DOCSLIB.ORG

Breeding Dispersal and Philopatry in the Tree Swallow

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Breeding Dispersal and Philopatry in the Tree Swallow The Condor 106:768±776 q The Cooper Ornithological Society 2004 BREEDING DISPERSAL AND PHILOPATRY IN THE TREE SWALLOW DAVID W. W INKLER1,6,PETER H. WREGE1,PAUL E. ALLEN2,TRACEY L. KAST2, PIXIE SENESAC2,3,MATTHEW F. W ASSON1,4,PAULO E. LLAMBÂõAS1,VALENTINA FERRETTI1 AND PATRICK J. SULLIVAN5 1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 2Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 3Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 4Appalachian Voices, 703 W. King St., Boone, NC 28607 5Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 Abstract. To study the patterns and determinants of philopatry and breeding dispersal in the Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) we analyzed the records of 356 males and 1459 females captured in more than one breeding year around Ithaca, New York. Of these cap- tures, only 4% of male and 14% of female breeders dispersed to a new site for breeding. With our combination of intensive study areas in Tompkins County, New York, and the efforts of volunteer banders throughout New York and surrounding states, we could have detected dispersal in excess of 400 km from the initial breeding site. Randomization tests revealed, however, that breeders dispersed much shorter distances than they could have been detected. Detailed analyses of recaptures in Tompkins County showed that over a 22-km range of distances, the chances of dispersal to a new breeding site declined with the distance from the original breeding site. Females that failed to ¯edge any offspring were much more likely to disperse than females that reproduced successfully, and the probability of dispersal declined gradually with female age. The spatial scale in which swallows gather and process information appears to be much larger than for passerines that defend all-purpose territories. Key words: adult mortality, breeding success, dispersal, philopatry, spatial scale, Tach- ycineta bicolor, Tree Swallow. DispersioÂn Reproductiva y FilopatrõÂa en Tachycineta bicolor Resumen. Para estudiar los patrones y los determinantes de la ®lopatrõÂa y la dispersioÂn reproductiva en Tachycineta bicolor analizamos los registros de 356 machos y 1459 hembras capturados en maÂs de un anÄo reproductivo en los alrededores de Ithaca, New York. De estas capturas, soÂlo el 4% de los machos y el 14% de las hembras reproductivas se dispersaron a un nuevo sitio de crõÂa. Con nuestra combinacioÂn de aÂreas de estudio intensivas en el Condado de Tompkins, New York, y los esfuerzos de colaboradores voluntarios que anillaron aves a lo largo de New York y los estados circundantes, pudimos haber detectado eventos de dispersioÂnamaÂs de 400 km desde el sitio de crõÂa inicial. ExaÂmenes aleatorizados reve- laron, sin embargo, que las aves reproductivas se dispersaron a distancias mucho maÂs cortas que las que se podrõÂan haber detectado. AnaÂlisis detallados de recapturas en el Condado de Tompkins mostraron que en un rango de distancias de 22 km, las probabilidades de disper- sioÂn a un nuevo sitio de crõÂa disminuyeron con la distancia desde el sitio de crõÂa original. Las hembras que fracasaron en la crõÂa de pichones presentaron una probabilidad de disper- sarse mucho mayor que las hembras que se reprodujeron exitosamente, y la probabilidad de dispersioÂn disminuyo gradualmente con la edad de la hembra. La escala espacial a la que T. bicolor recoge y procesa informacioÂn parece ser mucho maÂs grande que la de aves paserinas que de®enden territorios de uso muÂltiple. INTRODUCTION dispersal is one of the most important life-his- All organisms are confronted by variable envi- tory responses to unavoidable habitat heteroge- ronments. For those organisms that can move, neity. Birds have some of the best-developed abilities to move, and the dispersal biology of birds is gradually becoming understood (Paradis Manuscript received 11 December 2003; accepted et al. 1998, Koenig et al. 2000, Powell and 11 June 2004. Frasch 2000, Hansson, Bensch, and Hasselquist 6 E-mail: [email protected] 2002, Paradis et al. 2002), despite the formida- [768] TREE SWALLOW BREEDING DISPERSAL 769 ble challenges of following their movements (Koenig et al. 1996, Koenig et al. 2000). Ornithologists de®ne dispersal as movement to a new breeding site from a natal or previous breeding site and distinguish it from the migra- tions that take birds to and from often distant wintering areas. Natal dispersal involves a bird's movement to its ®rst breeding site. By de®nition, it occurs only once in a bird's life, and tends to be of larger spatial scale than the movements between breeding sites, or ``breeding dispersal'' (Greenwood and Harvey 1982, Harvey