Search strategies of wheatears (Oenanthe oenanthe) and stonechats (Saxicola torquata): adaptive variation in perch height, search time, sally distance and inter-perch move length

Abstract:

(1) The foraging behaviour of six pairs of wheatears Oenanthe oenanthe and three pairs of stonechats Saxicola torquata was studied in a dry thornscrub area of N. Spain during the breeding season. (2) Wheatears were more diverse in their foraging mode using two main techniques, perch-to-ground sallying and running ground-gleaning. Stonechats were sallying specialists. Wheatears on average used lower perches than stonechats. (3) The distributions of successful and unsuccessful search times for both species resemble log-normal distributions. Departures from both types of perches occurred independently of the time already spent on the perch. Stonechats, on average, stayed longer on perches, and had lower departure rates from them than wheatears. (4) There appears to be no direct relationship between capture probabilities and departures from perches. Capture probabilities were lower for stonechats …

Año de publicación:

1984

Keywords:

Fuente:

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