Breeding ecology of the Quailfinch (Ortygospiza atricollis) in the Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

The Quailfinch (Ortygospiza atricollis) is a widespread African estrildid that features in specialist avicultural collections. However, the species is poorly known and has proven difficult to maintain in captivity, and as such, most captive stock represent wild-caught specimens. Here we report on the breeding ecology of a population of wild Quailfinches as observed at 62 nests in the 2012–2013 and 2013–2014 breeding seasons. Although Quailfinch bred during the wet season, incidental observations suggest rainfall patterns and the availability of suitable habitat for nesting, specifically habitat structure, may influence the onset of the breeding season at a local scale. Both sexes participated in all aspects of nest construction, including collection of material, construction, and maintenance. Nests were occupied for extensive periods prior to the commencement of laying, fulfilling a possible nest guarding or pair bonding function. Mean clutch size was 4.8 eggs (SD 0.2) and there were no significant seasonal differences in clutch size. Both sexes incubated and the incubation period lasted 14 d (SD 0.8). In common with many other estrildid species, there was considerable variation in the onset of incubation. Mean nest attendance during incubation was 83% and was similar between the sexes. The mean nestling period lasted 16.8 d (SD 0.8) and both sexes brooded and provisioned the nestlings with seeds and occasionally invertebrates. Growth was unusually rapid for estrildids, but within the range expected for ground-nesting passerines. The overall breeding success was 12% with predation being the main cause of nest failure.