et al. 1984, Lebreton et al. 2003; Winkler, in press). In multibrooded species, breeding dispersal can occur more than once in a single breeding sea- son, and all species can undertake breeding dis- persal after failed nesting attempts or between breeding seasons. It is unclear whether the un- FIGURE 1. Locations of Tree Swallow study sites derlying behavior and biology of natal and on Cornell University land to the east of Cayuga Lake (shaded) in Tompkins County, New York. Numerals breeding dispersal are really fundamentally dif- represent the unit designations for each site. Tompkins ferent. But surviving adults of breeding age County is outlined on the inset map. make repeated choices of breeding sites, increas- ing the opportunities for biologists to understand the kinds of information that are important and distances are thus not constrained by any limi- the ways that information is used in choosing tation of patchy habitat availability or vagility, sites. and this expansive potential for dispersal creates The determinants of site choice that have been a challenge to the researcher that is not present investigated include declining nest quality with in resident species. Tree Swallows possess a dis- increasing nest age (Gowaty and Plissner 1997, tinctive counteracting advantage: they are sec- Mazgajski 2003, Stanback and Rockwell 2003), ondary cavity nesters that rely on woodpeckers the sex of the bird (Harvey et al. 1978, Drilling (or humans) to create the tree holes (or nest box- and Thompson 1988, Bensch and Hasselquist es) in which they nest. Most Tree Swallows in 1991), and the success of prior nesting, either of central and western New York nest in boxes the dispersing bird (von Haartman 1949, Harvey erected for Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis), and et al. 1978, Gavin and Bollinger 1988, Gowaty this habit greatly simpli®es the researcher's tasks and Plissner 1997) or its prospective neighbors of ®nding nests, protecting them from predators, (Doligez et al. 2002). Another important in¯u- and characterizing the distribution of potential ence on breeding dispersal has been mate reten- habitat. Finally, Tree Swallows are uncommonly tion or abandonment (Harvey et al. 1978, resistant to disturbance, making them easy to Bensch and Hasselquist 1991, Beheler et al. trap during nesting. 2003). Here, we concentrate on describing the Our studies of Tree Swallows around Ithaca movement patterns and exploring the nonsocial were begun with the erection of 105 nest boxes determinants of breeding dispersal in a popula- in 1985 at Cornell University's Experimental tion of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) Ponds Unit 1 (428309N, 768289W), about 10 km nesting near Ithaca, New York. north of the Ithaca campus. Boxes were estab- lished at Experimental Ponds Unit 2 (128 boxes) METHODS in 1989, in Unit 3 along roads north of the ex- Tree Swallows are excellent subjects for study- perimental ponds (95 boxes) in 1991, on Cornell ing breeding dispersal. They ¯y every year be- farmland on Mt. Pleasant (Unit 4, 60 boxes) in tween breeding grounds throughout North 1991, along Hanshaw Road (Unit 5, 22 boxes) America and wintering areas in the Gulf Coast in 1993, and at Cornell's Harford Animal Sci- of North America, the Caribbean, and Central ence Complex (Unit 6, 131 boxes) in 2001 (Fig. America (Robertson et al. 1992). Their dispersal 1). Because of problems with House Sparrow 770 DAVID W. WINKLER ET AL. (Passer domesticus) predation, all boxes were duce an estimate of the median and range of the removed from Unit 3 after the 1993 nesting sea- expected dispersal-distance distribution for all son. Boxes at each unit are 20 m from the near- dispersals events. est neighboring box. All nest boxes on the units The uniform null model assumed that poten- were cleaned out before each breeding season, tial dispersers were equally able to ®nd and so the present study gathered no data on the ef- reach all the nesting opportunities in our entire fect of nest age on breeding dispersal (Gowaty 400-km-radius study circle. One alternative to and Plissner 1997, Mazgajski 2003). Tree Swal- this null model is that the birds searched for al- lows in the northeastern U.S. are single brooded ternative nesting sites starting at their previous (Robertson et al. 1992), and the breeding move- site and working outward from there until they ments described here are all movements between found an unoccupied site. Such local searches the breeding locations of one year and the next. produce a geometric decline in frequency with We also did not explore ®ne-scaled movements distance (e.g., Murray 1967, Waser 1985), and that birds may have made within units where we created a similar exponential null distribution territorial boundaries were vague. The move- by regressing the overall observed log probabil- ments we describe here are thus unequivocally ities of capture on distance and using the slope breeding dispersal, but ®ne-scale movements and intercept of this regression to parameterize may be worthy of further exploration in the fu- the null distribution. This null model thus takes ture. into account the reduction in nest-site availabil- Analyses are based on the sample of breeding ity and detectability with distance and mimics adults captured during 1990±2002, and thus what an animal picking a site at random starting cover potential breeding dispersal over 11 years.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Song Discrimination by Nestling Collared Flycatchers During Early
