Year: 1984
Type: article
Abstract: The 12 species in the bunting genus Passerina have proved to be a popular source of material for studies of vocalizations (Rice and Thompson 1968; Thompson 1968Thompson , 1970 Thompson , 1972;;Shiovitz and Thompson 1970; Forsythe 1974; Payne 1982) migration (Emlen 1967a, b; Emlen et al. 1976) systematics (Sibley and Short 1959; Emlen et al. 1975), and mating systems (Carey and Nolan 1979, Carey 1982).Despite this interest, few detailed descriptions of the behavior of any member of this genus have been published.In this paper we describe aspects of courtship and territorial behavior of the Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris).STUDY AREA AND METHODS The study was conducted on St. Catherines Island, a barrier island approximately 50 km south of Savannah, Georgia.The 90-ha study area ("Briar Field" Thomas et al. [1978: Fig. 41) on the western side of the island borders extensive salt marshes dominated by cordgrasses (Spartina spp.).The tract' s evergreen oak forest (Braun 1964:303) consists primarily of oaks (Quercus spp.) and pines (Pinus spp.), with scattered hickories (Carya spp.) and palmettos (Sabal spp.and Serenoe repens) also present.Undergrowth was scanty so that buntings were readily visible when on the ground.As part of a study of mating systems, more than 1800 h were devoted to watching buntings during daily fieldwork in the 1976-1979 breeding seasons.In 1976 and 1977 observations commenced the third week of May, after breeding had begun, and continued until breeding ended in early August.In 1978 and 1979 observations began in April, several days before the first buntings returned to the study area, and continued until nesting activities ceased in 1978 but only until mid-July in 1979, about 2 weeks before breeding ended.Adult buntings were mist-netted and banded with a unique combination of aluminum U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service band and three plastic colorbands (two bands/leg).In addition we applied paint (Testor' s airplane dope) to either the outer primaries of one wing or the outer rectrices of selected individuals to facilitate identification in the field.We attempted to visit each part of the study area daily and to observe every resident bunting.Whenever an individual was sighted, its identity, type of activity, location, and the time of day were recorded either on a 396
Authors: Lanyon, Scott M, Thompson, Charles F
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: National Science Foundation
Award: Behavior of Passerina Ciris
OpenAlex ID: W2499901281