Study On Breeding Biology Of Jankowski's Bunting(Emberiza Jankowskii) In Zalut Banner,Inner Mongolia

Jankowsk's bunting(Emberiza jankowskii)is a kind of small grassland songbird which belongs to order Passeriformes,family Emberizidae and genus Emberiza.In recent years,E.jankowskii has disappeared from the historical breeding distribution area and has been listed as endangered species.The population is currently mainly distributed in Zalut Banner,Inner Mongolia.To improve the reproduction data of E.jankowskii in this area,the basic data of reproduction of E.jankowskii was studied in Zalut Banner,Inner Mongolia from May to July 2019.The results were as follow:The nests of E.jankowskii were found in the study area,and the nest parameters were recorded and measured.The results showed that nest depth was significantly different among nest parameters,while other nest parameters had no significant difference(One-way ANOVA: F=3.160,p=0.000).The peak of laying date was from late May to early June,and the clutch size was4.80 ± 0.58.With the increase of the clutch size in the nest,the hatching rate and flying rate of E.jankowskii will increase correspondingly.Using a miniature video camera to record the activities of E.jankowskii,the birds left the nest mainly at 7:00 am and 15:00 PM during the incubation period.Average recess time was 16.33 ± 2.18 min(n=276)and the duration on-nest was47.90 ± 59.12 min(n=299).As the temperature rises,E.jankowskii will gradually increase its recess time.On the contrary,the time it takes to leave the nest will gradually decrease.The duration on-nest was 15.62 ± 22.08 min(n=861)and average recess time was 15.65 ± 14.61(n=806)min in the nestling age.In the process of chick development,beak length and middle toe develop the fastest and the degree of development is high,while other organs develop slowly.These early and high degree of development organs are closely related to the chicks' begging,movement and avoiding the predators of natural enemies.The reproductive failure of E.jankowskii was caused by a variety of factors,among which nest predation was the main reason.The predators included Le corbeau,Meadow Vole and ants.The study can not only understand the endangerment of E.jankowskii,but also provide a more scientific basis for the protection of the buntings in the future.