    Downloaded from http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/ on September 22, 2016 Animal behaviour Song discrimination by nestling collared rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org flycatchers during early development S. Eryn McFarlane, Axel So¨derberg, David Wheatcroft and Anna Qvarnstro¨m Animal Ecology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Norbyva¨gen 18D, 753 26 Uppsala, Sweden Research SEM, 0000-0002-0706-458X Cite this article: McFarlane SE, So¨derberg A, Pre-zygotic isolation is often maintained by species-specific signals and prefer- Wheatcroft D, Qvarnstro¨m A. 2016 Song ences. However, in species where signals are learnt, as in songbirds, learning discrimination by nestling collared flycatchers errors can lead to costly hybridization. Song discrimination expressed during during early development. Biol. Lett. 12: early developmental stages may ensure selective learning later in life but can 20160234. be difficult to demonstrate before behavioural responses are obvious. Here, http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2016.0234 we use a novel method, measuring changes in metabolic rate, to detect song perception and discrimination in collared flycatcher embryos and nestlings. We found that nestlings as early as 7 days old respond to song with increased metabolic rate, and, by 9 days old, have increased metabolic rate when listen- Received: 21 March 2016 ing to conspecific when compared with heterospecific song. This early Accepted: 20 June 2016 discrimination between songs probably leads to fewer heterospecific matings, and thus higher fitness of collared flycatchers living in sympatry with closely related species. Subject Areas: behaviour, ecology, evolution 1. Introduction When males produce signals that are only preferred by conspecific females, Keywords: costly heterospecific matings can be avoided.
    [Show full text]
  • Inferring the Demographic History of European Ficedula Flycatcher Populations Niclas Backström1,2*, Glenn-Peter Sætre3 and Hans Ellegren1
    Backström et al. BMC Evolutionary Biology 2013, 13:2 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/13/2 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Inferring the demographic history of European Ficedula flycatcher populations Niclas Backström1,2*, Glenn-Peter Sætre3 and Hans Ellegren1 Abstract Background: Inference of population and species histories and population stratification using genetic data is important for discriminating between different speciation scenarios and for correct interpretation of genome scans for signs of adaptive evolution and trait association. Here we use data from 24 intronic loci re-sequenced in population samples of two closely related species, the pied flycatcher and the collared flycatcher. Results: We applied Isolation-Migration models, assignment analyses and estimated the genetic differentiation and diversity between species and between populations within species. The data indicate a divergence time between the species of <1 million years, significantly shorter than previous estimates using mtDNA, point to a scenario with unidirectional gene-flow from the pied flycatcher into the collared flycatcher and imply that barriers to hybridisation are still permeable in a recently established hybrid zone. Furthermore, we detect significant population stratification, predominantly between the Spanish population and other pied flycatcher populations. Conclusions: Our results provide further evidence for a divergence process where different genomic regions may be at different stages of speciation. We also conclude that forthcoming analyses of genotype-phenotype relations in these ecological model species should be designed to take population stratification into account. Keywords: Ficedula flycatchers, Demography, Differentiation, Gene-flow Background analyses may be severely biased if there is population Using genetic data to infer the demographic history of a structure or recent admixture in the set of sampled indi- species or a population is of importance for several rea- viduals [5].
    [Show full text]
  • Characterization of the Recombination Landscape in Red-Breasted and Taiga Flycatchers
    UPTEC X 19043 Examensarbete 30 hp November 2019 Characterization of the Recombination Landscape in Red-breasted and Taiga Flycatchers Bella Vilhelmsson Sinclair Abstract Characterization of the Recombination Landscape in Red-Breasted and Taiga Flycatchers Bella Vilhelmsson Sinclair Teknisk- naturvetenskaplig fakultet UTH-enheten Between closely related species there are genomic regions with a higher level of Besöksadress: differentiation compared to the rest of the genome. For a time it was believed that Ångströmlaboratoriet these regions harbored loci important for speciation but it has now been shown that Lägerhyddsvägen 1 these patterns can arise from other mechanisms, like recombination. Hus 4, Plan 0 Postadress: The aim of this project was to estimate the recombination landscape for red-breasted Box 536 flycatcher (Ficedula parva) and taiga flycatcher (F. albicilla) using patterns of linkage 751 21 Uppsala disequilibrium. For the analysis, 15 red-breasted and 65 taiga individuals were used. Scaffolds on autosomes were phased using fastPHASE and the population Telefon: 018 – 471 30 03 recombination rate was estimated using LDhelmet. To investigate the accuracy of the phasing, two re-phasings were done for one scaffold. The correlation between the re- Telefax: phases were weak on the fine-scale, and strong between means in 200 kb windows. 018 – 471 30 00 Hemsida: 2,176 recombination hotspots were detected in red-breasted flycatcher and 2,187 in http://www.teknat.uu.se/student taiga flycatcher. Of those 175 hotspots were shared, more than what was expected by chance if the species were completely independent (31 hotspots). Both species showed a small increase in the rate at hotspots unique to the other species.
    [Show full text]
  • Merlewood RESEARCH and DEVELOPMENT PAPER No 84 A
    ISSN 0308-3675 MeRLEWOOD RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PAPER No 84 A BIBLIOGRAPHICALLY-ANNOTATED CHECKLIST OF THE BIRDS OF SAETLAND by NOELLE HAMILTON Institute of Terrestrial Ecology Merlewood Research Station Grange-over-Sands Cumbria England LA11 6JU November 1981 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1-4 ACKNOWLELZEMENTS 4 MAIN TEXT Introductory Note 5 Generic Index (Voous order) 7-8 Entries 9-102 BOOK SUPPUNT Preface 103 Book List 105-125 APPENDIX I : CHECKLIST OF THE BIRDS OF SBETLAND Introductar y Note 127-128 Key Works : Books ; Periodicals 129-130 CHECKLI5T 131-142 List of Genera (Alphabetical) 143 APPENDICES 11 - X : 'STATUS' IJSTS Introductory Note 145 11 BREEDING .SPECIES ; mainly residem 146 111 BREEDING SPECIES ; regular migrants 147 N NON-BREEDING SPECIES ; regular migrants 148 V NON=BREEDING SPECIES ; nationally rare migrants 149-150 VI NON-BREEDING SPECIES ; locally rare migrants 151 VII NON-BREEDING SPECIES : rare migrants - ' escapes ' ? 152 VIII SPECIES RECORDED IN ERROR 153 I IX INTRDWCTIONS 154 X EXTINCTIONS 155 T1LBLE 157 INTRODUCTION In 1973, in view of the impending massive impact which the then developing North Sea oil industry was likely to have on the natural environment of the Northern Isles, the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology was commissioned iy the Nature Conservancy Council to carry out an ecological survey of Shetland. In order to be able to predict the long-term effects of the exploitation of this important and valuable natural resource it was essential to amass as much infarmation as passible about the biota of the area, hence the need far an intensive field survey. Subsequently, a comprehensive report incorporating the results of the Survey was produced in 21 parts; this dealt with all aspects of the research done in the year of the Survey and presented, also, the outline of a monitoring programme by the use of which it was hoped that any threat to the biota might be detected in time to enable remedial action to be initiated.
    [Show full text]
  • Avian Malaria and Interspecific Interactions in Ficedula Flycatchers
    Digital Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Science and Technology 1781 Avian Malaria and Interspecific Interactions in Ficedula Flycatchers WILLIAM JONES ACTA UNIVERSITATIS UPSALIENSIS ISSN 1651-6214 ISBN 978-91-513-0589-9 UPPSALA urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-377921 2019 Dissertation presented at Uppsala University to be publicly examined in Zootissalen, EBC, Villavägen 9, Uppsala, Friday, 26 April 2019 at 10:00 for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The examination will be conducted in English. Faculty examiner: Associate Professor Rebecca Safran (University of Colorado, Boulder). Abstract Jones, W. 2019. Avian Malaria and Interspecific Interactions in Ficedula Flycatchers. Digital Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Science and Technology 1781. 44 pp. Uppsala: Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis. ISBN 978-91-513-0589-9. Parasitism is a core theme in ecological and evolutionary studies. Despite this, there are still gaps in our knowledge regarding host-parasite interactions in nature. Furthermore, in an era of human-induced, global climatic and environmental change revealing the roles that parasites play in host life-histories, interspecific interactions and host distributions is of the utmost importance. In this thesis, I explore avian malaria parasites (haemosporidians) in two species of passerine birds: the collared flycatcher Ficedula albicollis and the pied flycatcher F. hypoleuca. In Paper I, I show that an increase in spring temperature has led to rapid divergence in breeding times for the two flycatcher species, with collared flycatchers breeding significantly earlier than pied flycatchers. This has facilitated regional coexistence through the build up of temporal isolation. In Paper II, I explore how malaria assemblages across the breeding ranges of collared and pied flycatchers vary.
    [Show full text]
  • A Comparison of the Breeding Ecology of Birds Nesting in Boxes and Tree Cavities
    Tile Auk 114(4):646-656,1997 A COMPARISON OF THE BREEDING ECOLOGY OF BIRDS NESTING IN BOXES AND TREE CAVITIES . KATHRYNL. PURCELL,',~JARED VERNER,~ AND LEWIS ORING' I Progrnnt in Ecology, Emlutio~t,nnd Corrservntioa Biology, University oJNcunrln, 7000 Vnlley Rond. Reno, Nmdn 89512, USA; atid 2 Pacific Southwest Rescnrch Stntio% USDA Forest Seruicr, 2081 Eost Sierrn Auer~rre,Fresm, CnliJornin 93710, USA ABSTI~ICT.-Wecompared laying date, nesting success, clutch size, and productivity of four bird species that nest in boxes and tree cavities to examine whether data from nest boxes are comparable with data from tree cavities. Western Bluebirds (Sinlin nrexicnnn) gained the mast advantage from nesting in boxes. They initiated egg laying earlier, had higher nesting success, lower predation rates, and fledged marginally more young in boxes than in cavities but did not have laracr clutches or hatch more eggs. Plain Titmice (Pnnis iriorrmtrrs) nesting earlier in boxes. ~oiseWrens (~roglo&tes~eiion) nesting in boxes laid larger clutches, hatched more eggs, and fledged mare young and had marginally higher nesting success and lower predation rates. Ash-throated Flycatchers (Myinrclirrs cincmscens) experienced no ap- parent benefits from ncsting in bows versus cavities. No significant relationships were found between clutch size and bottom area or volume of cavities for any of these species. These results suggest that researchers should use caution when extrapolating results from nest- box studies of reproductive success, predation rates, and productivity of cavity-nesting birds. Given the different responses of these four species to nesting in boxes, the effects of the addition of nest boxes on community structure also should be considered.
