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Nest Building and Nesting Behavior of the Brown Cacholote
Wilson Bull., 106(l), 1994, pp. 106-120 NEST BUILDING AND NESTING BEHAVIOR OF THE BROWN CACHOLOTE ANA I. NOBES AND MANUEL NORES ’ ABsTnAcr.-we studied nesting behavior ofthe Brown Cacholote (Pseudoseisuralophotes) in Cordoba, Argentina from April 1989 to March 1993. Brown Cacholotes build many elaborate stick nests throughout the year and use each of them during the breeding period or for a short time in the non-breeding period. Nest building requires 15 to 37 days. Nests were usually built with thorny twigs, but the nature of the materials depends on availability. Usually each pair had several nests or part of them in their territory (range = l-10). Nest building requires much of the birds ’ time and energy, but Brown Cacholotes generally use the material of old nests to minimize energy expenditure in nest construction. Both sexes shared all nesting activities. The birds copulate inside the nest, which is apparently unknown among birds. Egg laying occurred from last September to late February. Mean clutch size was 2.6 eggs (range = 2-4). The incubation period lasted 18-20 days and the nestling period 18-23 days. Nesting success was 59.3%, and an average of 1.5 nestlings were reared per clutch. Parental breeding experience, rather than age, would be more important influence on clutch-size and nesting success. Juveniles remained in the parental territories for 4-l 3 months. They contributed to nest building and defense of their territory, but their help was minimal. Received7 Dec. 1992, acceptedI Sept. 1993. Although nest has been defined as a structure that aids the development of the eggs and the survival of young (Collias 1964) some birds build similar or different structures for use as dormitories throughout the year and have a close relation with them (Skutch 196 1, Collias 1964, Welty 1979). -
Hummingbird (Family Trochilidae) Research: Welfare-Conscious Study Techniques for Live Hummingbirds and Processing of Hummingbird Specimens
Special Publications Museum of Texas Tech University Number xx76 19xx January XXXX 20212010 Hummingbird (Family Trochilidae) Research: Welfare-conscious Study Techniques for Live Hummingbirds and Processing of Hummingbird Specimens Lisa A. Tell, Jenny A. Hazlehurst, Ruta R. Bandivadekar, Jennifer C. Brown, Austin R. Spence, Donald R. Powers, Dalen W. Agnew, Leslie W. Woods, and Andrew Engilis, Jr. Dedications To Sandra Ogletree, who was an exceptional friend and colleague. Her love for family, friends, and birds inspired us all. May her smile and laughter leave a lasting impression of time spent with her and an indelible footprint in our hearts. To my parents, sister, husband, and children. Thank you for all of your love and unconditional support. To my friends and mentors, Drs. Mitchell Bush, Scott Citino, John Pascoe and Bill Lasley. Thank you for your endless encouragement and for always believing in me. ~ Lisa A. Tell Front cover: Photographic images illustrating various aspects of hummingbird research. Images provided courtesy of Don M. Preisler with the exception of the top right image (courtesy of Dr. Lynda Goff). SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS Museum of Texas Tech University Number 76 Hummingbird (Family Trochilidae) Research: Welfare- conscious Study Techniques for Live Hummingbirds and Processing of Hummingbird Specimens Lisa A. Tell, Jenny A. Hazlehurst, Ruta R. Bandivadekar, Jennifer C. Brown, Austin R. Spence, Donald R. Powers, Dalen W. Agnew, Leslie W. Woods, and Andrew Engilis, Jr. Layout and Design: Lisa Bradley Cover Design: Lisa A. Tell and Don M. Preisler Production Editor: Lisa Bradley Copyright 2021, Museum of Texas Tech University This publication is available free of charge in PDF format from the website of the Natural Sciences Research Laboratory, Museum of Texas Tech University (www.depts.ttu.edu/nsrl). -
Tinamiformes – Falconiformes
