Nesting Biology, Seasonality, and Mating System of Malaysian Fantail Warblers

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Abstract
The breeding biology of fantail warblers (C. juncidis) in a rice field in northwestern peninsular Malaysia was studied. Data were collected on 38 nests found in rice plants on the 15-ha study area. Clutch size was 3 or 4, incubation lasted 10-14 days and fledging occurred 14-15 days after hatching. Two breeding seasons occurred annually, Jan.-March and June-Sept., coinciding with the availability of suitable rice field nesting cover. The presence of several closely spaced, simultaneously active nests on plots occupied by single male birds indicated a polygynous mating system. This was based on the ability of some males to monopolize the limited available nesting habitat early in the rice-growing cycle. These findings differ from those of previous studies, presumably because of differences in the habitat types and mating systems examined.