    [Show full text]
  • The Heatherlea Scottish Checklist
    K_\?\Xk_\ic\X JZfkk`j_:_\Zbc`jk -%0, birding and wildlife holidays K_`j:_\Zbc`jkY\cfe^jkf @]]fle[#gc\Xj\i\kliekf2 * K_\?\Xk_\ic\X JZfkk`j_:_\Zbc`jk ?\Xk_\ic\X`jXn`c[c`]\$nXkZ_`e^_fc`[XpZfdgXep# ]fle[\[`e(00(Xe[YXj\[`eJZfkcXe[XkK_\Dflekm`\n ?fk\c#E\k_p9i`[^\%N\_Xm\\eafp\[j_fn`e^k_\Y`i[c`]\ f]JZfkcXe[kfn\ccfm\ik\ek_fljXe[g\fgc\fe^l`[\[ _fc`[Xpj[li`e^k_\cXjk).j\Xjfej#`ecfZXk`fejk_ifl^_flk k_\dX`ecXe[Xe[dfjkf]k_\XZZ\jj`Yc\`jcXe[j#`eZcl[`e^ k_\@ee\iXe[Flk\i?\Yi`[\jXe[XccZfie\ijf]Fibe\pXe[ J_\kcXe[% N\]\\ck_\i\`jXe\\[]fiXÊJZfkk`j_:_\Zbc`jkË]filj\ `ek_\Ô\c[#Xe[[\Z`[\[kfgif[lZ\k_`jc`kkc\Yffbc\k]fi pflig\ijfeXclj\%@k`jZfej`jk\ekn`k_Yfk_k_\9i`k`j_ Xe[JZfkk`j_9`i[c`jkjXe[ZfekX`ejXcck_fj\jg\Z`\j`e :Xk\^fi`\j8#9Xe[:% N\_fg\k_`jc`kkc\:_\Zbc`jk`jlj\]lckfpfl#Xe[k_Xkpfl \eafpi\nXi[`e^Xe[i\jgfej`Yc\Y`i[nXkZ_`e^`eJZfkcXe[% K_\?\Xk_\ic\XK\Xd heatherlea birding and wildlife holidays + K_\?\Xk_\ic\XJZfkk`j_ Y`i[`e^p\Xi)'(- N_XkXjlg\iYp\Xif]Y`i[`e^n\\eafp\[Xifle[k_\?`^_cXe[j Xe[@jcXe[j?\i\`jXYi`\]\okiXZk]ifdfli9`i[`e^I\gfik% N\jkXik\[`eAXelXipn`k_cfm\cpC`kkc\8lb`e^ff[eldY\ij # Xe[8d\i`ZXeN`^\fe#>cXlZflj>lccXe[@Z\cXe[>lccfek_\ ZfXjkXd`[k_fljXe[jf]nX[\ijXe[n`c[]fnc%=\YilXipXe[ DXiZ_jXnlj_\X[kfk_\efik_[li`e^Ê?`^_cXe[N`ek\i9`i[`e^Ë# ]\Xkli`e^Jlk_\icXe[Xe[:X`k_e\jj%FliiXi`kpÔe[`e^i\Zfi[_\i\ `j\oZ\cc\ek#Xe[`e)'(-n\jXnI`e^$Y`cc\[Xe[9feXgXik\Ëj>lccj% N`k_>i\\e$n`e^\[K\XcjXe[Jd\nZcfj\ikf_fd\n\n\i\ Xci\X[pYl`c[`e^XY`^p\Xic`jkKfnXi[jk_\\e[f]DXiZ_fliki`gj jkXik\[m`j`k`e^k_\N\jk:fXjk#n`k_jlg\iYFkk\iXe[<X^c\m`\nj% K_`jhlfk\jldj`klge`Z\cp1 Ê<m\ipk_`e^XYflkkf[XpnXjYi\Xk_$kXb`e^N\Ôe`j_\[n`k_
    [Show full text]
  • A New Record of the Pied Flycatcher Ficedula Hypoleuca from Kakamega Forest, Western Kenya
    Short communications 19 A new record of the Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca from Kakamega Forest, western Kenya The Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca, along with congeners, the Semi-collared F. sem- itorquata and Collared F. albicollis Flycatchers, comprise three very similar black-and- white migratory passerines that breed in the Palaearctic and winter in sub-Saharan Africa. Historically, both the Semi-collared and Collared Flycatchers have occurred in Kenya (Urban et al. 1997, Zimmerman et al. 1996), with the Pied Flycatcher having a confused history. It was first collected on 8 December 1965 at Kakamega Forest, but not formally accepted as such by the East African Rarities Committee (EARC) until the 1990s (Pearson 1998). Only one subsequent accepted record of Pied Flycatcher is known from Kenya, that of two birds seen on 26 February 2002, also at Kakamega For- est (B. de Bruijn, pers. comm.; N. Hunter, pers. comm.). The difficulties of identifying members of this group to species level on the wintering grounds, especially without in-hand analysis required to assign some individuals (Pearson 1998), complicates as- sessment of their true status in Kenya. On 29 March 2017 we encountered two Ficedula flycatchers in the Kenya Forest Service compound at Kakamega Forest (0°14.126 N, 34°51.919 E), which we identified in the field as Pied Flycatchers, and which we detail here to assist in gaining a better understanding of this species’ status in East Africa. The first bird sighted was found at approximately 07:00 and observed initially at a distance of c. 20 m foraging in the lower to mid-canopy of a leafy tree in the corner of the compound for a period of around 5 min.
