DOCSLIB.ORG

Breeding and Dispersal Implications for the Conservation of the Southern Ground Hornbill Bucorvus Leadbeateri

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Breeding and Dispersal Implications for the Conservation of the Southern Ground Hornbill Bucorvus Leadbeateri Breeding and dispersal implications for the conservation of the Southern Ground Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri Kate Carstens Thesis presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology DST-NRF Centre of ExcellenceTown Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science University of CapeCape Town of October 2017 University Supervised by Professor Peter Ryan Co-supervised by Dr Rob Little and Dr Robert Thomson The copyright of this thesis vests in the author. No quotation from it or information derived from it is to be published without full acknowledgement of the source. The thesis is to be used for private study or non- commercial research purposes only. Published by the University of Cape Town (UCT) in terms of the non-exclusive license granted to UCT by the author. University of Cape Town Declaration This thesis reports original research that I conducted under the auspices of the Percy FitzPatrick Institute, University of Cape Town. All assistance received has been fully acknowledged. This work has not been submitted in any form for a degree at another university. Signature Removed Kate Carstens i Table of Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................... v Chapter 1 An introduction to artificial nests as a conservation tool .......................................... 1 Chapter 2 Reproductive productivity of Southern Ground Hornbills in an area supplemented with nest boxes ......................................................................................................................... 19 Chapter 3 Variation in the timing of egg-laying ...................................................................... 56 Chapter 4 Natal dispersal in the Southern Ground Hornbill .................................................... 73 Chapter 5 Synthesis.................................................................................................................. 89 References ................................................................................................................................ 99 ii Abstract Populations of secondary tree-cavity nesting bird species are often limited by a shortage of natural nesting sites. For the Southern Ground Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri that typically nests in natural tree cavities, the shortage of nesting sites is one factor potentially limiting population growth. The species is listed as endangered in South Africa, and vulnerable throughout the rest of its range. Nest boxes can improve the conservation status of threatened birds that are limited by nest-site availability. However, nest boxes or other types of artificial nests are not always beneficial to the target species, and their value as a conservation tool needs to be tested for each species. Wooden nest boxes were installed for ground hornbills in a study area in north eastern South Africa with a paucity of natural nest sites. In this thesis, I assess productivity, timing of breeding, and dispersal in the Southern Ground Hornbill in a study area supplemented with nest boxes and discuss the implications for the conservation of this endangered species. Nest boxes are an effective conservation tool to improve productivity in areas lacking natural tree cavity nesting sites. Breeding success (calculated as the proportion of nesting attempts that fledged a chick) and predation levels were similar for groups using nest boxes and natural nests. Natural nests were more buffered against cooling night temperatures, but otherwise nest boxes provided nesting conditions that were no better than natural nests. Timing of breeding for nests in natural tree cavities and nest boxes were similar. However, groups with access to a nest box attempted breeding more often than groups with access to a natural nest only, resulting in an 15 % increase in the number of fledglings per group compared to an adjacent protected area with no artificial nests. The number of breeding groups in the study area increased by 460 % over 12 years. However, there is a limit to the density of breeding groups. Breeding success was highest when breeding density was one breeding group per 90–120 km2, so nests should be spaced ~10 km apart. Given that the threats to ground hornbills include persecution and poisoning, increasing the reproductive rate by providing nest boxes should assist in slowing the decline by the increased recruitment of offspring into the population. Timing of breeding varied across years. The first eggs laid each year ranged from 9 September to 14 November, and median lay date was 03 November. Breeding attempts that were initiated early in the season were more likely to fledge a chick than those initiated later iii in the season. Timing of breeding was delayed during warmer springs, particularly under dry conditions. In savannas, hotter spring temperatures could limit food availability, for example, if higher temperatures cause the vegetation to dry out, resulting in a rapid decline in insect flush, especially in the phytophagous insect groups that form a large part of the ground hornbill diet. Factors to consider when constructing and placing nest boxes include thickness of the cavity walls, entrance height above ground and density of nest boxes placed in the landscape. Breeding attempts in natural nests and nest boxes with thicker nest walls and those positioned with higher entrances