Invertebrate diet of the Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis [undulata] macqueenii in Abu Dhabi from calibrated faecal analysis

摘要: The ecology of the Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis [undulata] macqueenii is poorly known and populations are declining due to hunting habitat loss. As wintering in Abu Dhabi may be limited by food, we studied diet using calibrated faecal analysis. Prey were categorized into 16 groups fed captive birds under controlled conditions. We calculated recovery rates prey following digestion identified consistent fragments for each group. Wild faeces collected examined key fragments, initial intake was calibrated. Plant remains their contribution estimated. Fewer than 28% contained >50% plant material volume only 12% 95% or more. Numerically, most important were: ants (64%), large nocturnal tenebrionids (14.5%), small climbing (12%) diurnal tenebrionids. However, Tenebrionidae contributed 97% animal biomass. relative proportions similar abundance as assessed pitfall trapping. Estimates energetic value suggested that on average Bustards must consume around 670 desert invertebrates/day meet energy needs. effort required catch these vary at least ten-fold seasonally. On plants could provide a further 6.4–14% but more work needed this. Whether prey-limited depends densities renewal which remain unknown.