BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY OF ELLIOT'S LAUGHINGTHRUSH (TROCHALOPTERON (GARRULAX) ELLIOTII; TIMALIIDAE). I. BREEDING BIOLOGY AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOR

摘要

Babblers (Timaliidae s.l.) are a diverse group of passerine birds distributed mainly in Asia. The behavior and vocalization of most babbler species are poorly-known. We provide the first description of the social organization and behavior of Elliot's Laughingthrush, a member of Timaliidae s.l. Data on its breeding biology are given as well. The study was conducted in Hunan Hupingshan National Nature Reserve, south-central China. Elliot's Laughingthrush are common breeders in secondary mountain forest up to 1900 m above sea-level. Nests can be found in bamboo and scrub thickets. Clutch size is 2-3 eggs. The social mating system is monogamy. Each pair defends a small territory (median size 1710 m(2)). The borders between adjacent territories are established during territorial interactions at the onset of the breeding season, both males and females participating. We discuss our data in the context of differences in behavioral ecology between tropical and temperate bird species.