The diet of the Stonechat (Saxicola torquata) in southeastern Spain during autumn-winter.

Full article

Published:

Volume 38(2), December 1991. Pages 317-326.

Language:

Spanish

Original title:

Alimentación de la Tarabilla Común (Saxicola torquata) en el sureste de la Península Ibérica durante el periodo otoño-invierno

Keywords:

Stonechat, Saxicola torquata, feeding, Southem Spain.

Abstract:

The diet of the Stonechat (Saxicola torquata) was studied in southern Spain between October and February by analyzing 60 stomach contents (25 males and 33 females). This species showed a mixed diet but with a high component of animal matter (87,6 % of volume), mainly in the females (91,3 % of volume). The fruits of Olea europaea were the most important food item in the males while in the females, the most important was fruits of Solanaceae. The animal fraction included mainly Hymenopterans (Formicidae) and Coleopterans (IG = 80,26 and 52,2 respectively). Grit was found only rarely. Prey size was 6,60 + 0,2 mm, smaller in females (X = 6,55 + 0,1 mm) than in males (X = 6,65 + 0,2 mm). By analyzing the characteristic habitat of the preys, we can conclude that most of the invertebrates preyed live on the ground surface (73,3 %).