Montane forest birds in winter: do they regularly move to lower altitudes? Observations from the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Craig, Adrian J F K, Hulley, Patrick E
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K , Hulley, Patrick E
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449433 , vital:74821 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2019.1568316
- Description: Seasonal altitudinal migration to lower altitudes including the coast has been ascribed to a number of forest birds, of which 14 species occur at Fort Fordyce Reserve in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Based on our observations and ringing at this site (2007–2017), as well as concurrent data from the South African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP2), we suggest that in this region only three species, the African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta, White-starred Robin Pogonocichla stellata and Barratt's Warbler Bradypterus barratti, are regular altitudinal migrants. For two other species, the Grey Cuckooshrike Coracina caesia and Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler Phylloscopus ruficapilla, local movements apparently occur, but these may take place within the coastal zone rather than between the coast and inland forests.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K , Hulley, Patrick E
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449433 , vital:74821 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2019.1568316
- Description: Seasonal altitudinal migration to lower altitudes including the coast has been ascribed to a number of forest birds, of which 14 species occur at Fort Fordyce Reserve in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Based on our observations and ringing at this site (2007–2017), as well as concurrent data from the South African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP2), we suggest that in this region only three species, the African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta, White-starred Robin Pogonocichla stellata and Barratt's Warbler Bradypterus barratti, are regular altitudinal migrants. For two other species, the Grey Cuckooshrike Coracina caesia and Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler Phylloscopus ruficapilla, local movements apparently occur, but these may take place within the coastal zone rather than between the coast and inland forests.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Cape White-eyes in the Eastern Cape: plumage characters, survival, and movements
- Craig, Adrian J F K, Galpin, Mark D, Hulley, Patrick E, Tree, Anthony J
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K , Galpin, Mark D , Hulley, Patrick E , Tree, Anthony J
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/465358 , vital:76597 , https://journals.uct.ac.za/index.php/BO/article/view/423/464
- Description: Almost all our records of green-bellied Cape White-eyes are outside the breeding season, with a peak in winter. They possibly come from localities to the east of Grahamstown, Bathurst and Port Alfred, but we have no direct evidence of such movement, nor of altitudinal migration between coastal and inland sites. The higher frequency of green-bellied birds at the coastal ringing sites may suggest local movements within the coastal belt, or occasional coastwards movement by adjoining populations, which could also account for the diversity of flank colours recorded in a small proportion of the birds.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K , Galpin, Mark D , Hulley, Patrick E , Tree, Anthony J
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/465358 , vital:76597 , https://journals.uct.ac.za/index.php/BO/article/view/423/464
- Description: Almost all our records of green-bellied Cape White-eyes are outside the breeding season, with a peak in winter. They possibly come from localities to the east of Grahamstown, Bathurst and Port Alfred, but we have no direct evidence of such movement, nor of altitudinal migration between coastal and inland sites. The higher frequency of green-bellied birds at the coastal ringing sites may suggest local movements within the coastal belt, or occasional coastwards movement by adjoining populations, which could also account for the diversity of flank colours recorded in a small proportion of the birds.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Comparative perch selection in Southern Fiscal Lanius collaris and Fiscal Flycatcher Sigelus silens at Amakhala Game Reserve, South Africa
- Daniels, Ryan J, Hulley, Patrick E, Craig, Adrian J F K
- Authors: Daniels, Ryan J , Hulley, Patrick E , Craig, Adrian J F K
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449294 , vital:74809 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2016.1264496