LIST OF THE 2,008 BIRD SPECIES (WITH SCIENTIFIC AND ENGLISH NAMES) KNOWN FROM THE A.O.U. CHECK-LIST AREA. Notes: "(A)" = accidental/casualin A.O.U. area; "(H)" -- recordedin A.O.U. area only from Hawaii; "(I)" = introducedinto A.O.U. area; "(N)" = has not bred in A.O.U. area but occursregularly as nonbreedingvisitor; "?" precedingname = extinct. TINAMIFORMES TINAMIDAE Tinamus major Great Tinamou. Nothocercusbonapartei Highland Tinamou. Crypturellus soui Little Tinamou. Crypturelluscinnamomeus Thicket Tinamou. Crypturellusboucardi Slaty-breastedTinamou. Crypturellus kerriae Choco Tinamou. GAVIIFORMES GAVIIDAE Gavia stellata Red-throated Loon. Gavia arctica Arctic Loon. Gavia pacifica Pacific Loon. Gavia immer Common Loon. Gavia adamsii Yellow-billed Loon. PODICIPEDIFORMES PODICIPEDIDAE Tachybaptusdominicus Least Grebe. Podilymbuspodiceps Pied-billed Grebe. ?Podilymbusgigas Atitlan Grebe. Podicepsauritus Horned Grebe. Podicepsgrisegena Red-neckedGrebe. Podicepsnigricollis Eared Grebe. Aechmophorusoccidentalis Western Grebe. Aechmophorusclarkii Clark's Grebe. PROCELLARIIFORMES DIOMEDEIDAE Thalassarchechlororhynchos Yellow-nosed Albatross. (A) Thalassarchecauta Shy Albatross.(A) Thalassarchemelanophris Black-browed Albatross. (A) Phoebetriapalpebrata Light-mantled Albatross. (A) Diomedea exulans WanderingAlbatross. (A) Phoebastriaimmutabilis Laysan Albatross. Phoebastrianigripes Black-lootedAlbatross. Phoebastriaalbatrus Short-tailedAlbatross. (N) PROCELLARIIDAE Fulmarus glacialis Northern Fulmar. Pterodroma neglecta KermadecPetrel. (A) Pterodroma -
Predation on Vertebrates by Neotropical Passerine Birds Leonardo E
Lundiana 6(1):57-66, 2005 © 2005 Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - UFMG ISSN 1676-6180 Predation on vertebrates by Neotropical passerine birds Leonardo E. Lopes1,2, Alexandre M. Fernandes1,3 & Miguel Â. Marini1,4 1 Depto. de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-910, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. 2 Current address: Lab. de Ornitologia, Depto. de Zoologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, 31270-910, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]. 3 Current address: Coleções Zoológicas, Aves, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Avenida André Araújo, 2936, INPA II, 69083-000, Manaus, AM, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]. 4 Current address: Lab. de Ornitologia, Depto. de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade de Brasília, 70910-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected] Abstract We investigated if passerine birds act as important predators of small vertebrates within the Neotropics. We surveyed published studies on bird diets, and information on labels of museum specimens, compiling data on the contents of 5,221 stomachs. Eighteen samples (0.3%) presented evidence of predation on vertebrates. Our bibliographic survey also provided records of 203 passerine species preying upon vertebrates, mainly frogs and lizards. Our data suggest that vertebrate predation by passerines is relatively uncommon in the Neotropics and not characteristic of any family. On the other hand, although rare, the ability to prey on vertebrates seems to be widely distributed among Neotropical passerines, which may respond opportunistically to the stimulus of a potential food item. -
The Role of Size Assortment in Structuring Neotropical Bird Communities
Brooks, D.M. 2003. The role of size assortment in structuring Neotropical bird communities. Tx. J. Sci. 55: 59-74. THE ROLE OF SIZE ASSORTMENT IN STRUCTURING NEOTROPICAL BIRD COMMUNITIES Daniel M. Brooks Houston Museum of Natural Science; Department of Vertebrate Zoology; One Hermann Circle Dr.; Houston, Texas 77030-1799, USA ABSTRACT - I tested confamilial size assortment at three different latitudes, representing a gradient of productivity and stability: the northern subtropics (Rio Grande Valley), the equatorial zone (Amazonian Peru) and the austral subtropics (Paraguayan Chaco). Size assortment is the likely diminished persistence of a species by presence of morphologically similar species; temporally synchronous and spatially sympatric species competing for similar resources should exhibit distinct characters in ecomorphological space, molded over time to reduce the chance of competition. Despite least intensive sampling effort at the Amazon site, it is the most speciose (238 species, 78 common) compared to the Chaco (147, 76) and Rio Grande (61, 24) sites. Size assortment was tested by comparing mean mandibular measurements of confamilials in a real pool against those in a null pool. The pattern of size assortment was pervasive in 68% of the 22 families tested, with most being animal consumers or omnivores, represented by a high percentage of insectivores. EL PAPEL DE LA VARIEDAD DE TAMAÑO EN LA ESTRUCTURACIÓN DE LAS COMUNIDADES DE AVES NEOTROPICALES - La variedad del tamaño confamiliar (miembros de la misma familia) fue probada en tres latitudes diferentes representando un gradiente de productividad y estabilidad: el subtrópico septentrional (Valle del Río Grande), la zona ecuatorial (Amazonas peruano) y el subtrópico austral (Chaco paraguayo). -