above the ground increased breeding success. Therefore, nests should be constructed with cavity walls at least 6 cm thick and placed so that the entrances are situated > 6 m above the ground. With 186 ringed chicks fledging from the study area after the installation of nest boxes, it was possible to observe their dispersal within the study area and farther away into the adjacent Kruger National Park. There was no evidence for sex-biased dispersal. Males and females dispersed at similar ages, and over similar distances, raising interesting questions about inbreeding avoidance mechanisms in this species. If females do not disperse beyond the range of related males, how do related individuals avoid pairing, and what forms of individual recognition exist? iv Acknowledgements I owe a great deal to the many people who were involved in the making of this PhD. First and foremost, my significant other, Cassie Carstens, for being by my side every step of the way. I am grateful that he shares my fascination with these modern-day pterodactyls, and for his love and support during this journey. To my supervisor, Peter Ryan, for his impeccable guidance. He allowed me to shape this PhD in my own way, but at the same time provided just enough steering to make sure my thoughts didn’t drift too far of course. To Rob Little, who gave me the chance to do this PhD, and who assisted me to edit countless versions of chapters. His help and guidance from the very beginning made this journey fun. To Robert Thomson, who came on board as an unofficial co-supervisor a little later during my PhD journey, but who provided useful comments on the chapters when my logic was sometimes flawed. To the support staff of the Fitz: Hilary Buchanan, Anthea Links, Tania Jansen, Chris Tobler, Margaret Koopman, Susan Mvungi, Denise Scheepers and Gonzalo Aguilar; knowing they were there to help was always a huge relief. And to Phil Hockey for his support during my early days with the study. To the many academic staff who not only made helpful comments on draft versions of these chapters, but who also provided insightful discussions when I was interpreting my results. I would like to thank Alan Kemp, whose in-depth knowledge of ground hornbills never ceases to amaze me, and who provided many useful and enjoyable discussions either in person or electronically. To Rita Covas for her discussions and comments on dispersal, as well as her contagious enthusiasm during our few discussions on behaviour and cooperative breeding systems. I am most indebted to Reshma Kassanjee for her advice and assistance with the statistical side of this PhD. She patiently worked through my data with me, and showed a quick mind when it came to understanding the complex nature of these birds. Also to Susie Cunningham and Martha Nelson-Flower for their help with my frequent questions on statistical modelling in the early days, and to Chevonne Reynolds for her help with my statistics questions toward the end. The field work for this study took place in reserves comprising private farms. I am extremely grateful to the landowners of the Klaserie, Timbavati, Umbabat, Balule and Jejane, for making their properties open to the Fitz’ Ground Hornbill Project. Thank you to the wardens, Colin Rowles, Jacques Britz, Brian Havermann, Glen Thomson, Mark Griffiths and Henri v Hibbett, for their help with various aspects of the day-to-day running of the Project. Many thanks to the ecologist, Almero Bosch, for his help when it came to arranging extra pairs of hands and eyes in the field, and for the opportunity to walk the Timbavati from east to west: an adventure I will never forget. To the reserve staff for all their help with project technicalities: Eric Manyike, Hennie Jacobs, Sipho Mdluli, Abel Matjie and Abel Strydom. Thank you to the various field assistants and friends whose help in the field made field work feel more like an adventure than work: Cassie Carstens and
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Hornbills of Borneo
    The following two species can be easily confused. They can be recognized If you want to support Hornbill Conservation in Sabah, please contact from other hornbill species by the yellow coloration around the head and neck in Marc Ancrenaz at Hutan Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Project: the males. The females have black heads and faces and blue throat pouches. [email protected] HORNBILLS OF BORNEO Wrinkled hornbill (Aceros corrugatus): A large, mainly black hornbill whose tail is mostly white with some black at the base. Males have a yellow bill and more prominent reddish casque while females have an all yellow bill and casque. SABAH MALAYSIA The presence of hornbills in the Kinabatangan area is an indication that the surrounding habitat is healthy. Hornbills need forests for nesting and food. Forests need hornbills for dispersal of seeds. And the local people need the forests for wood Wreathed hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus): A large, primarily black hornbill products, clean water and clean air. They are all connected: whose tail is all white with no black at the base. Both sexes have a pale bill with a small casque and a dark streak/mark on the throat pouch. people, hornbills and forests! Eight different hornbill species occur in Borneo and all are found in Kinabatangan. All are protected from hunting and/or disturbance. By fostering an awareness and concern of their presence in this region, hornbill conservation will be ensured for future generations. Credits: Sabah Forest Department, Sabah Wildlife Department, Hutan Kinabatangan Orangutan Conserva- tion Project (KOCP), Hornbill Research Foundation, Chester Zoo, Woodland Park Zoo.
