Influence of prey availability on habitat selection during the non-breeding period in a resident bird of prey.

ABSTRACT:

Background

For resident birds of prey in the temperate zone, the cold non-breeding period can have strong impacts on survival and reproduction with implications for population dynamics. Therefore, the non-breeding period should receive the same attention as other parts of the annual life cycle. Birds of prey in intensively managed agricultural areas are repeatedly confronted with unpredictable, rapid changes in their habitat due to agricultural practices such as mowing, harvesting, and ploughing. Such a dynamic landscape likely affects prey distribution and availability and may even result in changes in habitat selection of the predator throughout the annual cycle.

Methods

In the present study, we (1) quantified barn owl prey availability in different habitats across the ann

SUBMITTER: Buhler R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9990330 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature