AI Chat Paper
Note: Please note that the following content is generated by AMiner AI. SciOpen does not take any responsibility related to this content.
{{lang === 'zh_CN' ? '文章概述' : 'Summary'}}
{{lang === 'en_US' ? '中' : 'Eng'}}
Chat more with AI
Powered by AMiner. Clicking this button will take you away from SciOpen.
Home Avian Research Article
PDF (1.4 MB)
Cite
EndNote(RIS) BibTeX
Collect
Submit Manuscript AI Chat Paper
Show Outline
Outline
Show full outline
Hide outline
Outline
Show full outline
Hide outline
Research | Open Access

Habitat use and space preferences of Eurasian Bullfinches (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) in northwestern Iberia throughout the year

Departamento de Ciencias Agroforestales, Área de Zoología, Universidad de Valladolid, Campus de Palencia, Palencia, España
Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Gestión Forestal Sostenible, Universidad de Valladolid, Campus de Palencia, Palencia, España
Show Author Information

Abstract

Background

For all vertebrates in general, a concerted effort to move beyond single season research is vital to improve our understanding of species ecology. Knowledge of habitat use and selection by Eurasian Bullfinches (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) is limited with regard to the non-breeding season. To date, research on the habitat of the Iberian subspecies iberiae consists of very general descriptions. In relation to space use, only broad features are available for the entire distribution range of Eurasian Bullfinches, including Iberia.

Methods

In this study, seasonal preferences regarding habitat and space in a population of Eurasian Bullfinches are examined for the first time in the Iberian Peninsula, through direct observation during a six-year period. The essential habitat components, substrate selection and perch height were assessed.

Results

Hedgerows were the key essential habitat component for bullfinches during all seasons. Nevertheless, small poplar plantations became increasingly important from winter to summer-autumn. Bullfinches perched mostly in shrubs/trees throughout the year, but there were significant seasonal changes in substrate use, ground and herbs being of considerable importance during spring-summer. Throughout the year, over half of the records corresponded to feeding, reaching almost 90% in winter. Generally, bullfinches perched noticeably lower while feeding. Male bullfinches perched markedly higher than females, notably singing males in spring-summer. Juveniles perched at a height not much lower than that of males. In all seasons, males tended to feed at greater heights than females. Bullfinches of different ages and sexes were seen bathing in all seasons except winter.

Conclusions

Hedgerow habitat in general appeared to be valuable for bullfinches throughout the year. In summer and autumn, they selected sites with an abundance of food and shade, as well as shelter, a much-needed requirement for fledglings and moulting individuals. There was usually a close link between the most used and most consumed plant species in each season. Males appeared to assume a more important role in vigilance, and often they accompanied dependent young in June and July. Bullfinch conservation strategies should consider seasonal demand for habitat and space.

Keywords

Habitat usePerch heightPyrrhula pyrrhula iberiaeSeasonal variationSubstrate selectionWater bathing

References

 

Alatalo RV. Habitat selection of forest birds in the seasonal environment of Finland. Ann Zool Fenn. 1981;18: 103-14.
Google Scholar
 

Bas JM, Pons P, Gómez C. Daily activity of Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala in the breeding season. Ardeola. 2007;54: 335-8.
Google Scholar
 
Belamendia G. Camachuelo común, Pyrrhula pyrrhula. In: Martí R, del Moral JC, editors. Atlas de las aves reproductoras de España. Madrid: Dirección General de Conservación de la Naturaleza-Sociedad Española de Ornitologia; 2003. p. 592-3.
 
Belamendia G. Camachuelo común, Pyrrhula pyrrhula. In: del Moral JC, Molina B, Bermejo A, Palomino D, editors. Atlas de las aves en invierno en España 2007-2010. Madrid: Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente-SEO/BirdLife; 2012. p. 534-5.
 

