黄喉蜂虎在新疆北部的洞穴结构及其巢寄居物种

Nest Structure of European Bee-Eater in North Xinjiang and a List of Neighbor Species

2022年5—8月,环绕新疆北部准噶尔盆地寻找黄喉蜂虎Merops apiaster繁殖地,对34个蜂虎巢区173个洞穴进行了测量,包括洞道口径、洞穴深度等指标。结果显示:黄喉蜂虎大多选择在垂直的沙土壁上凿洞(占98%),洞道长度120~270 cm(160.7 cm±25.1 cm,n=83)。解剖了16个巢穴发现,通道基本上是平直的,洞室宽大,孵卵内室平均直径31.2 cm±5.87 cm。一些巢洞被其他物种占用,如蜥蜴、沙蟒或沙蚺Eryx spp.、游蛇Coluber spp.、鼠类、沙燕Riparia spp.、紫翅椋鸟Sturnus vulgaris、麻雀Passer spp.、鹡鸰Motacilla spp.、野蜂、甲虫等,仅鸟类就超过22种,出现了旧巢被占用或巢寄居现象。新疆是黄喉蜂虎自然分布的最东端,本研究对未来黄喉蜂虎保护小区的选址与建设提供了数据支持。

From May to August 2022,the breeding sites of European bee-eater(Merops apiaster)were searched in the Junggar Basin of northern Xinjiang.At the later stage of the breeding period,the cave depth was measured with a slender bamboo pole and steel ruler.The diameters and lengths of 173 holes were measured in 34 nesting areas.M.apiaster prefers to drill holes on vertical sandy soil walls(more than 98%),with the tunnel length of 120‒270 cm(160.7 cm±25.1 cm,n=83).The inner chamber structures of 16 nests were dissected in Shawan,Kuitun and other places.The results showed that the narrow tunnels were straight,and the egg caverns were wide,with an average diameter of 31.2 cm±5.87 cm.There are also some nest holes occupied by other neighbor species,such as lizards,snakes as Eryx spp.&Coluber spp.,rats,martins(Riparia spp.),starlings(Stunus vulgaris),sparrows(Passer spp.),wagtails(Motacilla spp.),wild bees,beetles,and other insects etc.More than 22 species of birds were identified among the neighbor species,indicative of the phenomenon of nest parasitism.This study provides a data support for site selection and construction of the future conservation community of M.apiaster.