- Description: The Southern Fiscal Lanius collaris and the Fiscal Flycatcher Sigelus silens are common, widespread and sympatric in much of southern Africa. They are similar in plumage and ecology, which may predispose them to competition and interspecific territorial aggression but this has not been tested to date. Here we tested for evidence of competition for perch space. At Amakhala Private Game Reserve, Eastern Cape, South Africa we monitored the occurrence and perch use of both species along transects. The birds do co-occur locally but there is evidence of small-scale spatial separation possibly a result of interspecific territoriality. Perch selection differed in respect of perch type but not perch height. Both species perched prominently in the majority of observations. Southern Fiscals make greater use of Searsia and Gymnosporia trees, whereas the Fiscal Flycatcher makes near-equal use of Vachellia karroo, Searsia and Gymnosporia trees. This may be an example of niche partitioning, though it remains unclear whether the birds actively compete for perch space, or if the separation is a product of different perch preferences, territoriality and the local plant community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Daniels, Ryan J , Hulley, Patrick E , Craig, Adrian J F K
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449294 , vital:74809 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2016.1264496
- Description: The Southern Fiscal Lanius collaris and the Fiscal Flycatcher Sigelus silens are common, widespread and sympatric in much of southern Africa. They are similar in plumage and ecology, which may predispose them to competition and interspecific territorial aggression but this has not been tested to date. Here we tested for evidence of competition for perch space. At Amakhala Private Game Reserve, Eastern Cape, South Africa we monitored the occurrence and perch use of both species along transects. The birds do co-occur locally but there is evidence of small-scale spatial separation possibly a result of interspecific territoriality. Perch selection differed in respect of perch type but not perch height. Both species perched prominently in the majority of observations. Southern Fiscals make greater use of Searsia and Gymnosporia trees, whereas the Fiscal Flycatcher makes near-equal use of Vachellia karroo, Searsia and Gymnosporia trees. This may be an example of niche partitioning, though it remains unclear whether the birds actively compete for perch space, or if the separation is a product of different perch preferences, territoriality and the local plant community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Timing of moult and breeding in the Cape White-eye, Zosterops pallidus, from three different geographical regions in South Africa
- Hulley, Patrick E, Craig, Adrian J F K, Underhill, George D, Bonnevie, Bo T, Nuttall, R J, De Swardt, D H
- Authors: Hulley, Patrick E , Craig, Adrian J F K , Underhill, George D , Bonnevie, Bo T , Nuttall, R J , De Swardt, D H
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/465570 , vital:76621 , https://doi.org/10.1071/MU03055
- Description: Cape White-eyes are widespread in South Africa, occurring in different climatic regions. We analysed primary moult data for large samples of this species from three geographical regions. There were no apparent long-term changes in duration or timing of moult during the nine years that the Western Cape results were collected, but sites within this region had different mean starting dates for primary moult. The Eastern Cape and Free State birds began moult about a month later than those in the Western Cape. This correlated well with the earlier breeding season in the Western Cape, and there was no evidence of overlap between moult and breeding. Mean primary moult duration was not significantly different among the sites or regions, and may be a species-specific trait. There was no evidence of regular long-distance movements in this species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: Hulley, Patrick E , Craig, Adrian J F K , Underhill, George D , Bonnevie, Bo T , Nuttall, R J , De Swardt, D H
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/465570 , vital:76621 , https://doi.org/10.1071/MU03055
- Description: Cape White-eyes are widespread in South Africa, occurring in different climatic regions. We analysed primary moult data for large samples of this species from three geographical regions. There were no apparent long-term changes in duration or timing of moult during the nine years that the Western Cape results were collected, but sites within this region had different mean starting dates for primary moult. The Eastern Cape and Free State birds began moult about a month later than those in the Western Cape. This correlated well with the earlier breeding season in the Western Cape, and there was no evidence of overlap between moult and breeding. Mean primary moult duration was not significantly different among the sites or regions, and may be a species-specific trait. There was no evidence of regular long-distance movements in this species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
Moult, breeding season, mass, wing length, and dispersal in Cape Robins (Cossypha caffra) and Olive Thrushes (Turdus olivaceus) results from mist-netting garden birds
- Bonnevie, Bo T, Craig, Adrian J F K, Hulley, Patrick E, Underhill, George D
- Authors: Bonnevie, Bo T , Craig, Adrian J F K , Hulley, Patrick E , Underhill, George D
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/465420 , vital:76606 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306520309485372
