Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-gb8f7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-22T17:37:45.203Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The post-nuptial moult of Quelea quelea in relation to breeding in Kenya

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Jeremy John Thompson
Jeremy John Thompson
Affiliation:
FAO/UNDP Regional quelea project
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

During the unusually extended breeding season of 1984/85 in Tsavo-East National Park, Kenya, Quelea quelea were sampled and moult patterns recorded. Particular attention was paid to individuals with an interrupted moult pattern. These were further classified as either having their moult arrested or suspended. Apparently, post-nuptial moult begins earlier in males than in females. Although the majority of quelea bred and moulted sequentially, these activities overlapped in many individuals and moulting suspended after the replacement of a few feathers. The initiation of post-nuptial moult before the cessation of breeding, followed by moult interruption, is evidence for the physio-ecological drive in quelea to complete their moult as soon as possible to prepare for the next breeding opportunity.

Keywords

KenyamoultQuelea quelea.
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 4 , Issue 4 , November 1988 , pp. 373 - 380
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1988

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

LITERATURE CITED

Allan, R. G. 1981. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of bird pests in Kenya. Proceedings 3rd Annual Technical Meeting, FAO/UNDP regional Quelea project.Google Scholar
Disney, H. J. De S. & Marshall, A. J. 1956. A contribution to the breeding biology of the Weaverfinch Quelea quelea (Linnaeus) in East Africa. Proceedings of the Zoological Society, London 127:379–387.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Elliott, C. C. H. 1981. The relationship between quelea breeding and rainfall. Quelea moult studies. Proceeding 3rd Annual Technical Meeting. FAO/UNDP regional Quelea project.Google Scholar
Foster, M. S. 1975. The overlap of molting and breeding in some tropical birds. Condor 77:304–314.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ginn, H. B. & Melville, P. S. 1983. Moult in birds. British Trust Ornithology. Guide No. 19.Google Scholar
Harper, D. G. C. 1984. Moult interruption in passerines resident in Britain. Ringing and Migration 5:101–104.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jaeger, M. M., Bruggers, R. L., Johns, B. E. & Erickson, W. A. 1986. Evidence of itinerant breeding of the Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea in the Ethiopian Rift Valley. Ibis 128:469–482.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jones, P. J. 1978. Overlap of breeding and moult in the Whitebrowed Sparrowweaver in Northwestern Botswana. Ostrich 49:21–24.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Maclean, G. L. 1973. The Sociable Weaver, Part 3: Breeding biology and moult. Ostrich 44:219–240.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Miller, A. H. 1954. The occurrence and maintenance of the refractory period in Crowned Sparrows. Condor 56:13–20.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Miller, A. H. 1961. Molt cycles in equatorial Andean Sparrows. Condor 63:143–161.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Payne, R. B. 1969. Overlap of breeding and molting schedules in a collection of African birds. Condor 71:140–145.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Payne, R. B. 1972. Mechanisms and control of moult. In Farner, D. S. & King, J. R. (eds). Avian biology. Academic Press, New York.Google Scholar
Selander, R. K. 1958. Age determination and molt in the Boat-tailed Grackle. Condor 60:355–376.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ward, P. 1965. The breeding biology of the Black-faced Dioch Quelea quelea in Nigeria. Ibis 107:326–349.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ward, P. 1973. Manual of techniques used in research of quelea birds. UNDP/FAO publication, Rome.Google Scholar