Incubation sharing of northern bald ibis (Geronticus eremita) partners

Abstract

This study related out during the incubation period of northern bald ibises. Northern baldibises in Birecik are free-living in nature during the breeding period (February–June) in 2013-2015.Pairs share the incubation between the two sexes. Females were incubated for 177.08 minutes per dayon average while males were incubated for 240.99 minutes per day. This incubation period isstatistically different (P< 0.0001) with males staying 23-32% longer than females. Females and malesstayed in incubation together for only a short time. According to observations made (n=79), couplesstay together on nests for 20.52 minutes on average. During the observations made all day long it wasrealized that eggs are left alone for only 0.40 minutes on average. Incubation periods did not varyaccording to years. According to the observations made in 2013 (n=100) period for staying in the nestwas not different than observations of years 2014 and 2015 statistically (P>0.05). According to 2014(n=128) and 2015 (n=88) results no statistical difference could be observed between incubationperiods (P >0.05).The excess eggs during incubation are protected by northern bald ibises which donot have any nest (altruism). From time to time-synchronized behaviors can be observed in thepopulation.