Abstract
Habitat features can have a profound effect on the nesting success of birds. Savannas are often managed with predators and large herbivores as priority species, with little thought to the many bird species that management decisions could affect. Using a data set spanning seven breeding seasons, we examined how nesting success of Southern Ground-hornbills (SGHs) Bucorvus leadbeateri in the Kruger National Park varied as a result of various environmental and habitat factors within a radius of 3 km surrounding the nest site. Identifying which factors affect nesting success will allow for targeted management efforts to ensure the long-term survival of SGHs both within and outside of protected areas. Habitat structure and diversity of the vegetation surrounding the nest were the most influential factors on SGH nesting success. SGHs require open grassy areas for foraging and areas with large trees for nesting. Savanna habitat drivers such as elephants and fire should be managed to ensure that sufficient large trees are able to establish in the landscape and to control for bush encroachment. This is especially important in areas earmarked for SGH reintroductions. Nest sites of SGHs should be monitored to mitigate any structural changes in the habitat surrounding the nests. Nests should be modified or artificial nest sites provided, where nests have been damaged or lost, to ensure the continued presence of these birds in African savannas.Conservation implications: Habitat structure and diversity surrounding Southern Groundhornbill nests has a significant impact on their nesting success. This highlights the importance of monitoring vegetation change in savanna habitats where they occur. Management of savanna areas should take factors that influence bush encroachment, such as fire and elephants, into account to ensure the long-term persistence of these birds.
Highlights
Determining nesting success is fundamental to understanding the breeding biology of birds (Dinsmore, White & Knopp 2002)
This indicated that removing the second-hatched chick had no significant effect on the survival to fledging age of the first-hatched chick, there does seem to be some benefit to the first-hatched chick when the second-hatched chick is removed
Our results showed that habitat structure and diversity are critical when deciding on a suitable reintroduction site for Southern Ground-hornbill (SGH)
Summary
Determining nesting success is fundamental to understanding the breeding biology of birds (Dinsmore, White & Knopp 2002). Data; Taylor, Peacock & Wanless 2015), with around 50% of the national population residing within the Kruger National Park (Kemp 1995). SGHs are terrestrial, carnivorous and co-operative breeders They generally occur in groups of between 2 and 11 birds (Kemp, Joubert & Kemp 1989), consisting of an alpha breeding pair and related subordinate helpers (Kemp 1995). They are secondary cavity nesters and occupy territories within the Kruger National Park ranging from approximately 3000 ha – 12 000 ha
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