Effects of male removal on female foraging behavior in the Eurasian treecreeper |
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Authors: | Teija Aho Markku Kuitunen Jukka Suhonen Tomi Hakkari Ari Jäntti |
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Institution: | Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyv?skyl? and Konnevesi Research Station, P.O. Box 35, FIN-40351 Jyv?skyl?, Finland, FI
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Abstract: | In old, spruce-dominated forests of central Finland, Eurasian treecreepers Certhia familiaris divide their territories spatially during the breeding season. Females forage primarily on the upper parts of the tree trunks,
while males use the lower parts of the tree trunks. In this study we removed males from eight territories in the early nestling
period to see if the mate's absence would change the foraging patterns of the resident female. Widowed females foraged at
lower heights, thus behaving more like paired males. These females also spent less time on each tree and on each foraging
bout than did paired females. We conclude that male removal facilitated the change in a female's foraging niche and foraging
time at the trees. Females may re-optimize their foraging site selection owing to the absence of dominant males and a consequent
need to increase their parental care. Behavioral plasticity may be the mechanism of niche partitioning between the sexes in
this species.
Received: 28 June 1996 / Accepted after revision: 27 March 1997 |
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Keywords: | Foraging behavior Male removal Resource partitioning Niche shift Certhia familiaris |
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