Bird movement patterns in an agricultural landscape are mediated by both habitat conditions and traits

Abstract

Alterations of the landscape following agricultural expansion and intensification affect animal movement patterns in the resulting mosaic of fragments and surrounding matrix. Here, we analyze the observed movement patterns of 34 individuals from nine tropical bird species from a rapidly changing agricultural landscape in Kenya. We deconstructed the movement patterns into their three components: step length, turn angles, and displacement and categorized them into two states: area restrictive and expansive movement. Using hidden Markov models, mixed models, and species traits, we showed that movement of birds in the fragments comprised of short step lengths and small displacements, characteristic of area restrictive movement to exploit high‐quality habitats. On the contrary, movement in the matrix comprised of long step lengths and large displacements, characteristic of area expansive movement to explore or pass‐through poorer habitats. The responses of movement components to fragments and the surrounding matrix were mediated by species traits. Habitat specialists showed stronger boundary response, shorter step lengths, and smaller displacements than habitat generalists in both the fragments and the matrix. Their strong preferences for the fragments, coupled with low flight capabilities can make movement in the matrix particularly difficult. Whereas, at the landscape scale, habitat generalist omnivores and habitat specialist frugivores had larger step lengths than the other guilds, as they use the matrix for resources or as a conduit to movement. Therefore, the habitat fragments are intensely utilized and of conservation importance. The matrix quality and permeability can promote animal space use and movement.