DOCSLIB.ORG

Nesting Biology. Social Patterns and Displays of the Mandarin Duck, a Ix Galericulata

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Nesting Biology. Social Patterns and Displays of the Mandarin Duck, a Ix Galericulata pi)' NESTING BIOLOGY. SOCIAL PATTERNS AND DISPLAYS OF THE MANDARIN DUCK, A_IX GALERICULATA Richard L. Bruggers A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate School of Bowling Green State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY December 1974 ' __ U J 591913 W A'W .'X55’ ABSTRACT A study of pinioned, free-ranging Mandarin ducks (Aix galericulata) was conducted from 1971-1974 at a 25-acre estate. The purposes 'were to 1) document breeding biology and behaviors, nesting phenology, and time budgets; 2) describe displays associated with copulatory behavior, pair-formation and maintenance, and social encounters; and 3) determine the female's role in male social display and pair formation. The intensive observations (in excess of 400 h) included several full-day and all-night periods. Display patterns were recorded (partially with movies) arid analyzed. The female's role in social display was examined through a series of male and female introductions into yearling and adult male "display parties." Mandarins formed strong seasonal pair bonds, which re-formed in successive years if both individuals lived. Clutches averaged 9.5 eggs and were begun by yearling females earlier and with less fertility (78%) than adult females (90%). Incubation averaged 28-30 days. Duckling development was rapid and sexual dimorphism evident. 9 Adults and yearlings of both sexes could be separated on the basis of primary feather length; females, on secondary feather pigmentation. Mandarin daily activity patterns consisted of repetitious feeding, preening, and loafing, but the duration and patterns of each activity varied with the social periods. Diurnal activity rhythms were obvious only during the summer and fall. Females incubated 80% of the daytime and did not leave the nest at night. Males threatened conspecifics and waited for their females from loafing spots throughout incubation and attended their mates during their two daily inattentive periods. Mandarins (unless incubating) generally spent the night on the water, swim-feeding until 2200, then floating concealed near shore but alert. Some fed until 0200. Copulations were initiated by the female. Adult sequences were more stereotyped than yearling sequences; the latter's were longer in duration (as was mounting) and contained more displays. Social display occurred only in the female's presence, much of the display being directed to her. Females, through their movements, postures, and vocalizations, both initiated and intensified male social display. Females indicated their preference for a particular male by Inciting him against other birds. The season was important in both the method and length of time necessary for pairs to form. Fall or winter pairing took several weeks and involved social display, directed courtship, and changing partners. Late spring pairing(in the absence of social display) resulted from direct attempts by either sex, and bonds formed in a week. m ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am indebted to Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Schedel for allowing me access to their estate and waterfowl collection and to the Schedel Foundation for funding many of the project activities. The opportunity to observe and participate in the propagation of so many exotic waterfowl species in such a beautiful setting was unique. Appreciation is likewise extended to Slim Bouldin, the estate caretaker, and to those individuals indicated in Appendix I. In particular, I am grateful to Dr. Charles Dane for his hospitality during my visit to Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, and his suggestions regarding ageing techniques; Mr. Ray Greenwood for providing nasal saddles; Mr. Charles Webster for providing some ducks as well as allowing me to visit his estate on several occasions and observe his waterfowl collection; and Dr. Janet Kear, for her helpful comments during the study. I also am grateful to Dr. Frank McKinney for letting me view his waterfowl behavior films and for discussions which helped in the formulation of study procedures and interpretations. Thanks are extended to the members of my committee, Drs. T.R. Fisher, Stephen Vessey, William Baxter, Reginald Noble, and John Paul Scott for their evaluation of the manuscript, and my adviser, Dr. William B. Jackson, for his guidance and encouragement during the study and throughout my graduate career. Finally, I must thank you, Jackie, for your help in collecting some of the data, and for preparing and illustrating parts of the manuscript. You were most patient and understanding (usually)I a iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE .... ................................................ 1 METHODS. ........................................ 15 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION.....................................................................29 Reproductive and developmental biology............................. 