckoo species into host partitioning . 15, 41. In the present study the aim was to investigate interactions between four parasitic cuckoo species viz. the Asian koel (Eudynamys scolopacea), Common hawk cuckoo (Hierococcyx varius), Jacobin cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus) and Indian cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus) living in sympatry in Bangladesh, at the south-eastern part of the Indian subcontinent. These cuckoos are known to parasitize different host species 2, 7, 9, but very little is known about their host use and possible competition in areas where they occur in sympatry. From the “Gause’s principle” the hypothesis that there is potential for interspecific competition between the co- occurring cuckoo species, which should have led to niche segregation. The main prediction following this hypothesis is that these cuckoo species should parasitize different host species in different habitats 10. Otherwise, if more than one species parasitize the same host they should be likely to differ in other basic ways, e.g. either different breeding seasons or different arrival dates in the breeding habitat, or parasitizing the same host in different habitats 56. During field work in Bangladesh investigations have been carried out to test these predictions. Data on host choice, parasitism rates and the degree of mimicry between cuckoo and host eggs were collected. Cuckoo arrival date, breeding period and habitat preference of hosts and parasites were also collected. Fig 1: Map of the Jahangirnagar University campus (Source: Begum, 2. Materials and methods 2011) 2.1 Study Area The study was conducted in Jahangirnagar University Some basic data on the four cuckoo species are given in Table Campus, central part of Bangladesh (2352 N, 9016 E), 32 3. Since, however, their biology is relatively poorly known km north of Dhaka city (Fig.1). The size of the entire campus though some additional information about them are described area is approximately 200 hectares consisting of diverse in more detail by 10, 11, 56. vegetation in and around human settlements. Three distinct habitat types in the study area were classified based on type of 2.2 Field procedures vegetation and presence of buildings; a) Human habitations Nests of all passerines breeding in the study area were with orchards and gardens, which includes buildings and tin searched during the breeding seasons. Breeding data on shed houses used for residential, academic and administrative different cuckoos and hosts
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Jacobin Cuckoo of Either the Cape Bulbul P
    556 Cuculidae: cuckoos and coucals months later. In Botswana, departure time was correlated with total rainfall during the summer, birds being recorded two months later at the end of a wet year than during drought years (Herremans 1994d). Differences between the subspecies in timing of occurrence and different ranges within the region, if any, have not been unravelled. Breeding: It is a brood parasite whose prime hosts are Pycnonotus bulbuls, the Sombre Bulbul Andropadus impor- tunus, and the Fiscal Shrike Lanius collaris (Rowan 1983; Maclean 1993b). Egglaying has been recorded in the region October–April, with a peak November–January (Dean 1971; Irwin 1981; Rowan 1983; Tarboton et al. 1987b; Skinner 1996a; Brown & Clinning in press). The atlas data suggest breeding to be a month later than recorded in the literature, but this results from a bias towards the recording of recently fledged young. Interspecific relationships: Because the distribution map represents both breeding and nonbreeding visitors, it is not straightforward to relate it to the distributions of host species. Breeding was, however, reported from all Zones and it can be deduced that it must use Blackeyed Pycnonotus barbatus and Redeyed P. nigricans Bulbuls extensively as hosts, but there is no distributional evidence for exclusive use Jacobin Cuckoo of either the Cape Bulbul P. capensis or the Sombre Bulbul. Bontnuwejaarsvoël The bulbuls, however, all have parts of their range where the cuckoo does not occur, but least so for the Blackeyed Bulbul. Clamator jacobinus Historical distribution and conservation: It was once quite common in the Cape Peninsula (3418A) but is now only The Jacobin Cuckoo is widespread in the Afrotropical a rare visitor to the southwestern Cape Province (Rowan 1983; savannas, both north and south of the equator (Fry et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Faunal Monitoring of Ahmedabad Airport As a Part of Bird-Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) Study
    International Journal of Scientific Research in _______________________________ Research Paper . Biological Sciences Vol.5, Issue.5, pp.14-24, October (2018) E-ISSN: 2347-7520 Faunal Monitoring of Ahmedabad Airport as a Part of Bird-Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) Study K. Mokaria1*, K. Tatu2 and R. D. Kamboj3 1,2,3Gujarat Ecological Education and Research (GEER) Foundation, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India *Corresponding Author: [email protected], Tel:+91-8980588545 Available online at: www.isroset.org Received: 17/Sept/2018, Accepted: 29/Sept/2018, Online: 31/Oct/2018 Abstract- Ahmedabad‟s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) airport is known to have a high potential of bird-aircraft collision hazards. For determining the causes and magnitude of the problem and to find out likely solutions, birds, other small animals (mammals and reptiles) and insects were monitored by Gujarat Ecological Education and Research (GEER) Foundation, Gandhinagar during pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons between 2015 and 2017. For monitoring birds, two linear transects were laid, one each along each side of the runway. Besides transect-based bird surveys, bird species were also randomly recorded in other parts of the airport premises and even outside it (within 1 km belt parallel to the airport boundary). A total of 59 species of birds were encountered within the airport premises that belonged to 30 different families. Of these, 48 species were recorded along the transects. The majority (i.e., 83%) of the total 59 species were either obligate or facultative insectivorous birds. As the majority of birds were found to be obligatorily or facultatively insectivorous, insect monitoring was also carried out.
