scholarly journals Habitat selection of the Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix) in an intensively managed agricultural environment

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-109
Author(s):  
Tamás Márton Németh ◽  
Petra Kelemen ◽  
Ágnes Csiszár ◽  
Gyula Kovács ◽  
Sándor Faragó ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Agricultural Environment ◽  
North West ◽  
Coturnix Coturnix ◽  
The Common ◽  
Intensively Managed ◽  
Common Quail ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract This study investigated the habitat selection of the Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix) during the breeding season of 2014 in an intensively managed agricultural environment (LAJTA Project, North-West Hungary). In order to assess the habitat preferences of the Common Quail, habitat composition around occupied plots were compared with unoccupied control plots. To characterize the habitat, a total of 11 variables related to vegetation structure and diversity, food availability and landscape were quantified. Multivariate methods (PCA and GLMs) were used to distinguish the main factors influencing habitat selection and to model the presence of the Common Quail. Based on our results, in the LAJTA Project, high probability of Common Quail presence can be predicted in plots with higher herbaceous cover and more abundant arthropod communities. The network of ecotone habitats, particularly the proximity to woody habitats, also appeared to have significant importance during the breeding season.

scholarly journals Mass occurrence and habitat selection of Common Redpolls (Carduelis flammea) after a large seed crop year: snow-covered ground facilitates food access

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svein Dale
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Snow Cover ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Large Seed ◽  
Mass Occurrence ◽  
Seed Crops ◽  
Ecosystem Changes ◽  
Selection Of

AbstractIn boreal forests, food supplies typically have cyclic variations, and many species here fluctuate in numbers from year to year. One group of species showing large variations in population size is birds specialized on seeds from masting trees. Here, I analyze spatial patterns of a mass occurrence and habitat selection of the Common Redpoll (Carduelis flammea) during the breeding season in southeastern Norway in 2020 after a year with large seed crops from Norway Spruce (Picea abies) and Downy Birch (Betula pubescens). I found that Common Redpoll numbers increased with elevation and towards the northwest. Numbers were also strongly and positively correlated with snow depth in early April when snow was present mainly above 400 m elevation. Sites with snow cover in early April (30% of all sites) held 96.4% of all individuals recorded. Field observations indicated that Common Redpolls foraged extensively for spruce seeds on the snow until the end of May when young were independent. I suggest that the mass occurrence was due to a unique combination of exceptionally large seed crops of two tree species coinciding in the same year. The masting produced large amounts of food both for overwintering (birch seeds) and for breeding (spruce seeds), and during the breeding season snow cover facilitated access to food resources. Dependency of Common Redpolls on snow cover suggests that climate change may negatively impact some seed-eaters in boreal regions. On the other hand, higher temperatures may induce more frequent masting which may be beneficial for seed-eaters. Thus, climate change is likely to lead to complex ecosystem changes in areas where snow cover may disappear.

scholarly journals Investigating Home Range, Movement Pattern, and Habitat Selection of Bar-headed Geese during Breeding Season at Qinghai Lake, China

Animals ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruobing Zheng ◽  
Lacy Smith ◽  
Diann Prosser ◽  
John Takekawa ◽  
Scott Newman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Movement Ecology ◽  
Movement Pattern ◽  
Qinghai Lake ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Anser Indicus ◽  
Selection Of

The Bar-headed Goose is the only true goose species or Anserinae to migrate solely within the Central Asian Flyway, and thus, it is an ideal species for observing the effects of both land use and climate change throughout the flyway. In this paper, we investigate the home range, movement pattern, and habitat selection of Bar-headed Geese (Anser indicus) during the breeding season at Qinghai Lake, which is one of their largest breeding areas and a major migration staging area in the flyway. We identified several areas used by the geese during the breeding season along the shoreline of Qinghai Lake and found that most geese had more than one core use area and daily movements that provided insight into their breeding activity. We also observed the intensive use of specific wetlands and habitats near Qinghai Lake. These data provide interesting insights into the movement ecology of this important species and also provide critical information for managers seeking to understand and respond to conservation concerns threatening Bar-headed Geese, such as landscape and habitat changes.