1 Husbandry Guidelines Apodiformes Hummingbirds-Trochilidae Karen
Husbandry Guidelines Apodiformes Hummingbirds-Trochilidae Karen Krebbs, Conservation Biologist / Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum / Tucson, AZ Dave Rimlinger, Curator of Ornithology / San Diego Zoo / San Diego, CA Michael Mace, Curator of Ornithology / San Diego Wild Animal Park / Escondido, CA September, 2002 1. ACQUISITION AND ACCLIMATIZATION Sources of birds & acclimatization procedures - In the United States local species of hummingbirds can be collected with the proper permits. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum usually has species such as Anna's (Calypte anna), Costa's (Calypte costae), and Broad-billed (Cynanthus latirostris) for surplus each year if these species have nested in their Hummingbird Exhibit. In addition to keeping some native species, the San Diego Zoo has tried to maintain several exotic species such as Sparkling violet-ear (Colibri coruscans), Emerald (Amazilia amazilia), Oasis (Rhodopis vesper), etc. The San Diego Wild Animal Park has a large mixed species glass walk-through enclosure and has kept and produced hummingbirds over the years. All hummingbirds are on Appendix II of CITES and thus are covered under the Wild Bird Conservation Act (WBCA). An import permit from USFWS and an export permit from the country of origin must be obtained prior to the importation. Permits have been granted in the past, but currently it is difficult to find a country willing to export hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are more commonly kept in European collections, particularly private collections, and could be a source for future imports. Weighing Hummingbirds can be placed in a soft mesh bag and weighed with a spring scale. Electronic digital platform scales can also be used. A small wooden crate with a wire mesh front can also be used for weighing. -
Interspecific Social Dominance Mimicry in Birds
bs_bs_banner Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014. With 6 figures Interspecific social dominance mimicry in birds RICHARD OWEN PRUM1,2* 1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8150, USA 2Peabody Natural History Museum, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8150, USA Received 3 May 2014; revised 17 June 2014; accepted for publication 21 July 2014 Interspecific social dominance mimicry (ISDM) is a proposed form of social parasitism in which a subordinate species evolves to mimic and deceive a dominant ecological competitor in order to avoid attack by the dominant, model species. The evolutionary plausibility of ISDM has been established previously by the Hairy-Downy game (Prum & Samuelson). Psychophysical models of avian visual acuity support the plausibility of visual ISDM at distances ∼>2–3 m for non-raptorial birds, and ∼>20 m for raptors. Fifty phylogenetically independent examples of avian ISDM involving 60 model and 93 mimic species, subspecies, and morphs from 30 families are proposed and reviewed. Patterns of size differences, phylogeny, and coevolutionary radiation generally support the predic- tions of ISDM. Mimics average 56–58% of the body mass of the proposed model species. Mimics may achieve a large potential deceptive social advantage with <20% reduction in linear body size, which is well within the range of plausible, visual size confusion. Several, multispecies mimicry complexes are proposed (e.g. kiskadee- type flycatchers) which may coevolve through hierarchical variation in the deceptive benefits, similar to Müllerian mimicry. ISDM in birds should be tested further with phylogenetic, ecological, and experimental investigations of convergent similarity in appearance, ecological competition, and aggressive social interactions between sympatric species. -
The Shiny Cowbird Reaches the United States
BREEDING RECORD The ShinyCowbird reaches the UnitedStates Will the scourge of the Caribbean impact Florida's avifauna too? P. William Smith and Alexander Sprunt IV ductinga BreedingBird Surveyon NLowerJUNE Matecumbe14,1985, Key,WHILE MonroeCON- County, Florida, Sprunt and Karen Sunderland discoveredthe first Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) re- ported in the United States,a male, with Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) in mangroves near the shoulderof the OverseasHighway (U.S. 1). Its appearancein Florida was hardly unexpected. From its South American base, the Shiny Cowbird has spread northward, mostly during this century, through the Antilles; its expansionhas been particularly strongover the last 30 years(Post and Wiley 1977; Arendt and Figure 1. Three male Shiny Cowbirdsjoin Mourning Dovesand Eura•ian Collared-Dovesat Vargas 1984). By 1982, the specieshad Islamorada.Florida. July 5, 1986. Photo/P William Smith (VIREO SI4/2/003). reachedthe north coastof Cuba (Bond in the United States. This constituted On the other hand, female and ju- 1984;Cruz el al. 1985), only about 100 the first recordfor the Florida peninsula venile Shiny Cowbirds representa def- miles south of its point of discoveryin and the first definite report of a female inite identification challenge (Figs. 5- the United States. After it was relocated in the United States. Up to five male 6). An examination of specimensat the at a nearby feeder, the Lower Matec- and two female Shinies were seen to- Academy of Natural Sciences,in Phil- umbe Shiny Cowbird was observedby getherwith the Brown-headedCowbirds adelphia, reveals that except for head birders for several weeks. at Flamingo until at least late June and bill shape,there is almost complete In 1986, Smith and his wife were 1987.A juvenileShiny was present from overlap in charactersbetween female trying to capture Eurasian Collared- June 27 until late July, suggestingthe Shinies of the race minimus. -
Western Birds
WESTERN BIRDS Vol. 49, No. 4, 2018 Western Specialty: Golden-cheeked Woodpecker Second-cycle or third-cycle Herring Gull at Whiting, Indiana, on 25 January 2013. The inner three primaries on each wing of this bird appear fresher than the outer primaries. They may represent the second alternate plumage (see text). Photo by Desmond Sieburth of Los Angeles, California: Golden-cheeked Woodpecker (Melanerpes chrysogenys) San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico, 30 December 2016 Endemic to western mainland Mexico from Sinaloa south to Oaxaca, the Golden-cheeked Woodpecker comprises two well-differentiated subspecies. In the more northern Third-cycle (or possibly second-cycle) Herring Gull at New Buffalo, Michigan, on M. c. chrysogenys the hindcrown of both sexes is largely reddish with only a little 14 September 2014. Unlike the other birds illustrated on this issue’s back cover, in this yellow on the nape, whereas in the more southern M. c. flavinuchus the hindcrown is individual the pattern of the inner five primaries changes gradually from feather to uniformly yellow, contrasting sharply with the forehead (red in the male, grayish white feather, with no abrupt contrast. Otherwise this bird closely resembles the one on the in the female). The subspecies intergrade in Nayarit. Geographic variation in the outside back cover, although the prealternate molt of the other body and wing feathers Golden-cheeked Woodpecker has not been widely appreciated, perhaps because so many has not advanced as far. birders and ornithologists are familiar with the species from San Blas, in the center of Photos by Amar Ayyash the zone of intergradation. Volume 49, Number 4, 2018 The 42nd Annual Report of the California Bird Records Committee: 2016 Records Guy McCaskie, Stephen C. -
MORPHOLOGICAL and ECOLOGICAL EVOLUTION in OLD and NEW WORLD FLYCATCHERS a Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the College O
MORPHOLOGICAL AND ECOLOGICAL EVOLUTION IN OLD AND NEW WORLD FLYCATCHERS A dissertation presented to the faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences of Ohio University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy Clay E. Corbin August 2002 This dissertation entitled MORPHOLOGICAL AND ECOLOGICAL EVOLUTION IN OLD AND NEW WORLD FLYCATCHERS BY CLAY E. CORBIN has been approved for the Department of Biological Sciences and the College of Arts and Sciences by Donald B. Miles Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences Leslie A. Flemming Dean, College of Arts and Sciences CORBIN, C. E. Ph.D. August 2002. Biological Sciences. Morphological and Ecological Evolution in Old and New World Flycatchers (215pp.) Director of Dissertation: Donald B. Miles In both the Old and New Worlds, independent clades of sit-and-wait insectivorous birds