INCUBATION SHARING OF NORTHERN BALD IBIS PARTNERS

Year 2021, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 167 - 181, 30.12.2021

Ahmet Kılıç , Ersin Uysal

https://doi.org/10.51477/mejs.1003882

Abstract

The study was carried out during the free-flying period. Pairs share the incubation between the two sexes. In observations made between 2013 and 2015 (n=79 in day). Females incubated for 177.08 minutes per day on average while males incubated for 240.99 minutes per day. This incubation period is statistically different (P< 0.0001) withmales staying 23-32% longer than females. Females and males stayed in incubation together for only a short time. According to observations made(n=79), couples stay together on nests for 20.52 minutes in average. During the observations made all day long it was realized that eggs are left alone only 0.40 minutes on average.Incubation periods did not vary according to years. According to the observations made in 2013 (n=100) period for staying in the nest were not different than observations of years 2014 and 2015 statistically (P>0.05). According to 2014 (n=128) and 2015 (n=88) results no statistical difference could be observed between incubation periods (P >0.05).The excess eggs during incubation are protected by northern bald ibises which does not have any nest (altruism). From time to time synchronized behaviors can be observed in the population.

Keywords

female sitting time, male sitting time, breeding, Geronticus eremita, altruistic behavior

Supporting Institution

DİCLE ÜNİVERSİTESİ

Project Number

DÜBAP-14-FF-73

Thanks

We thank our instructor, M. SadullahÖZTÜRK, the pioneer of the northern bald ibis rescue project, a true nature lover who helped us greatly. We would like to thank Christopher G. R. Bowden (RSPB-Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) for scientific contributions. This study was supported by Dicle University (DÜBAP-14-FF-73). Thanks to the northern bald ibises Brooding station workers and volunteers (General Directorate of Nature Conservation National Parks, Turkey). Thanks to the wardens who feed them. We would like to thank the team for the individual ringing of the northern bald ibises every year and the collection of blood samples. We thank Dr. E. Çakmak for sharing his knowledge of sex identification with DNA analysis (Department of Biology, Middle East Technical University, Turkey).

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