Abstract
The forces which shape avian species’ vocalization and coloration continue to draw scientific attention. The White-throated Kingfisher, (Halcyon smyrnensis), is a non-passerine, resident, generalist predator characterized by elaborate colors and vocalizations and is highly abundant throughout its species range. However, despite these characteristics this species has been relatively unstudied. Here we studied the White-throated Kingfisher population in the Hula Valley, Israel, a population residing at the western edge of this species’ range. Using individual marking, nest surveys, acoustic recordings, digital photography, spectrometry and molecular sexing we describe this resident species’ breeding ecology, morphology and vocal repertoire. We further examine whether these traits are sexually dimorphic and whether they correlate with measures of reproductive success (clutch size). We show that the breeding ecology (e.g. incubation time) differs from some of the reported studies. We further demonstrate, for the first time, that this non-passerine species has a vocal repertoire of at least 13 distinct vocalizations; both males and females seem to produce the majority of these vocalizations. A specific vocalization (long trill) is sexually dimorphic, and the rate of the trill correlates with male reproductive success. The elaborate coloration also shows significant sexual dimorphism: males have brighter blueish dorsal feathers and darker saturated brown ventral feathers. Taken together, specifically with this species being non-passerine, the unique ecology of this western population and the various traits which show sexual dimorphism define this resident species as a unique abundant model species for examining various ecological and evolutionary processes.
Zuammenfassung
Brutbiologie des Braunliestes Halcyon smyrnensis smyrnensis unter besonderer Berücksichtigung von Gefiederfärbung und Lautäußerungen
Die Faktoren, die Lautäußerungen und Gefiederfärbung von Vogelarten beeinflussen, sind nach wie vor von wissenschaftlichem Interesse. Der Braunliest (Halcyon smyrnensis), ein nicht zu den Sperlingsvögeln gehörender Standvogel und ein Prädator mit einem breiten Beutespektrum, ist durch auffällige Färbung und Lautäußerungen charakterisiert und kommt in seinem Verbreitungsgebiet sehr häufig vor. Trotz dieser Merkmale ist diese Vogelart nicht besonders gut untersucht. Hier haben wir eine Population des Braunliestes in der Chulaebene in Israel am westlichen Rand des Verbreitungsgebiets der Art untersucht. Mit Hilfe von individueller Kennzeichnung, Nestkontrollen, akustischen Aufnahmen, Digitalfotografie, Spektrometrie und molekularer Geschlechtsbestimmung beschreiben wir Brutökologie, Morphologie und Stimmrepertoire dieses Standvogels. Weiterhin untersuchen wir, ob sich diese Merkmale zwischen den Geschlechtern unterscheiden und mit der Gelegegröße als Maß des Fortpflanzungserfolgs korrelieren. Wir zeigen, dass die Brutökologie (z.B. Bebrütungsdauer) von Beschreibungen in einigen zuvor veröffentlichten Studien abweicht. Zudem zeigen wir erstmals, dass dieser Nichtsperlingsvogel ein Stimmrepertoire von mindestens 13 verschiedenen Lautäußerungen besitzt; sowohl Männchen als auch Weibchen produzieren offenbar die meisten dieser Lautäußerungen. Eine spezifische Lautäußerung (ein langer Triller) ist sexuell dimorph, und die Rate des Trillers korreliert mit dem Fortpflanzungserfolg der Männchen. Auch in der auffälligen Färbung besteht Sexualdimorphismus; die Männchen haben hellere bläuliche Rückenfedern und die braunen Bauchfedern sind dunkler. Insgesamt machen die einzigartige und für einen Nichtsperlingsvogel ungewöhnliche Ökologie dieser westlichen Population und die verschiedenen sexuell dimorphen Merkmale diesen Standvogel zu einer besonderen, häufig vorkommenden Modellart für die Untersuchung verschiedener ökologischer und evolutionärer Prozesse.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Tel-Hai college, the Hula Research Center staff and the Agmon Hula Park and KKL personal for their field and general support. We would further like to thank Shai Agamon and the Hula Birding Center. Finally, we would like to thank Roi Dor for allowing us to use his Lab spectrometer.
Funding
This work was funded by Keren-Kayemet Le Israel (KKL-JNF) research grant (Y.V. and Y.L). The Hula Research Center is Supported by KKL-JNF as a joint venture Tel-Hai—Keren-Kayemet Le Israel.
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YV, YL and DSK designed the study, DSK conducted the field work and prepared the data for analysis, DSK analyzed the data under the supervision and YV and YL. All authors wrote the paper, revised the paper and finalized the manuscript.
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This work was done with the permit of Israel Nature Reserve Authority (permit number: 41589/2017, 41311/2016).
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Communicated by T. S. Osiejuk.
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Sela-Klein, D., Lavner, Y. & Vortman, Y. Breeding biology of the White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis smyrnensis, with emphasis on color and vocalization. J Ornithol 164, 151–161 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-022-02026-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-022-02026-8