BEHAVIOR OF PUERTO-RICAN PARROTS DURING FAILED NESTING ATTEMPTS

Citation
Ka. Wilson et al., BEHAVIOR OF PUERTO-RICAN PARROTS DURING FAILED NESTING ATTEMPTS, The Wilson bulletin, 109(3), 1997, pp. 490-503
Citations number
12
Categorie Soggetti
Ornithology
Journal title
ISSN journal
00435643
Volume
109
Issue
3
Year of publication
1997
Pages
490 - 503
Database
ISI
SICI code
0043-5643(1997)109:3<490:BOPPDF>2.0.ZU;2-I
Abstract
We compared patterns of nesting behavior of four pairs of Puerto Rican Parrots (Amazona vittata) that experienced failed nesting attempts to behavior of four pairs of parrots that experienced no substantial nes t problems and successfully fledged young without management intervent ion. Only changes in female parrots' behavior were clearly associated with nest failure. During incubation, decreases in nest attendance, in creases in duration of recesses, and increases in frequency of nest en tries by female parrots were associated with imminent abandonment of n ests. During early chick rearing, similar behavior was associated with the loss of broods. Low nest attendance and long recesses by female p arrots during incubation were also associated with successful hatching of eggs followed by death of young several days later. The behavior p atterns and changes in Puerto Rican Parrot nesting behavior described in this paper may alert biologists to nest problems that might be miti gated by management intervention.