Reports and Publications on this Study

Shaw, P. & Shewry, M. (2001). Population density and habitat associations of restricted-range bird species at Ruhija, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda. Bird Conservation International 11: 161-174.

Shaw, P. (2003). Breeding activity and provisioning rates of Stripe-breasted Tits Parus fasciiventer at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda. Ostrich 74(1&2): 129-132.

Shaw, P. (2010). Niche partitioning and densities of Albertine Rift endemics and their congeners in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda. Ostrich 81(1): 7-17.

Yatuha, J. (2005) The Breeding Ecology of the Stripe-breasted Tit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, south-western Uganda.  Unpublished MSc dissertation, Makerere University.

Yatuha, J. & Dranzoa, C. (2010). Observations on the breeding behaviour of the Stripe-breasted Tit (Parus fasciiventer) in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. African Journal of Ecology 48(2): 511-516.

 
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Breeding biology and survival of the Stripe-breasted Tit (ctd)

Provisional results

At Bwindi Stripe-breasted Tits occur mainly above c. 2,000 m, at low densities, and are associated mainly with gaps in the forest canopy. As a result, they are more often encountered along tracks and footpaths than under closed-canopy, perhaps giving the impression that they are more abundant than they really are. A survey in 2002 suggested that there may be as few as 2-4 pairs per km2; a figure that is broadly consistent with the number of known pairs in the vicinity of Ruhija.    

The species' breeding season is longer than that of its European and North American relatives, spanning December to April, and occasionally also June-July. Breeding tends to occur in the drier months of the year, suggesting that caterpillars are more abundant at these times, or that adults are able to forage more efficiently in drier weather. In either case, it is possible that an increase in rainfall in the Albertine Rift, particularly during the drier months, could disrupt the tit’s food supply, or the stimulus to breed.

Compared with the 6-11 eggs laid by female Great Tits in Europe, Stripe-breasted Tit clutches are small – typically 3 or 4 eggs. Despite its smaller brood sizes, and the occasional assistance provided by helpers, Stripe-breasted Tit chicks are usually fed at a  slower rate (per chick) than their northern counterparts.

While individual females have been recorded laying several clutches in one year, they tend to fledge fewer offspring per annum than their northern relatives, suggesting that adult Stripe-breasted Tits live longer (balancing lower productivity), or that their offspring have a better chance of surviving their first year. One striking feature of the study is that juveniles are often seen with their parents several months after fledging, and may benefit from extended parental care.

Colour-ringing has enabled us to follow the fate of individuals over several years, as the following example illustrates. 

'Female 4’

The bird shown on the right, ‘Female 4’, was first colour-ringed as a breeding adult in January 2003, along with her mate, ‘Male 3’. Over the next 3 years they bred together at least six times (that we know of), before Male 3 disappeared, some time after April 2006. Female 4 then found a new mate (M51), with whom she bred at least four times. She laid her 10th clutch of eggs in December 2008. Curiously, her mate provided little help, leaving ‘4’ to rear their chicks largely unaided.  She was seen again in March 2009, building yet another nest, but disappeared shortly after.