have evolved. These independent radiations provide an excellent opportunity to test for convergent relationships between morphology and ecology at different ecological and phylogenetic levels. First, I test whether there is a significant adaptive relationship between ecology and morphology in North American and Southern African flycatcher communities. Second, using morphological traits and observations on foraging behavior, I test whether ecomorphological relationships are dependent upon locality. Third, using multivariate discrimination and cluster analysis on a morphological data set of five flycatcher clades, I address whether there is broad scale ecomorphological convergence among flycatcher clades and if morphology predicts a course measure of habitat preference. Finally, I test whether there is a common morphological axis of diversification and whether relative age of origin corresponds to the morphological variation exhibited by elaenia and tody-tyrant lineages. -
Bulletin Vol. 47, No
OLOG ITH ICA N L R SO O C S I A E X T E Y T BULLETIN OF THE TEXAS ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY Vol. 47 No. 1–2 December 2014 Published by the Texas Ornithological Society www.texasbirds.org THE TEXAS ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OFFICERS JIM HAILEY BRYON STONE SHELIA HARGIS PRESIDENT PRESIDENT-ELECT VICE-PRESIDENT DAVID SARKOZI SANDI WHEELER STEVE GROSS SECRETARY TREASURER PAST-PRESIDENT JACK EITNIEAR EDITOR MEMBERSHIP Any person interested in the birds of Texas may become a member of the Texas Ornithological Society. Individual membership rates are $25.00 per year, $50.00 at the Sustaining level, $15.00 Student, Family $35.00, $400.00 Life and $500.00 Life w/Spouse. These memberships include print versions of Texas Birds Annual, The Bulletin of the Texas Ornithological Society and the electronic version of TOS NEWS. To become a member send check or money order in U.S. funds with complete name and address to: Texas Ornithological Society Memberships, PMB #189, 12468 Austin Highway, San Antonio, Texas 78209. Memberships can also be obtained by consulting www.Texasbirds.org PUBLICATIONS The Bulletin of the Texas Ornithological Society is an annual1 journal devoted to the biology and conservation of the birds that occur in Texas and adjacent areas. Texas Birds Annual is published each year and includes new birding areas, recent media, vagrants and noteworthy birds from the previous year, articles on bird conservation issues and species profiles. TOS News is a tri-annual electronic newsletter produced by TOS. Two issues include registration information on TOS meetings and a third includes information promoting membership in the society. -
Falcon Dam Releases to Increase Again; Diversions Into U.S
International Boundary and Water Commission United States Section For immediate release September 23, 2010 FALCON DAM RELEASES TO INCREASE AGAIN; DIVERSIONS INTO U.S. INTERIOR FLOODWAY EXPECTED The International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico, will increase releases from Falcon Dam, located at Falcon Heights, Texas-Nueva Ciudad Guerrero, Tamaulipas, from 11,500 cubic feet per second (325 cubic meters per second) to 15,000 cubic feet per second (425 cubic meters per second) on the morning of September 24. The reservoir has continued to rise due to precipitation in the Rio Grande basin, requiring increased releases so as to maintain Falcon Reservoir at a safe level. These releases are only one-fourth of the peak releases that occurred in July. With elevated flow in the Rio Grande, the Commission expects to divert water into the U.S. interior floodway system in the Lower Rio Grande Valley beginning this week. River flow is elevated due to the Falcon Dam releases coupled with inflows from Mexican tributaries downstream from Falcon Dam. The National Weather Service is not currently forecasting flood conditions at Rio Grande City based on the increased releases from Falcon Dam, assuming no increased inflows from Mexican tributaries downstream from the dam. Based on information currently available, any diversions into the U.S. interior floodway would likely be minimal – approximately one-tenth of the peak flow experienced in July and only 5% of the floodway system’s capacity. The interior floodway system includes the Banker Floodway, Main Floodway, North Floodway, and Arroyo Colorado in Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy Counties.