A5060106833- Avian ecology and behavior
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Marine animal studies overview
- Agricultural pest management studies
- Livestock and Poultry Management
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Plant and animal studies
- Agricultural Innovations and Practices
- Maritime Navigation and Safety
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Hydrology and Sediment Transport Processes
- Agroforestry and silvopastoral systems
- African Botany and Ecology Studies
- Forest ecology and management
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
University of South Africa
2015-2024
University of Pretoria
2007
Kruger (Canada)
1979
Abstract Animal tolerance towards humans can be a key factor facilitating wildlife–human coexistence, yet traits predicting its direction and magnitude across tropical animals are poorly known. Using 10,249 observations for 842 bird species inhabiting open ecosystems in Africa, South America, Australia, we find that avian was lower (i.e., escape distance longer) rural rather than urban populations exposed to human disturbance (measured as footprint index). In addition, larger with clutches...
The aims of this research were (1) to provide a description spurfowl <i>Pternistis</i> spp. calls and their social context; (2) describe the divergence advertisement calls; (3) appropriate 23 species homologous sound groups which have been synthesized with recognized monophyletic within spurfowls. Sound group partitioning was primarily based on male calls. A total 218 recordings (rendering~300 identifiable calls) analyzed covering 22 out in Africa. One assessed from written accounts....
Abstract: Little is known about landbird group dynamics in response to predation. Here, we describe the interactions between Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris) and its predators regarding survival advantages grouping behaviour may provide. Livestream webcam observations were conducted Madikwe Game Reserve (South Africa) from August 2020 December 2021. Emphasis was placed on predator&ndash;prey interaction effect size structure a spatial framework. Although Black-Backed Jackals...
The Crested Francolin Dendroperdix sephaena is a common gamebird in sub-Saharan Africa but its vocal behaviour poorly recorded. A fixed area (24 km2) the Borakalalo National Park (North West province, South Africa) was traversed during December 2007 to January 2009 and 140 groups were enticed with playback calls their coveys recorded identify different capture statistics on call characteristics breeding non-breeding seasons. Sonograms produced analyse compare structural of calls. possesses...
The long-term effect of vegetation changes on the distribution terrestrial gamebirds is poorly understood. This paper discusses driving forces range contraction and population decline Swainson's Spurfowl Pternistis swainsonii in 1 400 ha Krugersdorp Game Reserve. sighted, counted recorded standard maps offered useful data for statistical comparisons between two periods: 1979–1982 2002–2005. gradual replacement weeds with grasses old vegetable gardens regarded as prime limiting factor...
Assemblages of waterfowl (Anatidae) at two cattle feedlots 120 km apart in Gauteng province, South Africa are described. Yellow-billed, Fulvous and White-faced Ducks, Cape Shoveller, Red-billed Teals benefited directly from the feedlots. Food items, such as undigested maize seeds, were obtained pen floor aquatic invertebrates consumed dams that enriched with manure runoff. Comb Duck Egyptian Goose also fed on seeds floor, while African Black Duck, although primarily river-bound, runoff...
Field work was conducted in the southern half of Molopo Nature Reserve (MNR) near Vostershoop North West Province South Africa to (1) describe past and present distribution Red-billed Spurfowl (<i>Pternistis adspersus</i>) (2) dispersion Redbilled at waterholes MNR. The did not colonize this area from Botswana 1990s as reported Hockey et al. (2005) their status population sizes are determined by long distance (30-100 km) and/or seasonal movements between two countries. sparsely distributed...
Uniparental care often means that males do not contribute to the wellbeing of their offspring. For this reason, little attention has been given avian species where absent male contributes indirectly his chicks. This paper expands our understanding parental by analysing uniparental system Swainson’s Spurfowl Pternistis swainsonii. Field observations were conducted from January 1980 May 2016 along a transect on maize farms south-east Johannesburg and in Krugersdorp Game Reserve (Gauteng...
(2009). Interflock movements in a population of Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris at the Krugersdorp Game Reserve, Gauteng province, South Africa. Ostrich: Vol. 80, No. 3, pp. 201-204.
