Accipiter Soloensis Research Articles

Relative status of two species of migrant sparrowhawks on Java and Bali, Indonesia

Every autumn thousands of sparrowhawks, mainly the Chinese Sparrowhawk (Accipiter soloensis) and the Japanese Sparrowhawk (A. gularis), migrate from East Asia to western Indonesia. However, the relative abundance of these two species in Indonesia differs between studies, with some reporting Japanese Sparrowhawk being up to ten times more common than Chinese Sparrowhawk, while other studies report the reverse. We assessed the status of these two migrant sparrowhawks on the islands of Java and Bali by comparing four datasets: data from four watch-sites (1992–2004, 108 days, 7698 birds), general surveys (1980–2004, 354 days, 578 birds), museum collections (< 1820–1957, eight collections, 274 birds), and the literature (1902–2004). In the first three datasets, Chinese Sparrowhawk was 2–10 times more numerous than Japanese Sparrowhawk, and data from the literature tended to support this. There were small but significant differences between the two islands, with Japanese Sparrowhawk being slightly more common on Bali than on Java. Systematic study of all available data on the relative abundance of the two species shows there is no evidence that changes in species composition have occurred.

Spatial and temporal variation in migrant raptors on Java, Indonesia

The migration of northern migrant raptors was studied at three sites in the western half of the island of Java, Indonesia during the northern autumns of 1998 and 1999. During 58 days of observation 4716 migrants were observed, 3087 of which could be identified to species level. The migrants comprised six species, i.e. Chinese Sparrowhawk, Accipiter soloensis (2570 birds identified), Japanese Sparrowhawk, A. gularis (245 birds), Oriental Honey-buzzard, Pernis ptilorhyncus (269 birds), Common Buzzard, Buteo buteo (1 bird), Booted Eagle, Hieraaetus pennatus (1 bird), and Marsh Harrier, Circus aeruginosus (1 bird). Both Chinese Sparrowhawks and Japanese Sparrowhawks were frequently observed in large flocks, whereas Oriental Honey Buzzards were more frequently seen singly or in pairs. Between sites, intra-annual variation in proportions of the three most common species identified remained constant over the two-year study period, whereas within one site (Puncak Pass) the proportion of Oriental Honey Buzzards varied from 6 to 10% between years. Migration starts in the third week of September and passage rates (the number of birds passing per hour during 09.01–12.00 hours) of the raptors peaked at the end of October and showed little spatial variation. Migration was observed until the second week of November but it probably continues until mid- or late November. The findings confirm the existence of a large east-south-eastern passage over Java similar to that over the Thai—Malay Peninsula and Bali. Populations migrating through Java originate from northern Asia and most likely have passed over the Thai—Malay Peninsula and Sumatra before reaching Java. An unknown proportion continues on to Bali and/or the Lesser Sunda Islands, but little is known about their final wintering grounds.

Autumn migration of raptors on Java, Indonesia: composition, direction and behaviour

The migration of four northern migrant raptors (Oriental Honey‐buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus, Chinese Sparrowhawk Accipiter soloensis,Japanese Sparrowhawk A. gularis and Common Buzzard Buteo buteo) was studied in the Dieng mountains, Central Java, Indonesia during September‐October 1998. Populations migrating through Central Java originate from northern Asia and most likely have passed over the Thai‐Malay peninsula and Sumatra before reaching West and Central Java. An unknown proportion continues on to Bali and/or the Lesser Sunda Islands. In all, 68 groups totalling 885 individuals were counted passing by. Ninety‐five percent of individuals identified were accipiters, two‐thirds of which could be identified to the species level. Passage was directed from WSW‐SW to E‐ESE, following the alignment of volcanoes on the island. The number of groups was highest during late morning; single individuals were observed significantly more often during the early morning and large (&gt; 25 individuals) groups during the afternoon. Single individuals and small (five or fewer individuals) groups spent significantly less time in the area than large groups. The forests of the Dieng mountains are also used as an overnight stopover and hunting site. Differences in the proportion of the two species of Accipiter identified at Javan and Bali study sites suggests an additional migration route to the one following the Javan mountains. This may follow the eastern edge of the Sunda Shelf. The Dieng mountains qualify as a globally Important Bird Area (IBA) on the grounds of the raptor congregations, as well as because of the presence of globally threatened and restricted range species.

Preliminary report on the investigation of birds in North Korea

The paper presents the results of investigations conducted during eight expeditions to the Korean People's Democratic Republic. The observations included faunistic rarities (Pernis ptilorhyncus, Gallinago solitaria, Emberiza sulphurata) and species with under breeding ranges (Actitis hypoleucos, Corvus dauuricus, Turdus chrysolaus) Changes of ranges and numbers of some species (Phalacrocorax carbo, Otis tarda, Falco tinnunculus, Falco subbuteo, Accipiter soloensis) are discussed, and the status of rare and endangered species throughout the world (Egretta intermedia, Egretta eulophotes, Ciconia boyciana, Nipponia nippon, Larus saundersi, Eurynorhynchus pygmaeus) is also commented on.

Breeding biology of the Chinese Sparrow Hawk Accipiter soloensis

1. Eight nests of the Chinese Sparrow Hawk Accipter soloensis, breeding in the area of about 60.8 ha in the Kwangneung Forest, Chincheop-myeon, Yangju-gun, Kyeonggi-do, were kept under observation for 42 days from 25 June to 25 August 1974, supplemented by post-breeding census from 27 August to 17 September 1974.2. Nests were found at an average height of 11.7m, on branches, protruding horizontally from the middle of trunk. They were tray-shaped, with average size of 39.5×34.6cm (the exterior diameter)×17.1cm (height), and average weight 661gm. Eggs were white in color, the average size of 33 eggs from eight nests being 36cm (length)×29.6cm (width), and the average weight 17.2gm.3. The incubation period of 33 eggs of 8 nests was average 19.5 days. The mean clutch size was 4.1 eggs. Through the incubation period, parents entered the nest 269 times in total and average 28.9 times, per day. The average attendance rate of incubation for non-attendance (off session) was 41.8% in the female and 30.1% in the male.4. Out of 33 eggs of 8 nests examined, 23 eggs of 6 nests hatched, the hatching rate being 65%.5. The nestling period of 21 chicks of 5 nests was average 19.4 days, and the average feeding frequency was 31.7 times per day with the highest frequency of 47.3 times on the 14th day after hatching. On the whole, the feeding frequency was slightly higher in the female than in the male.6. The average time spent by parents on the nest in the feeding period was 37.2%, and the female spent 6.5% more time on the nest than the male. The frequency of attendance gradually decreased as their chicks grew up.7. The average daily growth rate of chicks were: body length 6.54mm, wing 5.74mm, tail 3.29mm: and the body weight at hatching was 17.83g with average daily growth rate of 6.67g: and the average body weight just before leaving the nest was 142.4gm.8. The flying success of 19 chicks from 5 nests was 75.8%.9. The prey for the 8 chicks of 2 nests chosen from each of two different local groups of nests was entirely animal matters. The main food item was the frog which occupied 64.74% of the total food in nest No. 1 of one local group and 75.32% in nest No. 6 of the other local group.10. The feeding ground was usually paddy fields within average 65m from their nests.11. The home or feeding range of the pairs of eight nests was average 2.95 ha, and their entire home range was 23.6 ha, which occupied 38.8% of the entire study area.The average territory size of the eight pairs was 1.05 ha, and their entire territorial area occupied 35% of the entire space of home ranges. Their feeding grounds were outside of their territories.12. A total of 378 individuals of 26 bird species intruded the territories of Chinese Sparrow Hawk, with the following rate by species: the Great Tit 18.78%, Black-naped Oriole 11.38%, Rollar 9.79%, Chinese Sparrow Hawks 8.73%, Great Spotted Wood-pecker 7.67%, Narcissus Flycatcher 6.35%, and Pied wigtail 5.03%. In 378 territorial defenses 69.28% was by male, 21.37% by female and 9.35% was cooperative defenses by both sexes.13. The number of Chinese Sparrow Hawks observed in 11 days post-breeding censuses which were made every other day until 17 september was 125, of which adults and young were 39.20% and 60.80% respectively. The final record was a single bird observed on 17 September, and then the Chinese Sparrow Hawks disappeared completely from the study area.(November 1974)

