Habitat and space use of European cuckoo females during the egg laying period

Behaviour ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 141 (7) ◽  
pp. 881-898 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Taborsky ◽  
Marcel Honza ◽  
Wolfgang Vogl ◽  
Yvonne Teuschl ◽  
Michael Taborsky
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Habitat Availability ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Territorial Behaviour ◽  
Cuculus Canorus ◽  
Suitable Host ◽  
Individual Female ◽  
Use Of Space ◽  
Brood Parasites

AbstractIn brood parasites, knowledge of spacing behaviour, habitat use and territoriality may reveal cues about how parasites find and use their hosts. To study the use of space and habitat of European cuckoos, Cuculus canorus, we radio-tagged 16 females during four consecutive reproductive seasons. We hypothesized that during the laying period cuckoo females should (1) use habitats selectively, and (2) attempt to monopolize potential egg laying areas to reduce competition for host nests. Our data are consistent with the first hypothesis: the use of pond edges compared to forest and transitional habitats was significantly greater than expected from the habitat availability in the total area and within individual female home ranges. All 26 directly observed egg layings and 27 nest visits without laying occurred at pond edges in nests of Acrocephalus spp. Females spent significantly more time at pond edges on egglaying days than on non-laying days. The second hypothesis was not supported: female home ranges overlapped similarly in all three major habitat categories of the potential egg laying areas, and only little aggression was observed between females. We discuss whether female cuckoos may lack territorial behaviour because they are not able to defend egg laying areas economically or because defence is not necessary due to sufficient availability of suitable host nests.

scholarly journals Bimodal habitat use in brood parasitic Common Cuckoos (Cuculus canorus) revealed by GPS telemetry

The Auk ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 136 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Csaba Moskát ◽  
Miklós Bán ◽  
Attila Fülöp ◽  
Judit Bereczki ◽  
Márk E Hauber
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Cuculus Canorus ◽  
Utilization Distribution ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
Reed Beds ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Distribution Maps

Abstract Obligate brood parasitic birds have evolved a rare avian strategy for reproduction by laying eggs in the nests of other species. In doing so, their breeding ranges, but not necessarily their foraging habitats, have become intimately related to the nesting territories of their hosts. We studied home range sizes and distribution patterns in Common Cuckoos (Cuculus canorus) on their breeding grounds in central Hungary, where cuckoos parasitize only Great Reed Warblers (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) in channel-side reed-beds at a high frequency (>50%). The geographic coordinates of tagged cuckoos were monitored by high-precision, remotely downloadable non-Platform Terminal Transmitter global positioning system (GPS) loggers, attached to 9 females and 6 males. Our results revealed bimodal use of habitat patches: (1) the home ranges of male and female cuckoos were packed densely along the channels where the hosts breed, and their distribution maps had high overlaps between sexes; (2) ~71% of cuckoos also visited nearby woodland patches, presumably for foraging, where the host species was not present. The size of cuckoo home ranges varied to an unusually great extent: 0.3–185 km2 as calculated by the minimum convex polygon method (85%), or 1–17 km2 when calculated by the more suitable kernel density estimation (KDE) method (Utilization Distribution 85%) for patchy habitats. Male and female cuckoos had similar home range sizes as estimated by the KDE method, consisting of 1–4 areas within the 2 habitat types of channel reed-beds and woodlands. No preference was revealed for night roosting locations between the 2 habitats or sexes. Female cuckoos were more likely to use reed-beds in the afternoons, when females parasitize host nests. Remote downloadable GPS methods offer an effective way of tracking cuckoos across large areas, but the estimation of home range sizes requires caution due to this species’ patchy and disconnected habitat use.

scholarly journals Fast and furious: host aggression modulates behaviour of brood parasites

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Václav Jelínek ◽  
Michal Šulc ◽  
Gabriela Štětková ◽  
Marcel Honza
Keyword(s):  
Brood Parasitism ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Nest Defence ◽  
Great Reed Warbler ◽  
Acrocephalus Arundinaceus ◽  
Brood Parasite ◽  
Cuculus Canorus ◽  
Common Cuckoo ◽  
Brood Parasites ◽  
The Common