Blumenrath SH, Dabelsteen T. Degradation of great tit (Parus major) song before and after foliation: implications for vocal communication in a deciduous forest. Behaviour. 2004;141: 935-58.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Borras A, Senar JC, Alba-Sánchez F, López-Sáez JA, Cabrera J, Colomé X, et al. Citril finches during the winter: patterns of distribution, the role of pines and implications for the conservation of the species. Anim Biodivers Conserv. 2010;33: 89-115.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Brilot BO, Bateson M. Water bathing alters threat perception in starlings. Biol Lett. 2012;8: 379-81.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Brilot BO, Asher L, Bateson M. Water bathing alters the speed-accuracy trade-off of scape flights in European starlings. Anim Behav. 2009;78: 801-7.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Campos DP, Bander LA, Raksi A, Blumstein DT. Perch exposure and predation risk: a comparative study in passerines. Acta Ethol. 2009;12: 93-8.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Cleary GP, Parsons H, Davis A, Coleman BR, Jones DN, Miller KK, et al. Avian assemblages at bird baths: a comparison of urban and rural bird baths in Australia. PLoS ONE. 2016;11(3): e0150899.
Crossref Google Scholar
 
Clement P. Eurasian Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula. In: Del Hoyo J, Elliott A, Christie DA, editors. Handbook of the birds of the world, vol 15: weavers to New World warblers. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions; 2010. p. 609-10.
 
Clement P, Harris A, Davis J. Finches and sparrows. London: Helm; 1993.
 
Cody ML. An introduction to habitat selection in birds. In: Cody ML, editor. Habitat selection in birds. Orlando: Academic Press; 1985. p. 3-56.
 

Collins SL. A comparison of nest-site and perch-site vegetation structure for seven species of warblers. Wilson Bull. 1981;93: 542-7.
Google Scholar
 

Cornulier T, Robinson RA, Elston D, Lambin X, Sutherland WJ, Benton TG. Bayesian reconstitution of environmental change from disparate historical records: hedgerow loss and farmland bird declines. Methods Ecol Evol. 2011;2: 86-94.
Crossref Google Scholar
 
Cramp S, Perrins CM. The birds of the western Palearctic, vol 8: crows to finches. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 1994.
 

De Groot M, Kmecl P, Figelj A, Figelj J, Mihelič T, Rubinić B. Multi-scale habitat association of the ortolan bunting Emberiza hortulana in a sub-Mediterranean area in Slovenia. Ardeola. 2010;57: 55-68.
Google Scholar
 
Díaz L. Camachuelo común Pyrrhula pyrrhula. In: Salvador A, Morales MB, editors. Enciclopedia virtual de los vertebrados españoles. Madrid: Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales. 2016. http://www.vertebradosibericos.org/aves/pyrpyr.html. Accessed 07 May 2020.
 

Dostine PL, Johnson GC, Franklin DC, Zhang Y, Hempel C. Seasonal use of savanna landscapes by the Gouldian finch, Erythrura gouldiae, in the Yinberrie Hills area, Northern Territory. Wildl Res. 2001;28: 445-58.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Farina A. Landscape structure and breeding bird distribution in a sub-Mediterranean agro-ecosystem. Landscape Ecol. 1997;12: 365-78.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Fourcade Y, Besnard AG, Beslot E, Hennique S, Mourgaud G, Berdin G, et al. Habitat selection in a dynamic seasonal environment: vegetation composition drives the choice of the breeding habitat for the community of passerines in floodplain grasslands. Biol Conserv. 2018;228: 301-9.
Crossref Google Scholar
 
Fowler J, Cohen L, Jarvis P. Practical statistics for field biology. 2nd ed. Chichester: Wiley; 1998.
 

García-del-Rey E, Cresswell W. Density estimates, microhabitat selection and foraging behaviour of the endemic Blue Chaffinch Fringilla teydea teydea on Tenerife (Canary Islands). Ardeola. 2005;52: 305-17.
Google Scholar
 

Ghasemi A, Zahediasl S. Normality tests for statistical analysis: a guide for non-statisticians. Int J Endocrinol Metab. 2012;10: 486-9.
Crossref Google Scholar
 
Glutz von Blotzheim UN, Bauer KM. Handbuch der Vögel Mitteleuropas. Band 14. Passeriformes (5. Teil). II: Fringillidae. Wiesbaden: Aula-Verlag; 1997.
 