29 Copulation frequency and success.................................29 Nesting and incubation.....................................................35 Egg morphology.....................................................................54 Duckling development................... 56 Ageing yearlings and adults.............................................66 Time budgets....................................... 73 Spacing behavior.................................................................73 Population time budgets.....................................................77 Individual time budgets.....................................................83 Displays........................................ .92 Descriptions.........................................................................92 Social displays...................................................................112 Copulation sequences ....................... 124 Display motivations...........................................................145 SUMMARY.................................................................................................. 148 LITERATURE CITED ............................................................................ 166 APPENDIX ........................................................... 172 V LIST OF TABLES Page Table 1 Number of individuals (pinioned) of exotic waterfowl species present on Schedel Estate, Elmore, Ohio during March, 1970-1974 ............................................................................17 Table II Predators trapped at Schedel Estate 1971- 1973 and predation between 20 April-30 May, 1972....................................................................................... 18 Table III Chronology of male and female introductions into adult (experienced) and yearling (inexperienced) 3-male courting parties, winter, 1973........................................................................27 Table IV Proportion of Mandarin copulations during the pre-layino, laying, and renesting periods in 1971 and 1973 ....................................................................31 Table V Outcome of 47 copulatory sequences of yearling and adult Mandarins recorded during 1971 and 1973 ....................................................................34 Table VI Frequency of nest box inspection by 8 Mandarin pairs during pre-laying and laying periods in 1971 and 1973. ............................................ 36 Table VII Nest boxes used by Mandarins 1971-1974.................... 38 Table VIII Comparison of the number of eggs and fertility in first and second clutches of Mandarin females (allowed to complete the clutch uninterrupted), whose initial clutch was destroyed by a predator or removed for incubation............................................................................43 Table IX Nesting biology of seven Mandarin females observed during 1973 and 1974 .................................... 46 Table X Temperatures in middle of nests during incubation and at intervals during rest periods............................................................................... 49 Table XI Mandarin duck egg morphology under various conditions........................................................................... 55 vi Page Table XII Age at which comfort movements first appeared in five Mandarin ducklings, hatched 17 June 1973 and kept in captivity........................................................................64 Table XIII Average number of comfort movements/ duckling/ten minutes at four, seven, eight, and nine days of age - June 1973 ................................................................................65 Table XIV Primary feather lengths of male and female Mandarin ducks................................................68 Table XV No. and % yearling and adult Mandarin females with "complete" or "incomplete" white markings on the distal ends of the secondary feathers............................................ 71 Table XVI Mandarin feeding patterns, based on the proportion of birds engaged in each type of feeding at 1/2 h intervals during 1973. ........................ ....................................... 84 Table XVII Percent time spent in various activities during two morning and three evening inattentive periods by a Mandarin pair during the incubation period, spring 1973 ................................................................................89 Table XVIII Description and use of female vocalizations........................................................... 10 3 Table XIX Descriptions and use of male vocalizations . 104 Table XX Frequency of displays and agonistic encounters (pecks,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 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]
  • MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY FORM - from WEBSITE Please Print Clearly and Fill out Completely
