A COLONY OF RED BISHOP BIRDS <i>EUPLECTES ORIX</i> IN THE SOUTH-WESTERN CAPE

Schmidt, R. K.

doi:10.1080/00306525.1968.9639369

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 1 publication

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This would suggest that density-dependent mortality of broods is not important for Red Bishops at the study site. The breeding mortality of 75% at Colbyn falls between the levels reported by Schmidt (1968;55%) and Craig (1982a;90%), suggesting that a large amount of between-colony variation exists in breeding success for this species. The nearctic blackbirds are similar ecologically to bishops and are subject to predation rates of the same magnitudes (Weatherhead & Robertson 1977, Westneat 1992.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 42%

DO NEST SITE CHARACTERISTICS AFFECT THE BREEDING SUCCESS OF RED BISHOPSEUPLECTES ORIX?

Ferguson

1994

Ostrich

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

FERGUSON, J.W.H. 1994. Do nest site characteristics affect the breeding success of Red Bishops Euplectes orix? Ostrich 65: 274-280.A colony of Red Bishop birds Euplectes orix in a reed bed near Pretoria was studied during two breeding seasons. Breeding activity was greater during the second year, following increased rainfall. Predation was the most important source of mortality with 25-30% of the nests yielding fledglings. Between 7 and 11% of the nests were parasitised by Diederik Cuckoos. Reed height and distance from the edge of the reed bed were strongly correlated with nest density. From a temporal perspective breeding success was highest in late January following the peak in breeding activity. These observations suggest that overall breeding success is higher when nest densities are low. The mean fledging rate per nest was lower in areas of high nest density. This was, however, a statistical artifact. Multivariate analvses could not identify any environmental factors as predictors of breeding success within a colony.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 42%