Breeding Biology of the Invasive Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis) in Urban Parks of Kaohsiung City, Southern Taiwan

The Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis) has been present in southern Taiwan since 1990. This study investigated the breeding biology of A. panayensis in Kaohsiung City of southern Taiwan from April to August 2000. We found 36 nests, which were constructed using both natural and artificial materials. Seventy-three eggs (2 were broken during the study period) in 25 clutches were found, and the modal number of eggs per clutch was 3. Heavier eggs showed greater hatching success. Forty-four chicks hatched from the 71 monitored eggs. The overall hatching success observed during the study period was 62.0%. Nineteen of the 44 nestlings (43.2%) fledged. The reproductive success of A. panayensis in southern Taiwan was therefore estimated to be 26.8% (19 fledglings from 71 eggs). The A. panayensis population has been reported throought the island, and reproduction records have been documented in Yilan, Taichung, Chiayi, Kaohsiung City, and Pingtung County during 1990~2010. Control methods, such as removing nests and netting adults, especially within the breeding season, have been suggested to decrease the population of A. panayensis in Taiwan.