Chick food analysis of some Korean birds (II)

Observations were made on the feeding habits of nestings of ten species, Lanius tigrinus, Butorides striatus amurensis, Emberiza f. fucata, Motacilla alba leucopsis, Oriolus chinensis diffusus, Accipiter nisus nisosimilis, Microscelis amaurotis hensoni, Garrulus glandarius brandtii, Accipiter soloensis and Cyanopica cyanus koreensis. The investigation was made in Kwangnung experimental forest, Kyunggi-do and the nearby open field by using collar method.Accipiter nisus nisosimilis, Microscelis amaurotis hensoni, Garrulus glandarius brandtii and Cyanopica cyanus koreensis are permanent residents and the other six species are common summer residents. The following is the food that these nestlings consumed:1. Lanius tigrinusThe food they consumed was animal matter composed of; insect larvae-41.5%, insect adults-49.4%, spiders-7.69%, frogs-1.53%. The cicada, Gampsocleis ussuriensis made up 33.8% of the insect larvae. The cricket, Platypleura kaempferi made up 35.4% of the adult insects. Only one species of spiders, Clubiona jucunda was seen, 7.69% of the food.2. Butorides striatus amurensisThe food was animal matters composed of; small freshwater fishes-48.57%, Ranidae-45.71%, others-5.71%. Twenty percent of the small freshwater fishes was Zacco platypus while Hemibarbuo logirostris made up 14.28%. Among Amphibians, Rana n. nigromaculata included 22.8%.3. Emberiza f. fucataThe food was animal matter; insect larvae-63.3%, adult insects-25.64%, others-12.78%. Since 48.1% of the food items was larvae of Pieris rapae, it is most useful for agriculture.4. Motacilla alba leucopsisThe food during their nesting period was animal matter composed of; insect larvae-30.5%, adult insects-55.4%, spiders-13.9%. The commonest insect larvae were Odonata indet-22.2%. The commonest adult insects were Syrphidae indet-16.6%. Of the spiders Lycosa sp. made up 12.1% and Lycosa astrigera 2.8%.5. Oriolus chinensis diffususThe food was animal matter composed of; insect larvae-62.36%, adult insects-20.17%, others-17.42%. It should be noted that from the initial time of its feeding until leaving its nest it consumed Dendrolimus spectabilis, a noxious forest insect which made up 45.08% of the diet. Thus it is very useful birds eliminating noxious forest insects.6. Accipiter nisus nisosimilisThe food was animal matter composed of; small passerine birds-87.5%, Ranidae-12.05%. It consumed such forest birds as Paridae.7. Microscelis amaurotis hensoniThe food was primarily insect adults: insect adults-79.65%, Mollusca-12.15%, vegetable matter-4.05%, insect larvae-2.70%, Araneina-1.35%. Homoptera was 43.35% of adult insects.8. Garrlus glandarius brandtiiThe food during its nesting period was solely animal matter; insect larvae-38.80%, adult insects-28.90%, Aranenina-24.87%, adult Amphibia-15.49%. Right after hatching and until leaving its nest, Dendrolimus spectabilis-35.08%, Araneina-24.87%, Clubione jucunda-6.43% were fed. Therefore 73.48% of the total food was noxious forestry insects.9. Accipiter soloensisThe food during the whole feeding period was primarily Rana n. nigromaculata-89.09%, but small quantity of Platypleura kaempferi-8.26%, was also fed.10. Cyanopica cyanus koreensisThe food was composed of; insect larvae-6.11%, adult insects-60.55%, Hyla arborea japonica-12.22%, vegetable matter-1.11%, Gampsocleis ussuriensis-23.39%, Platypleura kaempferi-15.55%, and Hyla arborea japonica-12.22% were the prefered food supplied during the whole feeding period.