Goldstein DL. Estimates of daily energy expenditure in birds: the time-energy budget as an integrator of laboratory and field studies. Am Zool. 1988;28: 829-44.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Götmark F, Post P. Prey selection by sparrowhawks, Accipiter nisus: relative predation risk for breeding passerine birds in relation to their size, ecology and behaviour. Phil Trans R Soc Lond B. 1996;351: 1559-77.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Gregory RD, Baillie SR. Large-scale habitat use of some declining British birds. J Appl Ecol. 1998;35: 785-99.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Gregory RD, Noble DG, Custance J. The state of play of farmland birds: population trends and conservation status of lowland farmland birds in the United Kingdom. Ibis. 2004;146(Suppl 2): 1-13.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Greig-Smith PW. Use of perches as vantage points during foraging by male and female stonechats Saxicola torquata. Behaviour. 1983;86: 215-36.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Greig-Smith PW, Wilson GM. Patterns of activity and habitat use by a population of bullfinches (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) in relation to bud-feeding in orchards. J Appl Ecol. 1984;21: 401-22.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Guitián J, Munilla I. Resource tracking by avian frugivores in mountain habitats of northern Spain. Oikos. 2008;117: 265-72.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Hancock MH, Wilson JD. Winter habitat associations of seed-eating passerines on Scottish farmland. Bird Study. 2003;50: 116-30.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Hernández Á. Selección de hábitat en tres especies simpátricas de alcaudones Lanius spp. : segregación interespecífica. Ecología. 1994;8: 395-413.
Google Scholar
 

Hernández Á. Summer-autumn feeding ecology of Pied Flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca and Spotted Flycatchers Muscicapa striata: the importance of frugivory in a stopover area in north-west Iberia. Bird Conserv Int. 2009;19: 224-38.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Hernández Á. Seasonal habitat use in Eurasian red squirrels residing in Iberian hedgerows. Hystrix. 2014;25: 95-100.
Google Scholar
 

Hernández Á. Diet of Eurasian Sparrowhawks in a Northwest Iberian hedgerow habitat throughout the year. Ornithol Sci. 2018;17: 95-101.
Crossref Google Scholar
 
Hernández Á. Breeding ecology of Eurasian bullfinches Pyrrhula pyrrhula in an Iberian hedgerow habitat. J Nat Hist. 2021;. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2020.1860263.
Crossref
 

Hernández Á, Alegre J. Estructura de la comunidad de Passeriformes en setos de la provincia de León (noroeste de España). Doñana Acta Vertebr. 1991;18: 237-50.
Google Scholar
 

Hernández Á, Zaldívar P. Epizoochory in a hedgerow habitat: seasonal variation and selective diaspore adhesion. Ecol Res. 2013;28: 283-95.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Hernández Á, Zaldívar P. Ecology of stoats Mustela erminea in a valley of the Cantabrian Mountains, northwestern Spain. Vertebr Zool. 2016;66: 225-38.
Google Scholar
 
Herrera CM. Habitat-consumer interactions in frugivorous birds. In: Cody ML, editor. Habitat selection in birds. Orlando: Academic Press; 1985. p. 341-65.
 

Hinsley SA, Bellamy PE. The influence of hedge structure, management and landscape context on the value of hedgerows to birds: a review. J Environ Manage. 2000;60: 33-49.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Hogstad O. Rank-related response in foraging site selection and vigilance behaviour of a small passerine to different winter weather conditions. Ornis Fenn. 2015;92: 53-62.
Google Scholar
 

Huang Q, Swatantran A, Dubayah R, Goetz SJ. The influence of vegetation height heterogeneity on forest and woodland bird species richness across the United States. PLoS ONE. 2014;9(8): e103236.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Jacobs J. Quantitative measurement of food selection. A modification of forage ratio and Ivlev's electivity index. Oecologia. 1974;14: 413-7.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Jenkins JMA, Thompson FR Ⅲ, Faaborg J. Species-specific variation in nesting and postfledging resource selection for two forest breeding migrant songbirds. PLoS ONE. 2017;12(6): e0179524.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Jones J. Habitat selection studies in avian ecology: a critical review. Auk. 2001;118: 557-62.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Krams I. Perch selection by singing chaffinches: a better view of surroundings and the risk of predation. Behav Ecol. 2001;12: 295-300.
Crossref Google Scholar
 
Lowry R. VassarStats: website for statistical computation. 1998-2020. http://vassarstats.net. Accessed 12 September 2020.
 

