Breeding Productivity and the Non-Breeding Element in Some Montane Forest Birds in Malawi, South-Central Africa

• Published in: Biotropica 1985-01, Vol.17 (2), p.137-144
• Main Author: Dowsett-Lemaire, Francoise
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Aves; Aviculture; Biological and medical sciences; Bird nesting; Breeding; Breeding seasons; Demecology; Eggs; Female animals; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Montane forests; Productivity; Rain; Reproductive success
• ISSN: 0006-3606; 1744-7429
• DOI: 10.2307/2388506

I assessed nesting success and productivity of seven montane forest birds in Malawi (Africa) from observations of adult behavior and fledglings. This is because visits to nests appeared to increase predation in some species. Secondary productivity (0.4-1.9 young/breeding pair) was low as a result of small clutches, short breeding seasons and, in some species, low nesting success. Most species were capable of replacing failed clutches, but second broods were suspected in only one species, the moustached green tinkerbird (Pogoniulus leucomystax). In the majority of species the first breeding attempt was delayed until the age of 2 years. Unfavorable environmental conditions in some seasons were associated with decreased secondary productivity, and some pairs even refrained from attempting to breed. There is evidence of nonbreeding adults in 21 species. In two closely-studied passerine species, the adult nonbreeding element constituted 50-80 percent of the population, reducing the overall productivity to 0.15-0.5 young per 2 adults.