DOCSLIB.ORG

The Behavioural Ecology of the Thick-Billed Grasswren

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Behavioural Ecology of the Thick-Billed Grasswren The behavioural ecology of the thick-billed grasswren Marina (Maria Carolina Johanna) Louter (MSc Biology) A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Biological Sciences Faculty of Science and Engineering Flinders University of South Australia Cover image: Typical thick-billed grasswren habitat with chenopod shrubs at Witchelina Nature Reserve in South Australia, and (inset) a thick-billed grasswren (Amytornis modestus raglessi) in the hand. Photos by Marina Louter. ii Table of Contents List of Tables ................................................................................................................... vii List of Figures ................................................................................................................... ix List of Supplementary Material ..................................................................................... xi Thesis Summary .............................................................................................................. xii Declaration...................................................................................................................... xiv Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................... xv Statement of Authorship/Contribution and Acknowledgment ............................... xviii Chapter 1 General introduction ................................................................ 1 Behavioural conservation framework .................................................................... 1 Maluridae as conservation models ........................................................................ 1 Conservation status of grasswrens (Amytornis) .................................................... 3 Reproductive behaviour of grasswrens Amytornis ................................................ 4 Thesis scope and objective ................................................................................... 12 Organization of this thesis ................................................................................... 12 Chapter 2 Habitat recovery from grazing predicts presence but not home range size in thick-billed grasswrens (Amytornis modestus raglessi). ...................................................................................................... 13 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 14 Methods ............................................................................................................................ 18 Study area ............................................................................................................ 18 TBGW occurrence ................................................................................................ 19 Grazing impact – distance to dam ....................................................................... 20 Vegetation sampling – Jessup transects .............................................................. 20 Arthropod sampling Pitfalls ................................................................................. 22 Radio tracking of grasswrens .............................................................................. 22 Home Range Estimation ...................................................................................... 24 Group size, habitat use and foraging behaviour of grasswrens .......................... 25 Statistical analysis ............................................................................................... 26 Results .............................................................................................................................. 27 Grazing impact and ecological predictor variables ............................................ 27 TBGW occurrence ................................................................................................ 27 Home range size and ecological predictor variables .......................................... 29 Discussion......................................................................................................................... 29 Summary of results ............................................................................................... 29 Impacts of grazing on vegetation ......................................................................... 30 iii Impact of grazing on TBGWs ............................................................................... 31 Conclusions .......................................................................................................... 33 Chapter 3 What predicts nest predation in thick-billed grasswrens (Amytornis modestus raglessi)? ................................................................. 40 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 41 Methods ............................................................................................................................ 45 Study site .............................................................................................................. 45 Study species ........................................................................................................ 46 Natural nest searching, nest monitoring, and nesting outcome .......................... 47 Nest-predation experiment ................................................................................... 48 Rodent predator activity ...................................................................................... 49 Avian predator activity ........................................................................................ 50 Nesting site characteristics (natural and artificial)............................................. 50 Statistics ............................................................................................................... 51 Results .............................................................................................................................. 52 Nesting biology .................................................................................................... 52 Predation outcome grasswren nests .................................................................... 53 Predator identity natural grasswren nests ........................................................... 