- Description: We compared a data set from the Western Cape, South Africa (GDU, n = 170 Olive Thrushes (Turdus olivaceus), n = 475 Cape Robins (Cossypha caffra)) with our captures in the Eastern Cape, South Africa (n = 197 Olive Thrushes, n = 203 Cape Robins). In both regions Olive Thrushes began moult in December-January, while wing-moult lasted for 89 days in the Western Cape compared to 53 days in the Eastern Cape. Cape Robins began moult in early November in the Western Cape, early January in the Eastern Cape and again the duration of wing-moult was longer in the Western Cape (64 days) than in the Eastern Cape (50 days). For both species the start of moult coincided with the end of the breeding season. Cape Robins were heavier and longer-winged in the Western Cape than in the Eastern Cape. There was no significant difference in mean mass or mean wing length of the Olive Thrush between the two provinces. Both ringing and atlas data suggest that Cape Robins are relatively more common than Olive Thrushes in the Western Cape, but not in the Eastern Cape. In the Eastern Cape we observed colour-ringed robins (n = 2) and thrushes (n = 2) on their breeding territory in all months of the year, suggesting that some individuals of both species are strongly resident.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
- Authors: Bonnevie, Bo T , Craig, Adrian J F K , Hulley, Patrick E , Underhill, George D
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/465420 , vital:76606 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306520309485372
- Description: We compared a data set from the Western Cape, South Africa (GDU, n = 170 Olive Thrushes (Turdus olivaceus), n = 475 Cape Robins (Cossypha caffra)) with our captures in the Eastern Cape, South Africa (n = 197 Olive Thrushes, n = 203 Cape Robins). In both regions Olive Thrushes began moult in December-January, while wing-moult lasted for 89 days in the Western Cape compared to 53 days in the Eastern Cape. Cape Robins began moult in early November in the Western Cape, early January in the Eastern Cape and again the duration of wing-moult was longer in the Western Cape (64 days) than in the Eastern Cape (50 days). For both species the start of moult coincided with the end of the breeding season. Cape Robins were heavier and longer-winged in the Western Cape than in the Eastern Cape. There was no significant difference in mean mass or mean wing length of the Olive Thrush between the two provinces. Both ringing and atlas data suggest that Cape Robins are relatively more common than Olive Thrushes in the Western Cape, but not in the Eastern Cape. In the Eastern Cape we observed colour-ringed robins (n = 2) and thrushes (n = 2) on their breeding territory in all months of the year, suggesting that some individuals of both species are strongly resident.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
Song sharing by neighbourhood groups of territorial male Blackeyed Bulbuls
- Lloyd, Penn, Hulley, Patrick E, Craig, Adrian J F K
- Authors: Lloyd, Penn , Hulley, Patrick E , Craig, Adrian J F K
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447841 , vital:74678 , https://doi.org/10.1080/00306525.1999.9634238
- Description: The territorial song of the Blackeyed Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus is described for a population followed over two breeding seasons in suburban Grahamstown, South Africa. The Blackeyed Bulbul has a discrete and highly structured system of phrase sharing by neighbourhood groups of males. The most common repertoire size is five phrases (mean 5.5; range 2–9). In a temporally-stable song population, individual phrases are shared independently by discrete clusters of males. Neighbours show a strong tendency to share phrase types (but rarely whole repertoires), with overall song similarity decreasing rapidly with increasing distance between birds. This species is an ideal candidate for testing hypotheses concerning the adaptive value of song sharing by neighbourhood groups.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Lloyd, Penn , Hulley, Patrick E , Craig, Adrian J F K
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447841 , vital:74678 , https://doi.org/10.1080/00306525.1999.9634238
- Description: The territorial song of the Blackeyed Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus is described for a population followed over two breeding seasons in suburban Grahamstown, South Africa. The Blackeyed Bulbul has a discrete and highly structured system of phrase sharing by neighbourhood groups of males. The most common repertoire size is five phrases (mean 5.5; range 2–9). In a temporally-stable song population, individual phrases are shared independently by discrete clusters of males. Neighbours show a strong tendency to share phrase types (but rarely whole repertoires), with overall song similarity decreasing rapidly with increasing distance between birds. This species is an ideal candidate for testing hypotheses concerning the adaptive value of song sharing by neighbourhood groups.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
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