Recent Advances in the Behavioral Ecology of Tropical Birds

Stutchbury, Bridget J. M.; Morton, Eugene S.

doi:10.1676/07-018.1

Cited by 123 publications

(106 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…In many tropical birds, moult may be very slow (e.g. one or two primaries at a time) allowing considerable overlap with reproduction (Foster 1975;Stutchbury & Morton 2001). It is also possible that if clutch size is also reduced from, for example five to two or three, then this would also allow more overlap (Stutchbury & Morton 2001).…”

Section: Variation Of Intensity Of Life-history Stage Expression To Imentioning

confidence: 99%

“…one or two primaries at a time) allowing considerable overlap with reproduction (Foster 1975;Stutchbury & Morton 2001). It is also possible that if clutch size is also reduced from, for example five to two or three, then this would also allow more overlap (Stutchbury & Morton 2001). There is much to be explored here, and models to determine how much flexibility could be gained while retaining tolerance of a wide range of environmental conditions could be very useful for designing field studies and laboratory experiments to determine mechanisms.…”

Section: Variation Of Intensity Of Life-history Stage Expression To Imentioning

confidence: 99%

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Organization of vertebrate annual cycles: implications for control mechanisms

Wingfield

2007

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

211

199

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The majority of vertebrates have a life span of greater than one year. Therefore individuals must be able to adapt to the annual cycle of changing conditions by adjusting morphology, physiology and behaviour. Phenotypic flexibility, in which an individual switches from one life history stage to another, is one way to maximize fitness in a changing environment. When environmental variation is low, few life history stages are needed. If environmental variation is large, there are more life history stages. Each life history stage has a characteristic set of sub-stages that can be expressed in various combinations and patterns to determine state at any point in the life of the individual. Thus individuals have a finite number of states that can be expressed over the spectrum of environmental conditions in their life spans. Life history stages have three phases-development, mature capability (when characteristic sub-stages can be expressed) and termination. Expression of a stage is time dependent (probably a minimum of one month), and termination of one stage overlaps development of the next stage. It follows that the more life history stages an individual expresses, the less flexibility it will have in timing those stages. Having fewer life history stages increases flexibility in timing, but less tolerance of variation in environmental conditions. To varying degrees it is possible to overlap mature capability of some life history stages to effectively reduce 'finite stage diversity' and maximize flexibility in timing. Theoretical ways by which this can be done, and the implications for neuroendocrine and endocrine control mechanisms are discussed. Twelve testable hypotheses are posed that relate directly to control mechanisms.

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Section: Variation Of Intensity Of Life-history Stage Expression To Imentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Variation Of Intensity Of Life-history Stage Expression To Imentioning

confidence: 99%

Organization of vertebrate annual cycles: implications for control mechanisms

Wingfield

2007

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

211

199

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“…A predação tem sido enfatizada como uma importante força seletiva no processo reprodutivo das aves (Mezquida & Marone 2001) sendo o principal fator de perda de ninhos de muitas espécies, em diferentes hábitats e localizações geográficas (Best & Stauffer 1980, Martin 1993, Mermoz & Reboreda 1998, Aguilar et al 1999, 2000, Mezquida & Marone 2002, Picman et al 2002, Lopes & Marini 2005b, Roper 2005, Pinho et al 2006, Duca 2007, Medeiros & Marini 2007. A taxa de predação de ninhos nos trópicos é alta, em torno de 80 a 90%, mas pode variar entre regiões (Ricklefs 1969, Oniki 1979, Stutchbury & Morton 2001, Roper 2003, sendo em geral maior que a encontrada para esta espécie. Apesar da taxa de predação de ninhos de T. savana ter sido menor que a esperada para uma ave tropical, ainda representa a maior causa de mortalidade em relação a outros fatores, como clima e parasitismo.…”

Section: Causas Da Perdaunclassified

“…As atividades associadas à reprodução estão entre os comportamentos mais complexos e conspícuos das aves e muito da compreensão sobre a evolução e a função dos sistemas de acasalamento dos vertebrados provêm de estudos com aves (Pough et al 1993). O conhecimento de vários aspectos da biologia reprodutiva de aves tropicais, tais como duração do período reprodutivo e parâmetros da história de vida ainda são escassos (Stutchbury & Morton 2001). Tais informações são importantes não só para o desenvolvimento e investigação de hipóteses sobre aspectos evolutivos e comportamentais, mas também por serem úteis na proposição de medidas conservacionistas (Boyce 1992, Reed et al 1998.…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Biologia reprodutiva de Tyrannus savana (Aves, Tyrannidae) em cerrado do Brasil Central