53 Nest-predation experiment ................................................................................... 53 Rodent activity and rodent nest predation ........................................................... 54 Avian predator activity and avian nest predation................................................ 54 Nesting site characteristics and nest predation at artificial and natural nests ... 55 Discussion......................................................................................................................... 56 Thick-billed grasswren nesting biology ............................................................... 56 Predation outcome thick-billed grasswren .......................................................... 57 Brood parasitism .................................................................................................. 57 Predator type at grasswren nests ......................................................................... 58 Nest-predation experiment ................................................................................... 59 Nest predation in other grasswren species .......................................................... 60 Conclusion and management implications .......................................................... 61 Chapter 4 Vegetation cover predicts parental feeding rates in thick- billed grasswrens (Amytornis modestus raglessi) .................................... 72 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 73 Methods ............................................................................................................................ 77 Study site .............................................................................................................. 77 Vegetation cover, shrub abundance and grazing ................................................ 77 Arthropod sampling ............................................................................................. 78 Group size and composition................................................................................. 78 Nest monitoring and nestling measuring ............................................................. 79 Digital video recording (DVR) system design ..................................................... 80 iv Effects of cameras on nest survival ...................................................................... 81 Prey size and prey items ...................................................................................... 82 Feeding rate with nestling age and time of day ................................................... 82 Parental care behaviour ...................................................................................... 83 Statistical Analysis ............................................................................................... 84 Results .............................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Lake Pinaroo Ramsar Site
    Ecological character description: Lake Pinaroo Ramsar site Ecological character description: Lake Pinaroo Ramsar site Disclaimer The Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW (DECC) has compiled the Ecological character description: Lake Pinaroo Ramsar site in good faith, exercising all due care and attention. DECC does not accept responsibility for any inaccurate or incomplete information supplied by third parties. No representation is made about the accuracy, completeness or suitability of the information in this publication for any particular purpose. Readers should seek appropriate advice about the suitability of the information to their needs. © State of New South Wales and Department of Environment and Climate Change DECC is pleased to allow the reproduction of material from this publication on the condition that the source, publisher and authorship are appropriately acknowledged. Published by: Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW 59–61 Goulburn Street, Sydney PO Box A290, Sydney South 1232 Phone: 131555 (NSW only – publications and information requests) (02) 9995 5000 (switchboard) Fax: (02) 9995 5999 TTY: (02) 9211 4723 Email: [email protected] Website: www.environment.nsw.gov.au DECC 2008/275 ISBN 978 1 74122 839 7 June 2008 Printed on environmentally sustainable paper Cover photos Inset upper: Lake Pinaroo in flood, 1976 (DECC) Aerial: Lake Pinaroo in flood, March 1976 (DECC) Inset lower left: Blue-billed duck (R. Kingsford) Inset lower middle: Red-necked avocet (C. Herbert) Inset lower right: Red-capped plover (C. Herbert) Summary An ecological character description has been defined as ‘the combination of the ecosystem components, processes, benefits and services that characterise a wetland at a given point in time’.
    [Show full text]
  • Sturt National Park
    Plan of Management Sturt National Park © 2018 State of NSW and the Office of Environment and Heritage With the exception of photographs, the State of NSW and the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) are pleased to allow this material to be reproduced in whole or in part for educational and non-commercial use, provided the meaning is unchanged and its source, publisher and authorship are acknowledged. Specific permission is required for the reproduction of photographs. OEH has compiled this publication in good faith, exercising all due care and attention. No representation is made about the accuracy, completeness or suitability of the information in this publication for any particular purpose. OEH shall not be liable for any damage that may occur to any person or organisation taking action or not on the basis of this publication. All content in this publication is owned by OEH and is protected by Crown Copyright. It is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) , subject to the exemptions contained in the licence. The legal code for the licence is available at Creative Commons . OEH asserts the right to be attributed as author of the original material in the following manner: © State of New South Wales and Office of Environment and Heritage 2018. This plan of management was adopted by the Minister for the Environment on 23 January 2018. Acknowledgments OEH acknowledges that Sturt is in the traditional Country of the Wangkumara and Malyangapa people. This plan of management was prepared by staff of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), part of OEH.
