Territory Size Variations in Shrubsteppe Birds

The AukPublished 1 July 1985

John A. Wiens, John T. Rotenberry, Beatrice Van Horne

DOI10.1093/auk/102.3.500

Citations53

TL;DR

Analysis of territory size and its variations in two common species of shrubsteppe birds and its relationship to population densities and features of breeding habitats casts doubt on the meaning or value of "average" territory-size measures for a species as a whole.

Abstract

Abstract We recorded variations in sizes of breeding territories of Sage (Amphispiza belli) and Brewer's (Spizella breweri) sparrows at four locations in shrubsteppe habitats during 1976-1983. There was considerable variation in territory sizes of both species, and ANOVA tests indicated that site, plot within site, and year all contributed to this variation. Territory-size variations of Sage Sparrows were correlated with differences in several habitat features, while those of Brewer's Sparrows showed no relation to habitat variation. Territory sizes in both species varied inversely with breeding population densities, although in different ways. Our findings cast doubt on the meaning or value of "average" territory-size measures for a species as a whole.

Keywords

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