    [Show full text]
  • Birds of Coimbatore Urban Area, India
    REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (RAP), BANGKOK FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS October-December 2005 Regional Quarterly Bulletin on Wildlife and National Parks Management Vol. XXXII : No. 4 Featuring Vol. XIX : No. 4 Contents Birds of Coimbatore Urban Area, India.........…………... 1 Study on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Biodiversity of Himachal Pradesh Himalayas......................…....… 6 Participatory Wildlife Conservation Initiatives in Nepal.… 11 Diversity of Spiders in Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary.. 18 Ecology of Purple Moorhen in Azhinhillam Wetlan…....… 23 Breeding of an Indian Giant Squirrel Pup at Arignar Anna Zoological Park......................................................…. 27 Food, Feeding, Behavior and Habitat Preferences of REGIONAL OFFICE Spiny-Tailed Lizard in the Thar Desert...................…... 30 FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC TIGERPAPER is a quarterly news bulletin dedicated to the exchange of information Second Announcement - Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission relating to wildlife and national parks management for the to meet in Dehradun, India....................................……… 1 Asia-Pacific Region. New Forest Assessment Indicates Overall Expansion of Asian Forests But Continued Decline of Natural Forests...................................................................….... 4 ISSN 1014 - 2789 Interested in Making Forest Management Work for the Poor?............................................................................ 6 Address Award-Winning Forestry at Tonle Sap --
    [Show full text]
  • (Orthotomus Sutorius) Parasitism by Plaintive Cuckoo
    Nahid et al. Avian Res (2016) 7:14 DOI 10.1186/s40657-016-0049-y Avian Research SHORT REPORT Open Access First record of Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius) parasitism by Plaintive Cuckoo (Cacomantis merulinus) in Bangladesh Mominul Islam Nahid1,2, Frode Fossøy1, Sajeda Begum2, Eivin Røskaft1 and Bård G. Stokke1* Abstract The Plaintive Cuckoo (Cacomantis merulinus) is a widespread brood parasite in Asia, but no data on host species utili- zation in Bangladesh exist. By searching for nests of all possible host species of the Plaintive Cuckoo at Jahangirnagar university campus, north of Dhaka, we were able to determine which hosts were used in this area. We found that the Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius) was the only potential host used by Plaintive Cuckoos, and parasitism rate was rather high (31.3 %, n 16). However, both host and cuckoo breeding success was poor (0 %, n 16) due to fre- quent nest predation. Details= on host and cuckoo egg appearance are provided. Our findings indicate= that Common Tailorbirds are common hosts of the Plaintive Cuckoo in Central Bangladesh. Keywords: Brood parasitism, Plaintive Cuckoo, Cacomantis merulinus, Common Tailorbird, Orthotomus sutorius, Bangladesh Background brood parasites, the first key information is to provide Several avian brood parasites appear to be generalists at background data on host use in various parts of their the species level, utilizing a range of host species. Such range. parasites, however, may consist of several host specific The Plaintive Cuckoo (Cacomantis merulinus) is an races (also called gentes), each utilizing one or a few interspecific obligatory brood-parasitic bird, with a host species (de Brooke and Davies 1988; Moksnes and wide range in south and south-east Asia (Becking 1981; Røskaft 1995; Davies 2000; Gibbs et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Adult Brood Parasites Feeding Nestlings and Fledglings of Their Own Species: a Review
    J. Field Ornithol., 69(3):364-375 ADULT BROOD PARASITES FEEDING NESTLINGS AND FLEDGLINGS OF THEIR OWN SPECIES: A REVIEW JANICEC. LORENZANAAND SPENCER G. SEALY Departmentof Zoology Universityof Manitoba Winnipeg,Manitoba R3T 2N2 Canada Abstract.--We summarized 40 reports of nine speciesof brood parasitesfeeding young of their own species.These observationssuggest that the propensityto provisionyoung hasnot been lost entirely in brood parasitesdespite the belief that brood parasiticadults abandon their offspringat the time of laying.The hypothesisthat speciesthat participatein courtship feeding are more likely to provisionyoung was not supported:provisioning of young has been observedin two speciesof brood parasitesthat do not courtshipfeed. The function of this provisioningis unknown, but we suggestit may be: (1) a non-adaptivevestigial behavior or (2) an adaptation to ensure adequatecare of parasiticyoung. The former is more likely the case.Further studiesare required to determinewhether parasiticadults commonly feed their genetic offspring. ADULTOS DE AVES PARAS•TICASALIMENTANDO PICHONES Y VOLANTONES DE SU PROPIA ESPECIE: UNA REVISION Sinopsis.