Field Habits Of The Little Grebe
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Date
2006-04
Authors
BABJEE, AHMAD MUSTAFFA
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Abstract
This study describes in detail the field characteristics behavior and complete life
cycle of the Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) in the tropical environment of
Peninsula Malaysia. Observations and recordings at the primary location in Kg.
Ceringing Hulu close to Kg. Janda Baik began in January 2004 and continued for
almost two and half years till March 2006. During this period five full breeding cycles
by three different pairs were studied besides several unsuccessful efforts to breed
by two other pairs. The study covered the entire spectrum of the behavior of
primarily breeding adult grebes and less on non-breeding adults, juveniles and
chicks from hatching to weaning. The results provide detail information with full
illustrations of the morphology and behavior of grebes in a limited but protected
Malaysian environment. An important beginning of sexual partnership was the
complex courtship rituals exhibited by both sexes and such displays may continue
for weeks and even months until the environment became sufficiently stable for
breeding. Posturing to excite the mate to mount and copulate was a major
behavioral feature. It was an act repeated 9 - 43 times a day resulting in 2 -12
mountings reaching a peak some 5 -7 days before egg laying. Two factors were
noted to be of high significance for successful breeding. The first factor was the
establishment of unchallengeable territory and the other stable water levels. Under
favorable environment a mature pair can successfully breed at least three times a
year. The rate of hatch of eggs that underwent full incubation of 22 days or more
ranged from 66.6 % to 100 % with a mean of 76.6 %. The range from clutch to
clutch period was 49 to 65 days with a mean of 58 days. Breeding occurred all year
round for as long as the environment was suitable. The findings demonstrate that a
small pond of 1.2 acres could continuously provide breeding habitats for several
pairs though not simultaneously. Larger ponds attracted more than a pair but this
resulted in territorial claims and disputes that were highly detrimental to successful
breeding. Stable water levels was noted to be a crucial factor in the breeding cycle.
This was due to the fact though the nests were floating they were also anchored to
plants and a fall in water level could leave the nests high above the water level or
drowned when it rises. The grebes demonstrated a high level of sex equality
whereby both sexes shared almost equally the burden of nest building, incubation,
feeding, nursing the chicks and guarding their territories. A high percentage of time
was allocated to feed dives in its daily activities, which accounted for 28 to 35 % of
their time in a day. It entailed not less than 600 feed dives by an individual in an 8-
hour period. Diving increased to over a thousand times a day during the nest -
building period. A variety of aquatic fauna made up their diet but frogs and tadpoles
were noted to constitute a good portion of it. Most of the smaller size feeds, mainly
aquatic insects or their larvae were swallowed underwater by both juveniles and
adults. The facts and information obtained from this study are therefore valuable for
future needs in creating habitats and suitable environment for the propagation of the
Little Grebes, should the species face possible threats of extinction in Malaysia.
The limitation of this study was imposed by the reluctance as well as the difficulty to
capture the grebes for closer examination of sex apparatus and the markings to
facilitate field identification of the sexes. It is recommended that future studies 01
marked birds be carried out to further elucidate the specific habits of males and
females particularly in their roles in the rituals for breeding. During the study period
12 fledged grebes were added to the local population. All of the 12 locally bred
individuals came from the same small pond of only 1.2 acres. This indicated how a
small effort of just protecting a small area could contribute significantly to thE
conservation of a species. Finally a number of issues were raised with regards tc
the race of the Little Grebe, its resident status, absence of a Malay name and thE
need to designate certain areas as permanent habitats especially in Perak anc
Selangor. The Malay name suggested is Taktik and the reason for it is given in thE
conclusion.
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Keywords
Field Habits , Of The Little Grebe