    [Show full text]
  • The Conservation Biology of Tortoises
    The Conservation Biology of Tortoises Edited by Ian R. Swingland and Michael W. Klemens IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group and The Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology Occasional Papers of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) No. 5 IUCN—The World Conservation Union IUCN Species Survival Commission Role of the SSC 3. To cooperate with the World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) The Species Survival Commission (SSC) is IUCN's primary source of the in developing and evaluating a data base on the status of and trade in wild scientific and technical information required for the maintenance of biological flora and fauna, and to provide policy guidance to WCMC. diversity through the conservation of endangered and vulnerable species of 4. To provide advice, information, and expertise to the Secretariat of the fauna and flora, whilst recommending and promoting measures for their con- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna servation, and for the management of other species of conservation concern. and Flora (CITES) and other international agreements affecting conser- Its objective is to mobilize action to prevent the extinction of species, sub- vation of species or biological diversity. species, and discrete populations of fauna and flora, thereby not only maintain- 5. To carry out specific tasks on behalf of the Union, including: ing biological diversity but improving the status of endangered and vulnerable species. • coordination of a programme of activities for the conservation of biological diversity within the framework of the IUCN Conserva- tion Programme. Objectives of the SSC • promotion of the maintenance of biological diversity by monitor- 1.
    [Show full text]
  • South Africa: Magoebaskloof and Kruger National Park Custom Tour Trip Report
    SOUTH AFRICA: MAGOEBASKLOOF AND KRUGER NATIONAL PARK CUSTOM TOUR TRIP REPORT 24 February – 2 March 2019 By Jason Boyce This Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl showed nicely one late afternoon, puffing up his throat and neck when calling www.birdingecotours.com [email protected] 2 | TRIP REPORT South Africa: Magoebaskloof and Kruger National Park February 2019 Overview It’s common knowledge that South Africa has very much to offer as a birding destination, and the memory of this trip echoes those sentiments. With an itinerary set in one of South Africa’s premier birding provinces, the Limpopo Province, we were getting ready for a birding extravaganza. The forests of Magoebaskloof would be our first stop, spending a day and a half in the area and targeting forest special after forest special as well as tricky range-restricted species such as Short-clawed Lark and Gurney’s Sugarbird. Afterwards we would descend the eastern escarpment and head into Kruger National Park, where we would make our way to the northern sections. These included Punda Maria, Pafuri, and the Makuleke Concession – a mouthwatering birding itinerary that was sure to deliver. A pair of Woodland Kingfishers in the fever tree forest along the Limpopo River Detailed Report Day 1, 24th February 2019 – Transfer to Magoebaskloof We set out from Johannesburg after breakfast on a clear Sunday morning. The drive to Polokwane took us just over three hours. A number of birds along the way started our trip list; these included Hadada Ibis, Yellow-billed Kite, Southern Black Flycatcher, Village Weaver, and a few brilliant European Bee-eaters.
    [Show full text]
  • Zoo Boise's Animal Collection
    Updated: 10/29/2020 Zoo Boise’s Animal Collection Zoo Boise’s animal collection changes frequently and all animals in the collection are available to adopt. 3-banded Armadillo Long·haired Fruit Bat African Clawed Frog Madagascar Hissing Cockroach African Crested Porcupine Magellanic Penguin African Wild Dog Maned Wolf African Plated Lizard Mission golden-eyed tree frog Aldabra Tortoise Speckled Mousebird Alexandrine Parakeet Nile Crocodile Annam Stick Insect North American Porcupine Amazon Milk Frog Nyala Amur Tiger Olive Baboon Bat-eared Fox Patas Monkey Black-handed Spider Monkey Pied Crow Black-tailed Prairie Dog Prehensile-tailed Skink Blue-bellied Roller Red Panda·Red-capped cardinal Blue-Grey Tanager Red Billed Fire Finch California King Snake Red Legged Running Frog Cape-thick Knee Ring-tailed Lemur Capybara Rock Hyrax Cichlid Russian Tortoise Cotton-top Tamarin Sea Eagle Crested Gecko Serval Desert Tortoise Sheep East African Grey Crowned-Crane Silvery Cheeked Hornbill Giant Anteater Slender-tailed Meerkat Giant African Millipede Sloth Bear·Snow Leopard Gibbon Striped Hyena Gila Monster Spotted running frog Giraffe South African Vervet Goat Southern three-banded armadillo Gorongosa Girdled Lizard Southern Ground Hornbill Great Horned Owl Spotted-necked Otter Greater Rhea Striped Skunk Green Tree Python Tailless Whip Scorpion Grevy’s Zebra Trumpeter Hornbill Inca Tern Warthog Indian Flying Fox Orange Breasted Waxbill Indian Sarus Crane Western Red-Tailed Hawk Kenyan Sand Boa Western Screech Owl Kinkajou White-backed Vulture Komodo dragon White-eyed assassin bug Linne’s Two-Toed Sloth White nosed Coati Lion Yellow-headed poison frog .