--Resumimos40 informes de nueve especiesde avesparasiticas que alimenaron a pichonesde su propia especie.Las observacionessugieren que la propensividadde alimentar a los pichonesno ha sido totalmente perdida en las avesparasiticas, no empecea la creencia de que los parasiticosabandonan su progenie al momento de poner los huevos.La hipttesis de que las especiesque participan en cortejo de alimentacitn, son milspropensas a alimentar los pichonesno tuvo apoyo.Las observacionesde alimentacitn a pichonesse han hecho en dos especiesparasiticas cuyo cortejo no incluye la alimentacitn de la pareja. La funcitn de proveer alimento se desconoce.No obstante,sugerimos que pueda ser: 1) una conducta vestigialno adaptativa,o 2) una adaptacitn parc asegurarel cuidado adecuadode los pi- chonesparasiticos.
    [Show full text]
  • SE China and Tibet (Qinghai) Custom Tour: 31 May – 16 June 2013
    SE China and Tibet (Qinghai) Custom Tour: 31 May – 16 June 2013 Hard to think of a better reason to visit SE China than the immaculate cream-and-golden polka- dot spotted Cabot’s Tragopan, a gorgeous serious non-disappointment of a bird. www.tropicalbirding.com The Bar-headed Goose is a spectacular waterfowl that epitomizes the Tibetan plateau. It migrates at up to 27,000 ft over the giant Asian mountains to winter on the plains of the Indian sub-continent. Tour Leader: Keith Barnes All photos taken on this tour Introduction: SE and Central China are spectacular. Both visually stunning and spiritually rich, and it is home to many scarce, seldom-seen and spectacular looking birds. With our new base in Taiwan, little custom tour junkets like this one to some of the more seldom reached and remote parts of this vast land are becoming more popular, and this trip was planned with the following main objectives in mind: (1) see the monotypic family Pink-tailed Bunting, (2) enjoy the riches of SE China in mid-summer and see as many of the endemics of that region including its slew of incredible pheasants and the summering specialties. We achieved both of these aims, including incredible views of all the endemic phasianidae that we attempted, and we also enjoyed the stunning scenery and culture that is on offer in Qinghai’s Tibet. Other major highlights on the Tibetan plateau included stellar views of breeding Pink-tailed Bunting (of the monotypic Chinese Tibetan-endemic family Urocynchramidae), great looks at Przevalski’s and Daurian Partridges, good views of the scarce Ala Shan Redstart, breeding Black-necked Crane, and a slew of wonderful waterbirds including many great looks at the iconic Bar-headed Goose and a hoarde of www.tropicalbirding.com snowfinches.
    [Show full text]
  • Polistes Wasps and Their Social Parasites: an Overview
    Ann. Zool. Fennici 43: 531–549 ISSN 0003-455X Helsinki 29 December 2006 © Finnish Zoological and Botanical Publishing Board 2006 Polistes wasps and their social parasites: an overview Rita Cervo Dipartimento di Biologia Animale e Genetica, University of Florence, via Romana 17, I-50125 Florence, Italy (e-mail: rita.cervo@unifi.it) Received 10 Dec. 2005, revised version received 29 Nov. 2006, accepted 6 May 2006 Cervo, R. 2006: Polistes wasps and their social parasites: an overview. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 43: 531–549. Severe brood care costs have favoured the evolution of cheaters that exploit the paren- tal services of conspecifics or even heterospecifics in both birds and social insects. In Polistes paper wasps, three species have lost worker castes and are dependent on hosts to produce their sexuals, while other species use hosts facultatively as an alternative to caring for their own brood. This paper offers an overview of the adaptations, strategies and tricks used by Polistes social parasites to successfully enter and exploit host social systems. Moreover, it also focuses on the analogous solutions adopted by the well-known brood parasite birds, and stresses the evolutionary convergence between these two phy- logenetically distant taxa. A comparative analysis of life-history patterns, as well as of phylogenetic relationships of living facultative and obligate parasitic species in Polistes wasps, has suggested a historical framework for the evolution of social parasitism in this group. As with avian brood parasites, the analysis of adaptation and counter adaptation dynamics should direct the future approach for the study of social parasitism in Polistes wasps.
