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Ametov Yakub Idrisovich, Berdakh Karakalpak State University Republic of Uzbekistan E-mail: raf_78@inbox.ru Jumanov Muratbay Arepbayevich, Berdakh Karakalpak State University Republic of Uzbekistan E-mail: m.jumanov@karsu.uz
MATERIAL ON THE ECOLOGY OF SHIKRA ACCIPITER badiuS IN THE LOWER STRETCHES OF THE AMUDARYA
Abstract: The article provides material on shikra's ecology collected in the Lower Amudarya area in 2004, 2005, 2015 and 2016. It also describes the results of research into shikra's distribution, number, breeding biology and diet. The work gives recommendations for the conservation of this bird.
Keywords: shikra, bird ofprey, lower stretches ofthe Amudarya, rare bird, tugai, cultural landscape, rook, carrion crow, jackdaw, tall trees, nest construction, courtship display, egg laying, nestlings, post-embryonic development, useful bird.
1. Introduction Shikra is quite rare in Karakalpakstan. T. Abdreymov
Shikra Accipiter badius is a rare bird breeding in Uzbeki- (1981) recorded only two individuals on an 8-kilometre tran-
stan. It usually builds nests in tugai forests, on man-planted tall trees, in orchards, gardens and parks in towns, cities and villages. As well as with other birds of prey, the ecology of this species is little-studied in Karakalpakstan [1; 3; 4; 7].
2. Materials and methods
Material on the ecology of shikra was collected in 2004, 2005 and 2015 in Kegeyli District and in Nukus and its neighbourhood.
Shikra arrives in Uzbekistan, and in the Lower Amudarya areas in particular, in April [8]. The first records of the arrival of shikra were made on 14 April 1967, 21 April 1969 and 18 April 1970 [1]. In the following years the bird was observed at about this time. According to M. Ametov (1993), shikra came to its breeding areas near Nukus on 22 April 1973, 24 April 1974, 28 April 1975, 19 April 1983, 8 April 1985 and 12 April 1986.
3. Results and discussion
According to our research, shikra arrives in Karakalpak-stan starting from the second half of April (26 April 2004, 22 April 2005, 16 April 2015, 18 April 2016). According to literary sources, shikra used to arrive in the Middle Amudarya areas between 2 and 10 April [5].
Shikra leaves Uzbekistan starting from September (Karakalpakstan from late August to the end of the first third of September [1,9]. The departure lasts for a short period. The latest dates shikra was observed near Nukus were 8 September 1973, 20 September 1975, 17 September 1983, 26 September 1986 [4].
We observed the latest individuals in the lower stretches of the Anudarya on 25 September 2004, 23 September 2005, 16 September 2015 and 19 September 2016.
sect. However, in the Samarkand area and Bukhara oasis the birds are far more numerous. So, in Sharikan District 10 nests were recorded on a 15-km survey, 2 nests on a 3-km transect near Vardanza Reserve and 1 nest was registered on an area of 0.6 ha near the Bukhara airport [6].
According to our observations, the density of shikra populations in Karakalpakstan is the following: in April we encountered 1.48 individuals on an area of 10 ha in tugai and 1.2 birds in cultural landscapes. In July, when nestlings learn to fly, the numbers of shikra grows 2 times. At this time of year the average density in tugai is 3.35 individuals per 10 ha, and 2.5 individuals in cultural landscapes.
In 8-10 days after arrival in their breeding areas, shikra begins constructing nests. Thus, the birds that arrived on 26 April 2004 began building nests on 4 May, while those that came on 16 April 2016 began the construction on 26 April.
Generally, shikra builds nests itself, but, according to literary sources, it sometimes uses old ones constructed by other birds, such as rook, carrion crow, jackdaw and black kite [2]. In our observations shikras built 6 nests themselves.
Usually, shikra constructs its nest on a tall tree. According to literary data, the bird builds the nest at a height of 6-15 metres above the ground (most often 7-8 m). In the Zeravshan valley shilra's nests were recorded on acacias (6), willows (3), poplars (2), apricot trees (1) and oleasters (1) [8].
