Moorhen gallinula chloropus females lay eggs of different size and b-carotene content

Gruiformes, Rallidae

Common Gallinule (Gallinula chloropus) Science Article 5 abstract In birds, carotenoids deposited in the eggs can influence the progeny?s prospects of survival. As a potentially limiting resource, carotenoids should be allocated optimally by the mother during egg production. The Moorhen Gallinula chloropus produces large clutches. We tested if females differ in their allocation of macronutrients […]

A tangled tale of two teal: population history of the chestnut teal Anas castanea and grey teal Anas gracilis of Australia

Anatidae, Anseriformes

Chestnut Teal (Anas castanea) Science Article 1 abstract Two Australian species of teal (Anseriformes: Anatidae: Anas), the grey teal Anas gracilis and the chestnut teal A. castanea, are remarkable for the zero or near-zero divergence recorded between them in earlier surveys of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) diversity. We confirmed this result through wider geographical and population […]

Vocal patterns in Ruddy Buntings

Emberizidae, Passeriformes

Chestnut Bunting (Emberiza rutila) Science Article 1 abstract In the present study, we reveal the control pattern of different level vocal nuclei (HVC and DM) in songbirds by electrical stimulation and acoustic analysis methods. The results show that both HVC and DM show left-side dominance in vocal control pattern, providing the acoustic evidence for the […]

Notes on the Biology of Chapmans SwiftChaetura chapmani (Aves, Apodidae)

Apodidae, Apodiformes

Chapmans Swift (Chaetura chapmani) Science Article 1 abstract In the rolling terrain of the central hills of Trinidad, Frank M. Chapman collected a large series of swifts, among which were eight specimens representing a previously unknown species. These specimens, taken between March 15 and March 27, 1894, near the town of Caparo, Caroni County, were […]

Promiscuity in the cattle egret (bubulcus ibis)

Ardeidae, Ciconiiformes

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) Science Article 3 abstract Among 19 pairs of individually marked Cattle Egrets( Bubulcus ibis)c a. 3 in 10 successful copulations were extrapair. Extrapair copulations potentially increased the reproductive successof five of the males by 18.6% on average. An anticuckoldry strategy was evident in the male’s constant attendance at or near his […]

Age differences in Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis foraging with wild ungulates in Kenya

Ardeidae, Ciconiiformes

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) Science Article 10 abstract The foraging behavior of adult and juvenile Cattle Egrets was studied at Nairobi Park, Kenya. Egrets fed on insects scared up by foraging Buffalo, Zebra, Wildebeest and Hartebeest. Adults attempted to capture more items, capture more items, and had higher capture success rates than juveniles, although the […]

Predation on the Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) and consumption of theCampo Flicker (Colaptes campestris) by the Aplomado Falcon (Falcofemoralis) in Brazil

Ardeidae, Ciconiiformes

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) Science Article 8 abstract The Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis) has a wide distribution ranging from south-east USA to Tierra del Fuego (Ferguson- Lees and Christie 2001). This small raptor (208 – 460 g) inhabits mostly non-forested habitats, such as savannah grassland, scrub steppe, cactus desert, marshland with scattered trees, and sometimes […]

Role of sibling aggression in food distribution to nestling cattle egrets (bubulcus ibis)

Ardeidae, Ciconiiformes

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) Science Article 9 abstract Sibling aggression occurs in a wide variety of asynchronously hatching bird species. In some, fights among siblings lead inevitably to death, in which case the benefits of winning are clear. In species where sibling aggression is common but usually not fatal,the benefits gained by winning and the […]