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Ontogenetic development and behaviour of captive Blue-winged Kookaburra (\kur{Dacelo leachii})
SVOBODOVÁ, Yveta
The Blue-winged Kookaburra is among the species of birds in which there is a sex dimorphism manifested in two characteristics. The first is the more pronounced coloration of the tail of the male; the second is the weight difference between the sexes. The female is about 70 - 100 grams heavier than the male. These differences do not occur earlier than after the first year of life. Although globally, there are 133 individuals of the Blue-winged Kookaburra (61 males, 58 females, 14 young) in human care in 45 institutions in 5 regions, it is successfully reproduced in only 9 institutions. Ostrava Zoo, as one of the three zoos and zoo parks in the world, keeps the Blue-winged Kookaburras in a group of eight, which is the optimal number of individuals forming a breeding cooperative group. In breeding seasons 2011 - 2016, Ostrava Zoo showed excellent results in breeding these Coraciiformes, with 15 successfully raised individuals. It therefore provided the data, together with Prague Zoo. This diploma thesis is a summary of own ethological observations at Ostrava Zoo and of a short observation at Prague Zoo. Summarizing the data from these two zoos, the thesis assesses weight differences of fertilized and unfertilized eggs, ontogenesis, growth rate and sex of the Blue-winged Kookaburras. On the basis of the growth and weight differences between the sexes, it deals with the sex determination of the young. It further describes social behaviour and vocalization within a breeding group with a predominance of females, evaluates general group relationships, and compares the results with a wild population
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