    [Show full text]
  • (Ficedula Parva) Using a New Type of Nestbox
    Ornis Hungarica 2016. 24(2): 84–90. DOI: 10.1515/orhu-2016-0017 Attempts to increase a scarce peripheral population of the Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva) using a new type of nestbox Tamás DEME Received: August 14, 2016 – Accepted: December 10, 2016 Tamás Deme 2016. Attempts to increase a scarce peripheral population of the Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva) using a new type of nestbox. – Ornis Hungarica 24(2): 84–90. Abstract The Red-breasted Flycatcher has a large and stable global population widespread through much of the Western Palearctic. Contrarily, however, it is a very scarce breeding bird in the forested montane habitats of Hungary. The few pairs breeding here represent a peripheral population on the very edge of the species’ geographic area. This peripheral population declined considerably (from 3–500 to 100 pairs) during the past decades likely due to the degradation of suitable habitat patches including the loss of appropriate nesting sites. To reverse this trend, we applied a new type of artificial nestbox developed specifical- ly for this species. Occupancy rate was very low and breeding success was also low unless applying a protective wire mesh to reduce predation pressure. Keywords: Red-breasted Flycatcher, nestbox, breeding success Összefoglalás A kis légykapó a Nyugat-Palearktiszban elterjedt, stabil állományú faj. Ezzel szemben hazánkban a hegyvidéki erdős élőhelyek igen ritka fészkelő madara. A Magyarországon költő néhány pár a faj földrajzi are- ájának peremén élő, periférikus állományt alkot. E szegélypopuláció mérete az elmúlt évtizedek során jelentő- sen csökkent (kb. 3–500 párról kb. 100 párra), vélhetően az alkalmas élőhelyfoltok degradációja, és ezen belül a megfelelő fészkelőüregek hiánya miatt is.
    [Show full text]
  • Semi-Collared Flycatcher Ficedula Semitorquata – a New Breeding Species in Serbia Istočna Šarena Muharica Ficedula Semitorquata – Nova Gnezdarica Srbije
    72 2011 CICONIA 20 Semi-collared Flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata – a new breeding species in Serbia Istočna šarena muharica Ficedula semitorquata – nova gnezdarica Srbije Ružić M, Shurulinkov P, Daskalova G, Ralev A, Spasov L. & Popović M. U periodu od 9. do 13. 5. 2011. ciljne šumske vrste ptica su tražene i njihovo prisustvo je mapirano u planinskim područjima na krajnjem jugu Srbije. Proučavana su njihova staništa i njihov značaj za zaštitu. Mužjaci pevačica su locirani dozivanjem preko MP3 magnetofona, a njihovo prisustvo nakon toga zabeleženo je GPS uređajem. Zabeležena je ukupno 21 gnezdeća teritorija istoč- ne šarene muharice Ficedula semitorquata: jedna na severnim padinama Dukata (UTM FM19) i 20 na Kozjaku (unutar Predela izuzetnih odlika „Dolina Pčinje“, UTM EM78). Na površini od 24 ha pogodnog staništa na Kozjaku gustina gnežđenja bila je 3,75 pevajućih mužjaka/10 ha. Na ovom lokalitetu dana 12. 5. 2011. zabeleženo je i aktivno gnezdo u duplji na visini od 7 m u suvom starom stablu unutar bukove šume stare 200 godina. Ovo su prvi podaci o gnežđenju istočne šarene muharice u Srbiji. Vredne planinske bukove šume u kojima se ova vrsta gnezdi na posećenim lokalitetima intenzivno se koriste za eksploataciju drveta. Na Ko- zjaku, iznad manastira Sv. Prohor Pčinjski (unutar zaštićenog područja) zabeležene su čiste seče, fragmentacija pogodnih staništa i izgradnja šumskih puteva. Mapiranje i monitoring populacije istočne šarene muharice u Srbiji su neophodni, kao i hitne mere zaštite svih staništa na kojima se gnezdi. INTRODUCTION leucotos, Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva and Semi-colla- red Flycatcher. We used bird calls played from an MP3 to attract The Semi-collared Flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata is a mo- territorial pairs in suitable habitats.
