Abstract

Information on the nesting of the White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) in Utah County is presented for the first time. Nests built in hardstem bulrush (Sciprus acutus) settled from an average height of 120.8cm on June 9 to 93.6cm on June 27, 1971. Nest spacing ranged from 2m to 9m, averaging 4.6m. Invertebrates of the class Arachnida and the insect orders Coleoptera, Homoptera, Lepidoptera, and Thysanoptera were collected in a Berlese funnel. Average clutch size was 3.17. Egg length and width averaged 51.40mm X 36.75mm. Average volume was 36.93cc. In 21 study nests, 45.8 percent of the eggs hatched, beginning on June 8 and ending on June 27. The young weighed approximately 26gm at hatching, with tarsometatarsus and bill each 15mm long. These increased to 400gm, 70mm, and 45mm, respectively, in 15 days. Feather shaft had grown to over 100mm. Major food items of the nestlings were larvae of the insect families Dytiscidae, Hydrophylidae (O. Coleoptera) and Stratiomyidae (O. Diptera). Ectoparasites collected were a louse, plegadiphilus plegadis, and three unidentified flies.

Degree

College and Department

Life Sciences; Plant and Wildlife Sciences

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