Habitat Selection and Associations of Species in European Passerine Birds during Southward, Post-Breeding Migrations

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
From 1972-1978 more than 46,000 birds of 36 sp. were investigated during their autumn passage (late June to early Nov.) at the west end of Lake Constance, Germany. Each species investigated was characterized by a species-specific distribution of habitats in which it was caught at the field station site. These patterns of trapping were highly consistent from year to year and represent species-specific habitat preferences. Cluster analysis resulted in groupings of species which associated with each habitat. Groups comprised of species of diverse genera fell into groups associated with distinct habitats. Some species, particularly late migrating, insectivorous species, show within-season shifts of habitat preference that can be related to changes in food supply. Comparisons of the habitat distributions of juveniles and adults suggest that the species-specific selection of habitat is largely innate, because little modification occurs in association with age-related learning.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: