Mass breeding and diet of Red-billed Quelea in the Etosha National Park, Namibia, in 1978

Abstract

Data collected in Etosha National Park during April 1978 are reviewed and
compared with subsequent studies on Red-billed Queleas in Namibia and elsewhere.
The 1978 colony was estimated to
hold 4.8 million adults and 4.8 million fledglings, which may have consumed
approximately 13 tonnes of insects and 800–1 200 tonnes of grass seed during
the breeding cycle. The sex ratio in a sample of 406 birds was at parity. Mean
body mass of queleas was 18.2g (14.3–22.7g, SD = 1.5). Males were significantly
heavier (18.7g) than females (17.6g). Both sexes contained significantly more
seeds than insects in their crops. Males and females showed no statistical
differences in the insect:seed ratio they consumed. There was also no
statistical difference in the composition or dry mass of crop contents
collected at different times of day.

Ostrich 2004, 75(1&2): 66–74