    [Show full text]
  • Canberra Bird Notes
    canberra ISSN 0314-8211 bird Volume 41 Number 2 June 2016 notes Registered by Australia Post 100001304 CANBERRA ORNITHOLOGISTS GROUP PO Box 301 Civic Square ACT 2608 2014-15 Committee President Alison Russell-French 0419 264 702 Vice-President Neil Hermes 0413 828 045 Secretary Bill Graham 0466 874 723 Treasurer Lia Battisson 6231 0147 (h) Member Jenny Bounds Member Sue Lashko Member Bruce Lindenmayer Member Chris Davey Member Julie McGuiness Member David McDonald Member Paul Fennell Email contacts General enquiries [email protected] President [email protected] Canberra Bird Notes [email protected]/[email protected] COG Database Inquiries [email protected] COG Membership [email protected] COG Web Discussion List [email protected] Conservation [email protected] Gang-gang Newsletter [email protected] GBS Coordinator [email protected] Publications for sale [email protected] Unusual bird reports [email protected] Website [email protected] Woodland Project [email protected] Other COG contacts Jenny Bounds Conservation Field Trips Sue Lashko 6251 4485 (h) COG Membership Sandra Henderson 6231 0303 (h) Canberra Bird Notes Michael Lenz 6249 1109 (h) Newsletter Editor Sue Lashko, Gail Neumann (SL) 6251 4485 (h) Databases Jaron Bailey 0439 270 835 (a. h.) Garden Bird Survey Duncan McCaskill 6259 1843 (h) Rarities Panel Barbara Allan 6254 6520 (h) Talks Program Organiser Jack Holland 6288 7840 (h) Records Officer Nicki Taws 6251 0303 (h) Website Julian Robinson 6239 6226 (h) Sales Kathy Walter 6241 7639 (h) Waterbird Survey Michael Lenz 6249 1109 (h) Distribution of COG publications Dianne Davey 6254 6324 (h) COG Library Barbara Allan 6254 6520 (h) Please use the General Inquiries email to arrange access to library items or for general enquiries, or contact the Secretary on 0466 874 723.
    [Show full text]
  • Disaggregation of Bird Families Listed on Cms Appendix Ii
    Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals 2nd Meeting of the Sessional Committee of the CMS Scientific Council (ScC-SC2) Bonn, Germany, 10 – 14 July 2017 UNEP/CMS/ScC-SC2/Inf.3 DISAGGREGATION OF BIRD FAMILIES LISTED ON CMS APPENDIX II (Prepared by the Appointed Councillors for Birds) Summary: The first meeting of the Sessional Committee of the Scientific Council identified the adoption of a new standard reference for avian taxonomy as an opportunity to disaggregate the higher-level taxa listed on Appendix II and to identify those that are considered to be migratory species and that have an unfavourable conservation status. The current paper presents an initial analysis of the higher-level disaggregation using the Handbook of the Birds of the World/BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World Volumes 1 and 2 taxonomy, and identifies the challenges in completing the analysis to identify all of the migratory species and the corresponding Range States. The document has been prepared by the COP Appointed Scientific Councilors for Birds. This is a supplementary paper to COP document UNEP/CMS/COP12/Doc.25.3 on Taxonomy and Nomenclature UNEP/CMS/ScC-Sc2/Inf.3 DISAGGREGATION OF BIRD FAMILIES LISTED ON CMS APPENDIX II 1. Through Resolution 11.19, the Conference of Parties adopted as the standard reference for bird taxonomy and nomenclature for Non-Passerine species the Handbook of the Birds of the World/BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World, Volume 1: Non-Passerines, by Josep del Hoyo and Nigel J. Collar (2014); 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Additional Records of Passerine Terrestrial Gaits
    ADDITIONAL RECORDS OF PASSERINE TERRESTRIAL GAITS GEORGE A. CLARK, JR. The varied methods of locomotion in birds pose significant problems in behavior, ecology, adaptation, and evolution. On the ground birds progress with their legs moving either synchronously (hopping) or asynchronously (walking, running) as the extreme conditions. Relatively terrestrial species often have asynchronous gaits, whereas primarily arboreal species are typically synchronous on the ground. Particularly important earlier studies on passerines are Kunkels’ (1962) comparative behavioral survey and Riiggebergs’ (1960) analysis of the morphological correlates of gaits. Over several years I have noted gaits for 47 passerine species in the U.S., En- gland, and Kenya, and have examined many references. I here sum- marize behavioral records for families not mentioned by Kunkel (1962) and also for species with gaits markedly unlike those of confamilial species discussed by him. My supplementary review is selective rather than ex- haustive with the aim of indicating more fully the distribution of gaits among the passerine families. Regional handbooks, life history studies, and other publications contain numerous additional records, but I know of none that negate the conclusions presented here. J. S. Greenlaw (in prep.) has reviewed elsewhere the passerine double-scratch foraging be- havior that has at times previously been discussed in connection with gaits (e.g., in Hailman 1973). VARIATION WITHIN SPECIES Gaits often vary within a species (Kunkel 1962, Hailman 1973, Schwartz 1964, Gobeil 1968, Eliot in Bent 1968:669-670, this study). As an addi- tional example, I have seen Common Grackles (Quisc&s quiscula) hop in contrast to their usual walk.
