Analysis of Reproduction Indicators of the Yellow-Billed Stork (Mycteria ibis)

Abstract

To cite this article: REČKOVÁ ZUZANA, FILIPČÍK RADEK, MÁCHAL LADISLAV, HORSKÝ ROMAN. 2019. Analysis of Reproduction Indicators of the Yellow-Billed Stork (Mycteria ibis). Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 67(1): 155 - 161. AbstractThe aim of the study was to supplement the original knowledge about the reproduction of one of four species of storks (Mycteria). The storks are classified by IUCN as endangered species with different degrees of extinction and their reproduction in human care is difficult. Therefore, it is necessary to continuously supplement and deepen the knowledge of their reproduction in captivity. The subject of the thesis was the analysis of reproductive indicators of the yellow-billed ibis (Mycteria ibis). By analyzing partial reproduction indicators, we wanted to supplement the knowledge that is needed to ensure the necessary degree of reproduction of the yellow-billed stork in human care. The monitoring was carried out in the ZOO Zlín -Lešná in these years 2011 -2014. After laying, the eggs were measured and weighed, which was repeated in several-day intervals. In addition, hatchability, the number of reared young and the weight of the young after hatching were monitored. During the monitoring period, a total of 46 eggs of the yellow-billed stork by 8 parent pairs were evaluated. The average fertilized eggs ratio was 56.5 %. The average eggs length was 66.07 mm, the average eggs width was 47.02 mm and the average eggs weight was 80.46 g. The average eggs weight loss during their incubation was 5.60 g. The average hatchability was 52.2 % from all laid eggs and 92.3 % from fertilized eggs. Altogether, 24 young of the yellow-billed stork hatched during the monitoring period. The average weight of young yellow-billed stork on the day of hatching was 58.14 g. Throughout to the reference period, were reared 15 individuals of the yellow-billed stork.

Reproductive Characteristics of the Captive Milky Stork (Mycteria cinerea) in Zlin Zoo, Czech Republic

“…The highest proportion of fertilised eggs was recorded in 2014 when 100.0% of eggs were fertilised (4 eggs). The same proportion of fertilised eggs, 56.5%, was also found in the Yellow-billed Stork (Rečková et al, 2019). Egg damage only occurred in 2012 at a proportion of 14.3% (1 egg).…”

“…When comparing the size parameters of Milky Stork eggs with the other stork eggs, the average length of the Milky Stork eggs was 2.9 mm shorter than that of the Painted Stork (Rečková et al, 2017) and 0.4 mm shorter than that of the Yellow-billed Stork (Rečková et al, 2019). The difference in egg width between different species of stork was not pronounced.…”

“…The difference in egg width between different species of stork was not pronounced. The Milky Stork egg was 0.6 mm wider than that of the Painted Stork (Rečková et al, 2017) and the width of the Yellow-billed Stork eggs was almost identical (Rečková et al, 2019). When comparing the size of the Milky Stork eggs with the Storm's Stork from the same family, the Milky Stork eggs were 5.5 mm longer and 5.1 mm wider than that of the Storm's Stork (Danielsen et al, 1997).…”

“…When comparing the size of the Milky Stork eggs with the Storm's Stork from the same family, the Milky Stork eggs were 5.5 mm longer and 5.1 mm wider than that of the Storm's Stork (Danielsen et al, 1997). The weight of the Milky Stork's eggs with other storks was almost identical to 79.8 g of Painted Stork and 80.5 g of Yellow-billed Stork (Rečková et al, 2017;Rečková et al, 2019). Regarding the index of the shape of the egg, the Milky Stork's eggs and the Yellow-billed Stork's eggs were almost identical, namely 1.40 and 1.41 (Rečková et al, 2019), and slightly higher in the Painted Stork, namely 1.48 (Rečková et al, 2017).…”

“…When comparing the weight loss of eggs during incubation with other species of stork, the weight loss was lowest in the Yellow-billed Stork, at 5.6 g (Rečková et al, 2019) and the highest was the Painted Stork, at 9.9 g (Rečková et al, 2017). The egg shape index is given by the ratio of the length of the egg and its width and expresses the shape of an egg.…”