Fu et al • EMEI SHAN LIOCICHLA BREEDING ECOLOGY 
749 
4 - 
China 
Wawushan 
Nature Reserve 
Laojunshan 
Nature Reserve 
1,000 km 
FIG. I. Laojunshan Nature Reserve and Wawushan Nature Reserve in Sichuan Province. China. 
Wawushan Nature Reserve (29 25'-29 34' N. 
102 49'—103 00' E) (Fig. 1) is in the Daxian- 
gling Mountains between 1,023 and 3,522 m asl, 
covering an area of ~365 km’. The climate is 
temperate with average precipitation >2,000 mm 
per year and relative humidity of 85-90^. The 
annual average temperature is 10-14 C. The 
main vegetation type is evergreen broadleaf forest 
and the dominant trees include Castanopsis 
plotyacantha, Schima sinens, Uthocarpus viridis. 
and L hancei (Bao and Liu 2002). There are also 
some non-native coniferous forests and tea 
plantations at lower elevations (<1,650 m). 
Breeding Density .—The fixed-width transect 
method (Bibby et al. 2000) was used to estimate 
breeding density of Emei Shan Liocichlas in 
Laojunshan Nature Reserve from May to June 
-009 and in June 2010. We established 13 
transects, each between 1 and 3 km in length, 
covering a large part of Laojunshan Nature 
Reserve (Fig. 2). Transects were within primary, 
secondary, and plantation forests and covered 
most of the altitudinal ranges within Laojunshan 
Nature Reserve. Transects were mainly along 
existing trails and not in inaccessible sites because 
ol steep terrain making it difficult to cover such 
areas on foot. It was difficult to see the Liocichla 
m the field due to its secretive nature and the 
dense vegetation. We detected it mainly by the 
characteristic songs (a loud and complex whistle) 
uttered by males. Pilot studies prior to the main 
survey period showed that male songs of Emei 
Shan Liocichla could be reliably identified within 
200-300 m (varying with terrain and weather). 
Females did not apparently engage in singing 
behavior. We only counted males within 150 m 
along the transects to ensure the accuracy of 
identification. Those calling from >150 m were 
also recorded, but not used to calculate densities. 
Surveys were conducted from 0600 to 0900 hrs in 
the morning when birds were vocalizing to 
maintain their territories. 
Nesting Parameters .—We found nests by 
observing behaviors and tracking breeding pairs 
(Martin and Geupel 1993). Nests were numbered 
when found and recorded with a Global Position¬ 
ing System (GPS). We visited some nests 
regularly, following Lu et al. (2008). to examine: 
breeding season (i.e., the period between the first 
nest starting construction and the last brood 
leaving the nest), egg size, clutch size, hatching 
success (i.e.. the proportion of eggs hatched), 
nestling development. Hedging success (i.e., the 
proportion of young fledged), duration of egg- 
laying, incubation, and nestling periods, daily nest 
survival rates (DSR). nest success, and, when 
possible, causes of nest failure. We recorded 
altitude, habitat, plant species used, nest-site 
height, nest concealment, and nesl size (if intact) 
when breeding activity ended for all nests. We 
also made two daytime (from 0600 to 2000 hrs) 
observations at one nest during the nestling period 
using 8 X 35 binoculars at a distance of 13 m to 
record breeding-related behaviors (e.g.. parental 
