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The nesting biology of Archbold's Bowerbird Archboldia papuensis and a review of that of other bowerbirds (Ptilonorhynchidae)
Author(s) -
FRITH CLIFFORD B.,
FRITH DAWN W.
Publication year - 1994
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.1994.tb01079.x
Subject(s) - nest (protein structural motif) , biology , zoology , ecology , new guinea , nesting (process) , avian clutch size , adaptation (eye) , reproduction , ethnology , biochemistry , materials science , neuroscience , metallurgy , history
Thirteen active and 14 old Archbold's Bowerbird Archboldia papuensis nests were studied in Tari Gap, Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea. Clutch size was one egg. At two nests, only one‐parent nest attendance was observed. Incubation and nestling periods were considerably longer and nestling growth slower than in other bowerbird species, possibly reflecting adaptation to a colder environment depauperate in insects. Of 382 identified nestling meals, 71% were exclusively fruit (14 spp. identified) and 29% were animal. Of 112 animal meals, 30% were skinks (Reptilia), 28% were small arthropods, 17% were beetles and the remainder (25%) were larger insects, pieces of nestling birds and unidentified items. Most active nests were built adjacent to older nests and the significance of this is discussed.