ABSTRACTAvian brood parasites pose a serious threat for hosts, substantially reducing their fitness which selects for the evolution of host defences. A classic example of a host frontline defence is mobbing which frequently includes contact attacking of brood parasites. Here, we investigated how the nest defence of a very aggressive great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) host influences the speed of egg-laying and egg-removing behaviour of its brood parasite – the common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus). We video-recorded 168 brood parasitic events at 102 active host nests and found that cuckoos avoided host mobbing in only 62% of cases. If hosts spotted the cuckoo at their nests, they almost always attacked it (in 91 of 104 cases), however, such attacks only rarely and temporarily prevented cuckoos from parasitizing (11 additional cases). When attacked, cuckoos parasitized host nests significantly faster and left them immediately. However, when not attacked, cuckoos frequently stayed at or near the nest suggesting that host aggression, rather than the risk of being spotted, influences the speed of brood parasitism in this species. Further, we found that cuckoos performed egg-removing behaviour in all parasitic events without regard to host aggression. As a result, cuckoos removed at least one egg during all brood parasitism events except those when an egg slipped from their beaks and fell back into the nest (in 9 of 73 cases). This indicates that egg-removing behaviour is not costly for the common cuckoo and is an essential part of its parasitism strategy, widening understanding of this currently unexplained behaviour.

scholarly journals Adjustment of egg laying by both hosts and intraspecific brood parasites in a beetle

Ethology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon Richardson ◽  
Sarah Dobson ◽  
Lucy E. Ford ◽  
Per T. Smiseth
Keyword(s):  
Egg Laying ◽  
Brood Parasites

Snowmobile Effects on Movements of White-tailed Deer: A Case-study

1979 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald G. Eckstein ◽  
Thomas F. O'Brien ◽  
Orrin J. Rongstad ◽  
John G. Bollinger
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Odocoileus Virginianus ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges

The effects of snowmobile traffic on the winter home-ranges, movements, and activity patterns, of White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus), were studied during two winters in northern Wisconsin. There were no significant differences in home-range size and habitat use of the Deer in areas with and without snowmobiling. However, snowmobiling caused some Deer to leave the immediate vicinity of the snowmobile trail. Deer were most affected when they were within 61 m of the snowmobile trail.

scholarly journals Biology and Nutritional Indexes of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Saccharine Sorghum

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 126
Author(s):  
Lauren M. Barcelos ◽  
Fabrício O. Fernandes ◽  
Caroline Lopes ◽  
Beatriz M. Emygdio ◽  
Ricardo Valgas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Biological Data ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Grain Production ◽  
Current Analysis ◽  
Suitable Host ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Lepidoptera Noctuidae

Saccharine sorghum has been analyzed as a supplementary prime matter for ethanol production, especially during the sugarcane off-season period. However, it has proven to be highly susceptible to insect attacks during the cultivation cycle. The fall armyworm should be emphasized due to its voracity and high damage capacity enhanced by feeding-caused decrease in photosynthetic area. Current analysis studies the biology and determines the nutritional indexes of Spodoptera frugiperda in saccharine sorghum. Cultivars of saccharine sorghum BRS 506, BRS 509 and BRS 511were evaluated. Duration and survival of the egg, caterpillar, pre-pupal and pupal phases were determined, coupled to weight of pupae and caterpillar, life span, fecundity and pre-egg laying period. Although S. frugiperda completed its life cycle on cultivars BRS 506 and BRS 511, egg-laying and egg feasibility rates were low, whereas insects did not lay eggs on cultivar BRS 509. There was no significant difference in feeding intake by S. frugiperda among these three sorghum cultivars. Results suggest that saccharine sorghum is not a suitable host for S. frugiperda. Biological data reveal that the three saccharine sorghum cultivars are recommended for the grain production system since the number of specimens of the next generation is low or null.

scholarly journals Spatiotemporal variations in resources affect activity and movement patterns of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) at high density

2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 252-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariane Massé ◽  
Steeve D. Côté
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Odocoileus Virginianus ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
High Density ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Spatiotemporal Variations ◽  
Temporal Scales ◽  
Trade Offs

Although activity budget, movements, and habitat use of herbivores have been extensively studied, few studies have simultaneously examined these behaviors at several temporal scales. We investigated the influence of spatiotemporal variations in forage and climate on the activity and movement patterns of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann, 1780)) at high density, in a predator-free ecosystem impacted by long-term browsing. We used GPS telemetry and activity sensors to monitor seasonal activity budgets, movements, and patterns of habitat use within the home ranges of 24 female deer at three temporal scales: (1) season, (2) within season, and (3) daily. At large temporal scale, deer were less active and moved less during winter than during summer. Within each season, deer reduced their activity and movements in areas where forage resources were abundant and when climatic conditions were more difficult. On a daily scale, summer and winter movements peaked at dusk, but habitat selection neither changed with period of the day nor activity (foraging vs. resting). These results provide empirical evidence on how environmental constraints can modulate the trade-offs between forage acquisition and exposure to limiting factors.