    [Show full text]
  • Does Nest Sanitation Elicit Egg Rejection in an Open‑Cup Nesting Cuckoo Host Rejecter? Tongping Su1,2 , Chanchao Yang2 , Shuihua Chen1* and Wei Liang2*
    Su et al. Avian Res (2018) 9:27 https://doi.org/10.1186/s40657-018-0119-4 Avian Research RESEARCH Open Access Does nest sanitation elicit egg rejection in an open‑cup nesting cuckoo host rejecter? Tongping Su1,2 , Chanchao Yang2 , Shuihua Chen1* and Wei Liang2* Abstract Background: Nest sanitation behavior is one of the most important means to ensure high reproductive efciency. In avian brood parasitism, nest sanitation behavior may be a pre-adaptation of host birds that allows them to identify the parasitic eggs, so that egg discrimination behavior may have evolved from nest sanitation behavior. However, whether nest sanitation behavior could improve egg rejection in cuckoo hosts was inconclusive. Methods: In this study, we investigated the relationship between nest sanitation and egg discrimination behavior in a potential cuckoo host, the Brown-breasted Bulbul (Pycnonotus xanthorrhous) with two experimental groups. In the frst group, we added a blue, non-mimetic egg to the nest of the host, while in the second group we added a blue, non-mimetic egg and a peanut half-shell. Results: The results showed that in the frst group, the probability of rejecting the non-mimetic eggs was 53.8% (n 26 nests). In comparison, all of the Brown-breasted Bulbuls in the second group were able to rapidly remove the peanut= shells from the nest, but only 52.6% (n 19 nests) rejected the non-mimetic eggs. The rejection rates of the non-mimetic eggs in both experimental groups= were not signifcantly diferent. Conclusions: Our study indicated that nest sanitation behavior of Brown-breasted Bulbuls did not infuence their egg recognition and that egg discrimination ability of Brown-breasted Bulbuls was not directly related to nest sanita- tion behavior.
    [Show full text]
  • Sandi Bird Sanctuary, Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, India
    Volume-6, Issue-2, April-June-2015 Coden IJABFP-CAS-USA Copyrights@2015 Received: 15th Mar-2015 Revised: 18th April -2015 Accepted: 18th April-2015 Research article A BIODIVERSITY HUB: SANDI BIRD SANCTUARY, HARDOI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA Adesh Kumar, Amita Kanaujia, Sonika Kushwaha and Akhilesh Kumar Biodiversity & Wildlife Conservation Lab, Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT: Diversity refers variety in nature i.e. the variety of life on Earth and its biological diversity is commonly referred to as biodiversity. Sandi Bird sanctuary was developed and conserved in the year 1990 as natural biodiversity hub for aquatic vegetation as well as local residents and migratory birds. This Sanctuary has an area of 309 hectares. A study of faunal diversity in Sandi Bird Sanctuary was done during January 2013 to March 2014. Sandi Bird Sanctuary is well known as popular tourist destination because of the diverse assemblage of avifauna especially migratory water birds that congregate at the Sandi Bird Sanctuary in winter. The result includes 3 species of annelids belonging to 3 orders, 10 orders of insects with 61 species, 4 species of mollusks belonging to 3 orders, 11 species of fishes belonging to 5 families, 3 species of amphibians and 15 species of reptiles belonging to 13 families, 157 species of birds, and 12 species of mammals belonging to 09 families from Sandi Bird Sanctuary. The sanctuary is an envoy area of the Indo-gangetic eco-system. Wetland vegetation is also found in the sanctuary. Key words: Sandi Bird Sanctuary, Water birds, Biodiversity Hub, Hardoi, Invertebrates, Vertebrates.