    APWS MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY FORM - FROM WEBSITE Please print clearly and fill out completely. Reply ASAP – deadline April 1st ATTENTION: This form MUST be returned to be included in the next Membership Directory! Send completed form to: Lisa Tate, APWS Editor, 21718 Kesa Lane, Florence, MT 59833 PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY MEMBERSHIP FUNDS WITH THIS FORM REQUIRED - DATE FILLED OUT ______________________________________________ Name __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Aviary Name __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City ________________________________________________________________________ State/Province _________________________________ Country ___________________________________________________________ Zip ________________________________+4___________________ Phone ___________________________________________ Fax ________________________________ Cell __________________________________ Email _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Website ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PLEASE CIRCLE THE NUMBER NEXT TO EACH SPECIES YOU KEEP PHEASANTS (PH) PEACOCK-PHEASANTS 7 - MOUNTAIN BAMBOO JUNGLEFOWL
    [Show full text]
  • A Guide to the Birds of Barrow Island
    A Guide to the Birds of Barrow Island Operated by Chevron Australia This document has been printed by a Sustainable Green Printer on stock that is certified carbon in joint venture with neutral and is Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) mix certified, ensuring fibres are sourced from certified and well managed forests. The stock 55% recycled (30% pre consumer, 25% post- Cert no. L2/0011.2010 consumer) and has an ISO 14001 Environmental Certification. ISBN 978-0-9871120-1-9 Gorgon Project Osaka Gas | Tokyo Gas | Chubu Electric Power Chevron’s Policy on Working in Sensitive Areas Protecting the safety and health of people and the environment is a Chevron core value. About the Authors Therefore, we: • Strive to design our facilities and conduct our operations to avoid adverse impacts to human health and to operate in an environmentally sound, reliable and Dr Dorian Moro efficient manner. • Conduct our operations responsibly in all areas, including environments with sensitive Dorian Moro works for Chevron Australia as the Terrestrial Ecologist biological characteristics. in the Australasia Strategic Business Unit. His Bachelor of Science Chevron strives to avoid or reduce significant risks and impacts our projects and (Hons) studies at La Trobe University (Victoria), focused on small operations may pose to sensitive species, habitats and ecosystems. This means that we: mammal communities in coastal areas of Victoria. His PhD (University • Integrate biodiversity into our business decision-making and management through our of Western Australia)
    [Show full text]
  • Birds of the East Texas Baptist University Campus with Birds Observed Off-Campus During BIOL3400 Field Course
    Birds of the East Texas Baptist University Campus with birds observed off-campus during BIOL3400 Field course Photo Credit: Talton Cooper Species Descriptions and Photos by students of BIOL3400 Edited by Troy A. Ladine Photo Credit: Kenneth Anding Links to Tables, Figures, and Species accounts for birds observed during May-term course or winter bird counts. Figure 1. Location of Environmental Studies Area Table. 1. Number of species and number of days observing birds during the field course from 2005 to 2016 and annual statistics. Table 2. Compilation of species observed during May 2005 - 2016 on campus and off-campus. Table 3. Number of days, by year, species have been observed on the campus of ETBU. Table 4. Number of days, by year, species have been observed during the off-campus trips. Table 5. Number of days, by year, species have been observed during a winter count of birds on the Environmental Studies Area of ETBU. Table 6. Species observed from 1 September to 1 October 2009 on the Environmental Studies Area of ETBU. Alphabetical Listing of Birds with authors of accounts and photographers . A Acadian Flycatcher B Anhinga B Belted Kingfisher Alder Flycatcher Bald Eagle Travis W. Sammons American Bittern Shane Kelehan Bewick's Wren Lynlea Hansen Rusty Collier Black Phoebe American Coot Leslie Fletcher Black-throated Blue Warbler Jordan Bartlett Jovana Nieto Jacob Stone American Crow Baltimore Oriole Black Vulture Zane Gruznina Pete Fitzsimmons Jeremy Alexander Darius Roberts George Plumlee Blair Brown Rachel Hastie Janae Wineland Brent Lewis American Goldfinch Barn Swallow Keely Schlabs Kathleen Santanello Katy Gifford Black-and-white Warbler Matthew Armendarez Jordan Brewer Sheridan A.
    [Show full text]
  • REGUA Bird List July 2020.Xlsx
    Birds of REGUA/Aves da REGUA Updated July 2020. The taxonomy and nomenclature follows the Comitê Brasileiro de Registros Ornitológicos (CBRO), Annotated checklist of the birds of Brazil by the Brazilian Ornithological Records Committee, updated June 2015 - based on the checklist of the South American Classification Committee (SACC). Atualizado julho de 2020. A taxonomia e nomenclatura seguem o Comitê Brasileiro de Registros Ornitológicos (CBRO), Lista anotada das aves do Brasil pelo Comitê Brasileiro de Registros Ornitológicos, atualizada em junho de 2015 - fundamentada na lista do Comitê de Classificação da América do Sul (SACC).
