Breeding Biology of the White-fronted Chat Ephthianura albifrons in a Saltmarsh Near Melbourne

Abstract

A colour-banded population of White-fronted Chats was studied to determine parental roles, the occurrence of multiple breeding, mate and site fidelity, the length of the breeding season, nest-site natural history and parameters of reproductive output. Apart from nocturnal incubation and brooding, which was performed by females, both sexes shared nesting duties equally and remained together throughout the breeding season. The breeding season was long (4.2 'equally good' months) and repeat nesting, up to at least five times, was common after successful and unsuccessful nests. Clutch size was small (2.75 eggs), reproductive success was low (18.5% of eggs laid) and most losses (83%) were due to predation. Nest predation may be an important factor in the evolution of the life histories of White-fronted Chats and other Australian bird species.