Premium
Nesting biology of the Short‐tailed Paradigalla Paradigalla brevicauda
Author(s) -
FRITH CLIFFORD B.,
FRITH DAWN W.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
ibis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.933
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1474-919X
pISSN - 0019-1019
DOI - 10.1111/j.1474-919x.1992.tb07234.x
Subject(s) - nest (protein structural motif) , biology , hatchling , zoology , nesting (process) , new guinea , nest box , ecology , seasonal breeder , hatching , biochemistry , materials science , metallurgy , history , ethnology
Six nesting attempts of a ringed Short‐tailed Paradigalla Paradigalla brevicauda between September 1986 and February 1989 in Papua New Guinea are reported. Nests are described and one illustrated. Previously undescribed eggs, of two single‐egg clutches from the same female, lack broad longitudinal streaks typical of most Paradisaeinae eggs. The hatchling is naked, dark‐skinned, with fully formed facial wattles. Fifty seven hours of observation at one nest confirmed single parent attendance. Of 66 identified nestling meals 65% were animal, including frogs and skinks, the remainder fruit. Growth and development of a nestling, that fledged at 26 days old, are described. Another young was fed by its parent 108 days after leaving the nest. Breeding and feeding of P. brevicauda are reviewed. The presumed female studied attended six nests within 100 m 2 over 29 months. Uniparental nesting suggests males are promiscuous, which is discussed with respect to proposed Paradigalla hybrids.