scholarly journals Determining population trends and conservation status of the common quail (Coturnix coturnix) in Western Europe

2012 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 343-352
Author(s):  
M. Puigcerver ◽  
◽  
F. Sardà–Palomera ◽  
J. D. Rodriguez-Teijeiro ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Population Trends ◽  
Distribution Model ◽  
Breeding Period ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Winter Cereal ◽  
Coturnix Coturnix ◽  
The Common ◽  
Common Quail

In this paper we review the conservation status and population trends of the common quail (Coturnix coturnix) from 1900 to the present. Data are sometimes contradictory with regard to the status of this species as it has some features that make it difficult to produce reliable population estimates. Recent data clearly suggest, either at a local scale or at a trans–national scale, that the Atlantic common quail populations have remained stable in the last two decades, and that restocking practices with farm–reared quails (hybrids with the Japanese quail, Coturnix japonica) do not affect our estimates. The complex movement patterns showed by this species require special attention. Analysis of ring recoveries can give important information, especially about the nomadic movement of quails in search of suitable habitats after the destruction of winter cereal crops due to harvesting. Thus, when developing a breeding distribution model for this species, continuously updated information on seasonal habitat and weather must be included for optimal prediction. Including fortnightly data of vegetation indices in distribution models, for example, has shown good results. Obtaining reliable predictions about changes in species distribution and movements during the breeding period could provide useful knowledge about the conservation status and population trends and would help in the design of future management measures.

Breeding-Season Survival, Home-Range Size, and Habitat Selection of Female Bachman's Sparrows

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Y. Choi ◽  
Alexander C. Fish ◽  
Christopher E. Moorman ◽  
Christopher S. DePerno ◽  
Jessica M. Schillaci
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Selection Of

Conservation of a rare arboreal mammal: habitat preferences of the Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus lumholtzi

2011 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigrid R. Heise-Pavlov ◽  
Sara L. Jackrel ◽  
Spenser Meeks
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Function Analysis ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Main Trunk ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Dendrolagus Lumholtzi ◽  
Selection Of

Success of conservation efforts of large and cryptic mammals is often limited due to a lack of knowledge of their habitat preferences. This study investigates factors that affect the habitat selection of the rare Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo, Dendrolagus lumholtzi, using signs of its activity. The presence and absence of scratch marks on tree trunks and faecal pellets within a 100-cm radius around them were surveyed on 23 ha within a 65-ha large fragment of rainforest on the Atherton Tablelands, north-eastern Australia in order to classify trees as ‘actively used’ or ‘inactive’. Structural features of the 315 surveyed tree trunks were also recorded. Using discriminant function analysis, ‘actively used’ trees were found to have no epiphytes on the main trunk, less obstruction by neighbouring trees, shrubs or lianas within a 0.5-m radius of the trunk (particularly in the eastern direction), and a smaller diameter at breast height than ‘inactive’ trees. Smaller tree trunks and less obstruction may facilitate a more rapid movement into the canopy as well as provide potential escape routes from predators. More specific knowledge on factors that affect habitat selection of the Lumholtz’ tree-kangaroo will help in a reclassification of the threatened status of this species and assist in more effective conservation efforts.

scholarly journals Exploring male and female preferences, male body condition, and pair bonds in the evolution of male sexual aggregation: the case of the Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix)

2011 ◽  
Vol 89 (4) ◽  
pp. 325-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Sardà-Palomera ◽  
M. Puigcerver ◽  
D. Vinyoles ◽  
J.D. Rodríguez-Teijeiro
Keyword(s):  
Mating System ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Intermediate Step ◽  
Male Body ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Coturnix Coturnix ◽  
Female Preferences ◽  
Pair Bonds ◽  
The Common ◽  
Common Quail