    [Show full text]
  • A 2010 Supplement to Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard Papers in the Biological Sciences 2010 The World’s Waterfowl in the 21st Century: A 2010 Supplement to Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World Paul A. Johnsgard University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/biosciducksgeeseswans Part of the Ornithology Commons Johnsgard, Paul A., "The World’s Waterfowl in the 21st Century: A 2010 Supplement to Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World" (2010). Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard. 20. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/biosciducksgeeseswans/20 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Papers in the Biological Sciences at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. The World’s Waterfowl in the 21st Century: A 200 Supplement to Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World Paul A. Johnsgard Pages xvii–xxiii: recent taxonomic changes, I have revised sev- Introduction to the Family Anatidae eral of the range maps to conform with more current information. For these updates I have Since the 978 publication of my Ducks, Geese relied largely on Kear (2005). and Swans of the World hundreds if not thou- Other important waterfowl books published sands of publications on the Anatidae have since 978 and covering the entire waterfowl appeared, making a comprehensive literature family include an identification guide to the supplement and text updating impossible.
    [Show full text]
  • DOE EA-2146 Final Environmental Assessment for the MARVEL
    DOE/EA-2146 Final Environmental Assessment for the Microreactor Applications Research, Validation, and Evaluation (MARVEL) Project at Idaho National Laboratory June 2021 DOE/ID-2146 Final Environmental Assessment for the Microreactor Applications Research, Validation, and Evaluation (MARVEL) Project at Idaho National Laboratory June 2021 Prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy DOE Idaho Operations Office i i CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background .............................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Purpose and Need ..................................................................................................................... 1 2. ALTERNATIVES .............................................................................................................................. 2 2.1 Proposed Action - Microreactor Applications Research, Validation and Evaluation (MARVEL) Project .................................................................................................................. 3 2.1.1 Reactor Structure System ............................................................................................ 5 2.1.2 Secondary Containment Structure .............................................................................. 5 2.1.3 Core System ...............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Wood Duck (Aix Sponsa), EC 1606 (Oregon State University Extension
    EC 1606 • April 2007 $1.00 Wood Duck Photo: Dave Menke, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Aix sponsa by Z. Turnbull and S. Sells he wood duck is so beautiful that its populations have increased, and today scientifi c name, Aix sponsa, means populations are at healthy levels. T “water bird in bridal dress.” Being Wood ducks are very popular for hunt- so beautiful (and tasty!), by the 1880s, ing. In fact, there are more wood ducks the once-abundant wood duck was disap- harvested each year in the United States pearing quickly due to hunting and habitat than any other game bird except mallards. loss. But not just hunters appreciate wood In the 1910s, wildlife managers acted ducks. Bird watchers and other people quickly to help save wood ducks. Laws who spend time outdoors love their were passed to protect migratory birds, beauty. hunting was controlled, and habitat was Common predators of wood ducks are protected. Wood duck nest boxes were raccoons, gray and red foxes, great horned created in the 1930s. Slowly, wood duck owls, some snakes, and minks. In a group of 10 newly hatched wood ducks, usu- ally only one or two survive past their fi rst 2 weeks. Predation is a main cause of such low survival rates. Dump nests occur when one or more females follow another to her nest and add their own eggs to the fi rst female’s eggs. When this occurs, there may be 50 or more eggs. They usually are abandoned, leading to a decline in successful hatch- ings in the area.