    [Show full text]
  • Recommended Band Size List Page 1
    Jun 00 Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme - Recommended Band Size List Page 1 Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme Recommended Band Size List - Birds of Australia and its Territories Number 24 - May 2000 This list contains all extant bird species which have been recorded for Australia and its Territories, including Antarctica, Norfolk Island, Christmas Island and Cocos and Keeling Islands, with their respective RAOU numbers and band sizes as recommended by the Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme. The list is in two parts: Part 1 is in taxonomic order, based on information in "The Taxonomy and Species of Birds of Australia and its Territories" (1994) by Leslie Christidis and Walter E. Boles, RAOU Monograph 2, RAOU, Melbourne, for non-passerines; and “The Directory of Australian Birds: Passerines” (1999) by R. Schodde and I.J. Mason, CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, for passerines. Part 2 is in alphabetic order of common names. The lists include sub-species where these are listed on the Census of Australian Vertebrate Species (CAVS version 8.1, 1994). CHOOSING THE CORRECT BAND Selecting the appropriate band to use combines several factors, including the species to be banded, variability within the species, growth characteristics of the species, and band design. The following list recommends band sizes and metals based on reports from banders, compiled over the life of the ABBBS. For most species, the recommended sizes have been used on substantial numbers of birds. For some species, relatively few individuals have been banded and the size is listed with a question mark. In still other species, too few birds have been banded to justify a size recommendation and none is made.
    [Show full text]
  • A Review of Lake Frome & Strzelecki Regional Reserves 1991-2001
    A Review of Lake Frome and Strzelecki Regional Reserves 1991 – 2001 s & ark W P il l d a l i f n e o i t a N South Australia A Review of Lake Frome and Strzelecki Regional Reserves 1991 – 2001 Strzelecki Regional Reserves Lake Frome This review has been prepared and adopted in pursuance to section 34A of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. Published by the Department for Environment and Heritage Adelaide, South Australia July 2002 © Department for Environment and Heritage ISBN: 0 7590 1038 2 Prepared by Outback Region National Parks & Wildlife SA Department for Environment and Heritage Front cover photographs: Lake Frome coastline, Lake Frome Regional Reserve, supplied by R Playfair and reproduced with permission. Montecollina Bore, Strzelecki Regional Reserve, supplied by C. Crafter and reproduced with permission. Department for Environment and Heritage TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................................................iii LIST OF TABLES..................................................................................................................................................iii LIST OF ACRONYMS and ABBREVIATIONS...................................................................................................iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ......................................................................................................................................iv FOREWORD ..........................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Biodiversity: the UK Overseas Territories. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee
    Biodiversity: the UK Overseas Territories Compiled by S. Oldfield Edited by D. Procter and L.V. Fleming ISBN: 1 86107 502 2 © Copyright Joint Nature Conservation Committee 1999 Illustrations and layout by Barry Larking Cover design Tracey Weeks Printed by CLE Citation. Procter, D., & Fleming, L.V., eds. 1999. Biodiversity: the UK Overseas Territories. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Disclaimer: reference to legislation and convention texts in this document are correct to the best of our knowledge but must not be taken to infer definitive legal obligation. Cover photographs Front cover: Top right: Southern rockhopper penguin Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome (Richard White/JNCC). The world’s largest concentrations of southern rockhopper penguin are found on the Falkland Islands. Centre left: Down Rope, Pitcairn Island, South Pacific (Deborah Procter/JNCC). The introduced rat population of Pitcairn Island has successfully been eradicated in a programme funded by the UK Government. Centre right: Male Anegada rock iguana Cyclura pinguis (Glen Gerber/FFI). The Anegada rock iguana has been the subject of a successful breeding and re-introduction programme funded by FCO and FFI in collaboration with the National Parks Trust of the British Virgin Islands. Back cover: Black-browed albatross Diomedea melanophris (Richard White/JNCC). Of the global breeding population of black-browed albatross, 80 % is found on the Falkland Islands and 10% on South Georgia. Background image on front and back cover: Shoal of fish (Charles Sheppard/Warwick
    [Show full text]
  • THE SOCIAL ORGANIZATION and MATING SYSTEM of the STRIATED GRASSWREN Author(S): Jordan Karubian Source: the Condor, 103(2):412-417
    THE SOCIAL ORGANIZATION AND MATING SYSTEM OF THE STRIATED GRASSWREN Author(s): Jordan Karubian Source: The Condor, 103(2):412-417. 2001. Published By: Cooper Ornithological Society DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1650/0010-5422(2001)103[0412:TSOAMS]2.0.CO;2 URL: http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1650/0010-5422%282001%29103%5B0412%3ATSOAMS %5D2.0.CO%3B2 BioOne (www.bioone.org) is a nonprofit, online aggregation of core research in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences. BioOne provides a sustainable online platform for over 170 journals and books published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses. Your use of this PDF, the BioOne Web site, and all posted and associated content indicates your acceptance of BioOne’s Terms of Use, available at www.bioone.org/page/terms_of_use. Usage of BioOne content is strictly limited to personal, educational, and non-commercial use. Commercial inquiries or rights and permissions requests should be directed to the individual publisher as copyright holder. BioOne sees sustainable scholarly publishing as an inherently collaborative enterprise connecting authors, nonprofit publishers, academic institutions, research libraries, and research funders in the common goal of maximizing access to critical research. SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 405 The Condor 103:405±408 q The Cooper Ornithological Society 2001 SPECIES AND SEX-BIASED PREDATION ON HATCHLING GREEN TURTLES BY FRIGATEBIRDS ON EUROPA ISLAND, WESTERN INDIAN OCEAN1 FRE DE RIC LAGARDE2 DeÂpartement de Biologie, Universite des Sciences et Techniques, Avenue Marcillac, 17000 La Rochelle, France MATTHIEU LE CORRE Laboratoire d'Ecologie Marine, UniversiteÂdeLaReÂunion, 97715 Saint Denis cedex, ReÂunion Island, France HERVE LORMEE Centre d'eÂtudes biologiques de ChizeÂ, C.N.R.S, 79360 Villiers en Bois, France Abstract.
