ISSN:
1439-0361
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Summary The breeding biology ofApus c. caffer at the Cape is compared with that ofApus c. caffer in Southern Rhodesia, as described byBrooke (1957), and that ofApus c. streubelii in Tanganyika, as described byMoreau (1942). Apus c. caffer is not entirely dependent on Hirundinidae for nests, but also builds its nest under roofs. These swifts stay at the Cape from the end of August to the beginning of April. Ringing showed that adults return to nests of previous seasons. The breeding impulse begins to operate only about ten days later than in Tanganyika. Two broods of two eggs each are normal. Eggs are usually laid at intervals of 48 hours, but longer intervals have been recorded. In the two three-egg clutches the third chick died owing to delayed hatching. Incubation and nestling periods are longer at the Cape than in Tanganyika. Both parents incubate and feed the young. Pairs remain together for the two broods. 100 eggs produced 81 chicks of which 57 survived. Calculated from 14 pairs which returned to previous nests and laid two normal clutches, the average number of chicks reared annually was 2.5 per pair.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01677698
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