| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立高雄師範大學 === 生物科學研究所 === 89 === An observation to investigate the feeding and reproduction adaptation of Philippine glossy starling (Aplonis panayensis), an exotic bird species in Taiwan, was conducted in the Chiang Kai-shek Cultural Center and National Kaohsiung Normal University in Kaohsiung City from January to December, 2000. Possible impact of glossy starling on endemic species of Taiwan and projected population expansion of this species was also evaluated.
Thirteen specie of plant was recorded to be feed by glossy starling in this study. The number of endemic and exotic species was almost equal. Glossy starling feeds mostly on fruit, then next on nectar and petal. The protein sources of nestling are partly from snails and caterpillar.
The reproductive season of glossy starling were extended from mid-March to mid-September, lasted for more than six months, in year 2000. This species maintained cave-nesting habitat after introduced into Taiwan. Repeatedly used the same nesting site, at most 3 times, by glossy starling was reported. The nest materials included endemic plant species, exotic plant species, and artificial materials.
The egg-laying period of glossy starling ranged from 3 to 8 days. Each clutch included 1 to 4 eggs, mostly had 3 eggs. Incubation period lasted from 11 to 15 days with an hatching rate of 61.9%. The nestling period ranged from 15 to 24 days with a fledgling rate of 43.2%. Averaged 39 days were needed for a glossy starling to grow from an egg to leave the nest. Based on the Mayfield method, survival rate and reproduction success rate were 43.5 and 51.6%, respectively.
More single/group was observed than the other group size. Day-time activity pattern was influenced both by the timing and season. The active time of glossy starling was observed mostly in one hour before sunrise or one hours after sunset. The highest total number of this species was observed during 4 to 6 PM of January and February in year 2000.
In the future, the population size of glossy starling was projected to increase based on the characteristics of feeding, reproduction, and daily activity pattern. This species also possibly present a direct and negative impact on the endemic bird species of Taiwan, such as Chinese bulbul (Pycnontus sinensis), Japanese white-eye (Zosperops japonica), House sparrow (Passer domesticus), and House swift (Apus affinis).
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