Japanese Journal of Ornithology

Sexing the Oriental White Stork Ciconia boyciana by PCR Using a Single Plucked Feather as a Source of DNA

Koichi MURATA, Yuichiro ITOH, Akira OGAWA, Shigeki MIZUNO

1998 Volume 46 Issue 3 Pages 157-162,179
Published: February 25, 1998
Released on J-STAGE: September 28, 2007

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.3838/jjo.46.157

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A small amount of DNA extracted from a single plucked contour feather from four captive young Oriental White Storks Ciconia boyciana, a sexually monomorphic bird, was used for gender determination by the method of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on its sex chromosome-specific DNA sequences, the 0.6-kb Xba I -HindIII fragment(XH0.6) on the W chromosome and the region homologous to the XH0.6sequence (XH0.6-RSM) on the Z chromosome. After the agarose gel electrophoresis of the PCR products, two bands which correspond to the W and Z chromosome-specific fragments were observed from the female DNA. By contrast only one Z chromosome-specific fragment was observed from the male DNA. These results were consistent with those obtained by Southern blot hybridization using the DNA from red blood cells and the discriminant analysis of body measurements. This PCR method using a single feather is easy, fast, accurate, and also relatively stress-less to the birds which are not used to being handled for sampling. It will become one of useful tools in the captive propagation program and reintroduction plan for the C. boyciana, a special natural monument of Japan.

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Feeding-station Use of Wintering Japanese Cranes Grus japonensis in Eastern Hokkaido in Relation to Age and Social Status

Dong-yu HU, Hiroyuki MASATOMI, Hiromi FUKUDA

1998 Volume 46 Issue 3 Pages 163-174,179
Published: February 25, 1998
Released on J-STAGE: September 28, 2007

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.3838/jjo.46.163

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In two winters during the period 1994 to 1996, social status and feeding-station use of Japanese Cranes Grus japonensis were observed for 38(1994-95) and 40 (1995-96) marked individuals at three major feeding stations in Kushiro, northern Japan. Most of the males and females three years of age or older uttered unison calls to form a pair bond, whilst only a few younger cranes called in unison. Younger cranes appeared at the stations earlier in autumn and some of them frequently moved among the stations throughout the winter months. After pair formation, pairs appeared at the stations later than younger cranes and were more apt to visit a particular station, especially when they were with their juveniles.This station selectivity was observed most often in January and February.The cranes at the different stations showed a different degree of station selectivity and pattern of inter-station movement. These differences in selectivity and movement probably depended mainly on the feeding conditions at the stations and on the distance between stations.

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Tree nesting by Ogasawara Buzzards on Chichijima, in the Bonin Islands

Masaoki TAKAGI, Masako UEDA

1998 Volume 46 Issue 3 Pages 175-176
Published: February 25, 1998
Released on J-STAGE: September 28, 2007

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.3838/jjo.46.175

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[in Japanese]

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The First Breeding Record of Magpie Pica pica in Nagano Prefecture

Tetsuo HOSONO, Daizaburo SUYAMA

1998 Volume 46 Issue 3 Pages 177-178
Published: February 25, 1998
Released on J-STAGE: September 28, 2007

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.3838/jjo.46.177

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The first breeding of Pica pica was observed in Oami, Otari Village, Nagano Perfecture (36° 53′20″N, 137°52′10″E) in 1997. The nest was built on a utility pole with twigs of Japanese Cedar, a kind of oak etc. All chicks fell from the nest and died before fledging.

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