    [Show full text]
  • Oral Flanges of Juvenile Birds
    ORAL FLANGES OF JUVENILE BIRDS GEORGE A. CLARK, JR. N the pre- and posthatching development of birds a number of structural I features are present for only a relatively short time. Such traits, par- ticularly prominent externally, may have significance in aging birds, as taxonomic characters, and as subjects for the study of adaptation. Examples of transitory structures which have recently been studied are natal plu- mages (cf. Clark, 1964) and egg teeth (Parkes and Clark, 1964). In this paper I review the occurrence, variations, and possible taxonomic significance of the transitory enlarged flanges of the bill bordering the mouth in juveniles of nidicolous birds. This inquiry was undertaken to determine whether or not the marked differences in form of flanges might be of taxonomic significance. A summary of this topic is believed of PO- tential value, particularly to call attention to the many major gaps in available information. A problem in studying transitory characteristics is obtaining a suitable series of developmental stages of living juveniles or preserved specimens. Many of the available records for flanges are based unfortunately on study of only one or a few stages, not necessarily those most informative. Inter- pretations based on samples covering only a limited range of ages should be made cautiously as illustrated below in the discussion of flanges in the Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) . SOURCES OF DATA Selected specimenswere examined in the collections of the United States National Museum (Washington, D. C.), the American Museum of Natural History (New York), and the University of Connecticut (Storrs). In addition, a number of live juveniles have been observed, and a few of these photographed.
    [Show full text]
  • Hornbills and Endemic Birds
    NCF Technical Report No. 17 HORNBILLS AND ENDEMIC BIRDS A CONSERVATION STATUS SURVEY ACROSS THE DIVYA MUDAPPA WESTERN GHATS, INDIA T. R. SHANKAR RAMAN H ORNBILLS AND ENDEMIC BIRDS A CONSERVATION STATUS SURVEY ACROSS THE WESTERN GHATS, INDIA IVYA UDAPPA D M T. R. SHANKAR RAMAN 3076/5, IV Cross, Gokulam Park , Mysore 570 002, INDIA Web: www.ncf‐india.org; E‐mail: ncf@ncf‐india.org Tel.: +91 821 2515601; Fax +91 821 2513822 Mudappa, D. & Raman, T. R. S. 2008. Hornbills and endemic birds: a conservation status survey across the Western Ghats, India. NCF Technical Report No. 17, Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysore. Cover photographs Front cover: A male Malabar Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros coronatus tosses a fruit of Putranjiva roxburghii into its mouth near Dandeli (Photo: Kalyan Varma). Back cover: An Indian Grey Hornbill Ocyceros birostris (right); moist forests converted to monoculture Acacia plantations in the Western Ghats of Karnataka (left; Photos: Shankar Raman) CONTENTS Acknowledgements 1 Summary 2 1. Introduction 3 2. Details of the survey 5 3. Hornbills 20 4. Endemics and bird community 30 5. Conclusions, limitations, outputs 39 6. References 44 7. Annexures 48 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to thank the Rufford Small Grants Foundation, United Kingdom, for the financial support provided for this survey. We are also extremely grateful to the State Forest Departments of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu for permits and support for the survey. A large number of people, institutions, and local NGOs helped us during the various stages of the survey both in the field as well as at the base.
    [Show full text]
  • Glimpses of Indian Birds
    ALBERT R. MANN LIBRARY New York State Colleges OF Agriculture and Home Economics AT Cornell University J _ Cornell University Library QL 691.I4D51G Glimpses of Indian birds, 3 1924 000 075 667 Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924000075667 GLIMPSES OF INDIAN BIRDS BY THE SAME AUTHOR JUNGLE FOLK: Indian Natural History Sketches. Demy 8vo. BOMBAY DUCKS : An Account of some of the Everyday Birds and Beasts found in a Naturalist's El Dorado. With numerous illus- trations reproduced from Photographs by Captain Fayrer, I. M.S. Demy 8vo. BIRDS OF THE PLAINS. With numerous Illustrations. Demy 8vo. INDIAN BIRDS : Being a Key to the Common Birds of the Plains of India. Demy 8vo. (WITH FRANK FINN) THE MAKING OF SPECIES. Demy 8vo. GLIMPSES OF INDIAN BIRDS BY DOUGLAS DEWAR LONDON : JOHN LANE THE BODLEY HEAD NEW YORK: JOHN LANE COMPANY TORONTO : BELL & COCKBURN MCMXIII 191762 • WILLIAM BKENDON AND SOS, LTD. PRINTERS, PLYMOUTH I DEDICATE THIS BOOK TO THEODORE ROOSEVELT A HUNTER OF BIG GAME AND A NATURALIST WHO, HAVING BROUGHT COMMON-SENSE TO BEAR ON THE PROBLEMS OF NATURAL HISTORY DECLINES TO BE DICTATED TO BY THOSE WHO HAVE CONSTITUTED THEMSELVES ZOOLOGICAL AUTHORITIES PREFACE the brief sketches that follow I find occasion INrepeatedly to attack the prevalent theories of protective colouration, because it is impossible for the naturalist who uses his eyes to accept these theories. Most of these hypotheses were advanced by field naturalists, but they have since been elaborated by cabinet zoologists and have become a creed.
    [Show full text]