MacLeod CJ, Parish DMB, Hubbard SF. Habitat associations and breeding success of the Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs. Bird Study. 2004;51: 239-47.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Marone L, López de Casenave J, Cueto VR. Patterns of habitat selection by wintering and breeding granivorous birds in the central Monte desert, Argentina. Rev Chil Hist Nat. 1997;70: 73-81.
Google Scholar
 

Marquiss M. Seasonal pattern in hawk predation on common bullfinches Pyrrhula pyrrhula: evidence of an interaction with habitat affecting food availability. Bird Study. 2007;54: 1-11.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Marra PP, Cohen EB, Loss SR, Rutter JE, Tonra CM. A call for full annual cycle research in animal ecology. Biol Lett. 2015;11: 20150552.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Martínez D, García D. Disentangling habitat use by frugivorous birds: constant interactive effects of forest cover and fruit availability. Basic Appl Ecol. 2015;16: 460-8.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Møller AP, Nielsen JT, Garamszegi LZ. Song post exposure, song features, and predation risk. Behav Ecol. 2006;17: 155-63.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Møller AP, Nielsen JT, Garamszegi LZ. Risk taking by singing males. Behav Ecol. 2008;19: 41-53.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Munilla I, Guitián J. Numerical response of Bullfinches Pyrrhula pyrrhula to winter seed abundance. Ornis Fenn. 2012;89: 197-205.
Google Scholar
 

Newton I. The moult of the Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula. Ibis. 1966;108: 41-87.
Google Scholar
 
Newton I. Finches. Limpback ed. London: Collins; 1985.
 
Newton I. Population limitation in birds. San Diego: Academic Press; 1998.
 

Newton I. The recent declines of farmland bird populations in Britain: an appraisal of causal factors and conservation actions. Ibis. 2004;146: 579-600.
Crossref Google Scholar
 
Noval A. Movimientos estacionales y distribución del camachuelo común, Pyrrhula pyrrhula iberiae, en el norte de España. Ardeola. 1971;special issue: 491-507.
 

Olsson O, Wiktander U, Nilsson SG. Daily foraging routines and feeding effort of a small bird feeding on a predictable resource. Proc R Soc Lond B. 2000;267: 1457-61.
Crossref Google Scholar
 
Phillimore AB, Owens IPF. Are subspecies useful in evolutionary and conservation biology? Proc R Soc B. 2006;273: 1049-53.https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2005.3425
Crossref
 

Pyle P, Saracco JF, DeSante DF. Evidence of widespread movements from breeding to molting grounds by North American landbirds. Auk. 2018;135: 506-20.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Rechetelo J, Grice A, Reside AE, Hardesty BD, Moloney J. Movement patterns, home range size and habitat selection of an endangered resource tracking species, the black-throated finch (Poephila cincta cincta). PLoS ONE. 2016;11: e0167254.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Rice J, Anderson BW, Ohmart RD. Seasonal habitat selection by birds in the lower Colorado River Valley. Ecology. 1980;61: 1402-11.
Crossref Google Scholar
 
Ríos-Saldaña CA, Delibes-Mateos M, Ferreira CC. Are fieldwork studies being relegated to second place in conservation science? Glob Ecol Conserv. 2018;14: e00389.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2018.e00389
Crossref
 

Rivas-Martínez S. Mapa de series, geoseries y geopermaseries de vegetación de España. Itinera Geobot. 2007;17: 1-436.
Google Scholar
 

Robinson RA, Sutherland WJ. The winter distribution of seed-eating birds: habitat structure, seed density and seasonal depletion. Ecography. 1999;22: 447-54.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Siriwardena GM, Crick HQP, Baillie SR, Wilson JD. Agricultural habitat-type and the breeding performance of granivorous farmland birds in Britain. Bird Study. 2000;47: 66-81.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Siriwardena GM, Crick HQP, Baillie SR, Wilson JD. Agricultural land-use and the spatial distribution of granivorous lowland farmland birds. Ecography. 2000;23: 702-19.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Slessers M. Bathing behavior of land birds. Auk. 1970;87: 91-9.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Stainton JM. Timing of bathing, dusting and sunning. Br Birds. 1982;75: 65-86.
Google Scholar
 

Stoate C, Szczur J, Aebischer NJ. Winter use of wild bird cover crops by passerines on farmland in northeast England. Bird Study. 2003;50: 15-21.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Streby HM, Refsnider JM, Peterson SM, Andersen DE. Retirement investment theory explains patterns in songbird nest-site choice. Proc R Soc B. 2014;281: 20131834.
Crossref Google Scholar
 
Sutherland WJ. Diet and foraging behavior. In: Sutherland WJ, Newton I, Green R, editors. Bird ecology and conservation. A handbook of techniques. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2004. p. 233-50.https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198520863.003.0010
Crossref
 

Tellería JL. Gestión forestal y conservación de las aves en España peninsular. Ardeola. 1992;39: 99-114.
Google Scholar
 
Tellería JL, Pérez-Tris J. Habitat effects on resource tracking ability: do wintering Blackcaps Sylvia atricapilla track fruit availability? Ibis. 2007;149: 18-25.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919X.2006.00590.x
Crossref
 
Tellería JL, Asensio B, Díaz M. Aves ibéricas. II. Passeriformes. Madrid: JM Reyero Ediciones; 1999.
 

Tellería JL, Ramírez A, Galarza A, Carbonell R, Pérez-Tris J, Santos T. Geographical, landscape and habitat effects on birds in northern Spanish farmlands: implications for conservation. Ardeola. 2008;55: 203-19.
Google Scholar
 
Temple SA. Individuals, populations, and communities: the ecology of birds. In: Podulka S, Rohrbaugh Jr. RW, Bonney R, editors. Handbook of bird biology. Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology-Princeton University Press; 2004. p. 9.1-9.134.
 

Verbeek NAM. Comparative bathing behavior in some Australian birds. J Field Ornithol. 1991;62: 386-9.
Google Scholar
 

Vitz AC, Rodewald AD. Influence of condition and habitat use on survival of post-fledging songbirds. Condor. 2011;113: 400-11.
Crossref Google Scholar
 

Weathers WW, Sullivan KA. Seasonal patterns of time and energy allocation by birds. Physiol Zool. 1993;66: 511-36.
Crossref Google Scholar
 
Wiens JA. The ecology of bird communities, vol. 1. Foundations and patterns. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 1989.
 

Wilkinson R. Vocal behaviour and call development in the bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula). Bioacoustics. 1990;2: 179-97.
Crossref Google Scholar
 
Wilson JD, Evans AD, Grice PV. Bird conservation and agriculture. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2009.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919X.2009.00992.x
Crossref
 
Woutersen K, Platteeuw M. Atlas de las aves de Huesca: observaciones de aves en el Alto Aragón. Huesca: Kees Woutersen Publicaciones; 1988.
Avian Research
Volume 12 Issue 1,
January 2021
Article number: 8
DOI: 10.1186/s40657-021-00241-0
Cite this article:
Hernández Á. Habitat use and space preferences of Eurasian Bullfinches (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) in northwestern Iberia throughout the year. Avian Research, 2021, 12(1): 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40657-021-00241-0

710

Views

30

Downloads

4

Crossref

5

Web of Science

5

Scopus

0

CSCD

Altmetrics
Received: 07 June 2020
Accepted: 07 January 2021
Published: 08 February 2021
© The Author(s) 2021.

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated in a credit line to the data.
Return