Observations on movements of Double-banded Sandgrouse (Pterocles bicinctus) in Borakalalo National Park, North West province, South Africa

作     者：Johann H. VAN NIEKERK 

作者机构：Department of Environmental SciencesCollege of Agriculture and Environmental SciencesUniversity of South Africa PO Box 392 Pretoria 0003 South Africa 

出 版 物：《Chinese Birds》 (中国鸟类（英文版）)

年 卷 期：2012年第03卷第1期

页      面：47-53页

学科分类：0907[农学-林学] 090705[农学-野生动植物保护与利用] 09[农学] 0903[农学-农业资源与环境] 

主　　题：Double-banded Sandgrouse breeding rainfall vegetation 

摘      要：The main purpose of this study was to describe the intrinsic (breeding) and extrinsic factors (rainfall/vegetation) that might trigger movements of Double-banded Sandgrouse (Pterocles bicinctus) in Borakalalo National Park, South Africa. The park is situated 80 km north of Pretoria and 30 km north of Jericho in the North West province. Data collection was based on traversing the reserve for two days per month along a set route (32 km) with a vehicle at 10 km·h 1 during 2010. The mean group size of this Double-banded Sandgrouse was 2.47. The male to female ratio in the population was 1:0.87. They were often observed in the road, on short trampled grass or in burnt thornvelds with green sprouts. Double-banded Sandgrouse were mainly present in the reserve during two relatively dry periods, from February––MMMaaarrrccchhh and again from July––SSSeeepppttteeemmmbbbeeerrr 2010. They wwwwweeeeerrrrreeeee more regularly observed in the hinterland of the park in the mornings and conversely, during the late afternoons they were more regularly observed closer to the edge of the Klipvoor Dam. Five possible reasons are discussed that may affect the movement of the Double-banded Sandgrouse: annual rainfall, short spells of high/low rainfall periods within the rainy season, daily flights of 2–4 km to drink water, breeding and veld conditions.