    [Show full text]
  • Secrets of Chimanimani Revealed in Biodiversity Surveys 7 August 2019, by Sarah Pocock
    Secrets of Chimanimani revealed in biodiversity surveys 7 August 2019, by Sarah Pocock species. The second, more forested lowland area, did unfortunately show signs of human disturbance and encroachment by an invasive South American plant. Sadly, this forest habitat, found in the Moribane zone, is becoming increasingly rare in Mozambique, with only pockets representing some of the last of its type still left standing. Credit: Millie Kerr/FFI Despite not boasting the fame of the Serengeti or Kruger National Park, Chimanimani, straddling the Mozambican and Zimbabwean border, is an area like no other. Diverse landscapes and unique plant and animal species coexist together in this comparatively unheralded region of southern Africa. Chimanimani’s mountainous landscapes are home to many fascinating species. Credit: Millie Kerr/FFI Botanists hail Chimanimani as a plant hotspot, with previous studies of highland flora revealing exceptionally high levels of endemism, but rather less is known of Chimanimani's animal and Even so, the surveys documented almost 1,100 lowland plant communities; a scientific knowledge species, including some new records for gap existed that needed to be filled. Mozambique and several potential new additions to science. In response to this, in late 2018, Fauna & Flora International (FFI), along with scientists and Ungulates, bats, primates and rodents contributed students from a range of international partner to the 42 species of mammal recorded by the team. organisations, spent two weeks conducting Birds included the globally vulnerable martial eagle biodiversity surveys of two of Chimanimani's lesser- and southern ground-hornbill, with species totalling studied areas. 231 over the surveys.
    [Show full text]
  • Molecular Ecology and Social Evolution of the Eastern Carpenter Bee
    Molecular ecology and social evolution of the eastern carpenter bee, Xylocopa virginica Jessica L. Vickruck, B.Sc., M.Sc. Department of Biological Sciences Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of PhD Faculty of Mathematics and Science, Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario © 2017 Abstract Bees are extremely valuable models in both ecology and evolutionary biology. Their link to agriculture and sensitivity to climate change make them an excellent group to examine how anthropogenic disturbance can affect how genes flow through populations. In addition, many bees demonstrate behavioural flexibility, making certain species excellent models with which to study the evolution of social groups. This thesis studies the molecular ecology and social evolution of one such bee, the eastern carpenter bee, Xylocopa virginica. As a generalist native pollinator that nests almost exclusively in milled lumber, anthropogenic disturbance and climate change have the power to drastically alter how genes flow through eastern carpenter bee populations. In addition, X. virginica is facultatively social and is an excellent organism to examine how species evolve from solitary to group living. Across their range of eastern North America, X. virginica appears to be structured into three main subpopulations: a northern group, a western group and a core group. Population genetic analyses suggest that the northern and potentially the western group represent recent range expansions. Climate data also suggest that summer and winter temperatures describe a significant amount of the genetic differentiation seen across their range. Taken together, this suggests that climate warming may have allowed eastern carpenter bees to expand their range northward. Despite nesting predominantly in disturbed areas, eastern carpenter bees have adapted to newly available habitat and appear to be thriving.
    [Show full text]
  • Volume 2. Animals
    AC20 Doc. 8.5 Annex (English only/Seulement en anglais/Únicamente en inglés) REVIEW OF SIGNIFICANT TRADE ANALYSIS OF TRADE TRENDS WITH NOTES ON THE CONSERVATION STATUS OF SELECTED SPECIES Volume 2. Animals Prepared for the CITES Animals Committee, CITES Secretariat by the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre JANUARY 2004 AC20 Doc. 8.5 – p. 3 Prepared and produced by: UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK UNEP WORLD CONSERVATION MONITORING CENTRE (UNEP-WCMC) www.unep-wcmc.org The UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre is the biodiversity assessment and policy implementation arm of the United Nations Environment Programme, the world’s foremost intergovernmental environmental organisation. UNEP-WCMC aims to help decision-makers recognise the value of biodiversity to people everywhere, and to apply this knowledge to all that they do. The Centre’s challenge is to transform complex data into policy-relevant information, to build tools and systems for analysis and integration, and to support the needs of nations and the international community as they engage in joint programmes of action. UNEP-WCMC provides objective, scientifically rigorous products and services that include ecosystem assessments, support for implementation of environmental agreements, regional and global biodiversity information, research on threats and impacts, and development of future scenarios for the living world. Prepared for: The CITES Secretariat, Geneva A contribution to UNEP - The United Nations Environment Programme Printed by: UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre 219 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 0DL, UK © Copyright: UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre/CITES Secretariat The contents of this report do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of UNEP or contributory organisations.
    [Show full text]
  • Visual Fields in Hornbills: Precision-Grasping and Sunshades
    Ibis (2004), 146, 18–26 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Visual fields in hornbills: precision-grasping and sunshades GRAHAM R. MARTIN1* & HENDRI C. COETZEE2 1School of Biosciences, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK 2Ground Hornbill Research and Conservation Project, Private Bag X1644, Warmbaths, 0480, Republic of South Africa Retinal visual fields were determined in Southern Ground Hornbills Bucorvus leadbeateri and Southern Yellow-billed Hornbills Tockus leucomelas (Coraciiformes, Bucerotidae) using an ophthalmoscopic reflex technique. In both species the binocular field is relatively long and narrow with a maximum width of 30° occurring 40° above the bill. The bill tip projects into the lower half of the binocular field. This frontal visual field topography exhibits a number of key features that are also found in other terrestrial birds. This supports the hypothesis that avian visual fields are of three principal types that are correlated with the degree to which vision is employed when taking food items, rather than with phylogeny. However, unlike other species studied to date, in both hornbill species the bill intrudes into the binocular field. This intrusion of the bill restricts the width of the binocular field but allows the birds to view their own bill tips. It is suggested that this is associated with the precision-grasping feeding technique of hornbills. This involves forceps-like grasping and manipulation of items in the tips of the large decurved bill. The two hornbill species differ in the extent of the blind area perpendicularly above the head. Interspecific comparison shows that eye size and the width of the blind area above the head are significantly cor- related.
    [Show full text]
  • Answering the Call of the Thunder Bird
    www.forestryexplained.co.za Answering the call of the Thunder Bird Forestry Explained: Our Conservation Legacy South Africa’s thunder bird The Southern Ground-Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) is an African icon. Its long eyelashes, flash of white primary flight feathers against a backdrop of black and red gular pouch along with its characteristic tiptoe gait make it impossible to confuse with anything else. Known to be the avian world’s largest co-operative breeder, these ground-hornbills live in groups of two to 12, made up of mostly male helpers that help defend the territory and aid the breeding pair with raising their young . Surviving on insects, reptiles, amphibians and small to medium sized birds and mammals , Southern Ground-Hornbills need to defend such large territories in order to find sufficient prey and ensure that within that territory is a suitable nest hollow. The Southern Ground-Hornbill is ecologically important as a top-order predator which has earned it a place in the ‘African Big Six’ of the bird world. It is also culturally important, fondly deemed to be the ‘bringer of rain’. Yet the future of South Africa’s thunder bird has never looked more uncertain. This makes them sparsely distributed over their natural range - which in the 1900’s covered most of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, the northern Eastern Cape and even parts of Gauteng. Sadly, this area has shrunk greatly over the past century as habitat has been lost and groups exterminated with devastating effect to their populations. Today only three core concentrations remain: 1. Kruger National Park and adjacent private reserves that make up the greater Kruger region.
    [Show full text]
  • Detail on Species. Abyssinian Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus Abyssinicus)
    University of Plymouth PEARL https://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk The Plymouth Student Scientist - Volume 01 - 2008 The Plymouth Student Scientist - Volume 1, No. 2 - 2008 2008 Is there a visitor effect on Abyssinian Ground Hornbills (Bucorvus abyssinicus), Papuan Wreathed Hornbills (Aceros plicatus), Wrinkled Hornbills (Aceros corrugatus) and Toco Toucans (Ramphastos toco) in a captive zoo environment? Thicks, S. Thicks, S. (2008) 'Is there a visitor effect on Abyssinian Ground Hornbills (Bucorvus abyssinicus), Papuan Wreathed Hornbills (Aceros plicatus), Wrinkled Hornbills (Aceros corrugatus) and Toco Toucans (Ramphastos toco) in a captive zoo environment?', The Plymouth Student Scientist, 1(2), pp. 30-55. http://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/13810 The Plymouth Student Scientist University of Plymouth All content in PEARL is protected by copyright law. Author manuscripts are made available in accordance with publisher policies. Please cite only the published version using the details provided on the item record or document. In the absence of an open licence (e.g. Creative Commons), permissions for further reuse of content should be sought from the publisher or author. Appendix 1: Detail on species. Abyssinian Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus abyssinicus) The Abyssinian Ground Hornbill ranges from West Africa (Gambia, Nigeria, and Somalia) to East Africa (Uganda and central Kenya) (Falzone 1989). Both males and females are generally black, with white primaries, and have a cylindrical casque which is open at the front. It also has a patch at the base of the upper mandible which is yellow-red in colour. The differences between the male and the female is that the male has a red patch on the blue bare skin around the eyes, throat and neck (Photograph 1 and 2), whilst the female does not have a red patch; the skin is just all blue (Photograph 3).
    [Show full text]
  • Leptosomiformes ~ Trogoniformes ~ Bucerotiformes ~ Piciformes
    Birds of the World part 6 Afroaves The core landbirds originating in Africa TELLURAVES: AFROAVES – core landbirds originating in Africa (8 orders) • ORDER ACCIPITRIFORMES – hawks and allies (4 families, 265 species) – Family Cathartidae – New World vultures (7 species) – Family Sagittariidae – secretarybird (1 species) – Family Pandionidae – ospreys (2 species) – Family Accipitridae – kites, hawks, and eagles (255 species) • ORDER STRIGIFORMES – owls (2 families, 241 species) – Family Tytonidae – barn owls (19 species) – Family Strigidae – owls (222 species) • ORDER COLIIFORMES (1 family, 6 species) – Family Coliidae – mousebirds (6 species) • ORDER LEPTOSOMIFORMES (1 family, 1 species) – Family Leptosomidae – cuckoo-roller (1 species) • ORDER TROGONIFORMES (1 family, 43 species) – Family Trogonidae – trogons (43 species) • ORDER BUCEROTIFORMES – hornbills and hoopoes (4 families, 74 species) – Family Upupidae – hoopoes (4 species) – Family Phoeniculidae – wood hoopoes (9 species) – Family Bucorvidae – ground hornbills (2 species) – Family Bucerotidae – hornbills (59 species) • ORDER PICIFORMES – woodpeckers and allies (9 families, 443 species) – Family Galbulidae – jacamars (18 species) – Family Bucconidae – puffbirds (37 species) – Family Capitonidae – New World barbets (15 species) – Family Semnornithidae – toucan barbets (2 species) – Family Ramphastidae – toucans (46 species) – Family Megalaimidae – Asian barbets (32 species) – Family Lybiidae – African barbets (42 species) – Family Indicatoridae – honeyguides (17 species) – Family
    [Show full text]
  • Singita Kruger National Park Wildlife Report August 2013
    Singita Kruger National Park Lebombo & Sweni Lodges South Africa Wildlife Journal For the month of July, Two Thousand and Thirteen Temperature Rainfall Recorded Average Minimum: 12.3°C (54.1°F) For the period: 0mm Average Maximum: 27.0°C (80.7°F) For the year to date: 409.5mm Minimum recorded: 02.0°C (35.6°F) Maximum recorded: 34.0°C (93.4°F) Winter is definitely coming to an end Winter is always a productive time of the year for us on the concession, and this year has been as exciting as ever. A combination of the vegetation thinning out, and the permanent water sources have made for some spectacular, and consistent seasonal game viewing. Spring is upon us, and already some of the migratory birds have returned to this their southern destination - like southern yellow-billed kites and Wahlberg’s eagles. We now look forward to the first rains, with the promise of green colours, insect sounds and fresh smells, not to forget it's coming up to baby season! Coming of age It’s a harsh time in every young male lion's life, the day that they are seen as a threat to the dominant male and pushed into independence. When these young males reach puberty they are evicted from the pride and need to fend for themselves, this way ensuring there is no inbreeding within a pride. Pride dynamics dictate that all female members are related, being sisters, cousins or aunts to one another. Male eviction happens at roughly 2½ years old, the same age at which the mane becomes evident.
    [Show full text]