Fieldwork to study the vocal behaviour of Orange River Francolin Scleroptilia levaillantoides was conducted on a farm in Heidelberg district, Gauteng province, South Africa, during August 2009 March 2011. Francolins possess basic repertoire seven calls and one mechanical sound. From 83 francolins tested with playback only 33 (39.7%) responded call backs over course period. This low response rate population is ascribed habituation because most coveys were repeatedly weekly basis. management...
How do Orange River Francolins (Scleroptila levaillantoides) adapt to an intensive farming landscape with grass (grazing) camps and crop cultivation? To answer this question, a study was carried out in south-east of Johannesburg South Africa clarify the interaction francolins consisting land use mosaics. A transect-road 45 km traversed weekly during November 2015–October 2016 through flat maize (Zea mays) cattle (Bos primigenius) grazing fields. were counted three mosaic types along...
The purposes of the study were to describe vocal repertoire Red-crested Korhaan, (Lophotis ruficrista) and nature intensity male call rivalry during breeding season. Many hours field sound data recorded behavioural observations in field. During season two or three adult Korhaans group together close proximity one another at established sites (∼2.4 ha), calling simultaneously continuously, while performing aerial displays. Korhaan's consists basic calls. One these, peep call, was often...
Generally speaking, playbacks were often ineffective to determine the group sizes of birds since mainly males from leks responded. This limitation has not been tested properly for flocking such as Crested Guineafowl (Guttera edouardi) with view use it a counting method. The aims study reported in this paper (1) describe calls social context; (2) interpret an evolutionary and (3) demonstrate that can be used locate count small isolated forests. vocal behavior was observed during survey...
Field surveys were conducted in the Krugersdorp Game Reserve, Gauteng province, South Africa, during 1978–1981 to study habitat preferences of Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris. The area was traversed with a vehicle late afternoons on set route (12 km) and at least one observation each month three-year period. With aid binoculars all guineafowl that sighted counted recorded map. purposes (1) describe (2) demonstrate weeds attracted winter can be retained modified landscapes (e.g. farms)...
The responses of ground-dwelling birds to heat and cold stress encompass a variety behavioural, physiological even morphological mechanisms. However, the role glabrous skin in this respect has been marginally addressed so far. Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris) is gamebird distributed across Sub-Saharan Africa with eight extant traditionally recognised subspecies. Among most prominent traits underlying intraspecific variability are size pigmentation bare throat (or sack), which might be...
Transect field observations were conducted on the behaviour of Crested Francolin Dendroperdix sephaena to describe male coalitions in Borakalalo National Park, North West province, South Africa during May, August, October and December 2008, again July 2009. form following breeding season May. Young males leave their natal coveys join old these coalitions, which are not based kinship consist up nine members. These joined by a young female from June October, followed when pairs replace...
This paper describes the chick plumage of spurfowl (Pternistis) and francolin (Francolinus, Dendroperdix, Peliperdix Scleroptila) chicks, tests its significance for phylogenetic relationships also explores patterns character evolution in lineages. Previously regarded as monophyletic, two evolutionarily distant clades are now divided into five genera. Questions considered were whether supports dichotomy between spurfowls francolins what role habitat matching plays. The study was based mainly...
This paper explains habitat use by Swainson’s Spurfowl Pternistis swainsonii on maize Zea mays and livestock farms the Highveld south-east of Johannesburg, South Africa. The purpose is to describe modification methods manipulate abundance where produced. Field observations were conducted along a 100 km road transect during June 2014–May 2015. A hierarchical analysis with three spatial levels was applied. location adult male used as an indicator use. Females breed rear broods in territories....
Little is known about landbird group dynamics in response to predation. Here, we describe the interactions between Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris) and its predators regarding survival advantages grouping behaviour may provide. Livestream webcam observations were conducted Madikwe Game Reserve (South Africa) from August 2020 2021. Emphasis was placed on predator–prey interaction effect size structure a spatial framework. We hypothesise that while crucial for number of daily activities...
This article describes flocking behaviour and dispersion of Helmeted Guineafowl, Numida meleagris, on around maize fields during the crop-sowing period (November–December), reflects diet analyses estimates seed loss. A field transect survey (80 km) was conducted through farms in Heidelberg, Vaaldam area (Gauteng province) Balfour (Mpumalanga South Africa 2013 to count Guineafowl. Maize, Zea mays, loss ascribed Guineafowl estimated be <0.12% total harvest. low impact is probably due density...