Age-related feeding site selection in urban pigeons (&lt;i&gt;Columba livia&lt;/i&gt;): experimental evidence of the competition hypothesis

Sol, Daniel; Santos, David M.; Cuadrado, Mariano

doi:10.1139/cjz-78-1-144

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Indeed, as reported in several papers (Sol et al 1998(Sol et al , 2000, competition for food is intense in feral pigeons, especially when pigeons foraged on food provided by the public. This determines a substantial asymmetry in the distribution of birds over feeding sites, with more effective competitors (usually adult birds) consistently found more often than expected in the most rewarding feeding site, and less effective competitors (usually juveniles) more often found in suboptimal and less preferred sites (Sol et al 2000). It could thus be predicted that when more attractive food resources are available, treated maize would be mainly consumed by poorer competitors, which probably do not belong to the breeding segment of the population; this would substantially reduce the potential effect of the pest-control operation.…”

Section: Experimental Trialsmentioning

confidence: 95%

On the use of pharmacological sterilisation to control feral pigeon populations

et al. 2007

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The use of chemosterilisation for controlling feral pigeon populations was investigated by: (1) quantifying the reproductive activity of pigeons in two Italian cities; (2) testing the efficacy of nicarbazin, an anticoccidial drug with rapid and reversible effects on the reproduction of laying hens, on groups of paired pigeons maintained in open aviaries; and (3) simulating the effects of the use of nicarbazin on a hypothetical population, allowing for the reproductive productivity recorded in (1) and the efficacy of this drug as obtained in (2). Breeding attempts were recorded all year round in both study sites with a minimum peak in September-October, a maximum in March-July, but with active nests in winter too. In terms of the sterility activity of the drug, the results showed only a partial inhibition of reproduction of pigeons fed ∼38-82 mg nicarbazin day −1 (kg bodyweight) −1 (500 and 800 ppm in feed), which, according to the simulations, would produce only a fleeting reduction of their abundance in the field. Data do not seem to support the use of this drug as an effective control method for feral pigeons, and they cast doubts on the opportunity to make use of chemosterilants, which produce only partial and reversible effects. The use of this drug could perhaps be considered only as part of an integrated pest-management program, which necessarily has to include the reduction of carrying capacity of the urban environment.

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Section: Experimental Trialsmentioning

confidence: 95%

On the use of pharmacological sterilisation to control feral pigeon populations

et al. 2007

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Temporal and intrapopulation variation in prey choice of wintering geese determined by stable isotope analysis

Inger

Ruxton

Newton

et al. 2006

Journal of Animal Ecology

100

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Summary1. Individual variability in prey preferences can have marked effects on many demographic parameters from individual survival and fecundity to the vital rates of entire populations. A population level response is ultimately determined by individual prey choices; however, the effect of individual dietary choice is often overlooked. 2. We determined prey choice by individual consumers, light-bellied Brent geese Branta bernicla , during the overwintering period. Two hundred and eighty-one individuals were sampled at distinct temporal points over two winters. Stable isotopic ratios of carbon and nitrogen for blood cells and blood plasma, from each sampled individual were measured. Isotopic ratios for potential prey items were also measured. 3. δ 15 N and δ 13C for blood samples were both significantly different between sample months. Generally we found a decrease in both isotopic ratios during the course of the winter. All potential prey items were also isotopically distinct. Multisource mixing models (  ) were used to determine the range of possible contribution to the diet of individuals. 4. During early winter, diet consisted almost exclusively of sea grass Zostera spp. The level of Zostera spp. in the diet dropped until mid-winter, and was supplemented by the utilization of green algae Ulva lactuca , and Enteromorpha spp., and terrestrial grasses. Terrestrial grass comprised an increasing proportion of the diet in late winter, representing virtually the exclusive food source by April. 5. By examining intrapopulation variability in resource utilization we highlight a number of ecologically important factors not addressed by previous population level studies.

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