Breeding ecology of two sympatric laughingthrushes(Trochalopteron milnei and Garrulax berthemyi)in southwestern China

Here we documented up-to-date information on breeding ecology of Buffy Laughingthrush(Garrulax berthemyi),an endemic species of China,and a sympatric coordinal Red-tailed Laughingthrush(Trochalopteron milnei),in southwestern China.Furthermore,we compared breeding ecology of these two sympatric species.No significant differences were found in clutch size,egg size,nest size,nest height,nest habitat and predation rate between these two species except nests depth,nests cover and eggs color.The Red-tailed Laughingthrush nestlings differed from those of the Buffy Laughingthrush in gape morphology and the extent of down.Observation of breeding behavior showed that cooperative breeding might exist in the population of Buffy Laughingthrush.

Effects of human disturbance on nest placement of the woodpigeon (Columba palumbus): a case study from the Middle Atlas, Morocco

The woodpigeon(Columba palumbus)is a common and widespread bird in Morocco(North Africa).I exam­ined,over 2 years(2010 and 2011),the breeding density and nest placement of this game species in relation to nest site habitat and degree of human disturbance.The study area was in the Middle Atlas Tighboula moun­tain forest,Morocco,in a disturbed and an undisturbed site.Using data collected in the 2 study sites,I aimed to identify the factors influencing the placement of nests within holm oak trees(Quercus rotundifolia)and their densities.I found that habitat structures,influenced by grazing disturbance,have affected nesting density and the location of nests of this species.Woodpigeons place their nests in a higher position(3.42±0.19 m)when disturbance intensity is high and lower(1.68±0.1 m)when disturbance intensity is low,and show higher nest­ing density in less disturbed zone(3.1±0.4 nests/ha)than in highly disturbed zones(1.4±0.2 nests/ha).Graz­ing disturbance could pose a threat to population persistence at a broader scale and could potentially reduce the abundance of this species by altering the composition and the structure of the forest nesting habitat.Further multi-scale studies are needed to assess the effects of different levels of grazing disturbance on woodpigeon nest density and placement,and to enhance our knowledge of the breeding behavior of this game species under vari­able environments.