Foraging shifts by the Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus) in relation to arthropod availability in a mixed woodland during the spring-summer period

Full article

Published:

Volume 42(1), June 1995. Pages 39-48.

Language:

English

Keywords:

arthropod availability, Blue Tit, foraging site selection, mixed woodland, Parus caeruleus, spring-summer period.

Abstract:

The changes in the use of foraging sites by the Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus) in a mixed woodland of Pinus pinea, Quercus ilex and Juniperus oxycedrus of central Spain were analyzed in relation to arthropod availability. The study period covered the prebreeding, breeding and postbreeding stages of the Blue Tit's annual cycle. Blue tits looked for food mostly on small branches and leaves of tree canopies. Arthropod availability was estimated by measuring the dry mass of arthropods in 900 small branches taken from trees. Quercus ilex branches had the largests arthropod abundances during the whole study period, and they were always positively selected by blue tits. The use of other tree species and foraging sites changed during the study period, as well as the availability of arthropods. Relationships between foraging site selection and food abundance were evident during the whole study period. The temporal variation of arthropod abundance is interpreted as an important factor affecting the foraging behaviour of blue tits.