Endemic to eastern Asia, the Japanese marsh warbler Megalurus pryeri is classified as “vulnerable” in the IUCN Red Data List. Very little information is available concerning the breeding biology of this species. Fro...Endemic to eastern Asia, the Japanese marsh warbler Megalurus pryeri is classified as “vulnerable” in the IUCN Red Data List. Very little information is available concerning the breeding biology of this species. From April to July 2004, we studied the breeding ecology of M.pryeri sinensis in Zhalong Nature Reserve, in northeastern China. The breeding season extended from late May until early August, with a peak in mid-June. Nest building and care of the young was undertaken primarily by females. Males defended their nesting territories, and drove away male intruders. The eggs of the Japanese marsh warbler are white, with tiny fawn spots (greatest diameter=16.88±0.86 mm,n=14); shortest diameter=12.76±0.51 mm,n=14). Clutch size averaged 5.4±1.2 (range 4-7 eggs, n=38 clutches). Incubation lasted for 10-13 days (Mean=11.9±0.8 days, n=18), with a hatching success of 59.9%. The nestling period (range 9-12 days, Mean 10.1±0.9 days, n=15) resulting in a fledgling success rate of 67.5%. Total breeding success was 41.4%. The main cause of nesting failure include human disturbance (cutting reeds), predation, and effects of grazing and flooding.展开更多
The Marsh Grassbird Locustella pryeri is an uncommon songbird endemic to East Asia. Suitable nest- site selection can minimize nest loss, especially for open- cup and ground nesting passerines. We located and mon- ito...The Marsh Grassbird Locustella pryeri is an uncommon songbird endemic to East Asia. Suitable nest- site selection can minimize nest loss, especially for open- cup and ground nesting passerines. We located and mon- itored 66 Marsh Grassbird nests during 2004-2006 in Zhalong National Nature Reserve, northeast China, to identify characteristics of preferred nest sites. Marsh Grassbird nested mainly at sites with dense vegetation cover, high undergrowth and dry standing reed stalks, as well as small shallow ponds or rivers. Nests were more successful when they were placed higher above ground in patches with greater litter thickness. Predation and flooding were the leading causes of nest failure, accounting for at least 33 and 25 % of 24 nests lost, respectively. We ad- vocate retention of some unharvested reed patches and implementation of irrigation strategies that avoid increas- ing water levels during the breeding period （May-July） of Marsh Grassbirds.展开更多
文摘Endemic to eastern Asia, the Japanese marsh warbler Megalurus pryeri is classified as “vulnerable” in the IUCN Red Data List. Very little information is available concerning the breeding biology of this species. From April to July 2004, we studied the breeding ecology of M.pryeri sinensis in Zhalong Nature Reserve, in northeastern China. The breeding season extended from late May until early August, with a peak in mid-June. Nest building and care of the young was undertaken primarily by females. Males defended their nesting territories, and drove away male intruders. The eggs of the Japanese marsh warbler are white, with tiny fawn spots (greatest diameter=16.88±0.86 mm,n=14); shortest diameter=12.76±0.51 mm,n=14). Clutch size averaged 5.4±1.2 (range 4-7 eggs, n=38 clutches). Incubation lasted for 10-13 days (Mean=11.9±0.8 days, n=18), with a hatching success of 59.9%. The nestling period (range 9-12 days, Mean 10.1±0.9 days, n=15) resulting in a fledgling success rate of 67.5%. Total breeding success was 41.4%. The main cause of nesting failure include human disturbance (cutting reeds), predation, and effects of grazing and flooding.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.3037022141310302+1 种基金41001026)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China(Grant No.DL12CA09)
文摘The Marsh Grassbird Locustella pryeri is an uncommon songbird endemic to East Asia. Suitable nest- site selection can minimize nest loss, especially for open- cup and ground nesting passerines. We located and mon- itored 66 Marsh Grassbird nests during 2004-2006 in Zhalong National Nature Reserve, northeast China, to identify characteristics of preferred nest sites. Marsh Grassbird nested mainly at sites with dense vegetation cover, high undergrowth and dry standing reed stalks, as well as small shallow ponds or rivers. Nests were more successful when they were placed higher above ground in patches with greater litter thickness. Predation and flooding were the leading causes of nest failure, accounting for at least 33 and 25 % of 24 nests lost, respectively. We ad- vocate retention of some unharvested reed patches and implementation of irrigation strategies that avoid increas- ing water levels during the breeding period （May-July） of Marsh Grassbirds.
