Breeding Habitat Selection of the Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus at the Nest and Territory Scale

Abstract

The Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus has expanded its breeding distribution in recent years and now breeds in Japan, previously only part of its wintering range. We analyzed the breeding habitat selection of the population at the nest and territory scale in the Kirigamine Highlands, Nagano, Central Japan. At the nesting scale, the birds chose buildings frequently occupied by humans, while at the territory scale, they avoided sites in larger built-up areas. Our findings demonstrate that the breeding habitat selection of Daurian Redstart is influenced by environmental factors at both nest and territory scales.