To fill the gap in breeding biology information about the Red-Whiskered Bulbul （Pycnonotus jocosus）, in 2013, we studied the breeding biology of this species in Xishuangbanna, southwest China. The breeding began fro...To fill the gap in breeding biology information about the Red-Whiskered Bulbul （Pycnonotus jocosus）, in 2013, we studied the breeding biology of this species in Xishuangbanna, southwest China. The breeding began from February and continued until early August. The breeding strategy of P. jocosus was more flexible and their nests were only built in cultivated landscapes, whereas, no nest building in native tropical rain forest was found. Small open cup nests were built on 50 different plant species, and at heights ranging from 2.1±0.6 m above the ground （n=102）. The mean clutch size was 2.53±0.51 eggs （n=40） and the mean egg mass was 2.81±0.25 g （n=60）. The average incubation period was 11.1±0.5 days （n=14）, and the average nestling period was 11.0±0.8 days （n=31）. The overall nest success was 34.22%.The hatching and fledging showed either asynchrony or synchrony. Invertebrate food decreased with nestling age, whereas, plant food increased with nestling age. Moreover, distinct parental roles of the parents in nestling period were found. Compared with other passerine species, P. jocosus spent less time in incubating （58%）. The clutch size, incubation and nestling period of the P. jocosus in southwest China were different from those of the R jocosus in India.展开更多
Background: Melanin?based coloration is often found to be associated with variations in physiological and behavio?ral traits that are essential in avian communication.However,the function of melanin?based traits to th...Background: Melanin?based coloration is often found to be associated with variations in physiological and behavio?ral traits that are essential in avian communication.However,the function of melanin?based traits to their bearers has been investigated less than that of carotenoid?based ones.It is commonly believed that expression of melanin?based pigmentation is genetically controlled.However,whether it could be modulated by physical condition has remained controversial.In this study,we demonstrate that the level of melanin?based plumage pigmentation could be nega?tively correlated with an individual's oxidative stress level.Methods: In this study,we used two groups of Black Bulbuls(Hypsipetes leucocephalus nigerrimus) obtained from a pet?shop in 2010 and 2011 to examine the correlation between the melanin?based plumage coloration and the ratio of lymphocytes to heterocytes,which is an indicator of the oxidative stress experienced by an individual.Results: We found a negative correlation between oxidative stress levels and expression of melanin?based pigmen?tation on the breast and scapular feathers,but the correlation only appeared in the 2011 group,individuals of which had higher oxidative stress level and brighter plumage(i.e.more melanins) than those of the 2010 group.Conclusions: Our data suggest that melanin?based plumage could reflect an individual's physical condition in certain situations.Therefore,melanin?based plumage coloration could have a function in Himalayan Black Bulbuls' communication.展开更多
Two new records of birds occurred in Beijing are reported. Two flocks of Chinese Bulbul (Pycnontus sinensis sinensis) composed of 38 individuals were found in Hongluosi of Huairou County in September 26—27, 2002. One...Two new records of birds occurred in Beijing are reported. Two flocks of Chinese Bulbul (Pycnontus sinensis sinensis) composed of 38 individuals were found in Hongluosi of Huairou County in September 26—27, 2002. One male Red-winged Crested Cuckoo ( Clamator coromandus ) was observed in Xiaolongmen Wood Farm of Mengtougou District on May 23, 2000. Further surveys indicate that Chinese Bulbul is a resident species of birds in Beijing, the distribution sites include Haidian, Shunyi, Huairou and Fangshan; while Red-winged Crested Cuckoo, a summer visitor, arrives in Beijing in the middle ten days of May and migrates southward in early September. These findings together with the records of Crossoptilon mantchuricum, Ficedula mugimaki, Fringilla coelebs coelebs, F. beijingnica, Phylloscopus sichuanensis since 1990 have increased the bird species living in Beijing from 344 to 351. Habitat restoration and intensive surveys may increase avian species diversity of Beijing.展开更多
基金supported by funding from the National Nature Science Foundation of China(31370452)the Chinese Academy of Science(KSCX2-EW-Q-17)
文摘To fill the gap in breeding biology information about the Red-Whiskered Bulbul （Pycnonotus jocosus）, in 2013, we studied the breeding biology of this species in Xishuangbanna, southwest China. The breeding began from February and continued until early August. The breeding strategy of P. jocosus was more flexible and their nests were only built in cultivated landscapes, whereas, no nest building in native tropical rain forest was found. Small open cup nests were built on 50 different plant species, and at heights ranging from 2.1±0.6 m above the ground （n=102）. The mean clutch size was 2.53±0.51 eggs （n=40） and the mean egg mass was 2.81±0.25 g （n=60）. The average incubation period was 11.1±0.5 days （n=14）, and the average nestling period was 11.0±0.8 days （n=31）. The overall nest success was 34.22%.The hatching and fledging showed either asynchrony or synchrony. Invertebrate food decreased with nestling age, whereas, plant food increased with nestling age. Moreover, distinct parental roles of the parents in nestling period were found. Compared with other passerine species, P. jocosus spent less time in incubating （58%）. The clutch size, incubation and nestling period of the P. jocosus in southwest China were different from those of the R jocosus in India.
基金founded by the Population Genetics Lab,Department of Life Science,National Taiwan Normal University
文摘Background: Melanin?based coloration is often found to be associated with variations in physiological and behavio?ral traits that are essential in avian communication.However,the function of melanin?based traits to their bearers has been investigated less than that of carotenoid?based ones.It is commonly believed that expression of melanin?based pigmentation is genetically controlled.However,whether it could be modulated by physical condition has remained controversial.In this study,we demonstrate that the level of melanin?based plumage pigmentation could be nega?tively correlated with an individual's oxidative stress level.Methods: In this study,we used two groups of Black Bulbuls(Hypsipetes leucocephalus nigerrimus) obtained from a pet?shop in 2010 and 2011 to examine the correlation between the melanin?based plumage coloration and the ratio of lymphocytes to heterocytes,which is an indicator of the oxidative stress experienced by an individual.Results: We found a negative correlation between oxidative stress levels and expression of melanin?based pigmen?tation on the breast and scapular feathers,but the correlation only appeared in the 2011 group,individuals of which had higher oxidative stress level and brighter plumage(i.e.more melanins) than those of the 2010 group.Conclusions: Our data suggest that melanin?based plumage could reflect an individual's physical condition in certain situations.Therefore,melanin?based plumage coloration could have a function in Himalayan Black Bulbuls' communication.
文摘Two new records of birds occurred in Beijing are reported. Two flocks of Chinese Bulbul (Pycnontus sinensis sinensis) composed of 38 individuals were found in Hongluosi of Huairou County in September 26—27, 2002. One male Red-winged Crested Cuckoo ( Clamator coromandus ) was observed in Xiaolongmen Wood Farm of Mengtougou District on May 23, 2000. Further surveys indicate that Chinese Bulbul is a resident species of birds in Beijing, the distribution sites include Haidian, Shunyi, Huairou and Fangshan; while Red-winged Crested Cuckoo, a summer visitor, arrives in Beijing in the middle ten days of May and migrates southward in early September. These findings together with the records of Crossoptilon mantchuricum, Ficedula mugimaki, Fringilla coelebs coelebs, F. beijingnica, Phylloscopus sichuanensis since 1990 have increased the bird species living in Beijing from 344 to 351. Habitat restoration and intensive surveys may increase avian species diversity of Beijing.
