Nest-site selection and breeding ecology of Streaked Wren-Babbler(Napothera brevicaudata) in a tropical limestone forest of southern China

摘要

Background: The breeding information of most birds in Asian tropical areas,especially in limestone forests,is still poorly known.The Streaked Wren-Babbler(Napothera brevicaudata) is an uncommon tropical limestone bird with a small range.We studied its nest-site selection and breeding ecology,in order to understand the adaptations of birds to the conditions of tropical limestone forest in southern China.Methods: We used methods of systematical searching and parent-following to locate the nests of the Streaked Wren-Babbler.We measured characteristics of nest sites and rock cavities.Data loggers and video cameras were used to monitor the breeding behavior.Results: All the observed nests of the Streaked Wren-Babbler were placed in natural shallow cavities or deep holes in large boulders or limestone cliffs.The great majority(96.6%) of Streaked Wren-Babbler nests had three eggs with an average fresh weight of 3.46-± 0.43 g(n = 36,range 2.52-4.20 g).Most(80.4%) females laid their first eggs between March and April(n = 46).The average incubation and nestling period of the Streaked Wren-Babbler was 10.2 range 9-11 days),respectively.Most(87.9%) nests h± 0.4 days(n = 5,range 1011 days) and 10.5 ± 0.8 days(n = 6,ad at least one nestling fledge between 2011 and 2013(n = 33).Conclusions: Our study suggests that several features of the breeding ecology of the Streaked Wren-Babbler,including building nests in rocky cavities,commencing breeding earlier than most species,and reducing foraging times during the incubation period,are well-adapted to the unique habitat of tropical limestone forest.