Variations in moult, morphology, movement and survival rates of the Sombre Greenbul Andropadus importunus within southern Africa

Abstract

Ringing data from the South African bird ringing unit, SAFRING, were analysed to explore variations and trends in population parameters of the Sombre Greenbul Andropadus importunus in southern Africa. Adult and juvenile body mass increased southwards, whereas the relative sizes of wings and bills decreased southwards. Recapture and recovery data indicated that adults have very high site fidelity and suggested that juvenile dispersal is limited. The annual survival rate of adults was on average more than twice that of juveniles and there was little regional variation within either age group. The onset of primary wing moult became progressively later northwards, but the duration of moult did not vary significantly with latitude. Juveniles started their first normally descendent wing moult sequence about one month after adults.