A. J. F. K. Craig

MOULT IN SOUTHERN AFRICAN PASSERINE BIRDS: A REVIEW

Summary Craig A. J. F. K. 1983. Moult in southern Africa passerine birds: a review. Ostrich 54:220-237. In the most recent checklist 398 passerine species are recorded for southern Africa. This paper lists information on the moult of 114 species, of which 27 are Palaearctic migrants, or birds for which there are data from European populations only. For 65 additional species data of uncertain relevance to southern African populations are included in appendices. There is much interspecific variation in both pattern and timing, even between members of the same family and genus. Aspects requiring special attention in future studies are discussed.

Anting in Afrotropical birds: a review

Craig, A.J.F.K. 1999. Anting in Afrotropical birds: a review. Ostrich 70 (3&4): 203–207. Passive anting has been recorded from four non-passerine species in Africa, the Rock Kestrel Falco tinnunculus, the African Finfoot Podica senegalensis, the African Hoopoe Upupa epops and the Whitebacked Mousebird Colius colius. Active or passive anting has been recorded from 21 passerine species in 10 families in the wild, and in captive birds in a further 27 species of 3 families. Although such behaviour may have been overlooked or misinterpreted, the rarity of observations implies that in most species anting is likely to be infrequent. In all cases in which the ants have been identified, they were members of the sub-family Formicinae. It appears unlikely that any single functional explanation can account for the observed occurrences of this behaviour.

SUNBIRD MOVEMENTS: A REVIEW, WITH POSSLBLE MODELS

Summary Craig, A.J.F.K. & Hulley, P.E. 1994. Sunbird movements: a review, with possible models. Ostrich 65: 106–110. Based on current fieldwork, we propose four possible models to explain the winter influx of sunbirds which we have observed: the birds may be (1) “winter residents”, which move annually to a wintering area and remain there; (2) “shoppers”, which periodically investigate feeding areas within their home range and feed opportunistically where nectar is most abundant; (3) “tourists”, which successively visit a series of sites on a regular itinerary; (4) “nomads”, which move unpredictably to new areas whenever food supplies decline. and have no home base. Current data on sunbird movements are reviewed, and in a few cases the winter resident model is unlikely, but generally it is not yet possible to eliminate any of the hypotheses. Moult cycles based on both field and museum studies may provide additional information, as movements are unlikely while active wing-moult is in progress; some species ...

CO-OPERATIVE BREEDING IN THE PIED STARLING

Summary Craig, A. J. F. K. 1987. Co-operative breeding in the Pied Starling. Ostrich 58:176-180. Pairs of Pied Starlings Spreo bicolor build the nest, but only the female incubates. After the chicks hatch, subadult and juvenile birds help feed the young. Helpers also feed young after they leave the nest. In most cases parents contribute more than the helpers which may attend several different nests. Associations between members of the same breeding group may persist for up to three successive seasons.

NESTING OF SYMPATRIC REDWINGED AND PALE WINGED STARLINGS

Summary Craig, A. J. F. K., Hulley, P. E. & Walter, G. H. 1989. Nesting of sympatric Redwinged and Pale-winged Starlings. Ostrich 60:69-74. Observations were made over four breeding seasons at Cradock, South Africa, where Redwinged Starlings Onychognathus morio and Palewinged Starlings O. nabouroup nest on the same cliffs. Nests were not accessible, and the stage of breeding was determined by the behaviour of the birds. Both species reuse the same nest sites, and only the females incubate, but both sexes feed the young. The timing of breedingMaybe more variable in the Palewinged Starling. A review of the available data on nest site selection and nest construction shows apparent species-specific differences: Redwinged Starlings usually nest on ledges, often on buildings, and use mud in the nest base; Palewinged Starlings favour vertical crevices, and do not use mud.

THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE PIED STARLING, AND SOUTHERN AFRICAN BIOGEOGRAPHY

Summary Craig, A. J. F. K. 1985. The distribution of the Pied Starling, and southern African biogeography. Ostrich 56:123-131. The Pied Starling is restricted to South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland, but within this region it occupies a variety of habitats. Its modern distribution is certainly influenced by its association with man. However, a comparison with other vertebrate species, and with patterns of plant distribution, suggests that its geographical distribution has been determined primarily by its evolutionary history. A hypothesis for the origin of this species leads to several predictions concerning biogeography in southern Africa.

The Behavior of Palewinged Starlings and a Comparison with Other Onychognathus Species

Craig, A.J.F.K., Hulley, P.E. & Walter, G.H. 1991. The behaviour of Palewinged Starlings, and a comparison with other Onychognathus species. Ostrich 62:97-108. Pairs of Palewinged Starlings associa...

A REVIEW OF THE BIOLOGY OF THE BLACKBELLIED STARLING AND OTHER AFRICAN FOREST STARLINGS

Summary Craig, A.J.F.K. 1989. A review of the biology of the Blackbellied Starling and other African forest starlings. Ostrich suppl. 14: 17–26. The Blackbellied Starling Lamprotornis corruscus is the only true forest starling in southern Africa. At the southern end of its coastal range it is an irregular visitor, and it may move according to food availability. The limited data on breeding, moult and seasonal occurrence are discussed. Only two subspecies are recognised. A brief survey of the 12 African starlings of evergreen forests shows that little is known about their basic biology or their role as highly mobile frugivores.

BREEDING CONDITION OF MALE RED BISHOPS UNDER ARTIFICIAL PHOTOPERIODS

Summary Craig, A. J. F. K. 1985. Breeding condition of male Red Bishops under artificial photoperiods. Ostrich 56: 74–78. Testis development, as indicated by bill colour changes, and moult were followed over two years in nine birds kept under constant conditions of 14 h light:10 h dark. All birds maintained at least partial nuptial dumage throughout this period, but most continued normal cycles of wing moult. The testes continued to show cycles of enlargement and regression.

THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE WATTLED STARLING IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

Summary Craig, A. J. F. K. 1992. The distribution of the Wattled Starling in southern Africa. Ostrich 63:31-37. Dated distribution records of the Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea have been assembled from the literature, museum specimens, atlas records, and other unpublished observations. The bulk of these records are from the period 1980–89. Breeding records are sparse, but breeding appears to be seasonal in the winter rainfall area. In summer rainfall areas nesting occurs from spring through to autumn, dependent on the presence of abundant insects. In most areas winter records (June to August) predominate, but in the eastern lowveld areas of South Africa Wattled Starlings are recorded most often in spring and summer. The species is correctly described as nomadic, and the pattern of occurrence does not suggest regular migration.