Some aspects of the breeding biology of the snail kite in Florida
Journal of Field Ornithology
By: P.W. Sykes Jr.
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Abstract
The breeding biology of the Snail Kite was studied in Florida from 1968-1977 and intermittently from 1978-1980. Breeding occurred every month, but not in the same year. Peak egg-laying occurred from February through April or generally about 8 1 d before the onset of the rainy season in mid- or late May. Courtship displays, copulation and duration of copulation are described. Mean egg-laying interval was 2.2 d, and clutch size ranged from 1-6 eggs (x = 2.92). The frequency of large clutches (4-6 eggs) was significantly greater before 1940 than after. Incubation, which was shared by both sexes, lasted 24-30 d (x = 27.4). Egg length and breadth, eggshell thickness and weight, and whole egg volume and weight are presented. Hatching success was 57.5%. Mean hatching success for all clutches was 1.7 young or 2.3 per successful clutch. Hatching success of 2- and 3-egg clutches did not differ significantly. The nestlin period averaged 28.7 d (range 23-34). The interval between fledging of the first and last nestling in 1 brood was up to 5 d. An average of 2.0 young were raised per successful nest, and 50.5% of the nests were successful. The mean percent of successful nests per year for the 11-yr period (excluding the drought year 1971 in which there was no nesting) was 56.5 (range 17.1-84.6/yr). Nestling mortality was 37% overall, but was less during favorable high water conditions. Twenty-two factors are identified as causing nesting failure in kites, principal among these was predation (44%).
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Some aspects of the breeding biology of the snail kite in Florida |
| Series title | Journal of Field Ornithology |
| Volume | 58 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Year Published | 1987 |
| Language | English |
| Contributing office(s) | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 171-189 |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Journal of Field Ornithology |
| First page | 171 |
| Last page | 189 |
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