Investigation of parental care in avocets from the perspectives of behavioural ecology and conservation biology

Lengyel, Szabolcs (2002) Investigation of parental care in avocets from the perspectives of behavioural ecology and conservation biology. Acta Biologica Debrecina, 24. pp. 177-187. ISSN 0567-7327

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Abstract

This research encompasses both basic (behavioural ecology) and applied (conservation biology) aspects of the biology of Avocets (Recurvirostra avosetta L.). My central question is whether adoption of alien young can be adaptive for adults and the adopted chicks. I evaluate proximate-level hypotheses by quantifying costs and/or bene�ts of both adopters and adoptees. I observed adoption of alien chicks in 19% of the families in 1998 and 1999. My �rst results suggest that adoption may be adaptive for both the adoptive adult and the adopted chick. This is because adopted chicks were more likely to �edge than their siblings remaining in their own family and the �edging success of the adopter adults' own chicks was higher than that of nonadoptive adults' chicks. In my applied research I collect data on avocet breeding biology to �nd out whether the current population increase in Hungary results from the reproductive output of the Hungarian population or is maintained by an in�ux of birds from coastal populations. I also use these data to design and implement e�ective conservation measures by which to further enhance the Hungarian population of the endangered Avocet. I successfully increased the hatching success of mainland nests by erecting a fence to keep ground predators away. The �edging success of chicks also increased after a predator control in the most a�ected areas. By providing information about the timing of nesting to nature conservation authorities I assured the successful breeding of one �fth of Hungary's avocet population on a �shpond in 1999.

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