Seasonal home range and habitat use of a critically endangered marsupial (Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi) inside and outside a predator-proof sanctuary

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgina J. Yeatman ◽  
Adrian F. Wayne
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Bettongia Penicillata ◽  
External Reference ◽  
Substantial Decline

An understanding of the factors that influence the distribution of the woylie (Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi) at local and regional scales has been identified as a key knowledge gap, because such knowledge may assist in the recovery of this endangered species. We aimed to investigate the seasonal home-range size and habitat use of woylies to update current knowledge of the species in the context of a substantial decline. Specifically, we examined the home range and habitat use of woylies reintroduced into a sanctuary free from invasive predators and compared these data to those from an external reference site. Eight woylies inside the sanctuary and seven outside were radio-tracked in autumn 2011. The average home-range size was 65.4 (±8.2, s.e.) ha. There was little evidence to suggest any difference in home-range size between woylies inside and outside the sanctuary. Woylies were more likely to be found in the slope and low-lying valley habitats, which have greater water-holding capacity and sandier soils. These relatively large seasonal home ranges, compared with previously published estimates for the species, may be accounted for by low population density, lower seasonal food availability and clustered food distribution. Monitoring the home-range size of woylies within the sanctuary may assist in identifying the carrying capacity of the sanctuary, which has implications for how this population is managed.

Home ranges of feral cats (Felis catus) in central-western New South Wales, Australia

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn Molsher ◽  
Chris Dickman ◽  
Alan Newsome ◽  
Warren Müller
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Adult Cats

Twenty-one feral cats were radio-tracked using direct sighting and triangulation techniques (amassing 730 location fixes) during winter in an agricultural landscape in central-western New South Wales. Factors affecting home-range size, home-range overlap and habitat use were assessed. Mean home-range size was 248 ha (s.e. = 34.9, n = 15 cats, 598 location fixes). Home-range size and habitat use were not influenced by sex or age of adult cats, prey abundance or time of day. However, cat weight significantly influenced range size, with heavier cats having larger ranges than smaller cats. Although the cats are apparently solitary, their home ranges overlapped considerably, particularly between young adults and old adult cats. Cats were active both by day and night and did not occupy permanent dens. Home ranges encompassed mixed habitat types that provided both shelter and prey. Open woodland and open forest were the main habitat types covered by home ranges, but within these areas cats showed a preference for grassland, where rabbits were more abundant. The results recorded in this study indicate that cat-control programs should concentrate in mixed habitat areas, where both shelter and food are available, and over widely dispersed areas. The absence of group living suggests that the effectiveness of virally vectored fertility or biological control agents would be limited.

Nocturnal habitat use of Atlantic salmon parr in winter

1999 ◽  
Vol 56 (9) ◽  
pp. 1543-1550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin G Whalen ◽  
Donna L Parrish
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Dead Zone ◽  
Habitat Availability ◽  
High Flows ◽  
Young Of The Year ◽  
Salmon Parr ◽  
Random Measurements ◽  
Atlantic Salmon Parr

We completed 22 night snorkeling surveys between November and March 1995-1997 to quantify Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr habitat use relative to habitat availability in the Rock River, Vermont, U.S.A. On average, post-young-of-the-year (PYOY) parr selected greater water depths in winter than young-of-the-year (YOY) parr, whereas YOY and PYOY parr both selected water velocities ([Formula: see text]19 cm/s) that were significantly lower than random measurements (46 cm/s). Maturity of PYOY parr had no significant influence on habitat selection. The majority of YOY and PYOY parr at night were found in contact with the stream bottom resting on silt-sand or gravel substrates in velocity dead-zone habitats created by the stream edge or depositional habitats created by midstream rocks and boulders. The strong selection that nocturnal Atlantic salmon parr exhibit for low water velocity areas in winter indicates the importance of maintaining large instream cover that provides refuges from high flows. The similarity that YOY and PYOY parr exhibited in many elements of habitat selection suggests that both stages may be similarly susceptible to habitat limitations in winter.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document