title: [Breeding ecology of Chinese Bulbul in the urban environment of Hangzhou, China].
abstract: The Chinese Bulbul, Pycnonotus sinensis, is one of the most abundant and widely distributed birds of south China, settling even in dense urban areas. From March-July 2012, we surveyed the Chinese Bulbul in the urban environment of Hangzhou, China, to gain a clearer perspective on their breeding ecology. Totally, 117 nests were found, mainly on the trees of Osmanthus fragrans (84.6%, n=117) in residential areas,street tree strips, and green belt. Our results include several noteworthy observations: nest height from the ground was 3.16±0.91 m (n=117); egg-laying begins in early April with peak times from April 11-25; and the nesting period was 11.85±1.12 days (n=47). In terms of fertility and reproduction, we also observed that the average incubation period was 11.34±1.12 days (n=32); average clutch size was 3.37±0.48 eggs (n=103); hatching success 68.3%, fledging rate 52.1%, and the total breeding success 35.58% (n=117). The main causes of breeding failure included egg and fledgling predation, as well as human disturbance.
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China. birdchen@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Si-Si
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Lan
authors.forename: Qin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Qin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Shui-Hua
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D002681:China; D002947:Cities; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010058:Oviposition; D046109:Passeriformes / Q000502:physiology*; D011235:Predatory Behavior; D012098:Reproduction; D012621:Seasons; D014506:Urban Renewal
keywords: Adaptation; Breeding ecology; Nest site selection; Pycnonotus sinensis; Urbanization