    [Show full text]
  • Changes to Category C of the British List†
    Ibis (2005), 147, 803–820 Blackwell Publishing, Ltd. Changes to Category C of the British List† STEVE P. DUDLEY* British Ornithologists’ Union, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK In its maintenance of the British List, the British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (BOURC) is responsible for assigning species to categories to indicate their status on the List. In 1995, the British Ornithologists’ Union (BOU) and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) held a conference on naturalized and introduced birds in Britain (Holmes & Simons 1996). This led to a review of the process of establishment of such species and the terms that best describe their status (Holmes & Stroud 1995) as well as a major review of the categorization of species on the British List (Holmes et al. 1998). The BOURC continues to review the occurrence and establishment of birds of captive origin in Britain. This paper sum- marizes the status of naturalized and introduced birds in Britain and announces changes to the categorization of many on the British List or its associated appendices (Categories D and E): Mute Swan Cygnus olor Categories AC change to AC2 Black Swan Cygnus atratus Category E* – no change Greylag Goose Anser anser Categories ACE* change to AC2C4E* Snow Goose Anser caerulescens Categories AE* change to AC2E* Greater Canada Goose Branta canadensis Categories ACE* change to C2E* Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis Categories AE* change to AC2E* Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus Categories CE* change
    [Show full text]
  • What Makes a Good Alien? Dealing with the Problems of Non-Native Wildfowl Tony (A
    What makes a good alien? Dealing with the problems of non-native wildfowl Tony (A. D.) Fox Mandarin Ducks Aix galericulata Richard Allen ABSTRACT Humans have been introducing species outside their native ranges as a source of food for thousands of years, but introductions of wildfowl have increased dramatically since the 1700s.The most serious consequence of this has been the extinction of endemic forms as a result of hybridisation, although competition between alien and native forms may also contribute to species loss. Globally, non-native wildfowl have yet to cause major disruption to ecosystem functions; introduce new diseases and parasites; cause anything other than local conflicts to agricultural and economic interests; or create major health and safety issues in ways that differ from native forms. The fact that this has not happened is probably simply the result of good fortune, however, since many introduced plants and animals have had huge consequences for ecosystems and human populations.The potential cost of greater environmental and economic damage, species extinction, and threats to the genetic and species diversity of native faunas means that we must do all we can to stop the deliberate or accidental introduction of species outside their natural range. International legislation to ensure this is remarkably good, but domestic law is generally weak, as is the political will to enforce such regulations.The case of the Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis in Europe will show whether control of a problem taxon can be achieved and underlines the financial consequences of dealing with introduced aliens.This paper was originally presented as the 58th Bernard Tucker Memorial Lecture to the Oxford Ornithological Society and the Ashmolean Natural History Society, in November 2008.
    [Show full text]
  • Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta Jubata)
    Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata) Also known as the ‘Maned Duck’ or ‘Maned Goose’ QUICK FACTS Male Australian Wood Duck • They are nicknamed ‘Maned Goose’ because people think they look more like miniature geese than ducks. • Wood Ducks love heavy rainfall because this is when the tastiest bugs emerge. They also love laying eggs after heavy rain. • They are better adapted to walking than swimming or diving. Length: Weight: 44–50cm 700–955g Identification: Female Australian Wood Duck The Australian Wood Ducks have earnt the nickname ‘Maned Goose’ because of their very goose-like appearance. The feathers around their neck and breast also give the impression of a lion’s mane. In flight, Australian Wood Ducks’ wings come out on show. Their wing tips are black and their wings are a pale grey with a white bar on the underside of the wing. Like many ducks, male and female Australian Wood Ducks vary in size and appearance. Males tend to have a darker head and smaller mane with speckled brown-grey bodies, a black undertail and black lower belly. Females have paler heads with white stripes above and below their eyes. Their breast and flanks are also speckled with a white undertail and white lower belly. BEHAVIOUR DISTRIBUTION & HABITAT Unlike most ducks, Australian Wood Ducks do not favour Australian Wood Ducks are found across most of Australia. swimming and will only enter open water if they’re Flocks of hundreds of birds can be found gathering disturbed. Instead, they prefer to waddle around and graze in southern areas of Australia in autumn and winter.
    [Show full text]
  • Review of the Status of Introduced Non-Native Waterbird Species in the Area of the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement: 2007 Update
    Secretariat provided by the Workshop 3 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Doc TC 8.25 21 February 2008 8th MEETING OF THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE 03 - 05 March 2008, Bonn, Germany ___________________________________________________________________________ Review of the Status of Introduced Non-Native Waterbird Species in the Area of the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement: 2007 Update Authors A.N. Banks, L.J. Wright, I.M.D. Maclean, C. Hann & M.M. Rehfisch February 2008 Report of work carried out by the British Trust for Ornithology under contract to AEWA Secretariat © British Trust for Ornithology British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU Registered Charity No. 216652 CONTENTS Page No. List of Tables...........................................................................................................................................5 List of Figures.........................................................................................................................................7 List of Appendices ..................................................................................................................................9 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY..................................................................................................................11 RECOMMENDATIONS .....................................................................................................................13 1. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................15
    [Show full text]