Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The effects of rainfall on wild populations of Common Quail(Coturnix coturnix)

Der Einfluß von Niederschlag auf eine Population der Wachtel (Coturnix coturnix)

  • Published:
Journal für Ornithologie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Investigations were carried out into the influence of rainfall on the breeding of the Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix) from 1984–94 in Tarragona Province (NE Spain) and on the number of quails shot during the hunting season in the Teruel Province (NE Spain) in 14 consecutive years. The results clearly show the influence of rainfall on the duration of stay of singing male quail (r=0.79, p=0.01, n=9): in dry years it is short and in rainy years it is longer. A direct relationship between the mean time of quail presence and the mean date of cereal maturation was also found (r=0.81, p=0.008, n=9), strongly suggesting that rainfall directly affects the date of harvest and indirectly affects the breeding cycle of quail. Finally, the number of quail bagged by hunters depends on the annual rainfall (r2=0.54−0.74). We conclude that rainfall is a key factor in the biological cycle of the Common Quail. Rainfall has an indirect effect on its productivity and mortality, and influences its nomadic and migratory movements.

Zusammenfassung

Zwischen 1984 und 1994 wurde der Einfluß des Regens auf die Brutbiologie der Wachtel in der Provinz Tarragona (NE Spanien) und zwischen 1976 und 1989 auf die Jagdstrecke in der Provinz Teruel (NE Spanien) untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigen deutlich den Einfluß des Regens auf die Dauer des Aufenthalts der singenden Männchen (r=0.79, p=0.01, n=9): in trockenen Jahren war er kurz, in Regenjahren länger. Auch besteht ein enger Zusammenhang zwischen durchschnittlicher Aufenthaltsdauer und durchschnittlichem Reifedatum des Getreides (r=0.81, p=0.008, n=9). Damit ist wahrscheinlich, daß die Regenfälle das Erntedatum direkt und den Fortpflanzungszyklus der Wachteln indirekt beeinflussen. Die jährliche Jagdstrecke ist ebenfalls eng mit der Menge an jährlichen Regenfällen korreliert (r2=0,54−0,74). Niederschläge scheinen also ein Schlüsselfaktor im biologischen Zyklus der Wachtel zu sein. Sie beeinflussen Produktivität, Sterblichkeit und Ortsveränderungen.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Araus, J.L., Cuenca, M. & Serret, M.O. (1983): Efectes de l'època i lloc de sembra sobre diversos factors de la producció en el blat. Arx. Esc. Sup. Agric. 5: 49–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baxter, G.S. (1994): The influence of synchronous breeding, natal tree position and rainfall on egret nesting success. Colon. Waterbirds 17: 120–129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bayliss, P. (1989): Population dynamics of magpie geese in relation to rainfall and density: Implications for harvest models in a fluctuating environment. J. Appl. Ecol. 26: 913–924.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bernard-Laurent, A., Leonard, P. & Reitz, F. (1992): Rock partridge (Alectoris graeca saxatilis) hunting mortality: Factors of variation and management prospects for hunted populations. Gibier Faune Sauvage 9: 1–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boschert, M. & Kupp, J. (1993): Breeding biology of Curlew (Numenius arquata) at a breeding site in the southern Upper Rhine valley. Vogelwelt 114: 199–221.

    Google Scholar 

  • Botsford, L. W., Wainwright, T.C., Smith, J.T., Mastrup, S. & Lott, D.F. (1988): Population dynamics of California Quail related to meteorological conditions. J. Wildl. Manage. 52: 469–477.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, D.K., Martin, P., Ferkovich, P.E. & Harris, B.K. (1973): Effects of hunting and some other environmental factors on scaled quail in New Mexico. Wildl. Monogr. 34: 1–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cloudsley-Thompson, J.L. (1980): Biological clocks. Their functions in nature. London.

  • Cramp, S. & Simmons, K.E.L. (1980): Handbook of the birds of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The birds of the Western Palearctic. Oxford.

  • Del Hoyo, J., Elliot, A. & Sargatal, J. (1994): Handbook of the birds of the world. 2. Barcelona.

  • Elkins, N. (1983): Weather and bird behaviour. Staffordshire.

  • Exo, K. M. (1989): Daily activity patterns of little owls (Athene noctua). Vogelwarte 35: 94–114.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallego, S., Puigcerver, M., Rodríguez-Teijeiro, J.D., Rodrigo-Rueda, F.J. & Roldán, G. (1993): Algunos aspectos fenológicos y de la biología de la reproducción de la codorniz (Coturnix c. coturnix) en Cataluña (España). Historia Animalium 2: 125–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Genard, M. & Lanusse, D. (1992): Use of marshlands by common cranes in winter in south-western France. Ornis Fenn. 69: 19–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glutz von Blotzheim, U.N., Bauer, K. & Bezzel, E. (1973): Handbuch der Vögel Mitteleuropas. Vol. 5. Wiesbaden.