In the tugai of Karakalpakstan shikra usually builds nests on an elm, willow or poplar. The nests we observed were constructed at a height of 8-16 metres (12 m on average).
It takes the bird from 7 to 11 days to build a nest (9 days on average). While building a nest shikra demonstrates a
specific behavior. Male flies in circles above the nest, lowering close to it and returning back into the sky. It accompanies its courtship display with permanent cry.
The material shikra uses in the construction is the dry twigs of various plants, such as Asiatic poplar, willow, elm and poplar. The observed nests (5) had the following dimensions: height 24-31 cm (average 27.5), outer diameter 30-38 cm (34), inner diameter 15-21 cm (18), depth 3-11 cm (7).
After they finish the construction of the nests, they immediately begin laying eggs. According to literary data, shikra arrives in Uzbekistan in early April and begins laying eggs in the end of this month. Most of the eggs are laid in May. According to our research, in 2016 in Karakalpakstan the first eggs were laid on 4 May.
Shikra lays 1 egg in two days, and the laying lasts 5-8 days. In Uzbekistan, a clutch comprises 2-5 eggs [8], in Turkmenistan 3-6 eggs [5], in Karakalpakstan 3-4 eggs (usually 4). Of the six nests we studied 4 contained four eggs, and 2 three eggs.
Usually shikra lays eggs once a year. In case the nest is damaged, it can produce another clutch. However, the second clutch usually contains fewer eggs.
Table 1. - Development of the body i
Shikra's egg is oval in form and bluish in colour. The egg (n = 16) has the following dimensions: length 39.0-42.5 mm (average 40.7), width 31.0-32.5 mm (31.7), the weight of a newly hatched egg is 20.4-25.3 g (average 22.8).
Female alone hatches the eggs, while male guards the nest and feeds female. The hatching begins after the laying of the first egg and lasts 29-32 days (average 30.5) According to Mitropolsky et al. (1987), the hatching lasts 30-34 days (average 32.4), while according to M. Ametov (1981), 28-31 days. During the incubation period, the eggs' weight decreases by 5.2% on average.
The chicks emerge within 3-5 days. In the first hours after hatching, the chicks are very weak, and have closed eyes and open acoustic meatus. The body is covered with white neop-tile feathers, the bird's weight is 14.4-17.9 g (average 16.1).
In 2005 we studied post-embryonic growth and development in 3 nestlings from one nest (Table 1). The nestlings' eyes begin to open on the second day and become fully open by the end of the first week. The wings begin to grow on the seventh day. The nestlings fledge in 31-33 days. The increase of the size and weight of the nestlings' body and certain organs is provided in Table 1 and (Figure 1).
i organs of shikra's nestlings (n = 3)
Nestlings' age, days Body weight, g Length of certain organs (mm)
Tarsometatarsus Beak Wing Tail
1 16.2 11 5.5 - -
3 29.6 14.4 6.2 - -
5 47.2 17.7 6.8 - -
7 64.5 24.3 8.9 27.1 -
9 92.2 31.2 10.6 40.4 9.4
11 102.2 35.8 11.7 54.1 20.1
13 131.2 41.3 13.1 78.2 39.4
15 135.9 44.2 13.5 86.5 42.2
17 143.5 45.9 13.8 98.5 46.2
19 152.5 47.2 14.2 113.2 54.3
21 167.8 48.3 14.6 123.8 64.3
23 182.9 49.5 15.0 133.7 72.6
25 201.6 51.2 15.4 141.2 79.4
27 220.5 52.0 15.8 150.3 88.4
29 228.2 52.4 16.3 159.1 94.7
31 227.3 52.6 16.8 162.2 98.5
On the first twelve days in the post-embryonic period nestlings grow very fast, and afterwards their growth slows (Figure).
The tables and figure show that on the first day the nestlings' weight was 16.2 g, on the third day 29.6 g, on the fifth day 47.2 g, and on the seventh day 64.5 g. The weight of fledgelings was 210-220 g.
