The breeding biology of the horned lark (Eremophila Alpestris Alpestris L.) at Cape St. Mary's, Newfoundland

Cannings, Richard James (1977) The breeding biology of the horned lark (Eremophila Alpestris Alpestris L.) at Cape St. Mary's, Newfoundland. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[img] [English] PDF (Migrated (PDF/A Conversion) from original format: (application/pdf)) - Accepted Version
Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission.

Download (26MB)
  • [img] [English] PDF - Accepted Version
    Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission.
    (Original Version)

Abstract

The breeding biology of the Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris alpestris (L.)) was studied during the 1976 breeding season at Cape St. Mary’s, Newfoundland. -- The timing and function of ground singing, song-flights, and other vocalizations was discussed. Territorial behaviour was investigated, and territories were subsequently mapped to determine their size (2.313 - 5.125 ha, mean 3.542 ha). Male territorial hostilities and courtship behaviour were discussed. -- Nesting phenology was studied in detail. Nests were analyzed for position and structure; they tended to be protected on the windward side. Clutch sizes of early and late nests were compared (early 3.0, late 3.5, overall mean 3.31). Forty-seven nestlings were measured to calculate growth curves for weight and other body parameters. Breeding success, incidence of renesting, and the mean number of fledglings produced by each pair were calculated. Causes of egg and nestling loss were analyzed. About on-quarter of the breeding pairs raised two successful broods.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
URI: http://research.library.mun.ca/id/eprint/7377
Item ID: 7377
Additional Information: Bibliography: leaves [113]-116.
Department(s): Science, Faculty of > Biology
Date: 1977
Date Type: Submission
Geographic Location: Canada--Newfoundland and Labrador--Cape St. Mary's
Library of Congress Subject Heading: Birds--Newfoundland and Labrador--Eggs and nests; Larks

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over the past year

View more statistics