Author(s): Golawski, A. & Golawska, S.
Title: Habitat preference in territories of the Red-backed shrike Lanius collurio and their food richness in an extensive agriculture landscape
Year: 2008
Volume: 54
Pages: 89-97.
Abstract: Food richness of habitats influences their occupancy and influences both the numbers and breeding performance of birds. In 1999–2003, the percentage of habitat types in territories of the Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio and their food richness were studied. Numbers and biomass of invertebrates were determined in four open habitats in the farmland of eastern Poland. Red-backed Shrikes preferred territories in meadows, pastures and fallows, and avoided arable land. The greatest number and biomass of animals 4–10 mm in length was found in meadows, the lowest in fallows and differences between these habitats were statistically significant. The highest number and biomass of animals longer than 10 mm was found in meadows, while it was the lowest in arable land. Statistically significant differences were found between meadows and pastures, meadows and arable land, pastures and arable land, and between arable land and fallows. The number and biomass of Coleoptera, Hymenoptera and Orthoptera in each habitat had the greatest influence on these differences. Habitat preference within the territories of Red-backed Shrikes thus corresponds with differences in the number and biomass of invertebrates occurring in these habitats.
Keywords: Red-backed Shrike, Lanius collurio, farmland, habitat use
Journal: Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae
Journal abbreviation:
ISSN: 1217-8837
Publisher: Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest
Editor(s): Bakonyi, G., Wei, C.-H., Mahunka, S., Horváth, Cs., Papp, L., Nakayama, A., Báldi, A., Yen, S.-H., Csuzdi, Cs., Nieukerken, E. J. van, Forró, L., Wojtusiak, J., Mey, W. & Masumoto, K.
