Abundance, group size and breeding success of Bare‐cheeked Babblers Turdoides gymnogenys

The abundance and composition of groups of Bare-cheeked Babblers Turdoides gymnogenys in Namibia were examined to determine whether differences in abundance within riverine and non-riverine habitats were matched by differences in breeding success. Abundance levels were eight times higher, and the percentage of offspring twice as high in well-wooded, riverine habitat as in open or non-riverine habitat. Although the former accounted for only 8% of sample points, it supported 27.5% of adults, who reared 38.3% of all offspring. Thus, most non-riverine habitat was sparsely occupied, suggesting that any benefits arising through dispersal to marginal habitats were outweighed by those associated with philopatry. One potential benefit of philopatry is an increase in inclusive fitness, through helping breeding relatives. However, as in several other Turdoides species, no significant relationship existed between breeding success and the number of adults in each group.