Territoriality and variation in home range size through the entire annual range of migratory great spotted cuckoos (Clamator glandarius).

ABSTRACT: Variation in home range size throughout the year and its causes are not well understood yet. Migratory brood parasites offer a unique opportunity to incorporate this spatio-temporal dimension into the study of the factors regulating home range dynamics. Using satellite transmitters, we tracked sixteen migratory great spotted cuckoos (Clamator glandarius) of both sexes for up to three years. We constructed home ranges in all major staging areas, from the Spanish breeding areas to the African wintering grounds, analyzed their temporal and geographical variation and investigated their main potential determinants (e.g. food and host availability). We found that home ranges were significantly larger in the breeding area compared to non-breeding areas. Using NDVI as a proxy for food availability

SUBMITTER: Ruhmann J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6470221 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature