An unusual homing behavior found in the Sichuan Partridge during the early brooding period

Abstract

In this study, we report an unusual homing behavior of the Sichuan Partridge (Arborophila rufipectus) at the Laojunshan National Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, China. Hen Sichuan Partridges led the chicks back to the nests where they hatched in the evening and roosted there over night. This behavior lasted 6.7 ± 4.3 nights (range = 1–15; n = 13) after the chicks hatched. At this stage, the hens became very vigilant to predators and human disturbance. If disturbed, they often abandoned the nests immediately and no longer returned thereafter. The ambient temperature at night during the early brooding period of Sichuan Partridge at our study site was ~ 12.4 °C. Our findings suggest that hen Sichuan Partridges may make trade-offs between nest predation risks versus the thermoregulatory needs of their young.

Metabarcoding of fecal DNA reveals the broad and flexible diet of a globally endangered bird

“…The possible reasons for the high abundance of Diptera (RA: 37.6–64.1%) ( Table 1 ) in the diet could be the species richness and continued availability. The climate in the research area is temperate, with high precipitation (>1,500 mm per year) and relative humidity (>85%) ( Fu et al 2020 ). The robust dipteran taxa available throughout the breeding season are likely due to high precipitation and humid habitats, especially during the rainy season, consistent with the diets of Indiana Bats, who also consume a large proportion of Diptera ( O’Rourke et al 2021 ).…”

“…Abundant seeds and fruits are available in autumn, typically with alternating sunny and rainy periods throughout the season. The reserve has the world’s largest wild population of the Sichuan partridge, with approximately 300–400 individuals ( Fu et al 2020 ). Prior research on the habitat of the Sichuan partridge demonstrated that the natural vegetation in this area is an evergreen broadleaf forest ( Liao et al 2008a , 2008b ), characterized by, among others, species in the families Fagaceae ( Castanopsis spp.…”

“…The Sichuan partridge Arborophila rufipectus is a globally endangered Galliformes species endemic to the mountains of southwest China ( Dai et al 1998 , 2009 ; Fu et al 2020 ). It is classified as “Endangered” (EN) on the IUCN Red List ( http://www.redlist.org ) because of its small population and severely fragmented habitat ( BirdLife International, 2022 ).…”