  • Green, A.J. & Navarro, J.D. (1997). National censuses of the Marbled TealMarmaronetta angustirrostris in Spain. Bird Study 44: 80–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grote, H. (1940): Zeitweilige Massen-Umsiedlungen von Wachteln (Coturnix coturnix). Vogelzug 11: 37–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guerrieri, G., Biondi, M. & Pietrelli, L. (1990): The influence of meteorological factors on a wintering swallow,Hirundo rustica, population in Central Italy. Riv. Ital. Ornitol. 60: 137–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gullion, G.W. (1960): The ecology of Gambel's quail in Nevada and the arid southwest. Ecology 41: 518–536.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guthery, F.S., Koerth, N.E. & Smith, D.S. (1988): Reproduction of northern bobwhites in semiarid environments. J. Wildl. Manage. 52: 144–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guyomarc'h, C. &, Guyomarc'h, C.H. (1995): Moulting cycles in European Quail (Coturnix coturnix coturnix) under constant photoperiodic conditions. Biol. Rhythm Res. 26: 292–305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harper, M.J. (1990): Waterbird dynamics at Bool Lagoon, South Australia (Australia), 1983–87. Austr. Wildl. Res. 17: 113–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hepp, G.R. & Hines, J.E. (1991): Factors affecting winter distribution and migration distance of wood ducks from southern breeding populations. Condor 93: 884–891.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Immelmann, K. (1971): Ecological aspects of periodic reproduction. In: Farner, C.D.S., King, J.R. & Parkes, K.C. (Eds.): Avian Biology. Vol I: pp 341–389. New York.

  • Kostrzewa, A. & Kostrzewa, R. (1990): The relationship of spring and summer weather with density and breeding performance of the BuzzardButeo buteo, GoshawkAccipiter gentilis and KestrelFalco tinnunculus. Ibis 132: 550–559.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leonard, J.P., Aanderson, M.G., Prince, H.H. & Emery, R.B. (1996): Survival and movements of canvasback ducklings. J. Wildl. Manage. 60: 863–874.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Little, R.M., Crowe, T.M. & Villacastin-Herrero, C.A. (1996): Conservation implications of long-term population trends, environmental correlates and predictive models for Namara sandgrousePterocles namaqua. Biol. Conserv. 75: 93–101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moreau, R.E. (1956): Quail in the British isles, 1950–53. British Birds, 49: 161–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olsen, P.D. & Olsen, J. (1988): Breeding of the peregrine falconFalco peregrinus: I. weather, nest spacing and territory occupancy. Emu 88:195–201.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Puigcerver, M., Rodríguez-Teijeiro, J.D. & Gallego, S. (1989): Migración y/o nomadismo en la codorniz? Etología 1: 39–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Puigcerver, M., Rodrigo-Rueda, F.J., Rodríguez-Teijeiro, J.D. & Gallego, S. (1997): On the second clutches in the Common QuailCoturnix coturnix. Gibier Faune Sauvage 14: 617–624.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rice, S.M., Guthery, F.S., Spears, S.G., Demaso, S.J. & Koerth, B.H. (1993): A precipitation-habitat model for Northern Bobwhites on semiarid rangeland. J. Wildl. Manage. 57: 92–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez-Teijeiro, J.D., Puigcerver, M., Rodrigo-Rueda, F.J. & Gallego, S. (1996): La codorniz (Coturnix c. coturnix) y la media veda en España. Revista Florestal 9: 137–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saint-Jalme, M., Williams, J., Mickaelian, I. & Paillat, P. (1996): Seasonal variation of LH, sex steroids, body mass, molt, display, and laying in two subspecies of Houbara bustard,Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii andChlamydota undulata undulata, housed in outdoor cages under natural conditions. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 102: 102–112.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, K.H., Maertz, M. & Matthysen, E. (1992). Breeding success and laying data of NuthatchesSitta europaea in relation to habitat, weather and breeding density. Bird Study 39: 23–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stouffer, P.C. & Bierregaard, R.O. (1993): Spatial and temporal abundance patterns of Ruddy Quail-Doves (Geotrygon montana) near Manaus, Brazil. Condor 95: 896–903.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swank, W.G. & Gallizioli, S. (1954). The influence of hunting and of rainfall upon Gambel's quail populations. Trans. North Am. Wildl. Conf. 19: 283–297.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, K.N. & Furness, R.W. (1991): The influence of rainfall and nest-site quality on the population dynamics of the Manx shearwaterPuffinus puffinus on Rhum. J. Zool. 225: 427–438.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weich, H.A. & Meyer-Peters, H. (1988). Effects of daylight and weather on the onset and end of the daily activity of free-living starlingsSturnus vulgaris L. Beitr. Vogelkde. 34: 349–358.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zann, R.A., Morton, S.R., Jones, K.R. & Burley, N.T. (1995). The timing of breeding by zebra finches in relation to rainfall in central Australia. Emu 95: 208–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dep. de Didàctica de les Ciències Experimentals i la Matemàtica, E.U. de Formació del Professorat, Universitat de Barcelona, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron 171, 08035, Barcelona, Spain

    Manuel Puigcerver

  2. Dep. de Biologia Animal (Vertebrats), Fac. de Biologia, Univ. de Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 645, 08028, Barcelona, Spain

    Jose Domingo Rodriguez-Teijeiro & Secundino Gallego

Authors
  1. Manuel Puigcerver
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jose Domingo Rodriguez-Teijeiro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Secundino Gallego
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Manuel Puigcerver.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Puigcerver, M., Rodriguez-Teijeiro, J.D. & Gallego, S. The effects of rainfall on wild populations of Common Quail(Coturnix coturnix) . J Ornithol 140, 335–340 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01651030

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01651030

Key words

Search

Navigation