Patch Use Of Breeding Brown-cheeked Laughing Thrushs(Garrulax Henrici) In Campus Artificial Landscape

Artificial landscapes and urban green lands outside the protected areas are important habitats for birds,biodiversity conservation and research in this area is very significant.In the campus of Tibet Agriculture and Animal Husbandry College bird resources is abundant,and artificial landscape provides habitat and breeding site for birds.Garrulax henrici is a Chinese endemic species,and its breeding behavior was seldom studied among Garrulax species.From April to July of 2016,we studied and analyzed characteristics of artificial landscape factors,recorded the plant species and its distribution characteristics,and the type and intensity of human disturbance in Tibet Agriculture and Animal Husbandry College.Based on the patch,plants and disturbance factors we analyzed the use of artificial landscape of breeding Garrulax henrici.The results showed that 75% of the Garrulax henricinests were built in conifers,12.5% in broadleaves 8.3% in shrubs,4.2% in bamboo.Nesting success rate was 86.7%,hatching success rate 60%,reproductive success rate 43.3%.In courtship period the foraging behavior of the Garrulax henrici was 32.03% of the total time and moving was 29.27% of the total time.The main behavior during incubation period was lying in the nest and incubation,accounting for 85.31% of the total time and egg-turning accounting for 5.02%.The brooding behavior was mainly clearing up the nest(39.74%)and lying in the nest(35.92%).The feeding frequency of two nests monitored by infrared camera were 2.98 and 2.85 times per hour respectively,Feeding by single female or male Garrulax henrici was more frequency than parents feeding simultaneously.Patch characteristics of artificial landscape and vegetation factors influenced and the distribution and nesting of Garrulax henrici.Garrulax henrici preferred to the conifer,broadleaf and shrub mixed patches.The human disturbance of the artificial landscape had impacts on nesting site selection,reproductive success and reproductive behavior of Garrulax henrici.In intensive human disturbance area,Garrulax henrici nested in big arbor trees,and its nest tree height(F1,14 = 6.92,P < 0.05)and the distance of nest to ground(F1,14 = 4.608,P < 0.05)were significantly greater than that of patches with little disturbance.