    [Show full text]
  • Grey Range Thick-Billed Grasswren Brochure
    How to find a Grey Range Thick-billed Grasswren BirdLife Australia 1. Look for a patch of relatively healthy Black Bluebush Identifying Grey Range acknowledges the Traditional shrubland. Owners of the Country on 2. Watch from 10 to 30m away, observe shrubs and look for Thick-billed Grasswren which we live and work, and we bird movement - using binoculars is ideal. pay our respects to their Elders 3. Look at the birds’ appearance and behaviour (see inside) past, present and emerging. and compare with similar looking species. We recognise and are grateful Be patient. If you are lucky, the bird might land on a clear 4. for the immense contribution perch. However, please don’t chase or harass the bird. of Indigenous people to the When trying to find birds it is important to respect the rights knowledge and conservation of of all landowners and always ask for permission before entering private property. Australia’s birds. Australia’s voice for birds since 1901 What to record BirdLife Australia is dedicated to achieving 1. Take a photo of the habitat and of the bird, if possible, outstanding conservation results for our native although this is usually very difficult! birds and their habitats. With our specialised 2. An accurate location of where you found the bird using a knowledge and the commitment of an Australia GPS, phone or another device, or even a detailed map that wide network of volunteers and supporters, includes proximity to roads and landmarks. This is the most we are standing together to stop extinctions. important step! 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Amytornis Modestus Inexpectuatus Thick Billed Grasswren
    NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee Conservation Assessment of Thick billed Grasswren Amytornis modestus inexpectatus (Matthews, 1912) (Maluridae) B Hope, A Kerle, April 2020 NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee Thick-billed Grasswren Amytornis modestus inexpectatus (Matthews, 1912) Distribution: endemic to NSW; [Amytornis modestus occurs in the Northern Territory, South Australia and NSW; 1 other subspecies in NSW]. Current EPBC Act Status: Amytornis modestus listed as Vulnerable (subspecies not listed) Current NSW BC Act Status: Amytornis modestus inexpectatus listed as Critically Endangered Proposed listing on NSW BC Act and EPBC Act: Extinct Conservation Advice: Thick-billed Grasswren Amytornis modestus inexpectatus (Matthews, 1912) Summary of Conservation Assessment Amytornis modestus inexpectatus (Matthews, 1912) (Thick-billed Grasswren) found to be eligible for listing as extinct as at the time of this review there is no reasonable doubt that the last member of the species has died. Exhaustive surveys in known and/or expected habitat, at appropriate times (diurnal, seasonal, annual), and throughout its historical range have failed to record any individuals. Habitat change within the inferred range of this species has been substantial and remaining suitable habitat is uncommon and considered to be comprehensively surveyed. Description and Taxonomy Amytornis modestus (North, 1902) (Thick-billed Grasswren) is one of 11 presently recognised species within the purely continental Australian genus Amytornis (Black 2016). Until recently the species A. textilis was recognised across Australia, however since 2010 the eastern and western populations have been placed in A.m modestus (Thick-billed Grasswren) and Amytornis textilis (Western Grasswren), respectively (Christidis et al. 2010). A recent taxonomic assessment identified seven subspecies of A.
    [Show full text]
  • Birdquest Australia (Western and Christmas
    Chestnut-backed Button-quail in the north was a bonus, showing brilliantly for a long time – unheard of for this family (Andy Jensen) WESTERN AUSTRALIA 5/10 – 27 SEPTEMBER 2017 LEADER: ANDY JENSEN ASSISTANT: STUART PICKERING ! ! 1 BirdQuest Tour Report: Western Australia (including Christmas Island) 2017 www.birdquest-tours.com Western Shrike-tit was one of the many highlights in the southwest (Andy Jensen) Western Australia, if it were a country, would be the 10th largest in the world! The BirdQuest Western Australia (including Christmas Island) 2017 tour offered an unrivalled opportunity to cover a large portion of this area, as well as the offshore territory of Christmas Island (located closer to Indonesia than mainland Australia). Western Australia is a highly diverse region with a range of habitats. It has been shaped by the isolation caused by the surrounding deserts. This isolation has resulted in a richly diverse fauna, with a high degree of endemism. A must visit for any birder. This tour covered a wide range of the habitats Western Australia has to offer as is possible in three weeks, including the temperate Karri and Wandoo woodlands and mallee of the southwest, the coastal heathlands of the southcoast, dry scrub and extensive uncleared woodlands of the goldfields, coastal plains and mangroves around Broome, and the red-earth savannah habitats and tropical woodland of the Kimberley. The climate varied dramatically Conditions ranged from minus 1c in the Sterling Ranges where we were scraping ice off the windscreen, to nearly 40c in the Kimberley, where it was dust needing to be removed from the windscreen! We were fortunate with the weather – aside from a few minutes of drizzle as we staked out one of the skulkers in the Sterling Ranges, it remained dry the whole time.
    [Show full text]