The Asian Journal of Biology Education
Online ISSN : 1447-0209
Use of a Blind to Observe the Breeding Behaviour of the Asian Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi L. )
Pattamavadee NGOENJUN Narit SITASUWAN
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ジャーナル フリー

2010 年 4 巻 p. 2-7

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In the study of animal behaviour it is critical to observe animals with as little disturbance as possible in order to get valid information. A blind is essential equipment for observing bird behaviour where the observer can gather data without affecting the observed bird, especially during the breeding season. From 2005 to 2008, 38 pairs of Asian Paradise Flycatchers (Terpsiphone paradisi L.). were observed during the breeding season (March to July) at Chiang Dao Wildlife Research Station, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Fifteen nests were studied from observation blinds on the ground, 10 m away from the nesting trees, using a 15x–45x telescope and video camera to record parental behaviour for 12 hours per day. Observation blinds were made from bamboo and the foliage of the herb Etlingera littoralis (Kon.) Gise. (Zingiberaceae), which grows in abundance in the study area. In order to minimize disturbance to the birds' activities, blinds were built when nest-building was almost finished, and were placed parallel to the birds' regular flight approach pathways to the nests. None of the nesting pairs displayed anxiety when the observer was inside the blind and none of the nests were subsequently abandoned, so observations of the breeding cycle were possible. Of the 15 nests observed, eight nests had breeding success, the eggs in one nest were broken by a tree fall, and in the other 6 nests eggs or nestlings disappeared probably as a result of predators. Successful breeding cycles lasted 26–34 days, including 2–4 days of egg-laying, 14–18 days of incubation, and 10–12 days of parental care of nestlings. Blinds, made of natural materials, are effective in allowing observations of this bird and may also be useful for studying other birds.

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© 2010 Asian Association for Biology Education
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