et al. 2009

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Abstract:The Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana (Tyrannidae) is a migratory passerine that occurs in central Brazil between August and February. Its breeding biology is still little known, and this study reports data on breeding season, incubation and nestling periods, nest and egg characteristics, nest success and predation rate. We searched for nests at "Estação Ecológica de Águas Emendadas" (ESECAE) and its surroundings, Distrito Federal, Brazil, in the breeding seasons of 2002 to 2007. We monitored 78 nests each 2-4 days. Breeding season started in late September and lasted until mid December. Incubation lasted 13.6 ± 0.4 days (n = 21) (mean ± SE) and nestling period lasted 15 ± 0.4 days (n = 27). Most nests (n = 39) were found in "cerrado ralo" vegetation and were built on plants of the genus Kielmeyera. Clutch size ranged from 1 to 3 eggs, with an average of 2.5 ± 0.3 eggs. Egg length and width averaged 22.2 ± 0.2 mm and 15.8 ± 0.1 mm (n = 6), respectively, and the average weight was 3.0 ± 0.2 g (n = 5). Thirty (52.5%) nests were successful, 24 (43.9%) were predated and only two (3.7%) were abandoned. Egg success was 39.2 ± 1.4% and mean hatching rate was 0.6 ± 0.2 fledglings/egg. Overall productivity was 1.0 ± 0.3 fledglings per nest, and fecundity rate was 1.4 ± 0.4 fledglings per female. Nest success (Mayfield method) was 45.9% ± 1.1, with no significant difference between the average daily survival rate between egg and nestling periods. Several of the estimated parameters for T. savana revealed to be different than expected for a tropical flycatcher. Resumo: A tesourinha Tyrannus savana é um Passeriforme (Tyrannidae) migratório que ocorre no Planalto central entre os meses de agosto e fevereiro. Sua biologia reprodutiva é ainda pouco conhecida e foi abordada pelo presente estudo quanto aos seguintes aspectos: período reprodutivo, tamanho da ninhada, tempo de incubação e de permanência dos ninhegos no ninho, características dos ninhos e ovos, taxa de sucesso dos ninhos e taxa de predação. O estudo foi realizado na Estação Ecológica Águas Emendadas e em fragmentos do entorno, DF, nas estações reprodutivas de 2002 a 2007. Os ninhos (n = 78) foram monitorados em intervalos de 2-4 dias. O período reprodutivo estendeu-se de setembro a dezembro. O período médio de incubação foi de 13,6 ± 0,4 dias (n = 21) (média ± EP), e a permanência dos ninhegos no ninho foi de 15 ± 0,4 dias (n = 27). A maioria dos ninhos (n = 39) foi encontrada em cerrado ralo e em plantas-suporte do gênero Kielmeyera. O tamanho da ninhada variou de 1 a 3 ovos com média de 2,5 ± 0,3 ovos. O comprimento e a largura média dos ovos foram de 22,2 ± 0,2 mm e 15,8 ± 0,1 mm (n = 6), respectivamente, e o peso médio foi de 3,0 ± 0,2 g (n = 5). Trinta ninhos (52,5%) tiveram sucesso, 24 (43,8%) foram predados e apenas dois (3,7%) foram abandonados. O sucesso dos ovos foi de 39,2 ± 1,4%, sendo a taxa de eclosão de 0,6 ± 0,2 filhotes/ovo, a fecundidade de 1,5 ± 0,4 filhotes/fêmea e da produção anual de filhotes de 1,0 ± 0,3 filhotes/ninho. O sucess...

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“…These birds have highly seasonal lifestyles often characterized by short breeding seasons in resource-rich environments, long non-breeding seasons, and intervening migratory periods (Murton and Westwood 1977). The lifestyles of tropical birds are markedly different, usually characterised by longer breeding seasons, more opportunistic breeding attempts, longer periods of high resource availability, and different moult schedules (Stutchbury and Morton 2001). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal stress physiology and body condition differ among co-occurring tropical finch species

et al. 2013

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Seasonal changes in avian hormonal stress responses and condition are well known for common species found at temperate and arctic latitudes, but declining and tropical species are poorly studied. This study compares stress and condition measures of co-occurring declining and non-declining tropical grass finch species in Australia. We monitored declining Gouldian finches (Erythrura gouldiae) and non-declining long-tailed and masked finches (Poepila acuticauda and P. personata) during two seasons that are potentially stressful: peak breeding (early dry season when food is plentiful) and moult (late dry to early wet season when food may be scarce). We measured body condition (muscle and fat), haematocrit, and stress response to capture using plasma corticosterone and binding globulin concentrations. All species had higher muscle and lower fat indices during breeding than moult. Haematocrit did not consistently differ between seasons. Long-tailed finches had higher stress responses during breeding than moult, similar to other passerines studied. Masked finches showed no seasonal changes in stress response. Gouldian finches had stress response patterns opposite to those of long-tailed finches, with higher stress responses during moult. However, seasonal trends in Gouldian and long-tailed finch stress responses sometimes differed between years or sites. The differences in stress response patterns between species suggest that the declining Gouldian finch is more sensitive to recent environmental changes which are thought to further reduce grass seed food resources during the late dry to early wet season. Retention of stress responsiveness during a protracted moult could increase the survival potential of Gouldian finches. This study highlights the utility of stress and condition indices to determine the sensitivity of co-occurring species to environmental conditions. This study compares stress and condition measures of co-occurring declining and non-declining tropical grass-finch species in Australia. We monitored declining Gouldian finches (Erythrura gouldiae) and non-declining long-tailed and masked finches (Poepila acuticauda and P. personata) during two seasons that are potentially stressful: peak breeding (early dry season when food is plentiful) and moult (late dry to early wet season when food may be scarce). We measured body condition (muscle and fat), haematocrit, and stress response to capture using plasma corticosterone and binding globulin concentrations. All species had higher muscle and lower fat indices during breeding than moult. Haematocrit did not consistently differ between seasons. Long-tailed finches had higher stress responses during breeding than moult, similar to other passerines studied. Masked finches showed no seasonal changes in stress response. Gouldian finches had stress response patterns opposite to those of long-tailed finches, with higher stress responses during moult.However, seasonal trends in Gouldian and long-tailed finch stress responses sometimes differed between years or ...

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Recent Advances in the Behavioral Ecology of Tropical Birds

Cited by 123 publications

References 69 publications

Organization of vertebrate annual cycles: implications for control mechanisms

Organization of vertebrate annual cycles: implications for control mechanisms

Biologia reprodutiva de Tyrannus savana (Aves, Tyrannidae) em cerrado do Brasil Central

Seasonal stress physiology and body condition differ among co-occurring tropical finch species

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