One of the unresolved problems of male sexual aggregations is that a small number of males monopolize most matings. The Common Quail ( Coturnix coturnix (L., 1758)), is a bird species that has a short life span and a reproductive strategy that involves male aggregations, which females visit for the purpose of mating. Once a mate has been chosen, birds leave the aggregation and form pair-bonds until incubation begins. This remarkable mating system might represent an intermediate step between lekking and pair-bond mating systems in which males provide some parental care. We designed a field experiment with funnel traps simulating male groups and single females to observe male and female preferences, and to examine the possible evolutionary process that drives males to aggregate. Radio-tagged individuals were also monitored to study pair-bonding behaviour in the field. Our results suggest that body condition is an important factor in male group formation, and that males with better body condition tend to aggregate, while males in poorer condition wait for extra-pair copulation opportunities. Moreover, this mating system creates a situation in which a queuing strategy might occur.

Breeding Season Movements and Habitat Selection of Male Sage Grouse

1974 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Wallestad ◽  
Philip Schladweiler
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Sage Grouse ◽  
Selection Of

scholarly journals Home Range Attributes and Habitat Selection of Barred Owls and Spotted Owls in an Area of Sympatry

The Condor ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 109 (4) ◽  
pp. 750-768 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas E. Hamer ◽  
Eric D. Forsman ◽  
Elizabeth M. Glenn
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Negative Slope ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Strix Varia ◽  
Spotted Owls ◽  
Barred Owls ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract We compared home range areas and habitat selection of radio-marked Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis) and Barred Owls (Strix varia) in an area of sympatry in the northern Cascade Range of Washington in 1986–1989. On average, home ranges of Spotted Owls were 3–4 times larger than ranges of Barred Owls, and there was little overlap of home ranges during the breeding season. Ranges of both species tended to expand during winter. Home range size of both species was negatively correlated with the amount of old forest, but the negative slope of the regression was much steeper for Spotted Owls than for Barred Owls. For both species, home ranges of individual owls typically had high overlap among seasons and years, indicating high site fidelity. Barred Owls generally occupied home ranges at lower elevations than Spotted Owls (mean  =  386 ± 27 m vs. 750 ± 68 m). Both species tended to use old forests more than expected, but Spotted Owls tended to use other cover types less than expected, whereas Barred Owls used most other cover types in proportion to their availability. We suggest that Spotted Owls may use larger ranges than Barred Owls because they prey selectively on a few species of nocturnal mammals, whereas Barred Owls forage more evenly across a broad range of prey types, including diurnal and aquatic species. The low overlap of Barred Owl and Spotted Owl home ranges suggests that territorial Barred Owls exclude Spotted Owls from their territories, at least during the breeding season, thus reducing the amount of habitat available to Spotted Owls.

scholarly journals Spatial ecology and habitat selection of Little Owl Athene noctua during the breeding season in Central European farmland

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 328-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARTIN ŠÁLEK ◽  
MATĚJ LÖVY
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Active Management ◽  
Vegetation Height ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Athene Noctua ◽  
Little Owl ◽  
Selection Of

SummaryInformation on habitat requirements and spatial ecology is vital in conservation strategies and management of particular species. Little Owl Athene noctua is a highly threatened owl species whose populations have significantly decreased or are locally extinct in many European countries. In this study we report on spatial ecology and habitat selection of Little Owls during their breeding season in an agricultural landscape and discuss key management actions for its conservation. The mean home range size of radio-tracked Little Owls, determined by the kernel method, was 0.94 ha (SD = 0.95, 0.24–2.72 ha) and 4.30 ha (SD = 3.75, 0.88–11.70 ha) for 50% and 95% home range, respectively. The smallest home ranges were recorded in April–June (incubation and nesting period) with a significant increase in July–August (fledging season). The most important foraging habitat during the entire breeding season was grassland (especially pastures) reaching 90% for all locations. Vegetation height and cover were the main factors determining habitat selection: Little Owls significantly preferred sparse and short sward vegetation patches that enabled hunting of ground-dwelling prey. Conservation efforts for Little Owls should focus on the active management of prey-rich grassland habitats in the vicinity of breeding sites.

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