Reedbed structure and habitat preference of reed passerines during the post-breeding period

Abstract

Post-breeding habitats of nine passerine species were studied in the permanently flooded reed beds of ponds near the village Pusté Úľany (SW Slovakia) in 2002. Structural features of reed beds and the abundance of all birds studied were sampled at two sites and eight study plots. The reed bed structure and abundance of four passerines differed considerably between the individual study plots. The variations in vegetation structure were also caused by winter reed burning in the SE part of study area. Stems in burnt reed beds were smaller and thinner than unburnt. Abundance of the reed warbler and to a lesser extent sedge warbler was higher in tall reed beds, while the bearded tit preferred thick reed stems. Position of reed beds along the shore -open water gradient was an important factor in terms of abundance at the study plots in the case of the reed bunting. This species showed a strong preference for the reed bed edge with open water. Horizontal distribution of other species seems to be random, however, the birds with the exception of Savi's warbler preferred the upper stratum of reed bed in vertical distribution. Our field data corroborate with those found in experimental studies concerning with ecomorphological characteristics of birds. Some inconsistencies, however, could also be caused by other factors (e.g. foraging preferences). Comparison of breeding and post-breeding habitat requirements of the studied bird species confirmed a more or less random distribution of the majority of species in the post-breeding period. Some variation was found in the cases of only the reed warbler and bearded tit.

Avian communities’ preferences in recently created agricultural wetlands in irrigated landscapes of semi-arid areas

“…Several studies have reported on the effects that this patchiness can have on bird communities in forest, riparian buffer, open water wetland and grassland patches (Gibbs 1993;Diaz et al 1998;Naugle et al 1999;Horn et al 2005;Davis et al 2006;Huste et al 2006;Scheffer et al 2006), but few have studied patchy reedbeds (Foppen et al 2000;Surmacki 2005;Paracuellos 2006). A few studies of large reedbeds ([10 ha) have addressed the question of how environmental variables affect the structure and composition of bird communities in Central Europe (Graveland 1998;Baldi and Kisbenedek 2000;Surmacki 2005;Baldi 2006;Trnka and Prokop 2006), and the Mediterranean region (Martinez-Vilalta et al 2002;. They have suggested that large size, short human intervention, diverse and natural vegetation structure, and scarcely altered hydrological system favor richness and abundance of birds.…”

The Seasonal Dynamics of Artificial Nest Predation Rates along Edges in a Mosaic Managed Reedbed

“…This is probably due to the difficulties in locating nests within the most impenetrable, compacted areas of reed. Generally studies have shown an increase in survival of both real and artificial nests in the most dense areas of reed [ 12 , 22 , 81 – 84 ]. However, few have combined this with a rating for reed stagger, which could have implications for aerial predators as these flattened areas obscure nests from above.…”

“…It may also benefit breeding birds by increasing heterogeneity in the reedbed, providing birds with old reed in which to nest, and more open foraging sites [ 32 ]. However, there are potential negatives [ 35 ], with some literature suggesting a reduced arthropod and bird abundance after cutting [ 22 , 33 , 36 ]. Recently, reedbed cutting practices have been undertaken in a mosaic pattern, with only small unconnected patches of the reedbed being cut.…”

Intermittent Food Absence Motivates Reallocation of Locomotion and Feeding in Spotted Munia (Lonchura punctulata)

“…Among all behaviors, the pattern of daily feeding and locomotion is mostly affected by these environmental factors [ 8 9 ]. Generally, feeding and locomotion show high activity in the morning and evening, presenting a bimodal pattern [ 10 11 12 13 ].…”