    [Show full text]
  • Slovakia-Trip-Report-27-May-To-3-June
    Forests, Mountains and Meadows in Eastern Slovakia Report on Erasumus+ ARCHnet Structured Adult Education of Staff Course Hosted by Miroslav Knezo of Krajina SK Trip dates: 27 May – 3 June 2019 Participants: Amy King (RSPB Orkney Native Wildlife Project), Nicola Tallach (Scottish Wildcat Action Project Officer), Ann-Marie MacMaster (SWT - Conservation Officer for Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (Tayside)), Fiona Cuninghame (SNH – Access Officer), Melissa Shaw (Garnock Connections Landscape Partnership, technically RSPB), Anna McWilliam (FLS - H&M Work Supervisor), Gwenda Diack (Plantlife), Sally Ward (SNH – Area Officer) Day 1 – 27 May – Meeting the group and travelling to Slovakia Today was a long day for everyone as we all convened at the airport from various locations across Scotland to catch an evening flight to Krakow, Poland. Here we were met by Miro, our host for the week, and after introductions and a quick snack we climbed into a minibus which was to be our mode of transport for the remainder of the trip. We had a few hours drive across the border into Slovakia and arrived in the early hours of the morning ready for our beds and looking forward to what the morning would bring. Image 1. Gathered at the airport in Edinburgh Day 2 – 28 May – Forest and Fen in the High Tatras National Park Our first full day began with us travelling to north Slovakia, bordering Poland, where the mountain tops of the High Tatras National Park tower above the forest line, although we didn’t see these until later in the day after the rain had eased off.
    [Show full text]
  • Flycatcher Song in Allopatry and Sympatry – Convergence, Divergence and Reinforcement
    doi:10.1111/j.1420-9101.2003.00682.x Flycatcher song in allopatry and sympatry – convergence, divergence and reinforcement J. HAAVIE,* T. BORGE,* S. BURES,à L. Z. GARAMSZEGI,§ H. M. LAMPE, J. MORENO,– A. QVARNSTRO¨ M,** J. TO¨ RO¨ K & G.-P. SÆTRE* *Department of Evolutionary Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden Department of Biology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway àLaboratory of Ornithology, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic §Department of Biology, Universitaire Instelling Antwerpen, Wilrijk, Belgium –Departamento de Ecologı´a Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid, Spain **Department of Animal Ecology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eo¨tvo¨s University, Budapest, Hungary Keywords: Abstract cultural inheritance; The theory of reinforcement predicts that natural selection against the Ficedula; production of unfit hybrids favours traits that increase assortative mating. hybridization; Whether culturally inherited traits, such as bird song, can increase assortative reinforcement; mating by reinforcement is largely unknown. We compared songs of pied song; (Ficedula hypoleuca) and collared flycatchers (F. albicollis) from two hybrid species recognition. zones of different ages with songs from allopatric populations. Previously, a character divergence in male plumage traits has been shown to reinforce premating isolation in sympatric flycatchers. In contrast, we find that the song of the pied flycatcher has converged towards that of the collared flycatcher (mixed singing). However, a corresponding divergence in the collared flycatcher shows that the species differences in song characters are maintained in sympatry. Genetic analyses suggest that mixed song is not caused by introgression from the collared flycatcher, but rather due to heterospecific copying.
    [Show full text]