Figure I.Growth of some of theshikra nestling's organs (n = 3) (g and mm)
In the course of the research we studied the nestlings' diets by comparing their neck ligatures. During the first 8-9 days the nestlings were fed by invertebrate animals. After that vertebrates were added to their diet (Table 2).
Table 2 shows that invertebrates comprise 57.2% of shikra nestling's diet, and vertebrates 42.8%. The invertebrates are dominated by beetles (12%), mole crickets (9.9%), locusts (8.8%) and dung beetles (6.6%). Among the vertebrates the commonest were rapid fingertoed lizzard (8.85%), Indian house sparrow (7.7%), tree sparrow and house mouse (6.6% each), steppe agama and southern booted warbler (5.5% each) and others.
Table 2.- Diet of
Our research demonstrated the following successfulness of shikra's reproduction in Karakalpakstan: of the 22 eggs laid in six nests 1 was rotten, 2 were thrown onto the ground by wind and three were destroyed by carrion crows. Thus, 16 chicks emerged from 22 eggs (72.7%). However, 3 of the 16 nestlings were taken by humans. The other 13 nestlings (59.09%) developed successfully into fledgelings and left their nests.
Shikra is a useful bird. It is a true adornment of tugai and orchards. Since this species is quite rare, it should be protected in every way throughout its range.
shikra's nestlings
Food type Food quantity, № of individuals %
1 2 3
Invertebrates 39 42.8
Beetles 11 12
mole crickets 9 9.9
Locusts 8 8.8
dung beetles 6 6.6
dragonfly 3 3.3
Ants 2 2.2
Vertebrates 52 57.2
Amphibians 3 3.3
lake frog 3 3.3
Reptiles 16 17.6
rapid fingertoed lizzard 8 8.8
steppe agama 5 5.5
Ablepharus kitaibelii 3 3.3
Birds 24 26.4
Indian house sparrow 7 7.7
tree sparrow 6 6.6
1 2 3
southern booted warbler 5 5.5
barn swallow 4 4.4
lesser whitethroat 2 2.2
Mammals 9 9.9
house mouse 6 6.6
Tamarisk jird 3 3.3
Total: 91 100
References:
1. Abdreymov T. Birds of the tugai and adjacent deserts in the lower stretches of the Amudarya.- Tashkent: Fan, 1981.- 108 p.
2. Abdusalamov I. A. Fauna of the Tajik SSR. Birds.- Dushanbe, 1971. - Vol. 19. - Part 1.- 402 p.
3. Ametov M. Birds of Karakalpakstan and their protection.- Nukus: Karakalpakstan, 1981.- 138 p.
4. Ametov M. B. On the ecology of shikra in Karakalpakia // Ecology of birds and mammals in the Amudarya valley, on the Ustyurt Plateau and in the Kyzylkum Desert.- Nukus, 1993.- P. 44-52.
5. Annayeva E. Ch. Birds in the cultural landscape of the middle stretches of the Amudarya: Abstract from a PhD., thesis in biology.- Samarkand. 1970.- 31 p.
6. Bakayev S. B. On shikra's breeding biology in the Zeravshan valley // Collection of academic works 'The Questions of Animals' Ecology.' - Tashkent, 1979.- P. 3-8.
7. Mambetzhumayev A. M. On the reproduction and feeding of certain birds in the tugai of the middle and lower stretches of the Amudarya // Bulletin of the Karakalpak Department of the Academy of Sciences of UzSSR.- Nukus, 1968.-No. 1.- P. 11-20.
8. Mitropolsky O. V., Fotteler E. R., Tretyakov G. P., The order Falconiformes // Birds of Uzbekistan. - Vol. 1.- Tashkent, 1987.- P. 148-154.
9. Rashkevich N. A. Numbers and some ecologic characteristics of birds in the tugai of the Amudarya // Ornithology.- M., 1965.- Issue 7.- P. 142-145.
