Thermal characteristics of wild and captive Micronesian Kingfisher nesting habitats

Zoo Biology
By:  and 

Links

Abstract

To provide information for managing the captive population of endangered Guam Micronesian kingfishers (Halcyon cinnamomina cinnamomina), four biologically relevant thermal metrics were compared among captive facilities on the United States mainland and habitats used by wild Micronesian kingfishers on the island of Pohnpei (H. c. reichenbachii), Federated States of Micronesia. Additionally, aviaries where kingfishers laid eggs were compared to those in which birds did not attempt to breed. Compared to aviaries, habitats used by wild Pohnpei kingfishers had 3.2°C higher daily maximum and minimum temperatures and the proportion of time when temperatures were in the birds' thermoneutral zone was 45% greater. No differences were found in the magnitude of temperature fluctuation in captive and wild environments. In captive environments in which birds bred, daily maximum temperatures were 2.1°C higher and temperatures were within the thermoneutral zone 25% more often than in the aviaries where the kingfishers did not breed. No differences were found in the magnitude of temperature fluctuation or the daily minimum temperature. Results suggest that the thermal environment has the potential to influence reproduction, and that consideration should be given to increasing temperatures in captive breeding facilities to improve propagation of the endangered Micronesian kingfisher.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Thermal characteristics of wild and captive Micronesian Kingfisher nesting habitats
Series title Zoo Biology
DOI 10.1002/zoo.20010
Volume 23
Issue 4
Year Published 2004
Language English
Publisher Wiley
Contributing office(s) Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Description 8 p.
First page 301
Last page 308
Country Federated States of Micronesia
Other Geospatial Pohnpei
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details